Review: ‘The Edge of Balance: Precedent’ Doesn’t Quite Live Up to the High Bar Set by Its Predecessors
The Edge of Balance manga is a unique work of art within the Star Wars universe. Drawing heavily from its Japanese inspirations, the manga feels more like a samurai film. They’re contemplative stories, focusing on character, imagery, beauty, and simplicity over everything else. Because of this, volumes 1 and 2 of The Edge of Balance became one of my favorite stories within phase 1 of The High Republic publishing initiative.
For phase 2, The Edge of Balance goes back 150 years into the past with The Edge of Balance: Precedent. As a prequel, it focuses on Wookie Master Arkoff when he was still an apprentice under Master Ravna. The Edge of Balance: Precedent develops more of Arkoff’s character and how he became who he is in phase 1 of The High Republic. However, The Edge of Balance: Precedent, unfortunately, doesn’t quite live up to the high bar set by its predecessors. It’s still a good read with a satisfying conclusion but features quite a few problems.
In volumes 1 and 2 of The Edge of Balance, the story centered on Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi as she grappled with the responsibility of guarding a small village when she felt she was better suited to fighting against the Nihil with the other Jedi. It was a more quiet and introspective story, which was a breath of fresh air compared to the larger stories of phase 1.
The Edge of Balance: Precedent has some of those contemplative elements, although they’re found primarily in the conclusion. The first three-quarters of the manga is very plot-heavy, with very little in the way of story or character-building. He does this, she does that, rather than he felt this way, she thought that way. In retrospect, the plot-heavy first three-fourths of the manga is a necessary setup for its climactic, samurai-movie-like finish. It’s not a bad change to the story. But it certainly is different and not as good as the story in volumes 1 and 2.
Similarly, with volumes 1 and 2, artist Mizuki Sakakibara rendered amazing naturalistic environments that engrossed me into the planet of Banchii, and showcased great expressions on characters’ faces that mirrored the contemplative nature of the manga. But much like the story, The Edge of Balance: Precedent just can’t match the same high bar set by its predecessors in terms of its art.
The Edge of Balance: Precedent features art by Tomio Ogata. Again, the art shines exceptionally in the last fourth of the manga. But the other three-fourths isn’t as good compared to volumes 1 and 2. A lot of action goes on at the beginning featuring Arkoff and Master Ravna. Yet, in all of the action, the art is hard to follow and lacks clarity, as one character may be in one pose or position on one panel, yet, in a completely different pose or position on the next. The artwork also lacks some of the more nuanced detail that could be found in volumes 1 and 2. The artwork in volumes 1 and 2 featured a better black-and-white balance on each page, providing a more lively contrast than the monochrome white-and-grey of The Edge of Balance: Precedent.
While The Edge of Balance: Precedent isn’t as good as the first two volumes, the manga does feature a rewarding and climactic finish that completes the samurai-like story. It’s different from volumes 1 and 2, and while it’s always good to critique a work of art for what it is and not compare it to other works in the past, it’s hard not to, especially with how amazing the previous entries are.
Score: 6/10
Star Wars: The High Republic: Edge of Balance – Precedent is available now. Special thanks to VIZ Media for the copy used in this review.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jay Goodearl runs the YouTube Gaming channel “Good Games, Dude” His channel aims to open up video games to beginners and immediate players and help them understand what makes games the art form that it is.
