Lucasfilm & Dark Horse Launch a Kickstarter for an Unseen Star Wars Manga Project

Star Wars just hit Kickstarter, and fans are scrambling to grab their piece of history. Lucasfilm, teaming up with Dark Horse Comics, is reviving a hidden gem: the original manga adaptation of “Star Wars: A New Hope” from 1997.

This marks a full-on tribute to the Japanese artistry that helped shape how the galaxy far, far away was seen around the world.

The Kickstarter centers on “The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga,” a deluxe art book packed with the original boards by manga artist Hisao Tamaki. Tamaki’s version was bold, cinematic, and earned major praise back in the day. Now, almost 30 years later, fans can finally see the creative process behind this unique take on Star Wars.

This is the first time Lucasfilm and Dark Horse have ever gone the crowdfunding route, and the campaign is already a hit.

A Manga Take on Star Wars That Few Have Seen

Back in 1997, Tamaki reimagined “A New Hope” as manga. His art wasn’t just fan service. It had weight. Characters moved with energy, action scenes felt fast, and the story had a fresh lens. But the original art? Most fans never got to see it. This new project changes that.

This book puts the spotlight on the art itself. It is a deep look at the panels, the layout, and the brushwork. It honors how Tamaki used manga techniques to translate a legendary film into another medium. Star Wars isn’t new to adaptations, but this one stood out and still does.

E Online! / Lucasfilm and Dark Horse are digging into their archives and giving fans access to something raw and rare. The campaign includes high-quality scans, new translations, and deluxe printing, all designed to show the art in its best form.

This Kickstarter bridges Western and Japanese pop culture in a way that feels authentic. Tamaki’s adaptation gave Star Wars a totally new vibe, and now it is being treated with the care it deserves.

So, if you are a Star Wars fan who loves the art behind the story, this is worth checking out.

Exclusive Editions You Won’t Find in Stores

What is fueling the hype? The editions. There are several tiers, each with its own appeal. The Collector’s Edition comes with two hardcover books, archival paper, and a fresh English translation. It is the closest thing to holding the original boards without flying to Tokyo.

Then there is the Tamaki Variant, stripped down to spotlight the art. Only 260 of these sets exist. The Signed Collector’s Edition goes further, including creator signatures, and that one is limited to 250. Want the premium package? The Masterpiece Edition is massive, printed at original art size, wrapped in a faux-leather clamshell case, and paired with a companion book.

Marca / Only the Kickstarter backers get these editions. The standard retail version won’t ship until Summer 2026, and even then, it will look different.

Plus, there is also a Vader-themed version of the Masterpiece Edition. It is the rarest of them all. Only 25 of these are being made, and they come with unique features and signatures. This is the kind of thing collectors dream about.

On top of the main books, backers can grab exclusive add-ons. One is a six-piece Tamaki Art Print Set, giving you color reproductions of key boards. The other is a large-format triptych folio, basically a three-panel showpiece that deserves wall space.

Even though the campaign is already funded, you can still back it. The Kickstarter is open for a limited time, wrapping up around mid-October 2025. If you pledge now, you get first access to the books, long before they hit shelves.