Man Tsang Wai-man, who grew up in Hong Kong in the 1980s, spent his childhood engrossed in the world of Dragon Ball, a manga he adored. He would spend hours sketching his own versions of Son Goku’s adventures, never imagining that his creations would one day travel to a galaxy far, far away. Now 46, Tsang has been selected by Disney to adapt a popular Star Wars novel featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn, a cunning and formidable villain in the interstellar realm, into a manga. This opportunity marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong’s dwindling comic industry, which has been struggling for the past two decades.
The announcement of Tsang’s involvement in Disney’s new series of Star Wars manga was made at the Star Wars Celebration 2025 event in Tokyo last month. The adaptation is based on the 2017 novel Star Wars: Thrawn by acclaimed writer Timothy Zahn. Tsang expressed his excitement at the opportunity, highlighting the challenges faced by Hong Kong’s creative industries, particularly the comic sector. Despite the industry’s decline, Tsang’s collaboration with Disney signifies a glimmer of hope for local artists and creators who have long been overshadowed by larger markets.
The news of Tsang’s involvement in the Star Wars manga adaptation has generated buzz within the global comic community, with fans eagerly anticipating his unique take on the beloved character of Grand Admiral Thrawn. The project not only showcases Tsang’s talent as an artist but also serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Hong Kong’s comic industry. As Tsang embarks on this new chapter in his career, he is poised to inspire a new generation of artists and storytellers, proving that dreams conceived in childhood can indeed reach unimaginable heights in the vast expanse of the creative universe.
