A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

The evil Galactic Empire reigns with oppressive might. Backed by the power of the Death Star, a planet-destroying space fortress, the Empire's rule seems all but assured. All that stands between them and supreme domination is the ragtag Rebel Alliance, a group determined to restore peace and freedom across the galaxy.

When the Rebellion manages to steal plans of the Death Star, they are tracked down by the Empire's enforcer, Darth Vader. Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, a secret rebel spy, hides the plans on the droid R2-D2 before being captured. As Leia is dragged off to the Death Star, R2-D2 and its droid companion, C-3PO, escape to the nearest planet, the desert world of Tatooine.

It is on this wasteland that the droids encounter young farmer Luke Skywalker, who quickly learns of Leia's plight. Suffering at the hands of the Empire himself, Luke is spurred into action to rescue the princess. Aided by Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi, smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, and the droids, Luke and the team embark on their mission, unaware that they may just be the new hope the galaxy has been waiting for.

Star Wars: Arata naru Kibou is an adaptation of the 1977 American film Star Wars. The manga's cover art was drawn by Noriyoshi Ohrai.

The series was published in English as Star Wars: A New Hope by Dark Horse Comics in 4 volumes from July 15, 1998, to December 2, 1998, with cover art by Adam Warren. It was also published in Brazilian Portuguese by Editora JBC from June 2002 to July 2002.