Over the years, countless artists have created character stylizations that bring Star Wars characters into a Samurai world. Most fans were ready for anime to happen. We might think this relatively quietly released project will surprise Disney in its popularity, but they know exactly what they’re doing here. Star Wars: Visions lives up to its name. It’s an anthology of homage storytelling that takes place in nine different alternative planes of existence in a galaxy far, far away.
Lucasfilm’s official license to Bandai was a branding acknowledgment of this influence when they released the Meisho Movie Realization of Star Wars action figures for collectors. Several characters were done, but perhaps The Mandalorian was the most popular. Deep-cut Star Wars fans may remember a rogue, independently created Star Wars: TIE Fighter by animator Paul Johnson. The 2015 short animated film took four years to make. Done in ’80s anime style and reminiscent of Battle of the Planets, aka G-Force, it woke fans to the idea that Star Wars could and should be told this way. Flash-forward to 2021, and we have an official anthology commissioned by Disney. They did something all fans can agree on.
Star Wars: Visions shorts have run times ranging from 14 to 23 minutes, and every single one begs for more time. A few told stories with definitive endings, but the majority left the future open to the imagination (or, hopefully, continued storylines). Lucasfilm approached the project by contacting a number of animation studios they thought might be a match. They were asked to pitch a story idea with concept art showing how they envisioned their precious minutes. Each story has a distinct feel, but they all work together so well that it won’t be long before a second season is green-lit. Some of this animation blows you away. The nature of anime lends itself to gorgeous scenery and dynamic action scenes unachievable in live-action or traditional Western animation. These episodes are works of art to be appreciated. My only recommendation is that you do not binge the series, as tempting as it might be to do so. You’ll want to save these desserts to be enjoyed one at a time and digested over a thousand years.
Chock-full of familiar quotes and nods to easily recognizable specific scenes in our favorite Star Wars films, each director also recognized cinematic influences outside of the genre. Along the way, the audience will find themselves in feudal Japan-inspired atmospheres, western showdown locales, and amidst masters of swordplay in samurai cinema. Lightsabers are featured in all nine stories, and the duels are far more creative and variable than you can imagine.
Kyber crystals have come a long way since their first introduction as Kaiburr crystals in Splinter of the Mind’s Eye, Alan Dean Foster’s novelization of George Lucas’ sequel treatment to the original Star Wars before it was dubbed A New Hope. The crystals have taken on new meaning in the current Disney canon. They define the user of the blade they power, and every Jedi or Sith who carries one has a deep-rooted relationship with their crystal. This new canon helps give visual cues necessary for understanding who is who in a given story and how people are more complex than the side of the Force on which they stand.
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The themes of these short tales touch on family bonds, sibling rivalries, and parent/offspring relationships, just like in classic Star Wars, but good and evil aren’t always so cut and dry. Every story explores its characters and their situations in inventive new ways that make Star Wars new again. There were episodes that were stronger and a few plots that felt weaker, but overall, Star Wars: Visions is poised to pave new roads for the franchise.
1“The Duel” presented by Kamikaze Douga
The stark black-and-white look of “The Duel” is the perfect choice for the first tale. Its Seven Samurai (1954) influence is more than apparent, but there are clear influences from The Clone Wars animated series, too. You’ll even notice some visual tributes to Darth Maul’s dual with Obi-Wan and Qui Gon in The Phantom Menace.
By far the best of the bunch. Setting the bar this high so early may feel like a mistake compared to a few other episodes, but they are all worth watching.
2“Tatooine Rhapsody” presented by Studio Colorido
This immediate left turn in style is a necessary follow-up to “The Duel.” The style is less gritty and has a younger feel. It was a risk as the only episode featuring major canonical characters, but it worked. The timeline is a bit sketchy, but the cameos are worth sitting through the cheesy music. This one is a feel-good episode that gives us lines like “Punch it!” and “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…” (most have a variation on this line). Additionally, there is this line: “It is pointless to resist,” delivered by Boba Fett instead of Darth Vader.
A bonus Easter egg to watch for is the appearance of Ben Kenobi’s abode on Tatooine. In the scene, it’s implied he’s watching a viral video (presumably on his iPad). Is Star Wars ready for rock-and-roll? Ask Sy Snootles and the Max Rebo Band. You may recognize the voice of Star Waver’s band leader as that of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
3“The Twins” presented by Trigger
Echoing Star Wars more than any other episode, this tale takes us on a journey inspired by an arc covering a more well-known set of twins. It also throws in tech from The Mandalorian, dabbles in themes from Dark Horse Comics Dark Empire series, and borrows some of the best imagery from The Last Jedi (trust me, it’s well done).
Though not the best episode, “The Twins” was my favorite. The director set out to reinterpret the source material without losing the feel or respect for the original Star Wars. Come for the iridescent lightsaber; stay for the Doc Oc-derived Kyber crystal tentacle blade weapon.
4“The Village Bride” presented by Cinema Citrus
You’ll see influence from the prequels here, and the Force plays a strong role in this one. The scenery is meant to evoke a quiet atmosphere in a natural world where the power of the Force flows through nature. The dialogue in anime is often exposition-laden, but this story is more so than others.
You’ll see tributes to Sailor Moon and, believe it or not, Monty Python & the Holy Grail‘s Black Knight.
5“The Ninth Jedi” presented by Production I.G.
In this story of betrayal, we have a band of masterless Jedi who are destined to come together with their lightsabers. Lightsabers are a thing of the past and all but forgotten, except there is a sabersmith who is designing and building them in secret.
The longest-running of the episodes, this one often feels like two different stories. According to the extras, director Kenji Kamiyama submitted two pitches, and Lucasfilm liked them so much that they asked him to combine them.
6“TO-B1” presented by Science Saru
“TO-B1” is a Pinocchio-influenced tale in which Geppetto is an exiled Jedi post-Order 66. The boy/droid/Padawan Tobi resembles Mighty Atom, better known as Astro Boy, an honorable nod from the ’50s and ’60s Japanese animation. The Inquisitor is a less noticeable character influence, who looks distinctly like Baron Karza, the Micronauts character toy by Mego from the ’70s.
This fairy tale is carefully told, glossing over death and mourning the way younger stories might, but it’s heartwarming and worth the watch. Listen up for the C-3PO line, “Please don’t deactivate me,” delivered by the boy droid.
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7“The Elder” presented by Trigger
Another master and Palawan story, but with twists that happen too soon to have any real effect. This episode is mostly visual. It’s a simple plot with the least amount of tense action.
Legendary actor James Hong voices the Sith Lord, and Stranger Things’ David Harbour voices the Jedi Master.
8“Lop & Ocho” presented by Geno Studio
Do you remember Jaxxon from Marvel’s initial run of Star Wars comics? When character concepts were pitched, Geno Studio envisioned the adopted sister of a Force-sensitive family as a bunny creature. Lucasfilm fell in love with it and found a way to canonize her. She’s a Lepi, like the green humanoid rabbit creature, who was a bounty hunter cult favorite in early issues that followed the adventures of Luke Skywalker and friends after the events of the original Star Wars in what is now referred to as Legends. The Lepus carnivorous species is now canon again; we have Lop to thank for it.
As a penultimate episode, “Lop & Ocho” was perfectly placed. With strong themes of parent-child relationships and betrayal, as well as dark and light sides, a war-torn family faces enemies within and breaks our hearts. Take note of familiar lines like “I am your father” and new Mandalorian cuss words like “Dank Farrik!”
9“Akakiri” presented by Science Saru
The Star Wars rhymes follow meters from the prequels in this episode. Echos of Padme will be heard after a Princess journeys home to face the King’s sister. The violent duel could have used more substance. While this episode is visually stunning, it wasn’t strong enough to end the season on.
The voice talent, including Star Trek‘s George Takei, do an outstanding job of bringing their characters to life. Director Eunyoung Choi states, “Star Wars intrinsically has an Asian spirit.” She succeeds in showing that influence, especially in the settings, but the story itself felt weaker than others, which may have served better as a final episode.
Dear Disney+, we need at least one Wookiee in season two.
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