Sense the purchase of Lucasfilm from Disney, the door has been wide open for different forms of content to emerge from the “Star Wars” franchise … some better than others … and others fine, albeit safe to a fault.
Yet, for all the new content that has come from the series in the past decade, I think many would agree that the most unique of all was the limited Anime series titled “Star Wars: Visions”, which ran from 2021 through 2023. This was a Japanese anthology Anime series set in different time periods and altered timelines of the “Star Wars” universe. Several different Japanese Anime studios came together to work on this project, which meant each story had an individual look, style, tone, and different set of original characters. While there has always been some Anime influence on previous “Star Wars” shows, like the 2003 “Star Wars: Clone Wars” micro series, this was the first real Anime we've gotten from the franchise, and for my money … it’s about time!
For years I've wanted to see this universe brought to life through Japanese Anime ... and here, my wish finally came true. I loved the different animation styles on display, I loved how it broke away from established continuity, familiar faces were seen sparingly, most of the characters were original, and I loved that it just let itself go all out with its own rules.
While I admittedly found some of the shorts just a little too outlandish for their own good, the majority of them worked, and it was just really cool to finally see the universe of “Star Wars” brought to life in Anime form. The unfortunate downside to this anthology is that it's admittedly more of a cool experiment then it is a memorable experience, and I would have liked a little more variety in the storytelling. Most of the season one shorts followed a similar outline in which a new Jedi character is discovered, and everything culminates in big Lightsaber duel. Personally, I feel there's so much more material that this universe can offer. Also, at least half of these shorts felt like back-door piolets for potential spin-offs. Thankfully, season two gave us a little more variety, and it made the series feel more complete. The series ran for two seasons, with twenty shorts in total. The majority of the shorts were done well, and there’s plenty of great content to highlight. For simplicity’s sake, I just want to discuss and rank my personal top 10 favorite shorts from this series.
#10 "Sith"
A former Sith apprentice has found a peaceful life for herself, spending her time as an artist, and trying to make the most colorful creations, as a means to hide all that previous darkness that lies within. Alas, no matter what, the dark colors always seem to take shape in her work, and to make matters worse … her evil master has returned to collect her.
This leads into a thrilling showdown between master and apprentice, as well as an internal battle to see how much color or darkness lies in the heart of the artist. More than any other short, this episode is visually striking, and arguably the most artistic in its imagery ... which compliments both the theme and narrative. The story would have been decent enough, but it really is the design of this short that makes it stand out as a favorite.
#9 “The Village Bride”
When a mysterious female Jedi is drawn to a remote planet, she learns that a bride from a small village, and her groom, are to be handed over to a savage group of raiders, who are using re-programed Battle Droids to occupy the area.
She also learns that the planet has a mystical orra emanating from its natural elements. Out of respect for her late master, she goes to the aid of the village bride, and all those she cares for. Of all the shorts, I think this one had the best atmosphere, tone, and some really effective music ques. There’s a sense of size and wonder to this short, but it’s all very quiet, and there’s great use of visual storytelling on display. I also liked seeing Battle Droids is this episode, but aside from them, this short honestly felt the least like “Star Wars”, and it could have come from any Anime series, but I mean that in a good way. Unlike many of the other shorts, this one worked better as a self-contained story, and it didn’t feel like a back-door piolet … although, it would have been even stronger if it was maybe a special hour-long episode to flesh-out the story and characters.
#8 "The Spy Dancer"
A long time Rebel spy named Loi'e, puts on a special dance show for Empyreal officers, as a means to covertly track down their movements. Amidst the performance, she spots an officer, who resembles a man that took away her infant son twenty years ago during a siege. She confronts the man, only to discover that it’s in fact her very son all grown-up, and serving her enemies. Thus, it becomes a battle of two broken family members, trying to find unity in a galaxy of loss. It’s a sold short that hits all the right emotional beats in it’s short run-time, and the image of our dancing performer is a memorable one. The dance is also incorporated into the action, which helps give it a unique identity.
#7 "Screecher’s Reach"
A young girl named Daal has spent her life slaving away in a workhouse, along with her small group of friends. One day, she receives an ominous summon to the mysterious cave of Screechers Reach, which is said to be the home of a ghostly entity. If she can face her fears and defeat the entity in the cave, she’ll be liberated from her life in the work house. In the aftermath, the ghostly figure of the cave was revealed to be a living creature, and in defeating it, Daal is recruited by a Sith Master.
In the end, it becomes a mater of trading one horrible life for one that’s potentially worse, and all at the coast of betraying her friends that she left behind. The final chilling image of Daal’s face as she looks back on everything she leaves behind shows just how bad her choice is. Tonally, visually, and thematically, this is perhaps the darkest episode, with a haunting atmosphere, and a warning of what may happen when one chooses the easy and more seductive path.
#6 “Tatooine Rhapsody”
Set on the planet of Tatooine, and during the Time-Line of the original “Star Wars” trilogy, we see a youthful Rock Band calling themselves Star Waver, who are about to go on a galaxy wide tour. Unfortunately, after being chased by the masked Bounty Hunter Boba Fett, the bands leader, a Hutt named Gee, is taken prisoner, and turned over to known gangster Jabba the Hutt. One of the band members, a former Jedi named Geezer, purposes to put of a live-performance for the slimy crime lord, and if successful, they’ll have their friend back.
This is the kind of short I want to see in an animated “Star Wars” anthology, as it’s not traditional formula, nor something I’d want to see in a movie, but absolutely enjoy seeing in the “Star Wars” animated universe. Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers a committed performance as the lead Jedi band player, and theirs a fun ensemble of distinct characters. It’s also the only short to be set in a familiar location, and populated with classic characters like Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, and even those attractive female alien dancers from the special edition of “Return of the Jedi”, which is great. I also found it welcoming that Temuera Morrison reprised his role as Boba Fett from the live-action shows in this short. In general, I’m glad this series didn’t rely on too many familiar characters, but it’s nice to have at least one with recognizable favorites. Aside from that, I simply found this to be the most cheerful episode, with up-beat song numbers, likable characters, and a refreshing break-away from the familiar Jedi formula. I can certainly see some fans being turned off by a band concert episode … but for me, I really enjoyed it, and it’s the only short that just leaves me smiling from ear to ear.
#5 "The Pit"
Set on a desert planet, a large group of slaves are forced to dig a giant pit and unearth crystals for the Empire, who use them as the base for creating a nearby city of light. For decades, the slaves are forced to live in the pit they dug for themselves, while the Empire bask in their glamorous new city. One worker tries to escape to the city of light, only for him to meet a tragic end. This inspires the remaining slaves to rebel against their captures, and follow the light to a better life they all deserve. Equal parts dramatic and uplifting, this is an effective short that uses the “Star Wars” universe as a backdrop for a story that’s more universal to viewers outside of the fan base.
#4 “The Duel”
Set in the “Star Wars” version of Feudal Japan, a band of raiders lay siege to a village, and their leader is a ruthless Sith Master who wilds a deadly red-bladed lightsaber. Just as they make their move on the chief, a mysterious Ronin interferes, wilding a lightsaber of his own … another red-bladed lightsaber. Living-up to its title, the lightsaber duel between the two is a thing of beauty, and brilliantly staged, especially with the two maintaining balance on a log that’s flowing down a raging river. Of all the episodes, I felt this one worked the absolute best as a self-contained short story, with easy characters to follow, and an awesome action set-piece in the center. Of course, this one stands out with the most unique art-design of all the shorts, and visually resembles classic Samori movies in the vein of “The Hidden Fortress” and “Seven Samori”.
#3 "Journey to the Dark Head"
A former young monk, now mechanic named Ara believes that the statues of her home planet, representing both the light and dark sides of the universe, have a degree of control of how much good or evil can roam the galaxy. Thus, along with a young Jedi named Toul, they set out to destroy the dark statue, and potentially rid the galaxy of evil force wielders. Along the way, their pursued by a ruthless Sith Lord called Bichan, who engages our heroes in a fierce battle.
In the end, everyone realizes that both light and dark evenly flow between both statues, making it impossible to destroy. As such, while both our heroes defeat their enemy, they must cope with the fact that there will always be good and evil in the galaxy. The message is decent enough, but along with the imagery, characters and lightsaber action on display, I simply find this one of the most comforting shorts, as it just feels like classic “Star Wars”. The animation is wonderful, along with some gorgeous lighting, and the duel is one of the best of the shorts. #2 “The Ninth Jedi”
Set during a time when the Jedi order is mostly extinct, a mysterious call is made for any surviving Jedi to meet at a secret temple embedded in an asteroid. Seven force wielders arrive, with a young boy among them who’s eager to expand his knowledge of the force. Meanwhile, on the planet below, a lightsaber forger, and his young daughter, have finished crafting seven blades for the arriving Jedi. Tragedy strikes when a group of hunters attack their house, taking the forger captive, and forcing his daughter Kara to flee with the lightsabers.
These two story threads collide in a deeply thrilling climax, in which secret hero’s and enemies are revealed, and an all-out lightsaber brawl ensues between valiant Jedi and evil Sith Lords. This short was directed by Kenji Kamiyama, and the studio helming this short was Production I.G, the same Anime company that brought us the “Ghost in the Shell” franchise, as well as that animated segment from 2003’s “Kill Bill Volume 1”. Had this short been a piolet episode for a nine-part Anime mini-series, this could have potentially been one of my favorite products in all of “Star Wars”. The set-up was intriguing, the world building was fascinating, and it felt like it was properly expanding on the mythology of the universe, without going too far into outlandish territory. Naturally, being a Production I.G segment … it looks amazing, with gorgeous backdrops, and kinetic movement. There’s a beautifully animated chase through the woods, which ends in a fight on a frozen lake, and it makes for a terrific set-piece. Unfortunately, I just can’t bring myself to rank this one higher, as it’s mostly set-up for potentially great stories moving forward.
Before I reveal my number one favorite short, here are some quick honorable mentions …
“The Elder”
"I Am Your Mother"
“The Twins”
"The Bandits of Golak"
“T0-B1”
#1 “Lop and Ocho”
During the reign of the Empire, a female alien slave named Lop … who resembles an anthropomorphic rabbit … has escaped her bondage, and is taken in by a loving young girl named Ocho, along with her father, the Chief leader of the planet Tau. Seven years later, the Empire occupies their homeland, and the Chief, along with his foster daughter Lop want them off the planet. Unfortunately, the once loving sister Ocho has gone bad, and has joined the Empire … oh, and she bites her thumb and uses her blood as new eye-liner … that’s how bad she’s gone.
In light of this betrayal, the Chief passes down the family’s lightsaber to his adopted doubter, who leaves on her own personal mission to not only liberate her planet, but to also bring her broken family back together. I never knew I wanted an anthropomorphic girl bunny with a lightsaber in the “Star Wars” universe … but I’m glad I have that now. This short boast’s my favorite animation of the whole show, as it’s not overly stylized, but it’s rich with detail. The backgrounds look like they came right out of a Makoto Shinkai picture, with character designs that feel they came right out of a Studio GhibliI film. I also feel this short has the most compelling characters, all of whom I’d love to see explored in other “Star Wars” media. Truthfully, I wish this short was an animated movie, as it had all the makings of something fantastic. As it stands, it’s my personal favorite short from “Star Wars: Visions”.
Overall, I can’t bring myself to place “Star Wars: Visions” among my absolute favorite “Star Wars” content, but I love that it exists, and I hope this anthology opened the door for future Anime productions to come from this universe. Its reception has been a rousing success, with fans enjoying it, and critics giving it wide-acclaim. I certainly liked this anthology series overall, and maybe I’ll even get some follow-ups on the episodes I liked most. For whatever content comes out next in the “Star Wars” franchise … I’m deeply thrilled to say that Japanese Anime has finally become part of the saga.
Thanks for reading my review of the 2021 series “Star Wars: Visions” … and continue to enjoy the shows you love!
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