Watch Star Wars: Visions

Star Wars: Visions is a new animated anthology series that explores the Star Wars universe through a completely fresh lens. Released on Disney+ in September 2021, the series features nine original stories, each created by a different visionary Japanese anime studio. The show is a unique collaboration between the Star Wars franchise and the anime industry, and is produced in both Japanese and English with subtitles and dubbed audio available.

Each episode of Star Wars: Visions is a standalone tale, meaning that viewers can watch them in any order they choose without needing to worry about continuity or overarching plotlines. This also means that each episode explores different aspects of the Star Wars universe, from new planetary landscapes and alien creatures to lesser-known characters and cultural nuances. However, despite their individuality, all of the stories remain true to the core themes and values of Star Wars, including the battle between good and evil, the importance of loyalty and friendship, and the power of the Force.

Some of the studios behind Star Wars: Visions are world-famous, such as Studio Trigger who created the anime series Kill la Kill, while some are lesser known in the west, such as Kinema Citrus who worked on Made in Abyss. Nevertheless, each had the opportunity to put their own unique spin on the Star Wars universe, resulting in stories that are unlike anything we've seen before in the franchise. The show's directors and writers were given free reign to incorporate their own cultural and personal influences into their episodes, and as a result, Star Wars: Visions is both a love letter to Star Wars and an homage to the long-standing tradition of Japanese animation.

One aspect of Star Wars: Visions that sets it apart from other animated series in the franchise is its animation styles. Each studio utilized their own signature style, ranging from quirky and bold to intricate and detailed. For example, The Ninth Jedi episode features richly detailed characters and landscapes, while Tatooine Rhapsody uses a much more stylized, cartoonish approach. This unique visual diversity is a nod towards the creative freedom that anime studios are often given in their productions.

In terms of voice acting, Star Wars: Visions employed a mix of well-known anime voice actors and Star Wars alums. Michael Sinterniklaas (FLCL, Naruto) voices the character of Narrator, offering a glimpse into the overarching themes and plot of each episode, while Neil Kaplan (Transformers, Digimon) voices the mysterious character of Cav, who appears in multiple episodes. Additionally, Adam Sietz (Batman: Hush, Spider-Man) voices the character of Tsubaki, a young Padawan trying to overcome her fears and trust in the Force in The Ninth Jedi episode.

Overall, Star Wars: Visions is a celebration of creative storytelling, artistic expression, and the shared enthusiasm for the Star Wars franchise. The show is full of surprises, Easter eggs, and nods to the wider universe, making it a must-watch for fans old and new. Whether you're an avid anime viewer or just a casual Star Wars fan, each episode of Star Wars: Visions has something unique and wonderful to offer.

Star Wars: Visions is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (18 episodes). The series first aired on September 22, 2021.