You might think “Star Wars: Visions” doesn’t matter. The show appears to be outside the canon (it’s unclear if it is canon or not) and it centers around the anime style of animation, something that’s relatively new for the franchise. The stories are bottleneck episodes that don’t connect. It features some cameos fans will recognize, but mostly takes place outside the Skywalker Saga and the stories we’ve known and followed for years.
But let me tell you, “Star Wars: Visions” is the best thing to happen to “Star Wars” in years, as it brings the series back to its roots and explores an entirely new avenue for the franchise.
More importantly, “Star Wars: Visions” expands the galaxy far, far away to new levels.
“Star Wars: Visions” is a series of short animation stories told by seven different Japanese anime studies. The short films each have their own style with signature storytelling visions for the “Star Wars” galaxy.
“From the beginning, stories told in the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy have counted Japanese mythology and the films of Akira Kurosawa among their many influences, and these new visions will further explore that cultural heritage through the unique animation style and perspective of each anime studio,” Disney+ said in a release to the Deseret News.
I’ve watched several of the episodes, and I can say that I am all in on the series. Each episode is short but different and unique. It has something for everyone. You have stories about droids, Jedis and even ... rock stars? Yes. Legit “Star Wars” galaxy rock stars.
The series, most importantly, has the Star Wars feel (most of the time). You feel like you’re seeing the “Star Wars” universe as it was meant to be told — in serial shorts. I love that it’s taken on a new style and format. I give it a thumbs up!
The first episode is one of the coolest “Star Wars” stories I’ve ever watched. The episode — titled “The Duel” — feels like what the entire “Star Wars” story is based on. Good and evil meeting for a final matchup. It has shades of the Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi lightsaber duel from “Revenge of the Sith,” It’s definitely the right episode to start off the series.
Meanwhile, the second episode is a little corny. I didn’t love the third episode, either. Fans of the Jedi will enjoy episodes four, five, seven and nine, though, which have a lot of fun Jedi moments for Jedi fans. Throughout all the episodes, you get a lot of insight into Star Wars galaxy culture, which adds an additional layer of context when you watch other “Star Wars” stories. Seeing these shorts help you understand the bigger world of the galaxy far, far away, and that’s an excellent experience in itself.
It’s no question that Disney took a bit of a risk with this series. But there are aspects here for everyone to enjoy. Mixing “Star Wars” and anime is a natural fit. I’m glad they went this route and I can’t wait to see if they explore it down the road, too, with more episodes and stories.
Like Marvel’s “What If...?,” the “Star Wars: Visions” concept gives “Star Wars” fans a chance to see new stories that explore various avenues of storytelling. It gives you new insight into the “Star Wars” galaxy and offers an understanding of the universe.
More importantly, it brings “Star Wars” back to its roots — simple storytelling about good triumphing over evil. Gone are the complex storylines and loaded questions about who is related to who and how this character came to this planet. It’s about the simple story — good vs. evil, and the journey that leads a hero to victory.