During a special panel at Anime Expo Lite, Lucasfilm revealed the anthology series. Star Wars: Visions will arrive on September 22 on Disney+. Lucasfilm allowed some of Japan’s best animation studios to tell stories in the Star Wars universe. The studios could use established characters or create new ones, and they don’t need to consider the official timeline. Executive producer James Waugh said “We really wanted to give these creators a wide creative berth to explore all the imaginative potential of the Star Wars galaxy through the unique lens of anime,” and “We realized we wanted these to be as authentic as possible to the studios and creators who are making them, made through their unique process, in a medium they’re such experts at. So the idea was, this is their vision riffing off all the elements of the Star Wars galaxy that inspired them — hopefully, to make a really incredible anthology series, unlike anything we’ve seen before in the Star Wars galaxy.”
An all star lineup
Many anime fans will recognize many of the seven studios tasked with creating nine shorts. Kamikaze Douga specializes in animation for commercials, videogames, and anime openings/endings. They’re most well known for the 2012 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime openings. Geno Studio (Twin Engine) the studio that produces Golden Kamuy, Studio Colorido (Twin Engine) the producer of Burn the Witch movie, and Pokemon: Twilight Wings, Kinema Citrus (Made in Abyss), Science SARU (Devilman Crybaby), Production I.G (FLCL Progressive), and Studio Trigger (Little Witch Academia, SSSS.Gridman, Promare). Each studio will tell a different story, with unique visual styles:
- Kamikaze Douga –The Duel
- Geno Studio (Twin Engine) – Lop and Ochō
- Studio Colorido (Twin Engine) –Tatooine Rhapsody
- Trigger –The Twins
- Trigger –The Elder
- Kinema Citrus –The Village Bride
- Science Saru – Akakiri
- Science Saru – T0-B1
- Production IG –The Ninth Jedi
A love letter to Star Wars
All the studios are huge Star Wars fans and were excited. Takanobu Mizuno, the director of The Duel, a black and white samurai-inspired short, said “he just wanted this to be a love letter to Star Wars.” Each short will focus on different genres, characters, and themes. Lop and Ocho introduces a space bunny character Lop, Studio Colorido’s Tatooine Rhapsody is a rock opera with a “Chibi art style,” and Trigger’s The Twins will follow the story of twins born to the dark side and The Elder will explore the relationship between Master and Padawan. Like many anthology series, fans may like some over others. Regardless, as a fan of anime and Star Wars, I’m excited about this series.
Watch the Star Wars: Visions Special Look:
Source: StarWars.com
All I know about this series is that it’s going to be AMAZING. Ever since watching “Infinity Train” and even “Rick And Morty’s” various anthology episodes; I’ve just enjoyed the anthology format. And the shifting art styles and animation technique will make for a good display.
Personally; I’m looking forward to “The Twins” the most. I haven’t seen but clips of “Kill La Kill,” but I have watched “Little Witch Academia” and “Darling In The Franxx.” I even hope that Studio Trigger takes up making a “Mashle” anime. Not to mention just liking their art style.
I think I’m also interested in “The Duel.” It reminds me of Genndy Tarakovsky’s original animations for the Star Wars franchise(Coincidentally; those episodes were the VERY FIRST pieces of the Star Wars media I ever saw in my life). I love the way they draw the Lightsabers in that one. And the motif of a “Sci-Fi Samurai Duel” seems like that’s what Star Wars should ALWAYS be.
This series is gonna be SO F*CKING SICK. And I’m ALL FOR IT!!!
I’m excited as well. I doubt I would like everything but The Duel and The Twins stand out.
Definitely cool that they’re doing this. Usually anthologies aren’t really for me but it looks like they got quite a few big companies in on this one. I’ve got big hopes for Trigger in particular
I guess the purpose of anthologies is to try a lot of different things. Most of the time you’ll only like a few, if that much.