by “Volume 3,” the third installment of the Star Wars short animation project, “Star Wars: Visions,” will begin streaming exclusively on Disney+ on Wednesday, October 29th. In preparation for the launch of the latest film, we look back at “Volume 1,” which will be followed by “Volume 3.” (The following contains spoilers.)About “Star Wars: Visions” “Star Wars: Visions” is a project eagerly anticipated by Lucasfilm, in which a globally acclaimed animation studio depicts a new Star Wars story from its unique perspective and imagination.
Volume 1, which features nine animated shorts that inherit the legacy of George Lucas’s Star Wars while incorporating the spirit of Japanese anime culture, has been a hit worldwide since its release. The third installment of the series, Volume 3, premiering on October 29th, will feature nine short films from nine animation studios. It will also include a continuation of three films: “The Duel” by Kamikaze Douga, “The Ninth Jedi” by Production IG, and “The Village Bride” by Kinema Citrus.
Kamikaze Douga’s “The Duel” exudes the atmosphere of Kurosawa’s films. “The Duel” was produced by Kamikaze Douga, known for producing high-quality animations such as the opening credits for the TV anime series “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” and the film “Batman Ninja.” The film’s overall use of black creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the films of director Akira Kurosawa, who influenced “Star Wars.”
The protagonist, “Ronin,” travels with his droid, a ronin character who, as his name suggests, fights with a red lightsaber. The film truly blends Japanese culture with the essence of Star Wars, including scenes that use the sound effects from the famous battle between Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn from “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episode 1),” as well as scenes that pay homage to “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode 3).” The sequel, “The Duel Payback,” released as Volume 3, was co-produced by Kamikaze Douga and CG studio ANIMA.
The story depicts Ronin, who has pursued and defeated countless Sith, facing a new enemy. At Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, the largest Star Wars festival held in Makuhari in the spring of 2025, fans were treated to a first glimpse of new visuals, including characters from the Anzeran tribe that appeared in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Episode 9) and The Mandalorian, as well as a giant combat vehicle resembling a Japanese-style AT-AT, which combines a building modeled after a hot spring inn with a gambling den. But what kind of “vision” will the sequel depict in this world fused with Star Wars? Anticipation is building for Star Wars fans.
“The Ninth Jedi,” produced by Production IG, depicts the Jedi and lightsabers. Production IG, a leading Japanese animation studio known for its work on the Ghost in the Shell series, Psycho-Pass, and Haikyu!! , has produced “The Ninth Jedi,” which depicts the rebirth of the Jedi. The story is set in the galaxy after “The Rise of Skywalker.” Seven Jedi gather at the Sky Temple on the remote planet Hi-Izlan after Margrave Juro, who plans to revive the Jedi Knights, offers to present them with the ancient weapon, a lightsaber.
At the same time, sabersmith Zima completes a lightsaber under Juro’s orders. However, Zima is captured by Jedi hunters plotting the revival of the Sith. Zima’s daughter, Cara, is entrusted with the lightsaber and flees her pursuers, heading for the Sky Temple. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, who aspired to become an animation director after watching “Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV),” this film depicts the story of the Jedi, lightsabers, and “parents and children,” symbols of “Star Wars.”
The lightsaber action is a significant highlight for fans. When Volume 1 was released, fans clamored for a series. At the recent Star Wars Celebration, it was announced that Volume 3 would feature a sequel, “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope,” and that in 2026, “Star Wars Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi,” the first original animated series to be adapted into a series since “Visions,” would be released.
“Village Bride,” produced by Kinema Citrus, is inspired by Anakin and Padmé’s wedding. Created by Kinema Citrus, the studio behind popular TV anime series such as “Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez” and the “Made in Abyss” series, “Village Bride” tells the story of a bride who makes a tragic decision and must confront the consequences. Set after Order 66, the story follows a strange wedding taking place on the planet Kealia, a planet not yet under Imperial rule. It follows the story of a fugitive Jedi named Ev, who sees himself in the bride, Hal.
Director Iwato Iwato, who worked on this film, revealed that the film’s theme of “wedding” was inspired by the heartbreaking wedding scene between Anakin and Padmé, depicted alone in “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (Episode II).” Incidentally, the Japanese voice actor for Van, the man who summoned Eph to Keelia, was played by actor Takaya Kamikawa, a friend of the director’s with whom he discussed animation in high school. It has also been announced that “The Wanderers,” a sequel to Volume 3, will tell the story of Eph’s involvement with children caught up in the war.
In addition to the three films mentioned above, David Productions, Polygon Pictures, Project Studio Q, TRIGGER, WIT STUDIO, and Kinema Citrus, the studio behind “The Village Bride,” are also working on new animated shorts for “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 3. *Star Wars: Visions Volume 1 is currently streaming exclusively on Disney+.
