Anime & Manga News

'Star Wars: Visions' Anthology Series Reveals Main Staff, September Premiere

by ImperfectBlue
Jul 3, 2021 6:33 PM | 54 Comments

Lucasfilm revealed seven studios and several main staff members involved in the Star Wars: Visions anthology anime series during its Anime Expo Lite sneak preview stream on Saturday. Nine of the purported ten episodes were teased, and an introduction video for the project was also released on the official Star Wars YouTube channel and Twitter account. Star Wars: Visions will stream on Disney+ beginning September 22.

Anthology Summary
Presenting all-new, creative takes on the galaxy far, far away, Star Wars: Visions will be a series of animated short films celebrating Star Wars through the lens of the world's best anime creators. The anthology collection will bring 10 fantastic visions from several of the leading Japanese anime studios, offering a fresh and diverse cultural perspective to Star Wars. (Source: Disney+)

"The Duel"
Director: Takanobu Mizuno (Nihon Animator Mihonichi episode 16 director)
Character Design: Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai)
Studio: Kamikaze Douga

"Lop & Ochou"
Director: Yuuki Igarashi (Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na! animation director)
Studio: Geno Studio

"Tatooine Rhapsody"
Director: Taku Kimura
Studio: Studio Colorido

"The Twins"
Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi (Promare)
Studio: Trigger

"The Elder"
Director: Masahiko Ootsuka (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann assistant director)
Studio: Trigger

"The Village Bride"
Director: Hitoshi Haga (Made in Abyss assistant director)
Music: Kevin Penkin (Kami no Tou)
Studio: Kinema Citrus

"Akakiri"
Director: Eun-Young Choi (Ping Pong the Animation assistant director)
Studio: Science SARU

"T0-B1"
Director: Abel Góngora (Super Shiro animation director)
Studio: Science SARU

"The Ninth Jedi"
Director: Kenji Kamiyama (Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex)
Music: Nobuko Toda (Koukaku Kidoutai: SAC_2045)
Executive Producer: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa (Psycho-Pass)
Studio: Production I.G

Special Look


Source: Variety, Anime Expo Lite 2021

Star Wars: Visions on MAL

20 of 54 Comments Recent Comments

Tokoya said:
[If anything this response proves me right lol, but I'll address everything in order.


Let's for a moment examine what your original point was - that what I was saying was "blind hate." I've given the reasons for why I think what I think about this project, so even if you disagree with my conclusion, you're incorrect in saying it's "blind."

1. Most if not every person that "hates Star Wars" nowadays says this because of what Disney did with the sequel trilogy/new films so if you're implying that you don't fall under this (Which I doubt) then fantasy space operas aren't your thing then (Since most of Star Wars, Legends/EU included, is actually good)


First - You assuming that the view of "most if not every person" applies to me and saying that "so-and-so isn't my thing" are yet more assumptions. You're coming up with arguments I never made.

Second - You state that "most of Star Wars" is actually good, as you did previously, but you haven't actually supported this. Currently, your argument hinges on trying to say I'm wrong, though even if you succeeded in proving so, that wouldn't mean the opposite is automatically true. In other words - can you say why "most of Star Wars, Legends/EU included, is actually good?"

2. LMFAOOOOOO, so Triggers' episodes are pandering?


I didn't make that specific claim, but, frankly, all Star Wars content after the original movie is by definition pandering.

My guy XD First of all, in regards to the twins episode, that has NEVER been done in Star Wars before. The closest thing that we have to this both in and out of Canon is The Old Republic game for PC where Vitiate (Whom at this point was neither Sith or Jedi) had twin boys and raised them to take out both Sith and Jedi.


Saying it has never happened before, then recalling a situation where it happened before, doesn't help your argument. Do try again, if you will.

Secondly, Lightwave duels are the coolest things about Star Wars lol, it just baffles me to see one such as yourself bitching about them highlighting that aspect for animation (Which btw can easily be taken go nth degree SOLELY because skilled Japanese animators are trying their hand at it).


Where is this coming from? I never brought up "lightwave" duels, or about them highlighting them. You've again made a random strawman.

Also, you appear to be implying that the "Japanese-ness" of the animators, or the fact they're working with Japanese elements is what gives them their talent, which is a strange and possibly bigoted view.

And how dare Star Wars allow other people to make stand alone stories (Which have nothing to do with anything already established btw) herp derp


Again, a strawman. I never said that standalone storylines were bad, but that those in the Star Wars franchise specifically are motivated by expanding the brand, rather than due to any artistic goal.

You sound incredibly stupid, please stop lol


Because personal insults are of course valuable arguments, and definitely not the most well-known, most obvious fallacy.

3. It's pretty hilarious that you ask me what does understanding Star Wars even mean and then immediately after, you completely disregard the influence that Japanesw culture has on the medium lol....Im gonna bother directly responding to the babble you made in this paragraph because quite frankly pointing out the blatant and nonsensical contradiction that you yourself made is enough because all you're doing here is more "It's gonna be bad because I say it's gonna be bad cus fuck the industry"


First - I didn't disregard it. I pointed out the most prominent influence, after all. What I did was question the relevance of the point, as, like I said, Japanese culture does not automatically equate to quality. Between this and the Japanese-talent view above, it almost seems like you're worshipping the country, much like was the case with the "early-2000s weeaboos" subculture. I'll assume that isn't intentional, for your own benefit, as nobody wants that on their conscience.

Second - Saying you won't bother responding is another way of saying you can't. Responding to points raised with conflicting arguments is the whole point of this exercise. Furthermore, pointing out a contradiction I made would be a brilliant argument, so why not do so? By suggesting there is one, but not being able to identify it, again just doesn't help your viewpoint.

Third - As I already stated, I've never made any circular claim like that. I've given my reasons.

Fourth - Are you suggesting an anti-industrialist view of media is a bad thing? If so, why?

4. As for the critiquing part, this is also an issue that I have with MAL in general. In order to properly critique something, you have to have seen/read it in its entirely so that you can accurately and most of all fairly judge it.....Everything you're saying is 100% baseless and I already stated why...Whereas on my part, the studios involved as well as the fact that Star Wars is directly linked with Japan, is more than enough reasons to at least give it the benefit of the doubt


Whether or not one needs to have seen all of a work to judge it is a different issue, but one I'd be willing to discuss once this is resolved. I would argue that one does not, primarily because what defines "entirity?" You may have seen all of the runtime of a movie, but you may have a better understanding by reading the book it was adapted from, or listening to the Director's commentary. Or by watching all the other movies it drew inspiration from, or by watching the deleted scenes or actor interviews or whatever else. If you consider all the multitude of factors that go into making a piece of media, there is no upper limit to what that media constitutes. So, I'd say that one can have a view on a work from any standpoint, be it a cursory glance at the poster, or after wading through every piece of information about it.

That in mind, you saying I must have seen it all to judge it is you saying I must arbitrarily subscribe to your personal beliefs. You're saying I must agree with your view that Star Wars is good, by virtue of first agreeing with your view that "I cannot yet judge it." That's just using one proposition to support another, it's circular logic.

5. You clearly didn't read the synopsis lol...It's about twins being raised on the dark side xD Basically the antithesis of Luke and Leia


That may be an error, I don't know on whose part, there appear to be conflicting synopsis, likely due to the translation. Regardless, that's still reusing established ideas, because of the shallow scope of stories that an be told within the franchise.

Jul 29, 2021 3:38 AM by O_T_T

Thigh_Tide said:
Tokoya said:
Yeah most of the new films leave a lot to be desired, but one thing that Star Wars has never faltered with was its television series. Look at Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch....All of which have been some of the best pieces of Star Wars in general. You're sounding very bitter af right now and for what? Because they fumbled with the new film Trilogy which is solely the result of them just not taking the time out to properly plan it out? There's absolutely NOTHING that you can go off on for this incredibly nonsensical take that you have

I dunno how much of Star Wars that you even understand, but it's always been heavily influenced by Japanese culture, so idk wtf you're even trying to get at here....This entire project makes a ton of sense and honestly it's been LONG OVERDUE

Critically speaking, judge something once it comes out, don't cry like an idiot over a product that you havent even watched and that you literally know next to nothing about apart from which Studio is doing what and its synopsis (Which btw all sound pretty intriguing....Most notably the ones being done by Trigger)


I never mentioned nor the sequel trilogy. You're making random assumptions about what parts of the franchise I did or did not enjoy, if any. You have made up my "nonsensical take," to be your strawman.

You say there is "nothing I can go off" to conclude this will be awful, but that's simply untrue. The very shows you listed are perfectly indicative of how strained and aimless the franchise is - they consist of nothing more than pandering and merchandising. Plot? Theme? Character? None are to be found. But no, apparently they're "best pieces" of the series. Grow up.

What is "understanding" Star Wars supposed to even mean? I think it's clear I understand what the franchise is really for to a far greater degree than you think you do.

Your bringing up of Japanese culture is irrelevant. It being anime does not guarantee total Japanese influence in all areas, nor does existing Japanese influence translate to inherent good. (Not to mention that influence is a very lenient way of saying they lifted The Hidden Fortress wholesale, but that's besides the point.)

Now, what is "critically speaking, judge something once it comes out" supposed to mean? Not only does it not make sense - "critically" implies intelligent analysis, whereas saying "don't judge it" is the exact opposite - but you ignore the fact that there is both information about the production and a track record to work from. Your defence of the show isn't to say why it is good, but plead for me to not say it is bad.

The same continues in the rest of your paragraph, you're using it not being out as some sort of merit, despite there already being plenty of damning, dissapointing information.

And finally, they're just not intriguing, not by any measure. Like the Trigger one you highlighted, it's another demonstration of how the overly simple morals of the franchise amounts to a grand total of 1 underwhelming story that can be told. I mean, someone on the light side with a family member on the dark? What an original, interesting premise that hasn't come up about six dozen times.
If anything this response proves me right lol, but I'll address everything in order.

1. Most if not every person that "hates Star Wars" nowadays says this because of what Disney did with the sequel trilogy/new films so if you're implying that you don't fall under this (Which I doubt) then fantasy space operas aren't your thing then (Since most of Star Wars, Legends/EU included, is actually good)

2. LMFAOOOOOO, so Triggers' episodes are pandering? My guy XD First of all, in regards to the twins episode, that has NEVER been done in Star Wars before. The closest thing that we have to this both in and out of Canon is The Old Republic game for PC where Vitiate (Whom at this point was neither Sith or Jedi) had twin boys and raised them to take out both Sith and Jedi. Secondly, Lightwave duels are the coolest things about Star Wars lol, it just baffles me to see one such as yourself bitching about them highlighting that aspect for animation (Which btw can easily be taken go nth degree SOLELY because skilled Japanese animators are trying their hand at it). And how dare Star Wars allow other people to make stand alone stories (Which have nothing to do with anything already established btw) herp derp

You sound incredibly stupid, please stop lol

3. It's pretty hilarious that you ask me what does understanding Star Wars even mean and then immediately after, you completely disregard the influence that Japanesw culture has on the medium lol....Im gonna bother directly responding to the babble you made in this paragraph because quite frankly pointing out the blatant and nonsensical contradiction that you yourself made is enough because all you're doing here is more "It's gonna be bad because I say it's gonna be bad cus fuck the industry"

4. As for the critiquing part, this is also an issue that I have with MAL in general. In order to properly critique something, you have to have seen/read it in its entirely so that you can accurately and most of all fairly judge it.....Everything you're saying is 100% baseless and I already stated why...Whereas on my part, the studios involved as well as the fact that Star Wars is directly linked with Japan, is more than enough reasons to at least give it the benefit of the doubt

5. You clearly didn't read the synopsis lol...It's about twins being raised on the dark side xD Basically the antithesis of Luke and Leia

Jul 28, 2021 1:59 PM by Tokoya

Tokoya said:
Thigh_Tide said:


It's a product from a franchise and corporation that have both long since forsaken art in favour of profit. This project does not exist because anyone had an idea for a narrative that could only be told through animation and only in the world of Star Wars, it exists because both of those elements can put a tidy sum in some suit's pocket.

If anything, what you're doing is the opposite, some sort of blind love, on the sole basis that "it isn't out yet," as if it wasn't completely transparent why this is being made and how awful it'll turn out to be.
Yeah most of the new films leave a lot to be desired, but one thing that Star Wars has never faltered with was its television series. Look at Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch....All of which have been some of the best pieces of Star Wars in general. You're sounding very bitter af right now and for what? Because they fumbled with the new film Trilogy which is solely the result of them just not taking the time out to properly plan it out? There's absolutely NOTHING that you can go off on for this incredibly nonsensical take that you have

I dunno how much of Star Wars that you even understand, but it's always been heavily influenced by Japanese culture, so idk wtf you're even trying to get at here....This entire project makes a ton of sense and honestly it's been LONG OVERDUE

Critically speaking, judge something once it comes out, don't cry like an idiot over a product that you havent even watched and that you literally know next to nothing about apart from which Studio is doing what and its synopsis (Which btw all sound pretty intriguing....Most notably the ones being done by Trigger)


I never mentioned nor the sequel trilogy. You're making random assumptions about what parts of the franchise I did or did not enjoy, if any. You have made up my "nonsensical take," to be your strawman.

You say there is "nothing I can go off" to conclude this will be awful, but that's simply untrue. The very shows you listed are perfectly indicative of how strained and aimless the franchise is - they consist of nothing more than pandering and merchandising. Plot? Theme? Character? None are to be found. But no, apparently they're "best pieces" of the series. Grow up.

What is "understanding" Star Wars supposed to even mean? I think it's clear I understand what the franchise is really for to a far greater degree than you think you do.

Your bringing up of Japanese culture is irrelevant. It being anime does not guarantee total Japanese influence in all areas, nor does existing Japanese influence translate to inherent good. (Not to mention that influence is a very lenient way of saying they lifted The Hidden Fortress wholesale, but that's besides the point.)

Now, what is "critically speaking, judge something once it comes out" supposed to mean? Not only does it not make sense - "critically" implies intelligent analysis, whereas saying "don't judge it" is the exact opposite - but you ignore the fact that there is both information about the production and a track record to work from. Your defence of the show isn't to say why it is good, but plead for me to not say it is bad.

The same continues in the rest of your paragraph, you're using it not being out as some sort of merit, despite there already being plenty of damning, dissapointing information.

And finally, they're just not intriguing, not by any measure. Like the Trigger one you highlighted, it's another demonstration of how the overly simple morals of the franchise amounts to a grand total of 1 underwhelming story that can be told. I mean, someone on the light side with a family member on the dark? What an original, interesting premise that hasn't come up about six dozen times.

Jul 27, 2021 3:18 PM by O_T_T

Thigh_Tide said:
Tokoya said:
It's amazing how you're calling something junk that hasn't even been released yet lol

Just say you hate Star Wars and move on.....This is blind hate and you know it


It's a product from a franchise and corporation that have both long since forsaken art in favour of profit. This project does not exist because anyone had an idea for a narrative that could only be told through animation and only in the world of Star Wars, it exists because both of those elements can put a tidy sum in some suit's pocket.

If anything, what you're doing is the opposite, some sort of blind love, on the sole basis that "it isn't out yet," as if it wasn't completely transparent why this is being made and how awful it'll turn out to be.
Yeah most of the new films leave a lot to be desired, but one thing that Star Wars has never faltered with was its television series. Look at Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch....All of which have been some of the best pieces of Star Wars in general. You're sounding very bitter af right now and for what? Because they fumbled with the new film Trilogy which is solely the result of them just not taking the time out to properly plan it out? There's absolutely NOTHING that you can go off on for this incredibly nonsensical take that you have

I dunno how much of Star Wars that you even understand, but it's always been heavily influenced by Japanese culture, so idk wtf you're even trying to get at here....This entire project makes a ton of sense and honestly it's been LONG OVERDUE

Critically speaking, judge something once it comes out, don't cry like an idiot over a product that you havent even watched and that you literally know next to nothing about apart from which Studio is doing what and its synopsis (Which btw all sound pretty intriguing....Most notably the ones being done by Trigger)

Jul 27, 2021 6:34 AM by Tokoya

Tokoya said:
Thigh_Tide said:


I do not have the right to tell them what to do, of course not. But I have the right to point out that what they have chosen to do is a terrible idea.

Nor do I "blindly hate" them, on the contrary, I like many of the staff listed. The hate is at the squandering of their talents for this junk.
It's amazing how you're calling something junk that hasn't even been released yet lol

Just say you hate Star Wars and move on.....This is blind hate and you know it


It's a product from a franchise and corporation that have both long since forsaken art in favour of profit. This project does not exist because anyone had an idea for a narrative that could only be told through animation and only in the world of Star Wars, it exists because both of those elements can put a tidy sum in some suit's pocket.

If anything, what you're doing is the opposite, some sort of blind love, on the sole basis that "it isn't out yet," as if it wasn't completely transparent why this is being made and how awful it'll turn out to be.

Jul 27, 2021 2:49 AM by O_T_T

Thigh_Tide said:
Scordolo said:

Wow,just wow.You DO know you don't have the right to tell them what to do right?And instead congratulating or wishing them good luck you blindly hate them.This is one of the reasons why people hate the anime community so much.


I do not have the right to tell them what to do, of course not. But I have the right to point out that what they have chosen to do is a terrible idea.

Nor do I "blindly hate" them, on the contrary, I like many of the staff listed. The hate is at the squandering of their talents for this junk.
It's amazing how you're calling something junk that hasn't even been released yet lol

Just say you hate Star Wars and move on.....This is blind hate and you know it

Jul 26, 2021 1:48 PM by Tokoya

Im soo excited for that show. hope it's like what we've seen in the trailer ! Fingers crossed.

Jul 26, 2021 9:55 AM by Mirendal

Finally, hype Star Wars news.

Jul 23, 2021 9:22 PM by malvarez1

hope this doesn't turn out like that trashy last film

Jul 20, 2021 4:31 PM by Adampk

That kind of projects are always interesting to see. I like Star Wars, so I'm really intrigued about this anime - short episodes made by many talented creators from the anime industry.

If it will be successful, then who knows? Perhaps Disney might decide one day to make one- or two-cour long regular anime set in Star Wars universe?

Jul 18, 2021 4:23 PM by Adnash

I am so excited that two of my favorite things are coming together. Anime and Star Wars together, I hope they can pull it together and produce a masterpiece. If this can become a hit and hopefully produce even more star wars anime content.

Jul 6, 2021 10:54 PM by Jenkinsaustin

Scordolo said:
Thigh_Tide said:


I do not have the right to tell them what to do, of course not. But I have the right to point out that what they have chosen to do is a terrible idea.

Nor do I "blindly hate" them, on the contrary, I like many of the staff listed. The hate is at the squandering of their talents for this junk.

We can clearly tell they were so happy when the project was brought out to them.You should've at least pointed that out.


Clearly tell from what? The above says nothing of their individual opinions on the production.

Jul 6, 2021 9:24 AM by O_T_T

Josephisamazing said:
This Star Wars anime is going to be a fluke. Where are the studios that made death note, rent a gf, snafu, your name, and maquia. This is going to be a disaster 😐.

Trigger Studio is awesome though. Look at the recently made Gridman/Dynazenon & Promare. At Sunrise level of super robot anime should done.

Jul 6, 2021 8:07 AM by hikarunu

Thigh_Tide said:
Scordolo said:

Wow,just wow.You DO know you don't have the right to tell them what to do right?And instead congratulating or wishing them good luck you blindly hate them.This is one of the reasons why people hate the anime community so much.


I do not have the right to tell them what to do, of course not. But I have the right to point out that what they have chosen to do is a terrible idea.

Nor do I "blindly hate" them, on the contrary, I like many of the staff listed. The hate is at the squandering of their talents for this junk.

We can clearly tell they were so happy when the project was brought out to them.You should've at least pointed that out.

Jul 6, 2021 7:00 AM by Scordolo

Scordolo said:
Thigh_Tide said:
This is what Imaishi and Ootsuka have been wasting their time on? Ugh.

To think, they, or even anyone on that list of staff, could have been focusing on all sorts of new, interesting shows, and instead they ended up on this transparently capitalist, passionless garbage.

Wow,just wow.You DO know you don't have the right to tell them what to do right?And instead congratulating or wishing them good luck you blindly hate them.This is one of the reasons why people hate the anime community so much.


I do not have the right to tell them what to do, of course not. But I have the right to point out that what they have chosen to do is a terrible idea.

Nor do I "blindly hate" them, on the contrary, I like many of the staff listed. The hate is at the squandering of their talents for this junk.

Jul 6, 2021 5:19 AM by O_T_T

Thigh_Tide said:
This is what Imaishi and Ootsuka have been wasting their time on? Ugh.

To think, they, or even anyone on that list of staff, could have been focusing on all sorts of new, interesting shows, and instead they ended up on this transparently capitalist, passionless garbage.

Wow,just wow.You DO know you don't have the right to tell them what to do right?And instead congratulating or wishing them good luck you blindly hate them.This is one of the reasons why people hate the anime community so much.
Josephisamazing said:
This Star Wars anime is going to be a fluke. Where are the studios that made death note, rent a gf, snafu, your name, and maquia. This is going to be a disaster 😐.

Rent a gf isn't even good and I forgot about Your name.What do you even mean??

Jul 6, 2021 3:27 AM by Scordolo

white people can imitate the look but never the feel of anime.it may not flop in the monetary sense, but it won't be good I tell you what.
also: of course it's star wars, but when will we get avengers?

Jul 6, 2021 3:20 AM by Magyar_Anon

Is this going to qualify for a listing in the MAL database? Or will it be not be listed because Disney is involved, and they're an American company?

Jul 5, 2021 11:22 PM by autoserv

Josephisamazing said:
This Star Wars anime is going to be a fluke. Where are the studios that made death note, rent a gf, snafu, your name, and maquia. This is going to be a disaster 😐.
Yeah because every anime that isn't animated by Madhouse, TMS, feel., CoMix, and P.A., is fucking shit

Jul 5, 2021 5:52 PM by hardrubbernips

this looks amazing, i'm most hyped for imaishi's "the twins", but the other creators and their episodes look promising just as well.

Jul 5, 2021 4:08 PM by betaweeb

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