What is Star Wars Visions and what to expect

Star Wars Visions is a series of anime shorts. Each episode is created by a different studio, telling a unique story in original style!

When Star Wars Visions was first announced I was not over-the-moon with excitement, but as the release date draws ever so near, I am feeling the hype rising in me. Let me tell you why and see if you would get inspired to hype up about these nine shorts coming up on Disney Plus next month.

What is Star Wars Visions

Star Wars Visions is a limited series of nine anime shorts. Each episode is created and directed by a different studio and director. They all fall under the Anime style of animation, but as we know Anime is a global collective term.

No two episodes will look or feel similar as each creator brings their unique take on the visual presentation. The storytelling will also be different. Everything is inspired by Star Wars, but not necessarily following the established by Disney Star Wars Canon timeline of events.

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
James Waugh, executive producer and Lucasfilm Vice President, Franchise Content & Strategy

Star Wars Visions release date and episodes info

The series will launch on September 22 2021 exclusively on Disney Plus. All nine episodes should release at the same time. You will need an active subscription to this service to watch them. Of course, you can subscribe later for other series or movies you would want to watch and save up some subscription money. The Star Wars Visions shorts will still be available.

Here is the full list of all nine episodes that were announced as well as the original Japanese voice-over cast and the English dub cast.

Episode 1 – The Duel

Created by: Kamikaze Douga
Japanese cast: Masaki Terasoma (Ronin), Akeno Watanabe (Bandit Leader), Yūko Sanpei (Village Chief)
English dub cast: Brian Tee (Ronin), Lucy Liu (Bandit Leader), Jaden Waldman (Village Chief)

Episode 2 – Tatooine Rhapsody

Created by: Studio Colorido
Japanese cast: Hiroyuki Yoshino (Jay), Kōsuke Gotō (Geezer), Akio Kaneda (Boba Fett), Masayo Fujita (K-344), Anri Katsu (Lan)
English dub cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Jay), Bobby Moynihan (Geezer), Temuera Morrison (Boba Fett), Shelby Young (K-344), Marc Thompson (Lan)

Episode 3 – The Twins

Created by: Trigger
Japanese cast: Junya Enoki (Karre), Ryoko Shiraishi (Am), TokuyoshiKawashima (B-20N)
English dub cast: Neil Patrick Harris (Karre), Alison Brie (Am), Jonathan Lipow (B-20N)

Episod 4 – The Village Bride

Created by: Kinema Citrus
Japanese cast: Asami Seto (F), Megumi Han (Haru), Yūma Uchida (Asu), Takaya Kamikawa (Vaan), Yoshimitsu Shimoyama (Izuma), Mariya Ise (Saku)
English dub cast: Karen Fukuhara (F), Nichole Sakura (Haru), Christopher Sean (Asu), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Valco), Andrew Kishino (Izuma), Stephanie Sheh (Saku)

Episode 5 – The Ninth Jedi

Created by: Production IG
Japanese cast: Chinatsu Akasaki (Kara), Tetsuo Kanao (Juro), Shin-ichiro Miki (Zhima), Hiromu Mineta (Ethan), Kazuya Nakai (Roden), Akio Ōtsuka, (Narrator), Daisuke Hirakawa (Hen Jin)
English dub cast: Kimiko Glenn (Kara), Andrew Kishino (Juro), Simu Liu (Zhima), Masi Oka (Ethan), Greg Chun (Roden), Neil Kaplan (Narrator), Michael Sinterniklaas (Hen Jin)

Episode 6 – T0-B1

Created by: Science SARU
Japanese cast: Masako Nozawa (T0-B1), Tsutomu Isobe (Mitaka)
English dub cast: Jaden Waldman (T0-B1), Kyle Chandler (Mitaka)

Episode 7 – The Elder

Created by: Trigger
Japanese cast: Takaya Hashi (Tajin), Kenichi Ogata (The Elder), Yuichi Nakamura (Dan)
English dub cast: David Harbour (Tajin), Jordan Fisher (Dan), James Hong (The Elder)

Episode 8 – Lop & Ocho

Created by:
Japanese cast: Seiran Kobayashi (Lop), Risa Shimizu (Ocho), Tadahisa Fujimura (Yasaburo), Taisuke Nakano (Imperial Officer)
English dub cast: Anna Cathcart (Lop), Hiromi Dames (Ocho), Paul Nakauchi(Yasaburo), Kyle McCarley (Imperial Officer)

Episode 9 – Akakiri

Created by: Science SARU
Japanese cast: Yū Miyazaki (Tsubaki), Lynn (Misa), Chō (Senshuu), Wataru Takagi (Kamahachi), Yukari Nozawa (Masago)
English dub cast: Henry Golding (Tsubaki), Jamie Chung (Misa), George Takei (Senshuu), Keone Young (Kamahachi), Lorraine Toussaint (Masago)

While I am not very familiar with the original Japanese cast, I borrowed some of the extensive knowledge of a friend of mine (thanks, Zen!) and it turned out that a lot of the actors who gave their voice to the characters in the original Japanese versions are quite well-known in the Anime world.

There’s no need to point out the familiar and famous names of the English bud cast. But… I will! Tamuera Morrison returns to voice yet again Boba Fett. Two of my favorite actors from the small screen get to be a part of this Japenese spin of Star Wars as well – Neil Patrick Harris and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Stranger Things’ David Harbour lands a role in The Elder as well. But I saved the best one for last. George Takei leaves the bridge of USS Enterprise for a moment to land a part in the episode Akakiri.

Thoughts on what Star Wars Visions promises and my expectations

I cannot help but get excited. I find myself struggling to follow some of the more recent Star Wars series, but when I do catch up (hello, Clone Wars!) I am usually glad I did.

The same thing happened with The Bad Batch. It started a little boring for me, but the incredibly good animation and audio effects did a good job to keep my attention to the show and even get me excited for the second season. The story is still the weakest spot for this show in my opinion.

For years I have been trying to turn myself into an Anime fan. Again, thanks to Zen, who helped my research for this article and keeps feeding me information about things he has, is or will be watching.

I never quite succeeded. Watched several anime movies and series over the years, but never became a true fan. Tried a few of the Netflix Anime series as well with the same result.

The Japanese culture is deeply involved with the Anime genre and integrated into it. I live in Europe and nothing could be further from that.

Anime gives me a strange and appealing feeling of mysticism. It’s as if all of this is happening in a distant far-away world. In another universe. Oh, wait! That’s Star Wars. Hmm…

Star Wars draws inspiration from the Japanese culture in bulk and it’s about time it gives something back.

Star Wars Visions anime anthology seriees

I see a potential for Star Wars Visions to help me achieve that goal of mine to watch more Anime. I’ve always admired the unique anime styles. I don’t know the individual sub-genres, but I certainly am not a fan of the “giant eyes” and “Pokemon” ones.

I don’t think Star Wars Visions will feel like a true Star Wars to me, but I expect to enjoy it a lot. It wont be canon as Disney wanted to give complete freedom to each creator to make whatever their mind envisions.

Their stories showcase the full spectrum of bold storytelling found across Japanese animation; each told with a freshness and voice that expands our understanding of what a Star Wars story can be, and celebrates a galaxy that has been such an inspiration to so many visionary storytellers.
James Waugh, executive producer and Lucasfilm Vice President, Franchise Content & Strategy

The new series on Disney Plus are dubbed in two languages and are also shorts, which will give me a chance to experience them in their original form (with subtitles, of course) and with English dubs. In this regard I am thankful the episodes will be short and only nine, because I usually don’t feel the urge to re-watch most of the new Disney Plus Star Wars content.

How about you? Are you excited for the Star Wars Visions anime? Why?

Star Wars Visions Trailer

Disney released a brand new Trailer recently to promote the upcoming release of the series. It’s flashy, stuffed with action and exists in both Japenese and English audio. Take a look if you like.