Japan Today
Image: 2021 TM & c Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved
entertainment

‘Star Wars: Visions’ trailer reveals the 'Star Wars' universe envisioned by 7 Japanese anime studios

22 Comments
By Jen Laforteza, grape Japan

The recently released trailer for "Star Wars: Visions" is giving us a sneak peek into what the "Star Wars" universe looks like when translated into the world of anime.

"Star Wars: Visions" is an anthology series that consists of nine animated short films created by seven Japanese anime studios. The anime studios and their respective films are:

“The Duel” by Kamikaze Douga - Kamikaze Douga has worked across all forms of media. They’ve provided sequences for video game franchises like "Dragon Quest," "Final Fantasy" and "Fire Emblem," anime like "Attack on Titan," and worked on full anime films like "Batman Ninja" and "Doraemon: Nobita's New Dinosaur." The story of their film for the anthology revolves around an alternate history based on Japanese lore, with a Jedi and a Sith at the very center.

“The Village Bride” by Kinema Citrus - Kinema Citrus has adapted several manga and light novel series into anime, including "Black Bullet," ".hack//Quantum" and "The Rising of the Shield Hero." “The Village Bride” takes place on an unknown planet and aims to highlight the aspect of traditional Japanese culture that connects to the mountains.

“T0-B1” and “Akakiri” by Science SARU - This Tokyo-based studio has gained recognition not just in Japan, but also worldwide. Some of their most popular works include "Devilman Crybaby," "Japan Sinks: 2020" and the film "Ride Your Wave," which won several international awards. “Akakiri” is meant to be a love story between a Jedi and a princess, meanwhile “T0-B1” was described by its director as having a “retro, vintage feeling” and having Astro Boy influences.

“Lop and Ocho” by Geno Studio - Geno Studio is one of the two contributing studios that fall under anime production company, Twin Engine. They’ve created anime adaptations for the manga of Kokkoku and Golden Kamuy. The titular characters are the daughter of a “space yakuza family” (Ocho) and Lop, a “rabbit-hybrid alien” who she meets along the way.

“Tatooine Rhapsody” by Studio Colorido - Studio Colorido is the other studio under Twin Engine whose work is also included in the anthology. Their film portfolio includes adaptations for "Burn the Witch" and "Penguin Highway," and the original film, "A Whisker Away." “Tatooine Rhapsody” is described as being a “rock opera style film,” and will include appearances by Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett.

“The Twins” and “The Elder” by Trigger - Trigger are known for their eye-catching animation style, as seen in their original anime series "Kill la Kill" and the recent hit film, "Promare." One of their films in the anthology, “The Twins” has a striking resemblance to "Promare’s" style, and it tells the story of “twins of the dark side”. “The Elder,” on the other hand, is set before the events of "The Phantom Menace," and has a Jedi and a padawan placed at the heart of its story. Both films lean closely to existing "Star Wars" canon.

“The Ninth Jedi” by Production I.G - Production I.G is one of the most established studios included in this list. They’ve worked on countless anime series, films, and video games, with their most recognizable creations including "Haikyuu!!," "Ghost in the Shell," "Psycho Pass," "Kuroko’s Basketball" and "Guilty Crown." “The Ninth Jedi” is set after the final episode of the “Skywalker saga” (2019’s "The Rise of Skywalker") and fans are expected to see the studio’s interpretation of a Japanese lightsaber, amongst many other things in what’s being called a “galactic-level adventure”.

The anthology will be the first major "Star Wars" animation project that pays homage to Japan. It’s considered to be Lucasfilm’s love letter to the country whose culture and early cinema -- Akira Kurosawa, in particular -- influenced George Lucas’ conception of "Star Wars."

"Star Wars: Visions" will be premiering Sept22 on the streaming service, Disney+.

Read more stories from grape Japan.

-- Vtuber group hololive English launches a new era with 5 members of hololive English -Council-

-- Hyperrealist sculptor Yusuke Okada pays tribute to avant-garde artist Tarō Okamoto in his solo exhibition

-- Shinto Master originally from the UK introduces new perspectives on Shintoism

© grape Japan

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

22 Comments
Login to comment

They hardly killed it. It’s making more money than ever.

The stories of the last three movies was lacking though. It was written by committee. But they were still enjoyable viewings.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Let me guess. At the end of each episode, the good guys and bad guys get together, eat delicious food, and sing "Imagine".

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Wonderful. More overpowered characters.

(yawn)

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I always like these never worked out, because it's still western directors in japanese style.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Spot on @BBush 6:45am about the original stories:

- “The original stories has depth, struggle and meaning.” -

Agreed: They were “*pandaring” on many levels. Disney’s spin was to change to script to pander to their chief* financiers in China.

And, as it turns out, that audience doesn’t care to see stories with lead “Black” characters, mythical Force ‘ghosts’, and two uncredited, unnamed ‘4th-tier’ lesbian(?) characters(?), or extras, kissing on the mouth for 2 seconds in the background of the conclusion of the final film.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Will be reading this thread periodically this weekend see who really ‘gives a shilling’ for Disneys and JarJar Abrams derivative ‘SpaceBattles’ versus those true fans who prefer George Lucas’s (and possibly, Jon Favreau’s) visions of StarWars.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Oh, look! - Perhaps there may be ‘one’ but usually turns out just to be a ‘devil’s advocate’:

“They hardly killed it. It’s making more money than ever.” -

Really? Sorry, but “no”. - ‘Solo’ Lost Money.

Can ‘real’ profit of ‘true’ box-office proceeds versus ‘actual’ production costs be shown for the Disney described ‘sequel trilogy’?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Thanks” to posters who acknowledge Disney’s last 3 SpaceBattles movies were “written by committee”.

-“The stories of the last three movies was lacking though. It was written by committee.” -

Going forward(?), looks like Disney’s continued ‘plan’, under the current reign of George Lucas’s politically-ascended, former production-assistant, Head of LucasFilm, Kathleen Kennedy will further taint George’s legacy with more agenda and current, intersectional politics.

Her future “whiteboard plans” for their SpaceBattles are illuminated here:

https://disneystarwarsisdumb.wordpress.com/2020/02/25/project-luminous-uses-surface-diversity-to-push-euro-centric-mythology/

Special note: Look for keywords like “Diversity; Dinosaurs(?wt?) and Representation/Diversity(again?, IF we didn’t get it the first time.)

“But they were still enjoyable viewings.” -

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Aslong as they use Katherine Kennedy's feedback notes for toilet paper and did exactly the opposite I am sure it will be good.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Little kids battling the bad guys-not for me…

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Looks pretty fresh.

The tie fighter anime that came out a few years ago was awesome.

Glad to see Disney being a bit more experimental.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

zichi

In 3D maybe. Japan is still king in 2D animation.

Too bad even China is going full 3D.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Also, make it perfect clear. Japanese studio like Trigger and Production IG are animating these shorts, not Disney.

Disney just shows up with cash.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Disney has killed the franchise.

The original stories has depth, struggle and meaning.

The new ones are just woke pandering

I agree, they completely ruined franchise come I feel sorry for George Lucas.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I feel sorry for George Lucas.

To be fair to Disney, George Lucas made three pretty bad Star Wars movies before they did.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Partially right: “Disney just shows up with cash.” - Disney shows up with China’s cash.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As predicted, the same, shilling for Disney continues:

*- “To be fair to Disney, …*

Now, who has ‘a sense of entitlement’ to sympathy for “bad writing by committee”?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Disney’s current tactic is to ‘blame the fans’ when it doesn’t work. Worse is to ‘blame George’ Lucas, even when they didn’t follow canon or at least, the lore George established.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

George made many mistakes and people around him at the time were too timid to say “No, George.” …

George Lucas made three pretty bad Star Wars movies before they did.” -

… and there was no internet or social media at the time for producers to understand fan sensibilities. ‘They are what they are’ but, at least, they ‘fit the lore’ of the original trilogy.

Any ‘sequels’ were the time to extend the lore with additional drama, NOT destroy the past but come full circle and embrace it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites