Thomas Storai 
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is an outstanding series of shorts. It’s a visually rich series with great storytelling.
Star Wars: Visions began with shorts from Japanese studios, while Volume 2 expanded to include shorts from studios from all over the world. Now, Volume 3 is going back to Japanese anime with nine new shorts. Some of these shorts continue the stories from the first Volume, while others tell new ones—the new season releases today on Disney+.
THE DUEL: PAYBACK (KAMIKAZE DOUGA + ANIMA)
Ronin is back! “The Duel” clearly stands out for its black-and-white animation, paying tribute to Akira Kurosawa’s samurai films. The same films that inspired George Lucas for Star Wars. For this new chapter with the now fan-favourite Sith hunter, there are two clear inspirations – the Prequels and Return of the Jedi with the Ewoks. It’s just so cute to see Ewoks in animation. Honestly, it’s a joy to see them back in action again. This time, Ronin is facing his greatest foe – Grand Master, a twisted Jedi. It’s an action-packed and stylish episode. You won’t be disappointed. It’s the perfect blend of the Japanese aesthetic with Star Wars.
THE SONG OF FOUR WINGS (PROJECT STUDIO Q)
This episode follows a princess-turned-rebel who must protect a child from the Empire. Undoubtedly, this princess is a tribute to our beloved Princess/General Leia. Like Leia, she’s not a damsel in distress; she’s a fighter who knows how to handle herself. There’s more depth to her story than it seems, which makes the character all the more compelling. This is a fun adventure on a snow planet. Snow and Star Wars are always a good combo, especially when we get to see snowtroopers in action! Furthermore, this is a beautiful animation with incredible landscapes, and the action scenes are skilfully animated. The upbeat music doesn’t feel like Star Wars, but it works for this one. And that’s because the episode itself embraces the inventive tech side of Japanese anime. It fits with the atmosphere created there.
THE NINTH JEDI: CHILD OF HOPE (PRODUCTION I.G.)
Kara’s adventures continue with this short. Without any doubt, The Ninth Jedi was one of the best episodes from the first Volume. It definitely had the potential for its own series. And good news: at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, it was announced that we were indeed getting this series. While we wait, we get to see the characters again in this short. On this adventure, Kara is stranded on an abandoned ship tended by a droid. It’s a good, moving episode that gives us an idea of where the series is going while also offering a self-contained story. The animation is still beautiful with a mix of 2D and 3D, and the landscapes are especially stunning. However, the ship designs are a bit odd; they don’t feel Star Wars enough, but more like science-fiction ships.
THE BOUNTY HUNTERS (WIT STUDIO)
Wit Studio is a famous Japanese studio that has worked on anime such as Attack on Titan and Spy x Family, so it’s a joy to see them tackle a Star Wars story. This short follows Sevn, a rogue bounty hunter, and her droid as they take on a job for a shady industrialist. Obviously, it doesn’t go as planned, and things take an unexpected turn. It’s an amazing and action-packed story. It delivers on both space action and ground fights. It takes what you love about Star Wars and adds an anime touch, like an over-the-top villain. It’s a story with a big heart. Like the Ninth Jedi in Volume 1, this one has the potential for a limited series or to continue in the next Volume. I would love to see Sevn and her droid again taking on different jobs. You really get attached to these characters. And when the episode ends, you’re left wanting more!
Moreover, the animation is stunning, with character, ship, and environment designs that all feel like proper Star Wars. It feels familiar while also giving us something new. Wit Studio doesn’t disappoint. Finally, the cherry on the cake is a theme song performed by Sheena Ringo; it doesn’t get any more anime than this.
YUKO’S TREASURE (KINEMA CITRUS CO.)
Kinema Citrus Co. previously made “The Village Bride” in the first Volume, and this time, it delivers two stories. The first one follows Yuko, an orphan, who teams up with a street rat to save his bear droid. Yes, a bear droid in Star Wars, isn’t it cute? This short heavily relies on the “kawaii” aspect of anime, which you can feel throughout the visuals. As for the story, it understands what Star Wars is all about. At its heart, it’s about family, whether by blood or by choice. So, at the same time, it’s a sweet short while also touching one. On top of that, the team at Kinema knows the love of Star Wars for big creatures, so they did that as well. Pay attention to the details because there are interesting easter eggs.
THE LOST ONES (KINEMA CITRUS CO.)
For its second short, Kinema Citrus Co. continues the story of F that started in the first Volume with the episode “The Village Bride”. This time, F helps refugees and confronts the ghosts of her past. It’s a powerful story that inspires hope while also being deeply touching as it tackles F’s past. Kinema Citrus Co. has delivered an absolutely stunning short. The mix of animation styles is a visual spectacle. There are 3D scenes of ships in space, 2D animation, scenery on the planet that feels like paintings, and flashbacks in a hand-drawn animation style.
THE SMUGGLER (TRIGGER)
The studio TRIGGER returns to Star Wars. This time, it’s not a re-imagining of Luke and Leia’s story but a smuggler adventure. It follows a smuggler who takes a job to help a fugitive escaping from the Empire’s grasp. It’s a grounded and yet efficient story that hits all the marks. Indeed, there’s a good pace, some action, and a high-adrenaline chase. Plus, you quickly get attached to the characters. This short has a slick animation style. The character designs are great, and the planet definitely draws inspiration from our world, with an anime and Star Wars touch.
THE BIRD OF PARADISE (POLYGON PICTURES)
Star Wars fans are familiar with Polygon Pictures; this studio worked on two Star Wars series before—The Clone Wars and Resistance. This time, the Japanese studio tells the story of a Jedi Padawan. She has to face a series of trials to overcome the temptation of the Dark Side. It’s a compelling spiritual tale with striking 3DCG animation.
BLACK (DAVID PRODUCTION)
“Black” is clearly not for everyone. It’s a highly abstract story told through the stormtrooper’s psyche. It’s a fight within himself between light and dark. Just like the story, the visuals are abstract too; it’s truly unique. It’s not something you can really understand, but it’s more something you experience.
VERDICT
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is an outstanding series of shorts. Each studio captures the essence of Star Wars while sharing its own vision of what the beloved saga means to them. It continues three stories started in the first season and tells six new stories. The mix between Star Wars and Japanese anime is the perfect match. It’s a visually rich series with great storytelling. There is something to love in each episode. Undoubtedly, ‘The Bounty Hunters,” “The Smuggler,” and “The Lost Ones” are the standouts of the season. Let’s hope this storytelling format continues; the potential is limitless. There are also stories from this Volume that deserve to continue in another season or with their own series, like The Ninth Jedi.
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 arrives today on Disney+.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
