Star Wars: Visions: TV Review

Disney+'s latest short form animated offering takes in the world of Star Wars (once again) but this time through the eyes of Japanese animators.

With a range of voice talent that takes in the likes of Simu Liu of Shang-Chi fame, Karen Fukuhara from The Boys and others like Kyle Chandlier, Alison Brie and David Harbour, it's clear this Star Wars take is perhaps the broadest one for a while.

Over 9 shorts - with times running from some 13 to 22 minutes, George Lucas' world gets thrown through a new lens and some differing views of what the Star Wars world could be.

In truth, many of the shorts follow a similar theme and culminate in battles of some description or other. 

The variety at times feels lacking, and the resolution of most episodes feels like a tired trope, given a different twist by each contributing animator.

More contemplative efforts like the fourth short, Village Bride, allow the story to feel fresher - and episode 6, entitled T0-B1, feels like a nice meshing of both Pinocchio and Astro Boy in its story and its aesthetics.

But that's not to say there are not stylish touches throughout. Episode 1's black and white Ronin elements are stunning and different and give credence to what Star Wars' Japanese reference points truly are. It's a bravura opening that sets the tone for the episodes, and while others don't quite measure up to the style and polished use of the Japanese Kurosawa edges, it doesn't mean there's not enough for everyone to enjoy.

Perhaps cinemalovers may get more out of the shorts than the casual and younger Star Wars viewer, with cinephiles able to pick up on visual cues and influences throughout the stories.

Riffs on Luke and Leia's destiny are given a twist, new ideas of heroes emerge and there's a strong thread of equality running through Star Wars Visions that makes the storytelling compelling to watch in batches rather than one long burst.

New visual elements offer hope for cosplayers and familiar faces appear throughout (with possibly the Scott Pilgrim-esque Tattooine Rhapsody offering the most nods to Star Wars characters and locations in its short run time) making the mix of Star Wars lore and creative licence appealing enough.

While Star Wars: Visions anime touches show the franchise is willing to take some new risks, it may have been wiser to have pooled scripts and removed some of the more common themes and denouements to keep the sci-fi feeling a bit fresher and less familiar as each episode plays out.

Best watched in a drip feed than a tidal torrent, Star Wars: Visions celebrates its unique voices and executions - whether it's a vision you'll want to continue may just depend on how you feel about the Star Wars universe as a whole.

Star Wars: Visions streams on Disney+ from Wednesday September 22nd.
The anime studios are Kamikaze Douga, Geno Studio (Twin Engine), Studio Colorido (Twin Engine), TRIGGER, Kinema Citrus, Science Saru, and Production I.G