In a fresh wave of excitement for Star Wars fans, Lucasfilm has unveiled new insights into Star Wars: Visions Volume 3, the latest installment in the acclaimed anime anthology series. Executive producer James Waugh has confirmed that this volume will broaden the scope beyond the lightsaber-wielding Jedi and Sith that dominated earlier entries, instead spotlighting tales of rebels, resistance fighters, and bounty hunters across the vast Star Wars universe.
Waugh elaborated on this shift in an exclusive interview with Anitrendz, emphasizing the evolution from the series' debut:
Volume 1 was very Jedi-heavy… but it’s a galaxy that’s so much richer than that. What I found with this volume is that a lot of the stories that sort of bubbled up to the top ended up being more sort of Resistance stories or Rebel stories, or bounty hunter stories. Not to say that there are no lightsabers throughout it. There most certainly are. But in comparison to the first volume, I think we get a broader picture of what the galaxy can be.
The Star Wars: Visions series, which first premiered in 2021, reimagines the iconic franchise through the lens of animation studios from around the world. Volume 1 featured Japanese anime powerhouses and was steeped in Jedi lore, with stories revolving around kyber crystals, Force users, and epic duels. In contrast, Volume 2, released in 2023, took a global approach, incorporating diverse cultural perspectives from studios like Aardman, Punkrobot, and Cartoon Saloon. Now, Volume 3 returns to its Japanese roots, partnering with renowned anime studios to deliver nine original shorts that blend Star Wars mythology with unique artistic visions.
The participating studios for Volume 3 include David Production, Kamikaze Douga and Anima, Kinema Citrus, Polygon Pictures, Production I.G, Project Studio Q, TRIGGER, and WIT STUDIO. These collaborators bring a mix of sequels to fan-favorite episodes from Volume 1 and entirely new narratives, ensuring a fresh yet connected experience.
Among the highlights are several sequels that expand on beloved stories. The Duel: Payback, directed by Takanobu Mizuno at Kamikaze Douga, continues the ronin-inspired saga from The Duel. Kinema Citrus delivers The Lost Ones, a follow-up to The Village Bride directed by Hitoshi Haga, and also contributes the original Yuko’s Treasure under director Masaki Tachibana. Production I.G's The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope, helmed by Naoyoshi Shiotani, builds on the acclaimed The Ninth Jedi, exploring themes of hope and Jedi rebuilding.
Other fresh entries include The Smuggler from TRIGGER, directed by Masahiko Otsuka; The Bounty Hunters by WIT STUDIO's Junichi Yamamoto; The Song of Four Wings from Project Studio Q, directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi; and The Bird of Paradise by Polygon Pictures' Tadahiro Yoshihira. Rounding out the lineup is BLACK, a standout short from David Production directed by Shinya Ohira. Described as a psychedelic exploration of humanity, war, and the psyche of an Imperial trooper, BLACK features trippy visuals like giant eyes in mechanical settings and intense battle sequences influenced by jazz and modern art. Ohira, known for his expressionistic style, aimed to create an interpretive piece based on singer Sakura Fujiwara’s voice, leaving much open to viewer perception.
Adding to the anthology's appeal, The Ninth Jedi is set to expand beyond its short format into a limited spin-off series titled Star Wars: Visions Presents: The Ninth Jedi. This extension will delve deeper into the heroine Lah Kara's journey, with original creator Kenji Kamiyama involved in the project. The spin-off promises more on Kara's quest to find her father and rebuild the Jedi Order, tying into the themes of legacy and the Force's evolving nature.
The visual teaser for Volume 3 came in the form of a striking poster revealed by Disney, showcasing a collage of characters from the upcoming shorts. The artwork highlights diverse figures, from a menacing Sith-like warrior with a red lightsaber to a cute teddy bear-like alien, a masked bounty hunter, and a young hero wielding a green blade. This eclectic mix underscores the volume's commitment to portraying the galaxy's richness beyond traditional Force users.
Waugh's vision for the series emphasizes personal and cultural storytelling, selecting pitches that reveal deep character insights alongside action. He noted the importance of universal myths infused with specific cultural elements, such as Irish banshee lore in Screecher’s Reach or immigrant experiences in I Am Your Mother. For Volume 3, this approach ensures stories that resonate on a human level while celebrating Star Wars' expansive lore.
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is slated to premiere exclusively on Disney+ on October 29, 2025.
