Prepare for an animated surge in the galaxy far, far away! At Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, Disney and Lucasfilm unveiled their upcoming significant Star Wars venture: “Star Wars: Visions – The Ninth Jedi“, a full-length anime series set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026. This is the first time the “Visions” label ventures beyond its anthology foundations and delves into serialized narrative.
Over time, the Star Wars universe has consistently grown alongside its fans, moving from epic trilogies to exclusive Disney+ productions while enriching its lore. In 2021, the Visions anthology presented an opportunity for creators to reinvent Star Wars without being tied to established canon, producing electrifying outcomes. Now, with The Ninth Jedi, Lucasfilm is taking a significant risk on one of the most cherished stories from this anthology—offering a series that matches its cinematic counterparts in scope and ambition.
From Short to Series: The Evolution of The Ninth Jedi
Origins in Visions Volume 1
Initially featured in the first volume of “Star Wars :Visions”, the short film titled “The Ninth Jedi” was helmed by director Kenji Kamiyama from esteemed animation studio Production I.G.. This episode gained attention due to its distinct concept: it was set after the demise of the Jedi, focusing on Lah Kara, the child of a legendary lightsaber-maker, as she distributed sabers to covert Force-users. The storyline included a cryptic Margrave, shifting lightsabers, and tense misdirection.
truck a chord with viewers and critics alike.
Official Announcement & Fan Reception
The announcement was made on the last day of Star Wars Celebration 2025 held in Tokyo. On stage, James Waugh, Lucasfilm’s Senior Vice President of Franchise Content and Strategy, welcomed Kamiyama to share some exciting news directly with us. As the audience cheered, Kamiyama announced his return as the supervising director. The sequel to the short film, titled “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope“, will be featured in Visions Volume 3 this October.
Key takeaways from the panel:
| Title | Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi |
|---|---|
| Format | Serialized anime (not a short or anthology) |
| Streaming Platform | Disney+ (exclusive) |
| Release Window | 2026 |
| Supervising Director | Kenji Kamiyama |
| Animation Studio | Production I.G. |
Storyline: Jedi Lore and Lost Legends
Bridging the Past and Future
The upcoming “Child of Hope” short film functions as a precursor, providing a storyline that lays the foundation for the new series. However, it’s not the very first episode in the series. This short film paves the way for the series, which will follow Kara on her quest to find her lost father and reconnect the Jedi. It offers a fresh perspective on the Jedi legacy, one that deviates from established canon, thereby offering creators greater flexibility to delve into innovative ideas such as:
- The nature of kyber crystals and their color-changing properties
- The mythology surrounding Jedi in a post-Skywalker galaxy
- What it means to rebuild an order in the absence of structure
In Kamiyama’s hint, it was revealed that the enigma surrounding these lightsabers – their ability to alter colors and the meaning behind this transformation – will be a key focus in the upcoming series.
Production Details & Creative Team behind The Ninth Jedi Anime
The creative minds behind The Ninth Jedi signal a project steeped in quality and ambition.
- Studio: Production I.G.
- Director: Kamiyama
- Sequel Short: Child of Hope
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but eagerly anticipate the possibility of Chinatsu Akasaki stepping back into the shoes of Kara once more! Similarly, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Tetsuo Kanao to grace our screens again as Margrave Juro. Here’s hoping the rumors about the cast returning prove true!
Although The Ninth Jedi doesn’t align with the official sequence of events, it presents a narrative that resonates spiritually (meaning it is not considered canon). Situated beyond The Rise of Skywalker, the galaxy continues to grapple with the aftermath of war and tyranny. The Jedi have essentially become legends, and remnant Force-wielders are on a quest for significance, purpose, and connections.
This setting serves as a rich canvas for narrative creation. Being independent from established characters and main storylines, the anime has the ability to create something completely new – an aspect that has struck a chord with viewers yearning for novel viewpoints.
The series Star Wars: Visions initially started as a trial. However, with the release of The Ninth Jedi, it’s clear that this experiment is progressing into something more significant. This transformation suggests that Lucasfilm is ready to allow creators to reimagine the franchise in impactful ways. On a larger scale, it underscores anime’s increasing influence in worldwide popular culture and its ability to influence how viewers interact with the most renowned intellectual properties.
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2025-04-23 21:36