Tokyo, Japan – The former Sith Lord character, Ronin, from the animated anthology Star Wars: Visions’ first season is set to make a return in the upcoming third season of the Lucasfilm series. Fans can expect to see Ronin back on their screens when the latest season debuts on Disney+ on October 29th of this year.
The announcement was made at the Star Wars Celebration event in Tokyo during a panel dedicated to the popular show. Visions executive producer James Waugh confirmed that three beloved storylines from the first season – “The Duel,” “The Village Bride,” and “The Ninth Jedi” – will continue in the upcoming third volume of episodes.
In an exciting development for Visions, Waugh revealed a new direction for the series with the introduction of the Star Wars: Visions Presents banner. This new initiative will provide filmmakers with the opportunity to delve into more in-depth and longer stories without the constraints of the typical Visions episode runtime. The first installment under this banner will be a spinoff standalone series of “The Ninth Jedi,” expected to be released in 2026.
Fans can look forward to a new episode, “The Duel: Payback,” directed by Takanobu Mizuno from anime studio Kamikaze Douga, as well as follow-up episodes to “The Village Bride” and “The Ninth Jedi” helmed by Hitoshi Haga of Kinema Citrus and Naoyoshi Shiotani of Production IG, respectively. The panel showcased designs for new characters, including a four-legged AT-AT with a Japanese building on top, much to the delight of attendees.
The character Ronin has garnered a significant following among Star Wars fans worldwide, inspiring various merchandise such as statues and a Hasbro Black Series figure. Additionally, Masaki Tachibana of anime studio Kinema Citrus presented a charming addition to the Star Wars universe in his episode, “Yuko’s Treasure,” featuring a young female protagonist accompanied by a bear-like droid with a built-in microwave.
Hiroyasu Kobayashi of Project Studio Q discussed the thematic elements of his episode “The Song of Four Wings,” which centered around the four blades of an X-Wing. With a focus on mechanisms, Kobayashi’s episode showcased droids and mechs inspired by classic Joe Johnston designs, including an anime interpretation of an AT-AT walker.
Overall, Visions was born out of a passion for the animated medium, according to Waugh, celebrating the storytelling prowess of animators. The anthology’s focus on Japanese anime for its first and third volumes aimed to highlight the influence of Japanese culture on the Star Wars universe, offering a unique perspective for fans and creators alike.
Launched in 2021, Visions was a groundbreaking venture for Lucasfilm, featuring non-canon animated shorts created by various Japanese animation studios with distinct styles. The success of the first volume on Disney+ led to a second volume released in 2023, featuring work from international studios and earning critical acclaim. Fans can anticipate more exciting and imaginative stories as Visions continues to explore the vast universe of Star Wars through the lens of animation.