Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi builds upon one of the anthology's most beloved stories with beautiful animation, memorable characters, and plenty of lightsaber action.
It seems that no matter how much Star Wars media exists in the universe, there could always be more. At least, that seems to be the philosophy of Disney+. With that in mind, Disney+ created Star Wars: Visions, a series of animated shorts developed by some of the world's best anime studios. The stories themselves were inspired by or set within the Star Wars universe, with each episode telling a self-contained story depending on which studio produced it. Premiering in 2021, Star Wars: Visions became yet another hit in the world of the Jedi and the Empire, spawning additional seasons in 2023 and 2025. This week, the ever-expanding franchise continues with Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi.
The Ninth Jedi continues the story introduced in the Star Wars: Visions episodes The Ninth Jedi and The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope. We once again follow Kara (Kimiko Glenn; Orange Is the New Black), the daughter of legendary sabersmith Lah Zhima (Simu Liu; Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). After Zhima is captured by the Sith, Kara joins Margrave Juro (Andrew Kishino; Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Ethan (Masi Oka; Heroes), and Homen (Patrick Seitz; Redline) in an effort to rescue him while rebuilding the Jedi Order under constant pursuit from the Sith.
Expanding upon the previous animated shorts, the story is engaging enough to keep viewers invested throughout the limited series. However, newcomers who have not seen the earlier episodes may find themselves struggling to understand who the characters are and why their mission matters. The opening episode attempts to provide enough background to catch viewers up, but I still found myself going back to reread the synopses of the previous installments. My advice is simple: watch those episodes first. You'll appreciate this series much more if you already know the players and the history behind them.
The voice cast is excellent, featuring several recognizable names who bring warmth and personality to their characters. Glenn makes Kara sound sweet and innocent while simultaneously conveying the quiet confidence of someone deeply connected to the Force. Liu's performance carries strength and wisdom, while Kishino gives Margrave Juro the commanding presence expected of a seasoned Jedi leader. Oka gives Ethan a youthful quality that makes the character feel caught between adolescence and adulthood, adding another layer to the group dynamic.
The visuals are absolutely stunning. The anime style remains unique within the larger Star Wars franchise, blending traditional Japanese influences with familiar imagery from a galaxy far, far away. The silver lightsaber is particularly impressive, reflecting light in such a way that it almost appears to dance through every battle. Likewise, the massive crystal powering the Sith's weapon becomes one of the series' most striking visual elements. Interestingly, while Kara and Ethan embrace a more recognizable anime style, many of the remaining characters feature subtler designs that blend surprisingly well with the traditional Star Wars aesthetic.
Director Kenji Kamiyama deserves credit for taking what worked in the original shorts and expanding it into a full limited series without losing what made those episodes special. The pacing moves along nicely, the action sequences are entertaining, and the quieter moments help develop Kara into a stronger lead character.
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi successfully continues the story established in the previous episodes, and longtime Star Wars: Visions fans will likely be very pleased with where it goes next. However, as someone coming in without those earlier episodes fresh in my mind, I occasionally felt like an outsider looking in. Certain story beats and relationships carried emotional weight that I knew existed but never fully experienced myself.
I guess you have to be a true fan who lives and breathes Star Wars to fully appreciate everything this series is trying to accomplish. However, if you're one of those fans, The Ninth Jedi rewards your investment with beautiful animation, memorable characters, and another worthwhile chapter in the ever-growing galaxy far, far away.
Grade: B
