Star Wars: Visions Presents

2026 TV series or program From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Star Wars: Visions Presents is a collection of American anime anthology television series created for the streaming service Disney+. It is part of the Star Wars franchise, and serves as a spinoff from Star Wars: Visions.

Genre
Written byMitsuyasu Sakai
Directed by
Quick facts Genre, Based on ...
Star Wars: Visions Presents
Promotional poster
Genre
Based on
Written byMitsuyasu Sakai
Directed by
Voices of
Narrated byAkio Otsuka
Music byNobuko Toda & Kazuma Jinnouchi (The Ninth Jedi)
Countries of origin
  • United States
  • Japan
Original languages
  • Japanese
  • English
No. of series1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • James Waugh
  • Jacqui Lopez
  • Josh Rimes
  • Justin Leach
  • Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
Producers
  • Hitoshi Itō
  • Kanako Shirasaki
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseAugust 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Related
Star Wars: Visions
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The first eight-episode series, subtitled The Ninth Jedi, premiered at the Anime Expo on July 1, 2026, and was released in its entirety on Disney+ and Hulu on August 5, 2026.

Voice cast

The Ninth Jedi

More information Character name, Voice actor ...
Character name Voice actor
English Japanese English
Lah Kara Chinatsu Akasaki Kimiko Glenn
Juro Tetsuo Kanao Andrew Kishino
Ethan Hiromu Mineta Masi Oka
Homen Hinata Tadokoro Patrick Seitz
Gramps Chō J. P. Karliak
Lah Zhima Shin-ichiro Miki Simu Liu
Dunbai Hiroshi Naka Brent Mukai
Gennoh Ikagi Kenji Nomura Feodor Chin
Bhozn Tetsu Inada Neil Kaplan
Nawaam Nao Ōmori Young Mazino
Tafflah Maaya Sakamoto Chase Sui Wonders
Kwana Nobuyuki Hiyama Keone Young
Eht Shoya Ishige Zion Jang
Bee-Toh Hiroki Takahashi Aleks Le
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Episodes

The Ninth Jedi (2026)

More information No., Title ...
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"A New Threat"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Mitsuyasu Sakai
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Kara and her companions are pursued by one of Nawaam's lieutenants, the last Sith Gennoh Ikagi. Gramps is able to trick Gennoh into flying near a black hole, forcing him to use his powers to prevent his battleship from being sucked in. Kara and her companions then head for the planet Makono Ko where they ask its ruler, former Jedi Dunbai, for assistance. Dunbai refuses to get involved, pointing out he prioritizes protecting his home planet. Gennoh then arrives, demanding Dunbai hand the Jedi over. When Dunbai refuses, Gennoh invades the capital with a droid army. Dunbai takes up the lightsaber Juro offers to him to defend his people, while Juro and the other Jedi board Gennoh's ship to destroy its droid control unit. Gennoh personally confronts Kara, wielding a lightsaber he claims Zhima crafted. Though outmatched, Kara is able to distract Gennoh long enough for Gramps to destroy the droid control unit, forcing Gennoh to flee. At Nawaam's base, Nawaam ridicules Zhima for living in hiding as a sabersmith when he is actually one of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy. Ethan infiltrates Nawaam's mercenary army to spy on him and witnesses him kill another Jedi in a duel. He is shocked to see that Nawaam wields a blue lightsaber, revealing he is a Jedi as well.
2"A Hidden Weapon"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Daisuke Onigashi
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Kara and her companions head to the planet of Bibin next, where both Juro and Zhima were trained as Jedi. The planet's ruler, Lady Tafflah, is reluctant to allow Jedi back on Bibin, but allows them to land to recruit allies. Juro meets with his old friend Kwana, but is also forced to reveal to Kara that Zhima was exiled from Bibin for the murder their master Reno Tsutara. Juro did not witness the deed himself, but agreed to shelter Zhima and a then infant Kara, believing Zhima had a reason for his actions. Kara, Juro, and Kwana appeal to the Bibin miners to join their cause, and Juro gifts Kwana a lightsaber. At Nawaam's base, Ethan discovers Nawaam is collecting vast amounts of Kyber crystals to create a superweapon. When it malfunctions, Nawaam brings in Zhima, who voluntarily stabilizes the superweapon's Kyber crystal core, and Ethan is confused at seeing Nawaam treating Zhima as his master. Learning Juro has arrived at Bibin, Nawaam makes an address to the galaxy demanding they surrender or be destroyed by his Kyber crystal cannon. He decides to make an example by firing the cannon at Bibin, but the beam narrowly misses the planet.
3"Voice from the Past"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Yumiko Yoshizawa
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Though the Kyber crystal beam misses Bibin, the planet is heavily destabilized, triggering a mass evacuation. Nawaam tries to fire a second shot, but the cannon overloads again. Ethan reports back to Juro, informing him of the nature of the weapon and its location on Yaago. Meanwhile, Tafflah heads to the palace to reactivate an old starship but is left trapped by a sudden collapse. Kara is able to save Tafflah, but they both end up getting trapped inside the hangar. Waiting for rescue, Tafflah tells Kara about the history of the Jedi Order on Bibin. Many years ago, Master Reno arrived on the planet to rebuild the Jedi Order, taking on Juro and Zhima as his padawans. While Reno engaged in diplomacy with other systems, Zhima roamed the galaxy eliminating any remaining Sith. Eventually, Reno and Zhima came into a disagreement over the former's involvement in politics and resorted to battling each other. During the battle, Zhima's lightsaber inexplicably turned silver before he slew Reno and fled. Afterwards, Tafflah was forced to disband the Jedi Order. Juro and Kwana manage to reopen the hangar and they take Reno's old ship to help in the evacuation effort. While exploring the ship, Kara finds evidence that Reno was secretly arranging the disappearances of trade officials to carry out illegal ore smuggling, meaning he fell to the Dark Side which was why Zhima killed him. Tafflah takes the Bibins to search for a new home, while Juro leads Kwama's fleet to attack Yaago.
4"Nawaam Attacks"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Mitsuyasu Sakai
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Already aware of Juro's plans, Nawaam leads a pre-emptive strike at Bibin, pinning down Kwama's fleet before they can leave for Yaago. Nawaam leads his forces in a boarding action on Kwama's flagship, forcing Juro, Homen, and Kwana to defend the engine room. However, this allows Nawaam himself to attack the bridge directly, with only Kara standing his way. Kara engages Nawaam in a duel, where Nawaan admits he was one of Reno's padawans who witnessed Zhima slay Reno. Inspired by Zhima manifesting the silver lightsaber and achieving "nothingness", he became convinced that the true way to achieve peace in the galaxy was through discarding his own emotions and attaining absolute power. Juro arrives to fight Nawaam, but Kara succumbs to her rage and continues to fight as well, distracting Juro which allows Nawaam to mortally wound him. Kara destroys Nawaam's lightsaber, but is helpless to stop Juro dying and becoming one with the Force. On Yaago, Ethan helps Zhima escape, and Zhima admits he allowed himself to be captured by Nawaam to try and reform him as penance for warping his mindset. Stopped by Gennoh and sensing Juro's death, Zhima decides to stay behind and orders Ethan to go help his friends. Zhima is forced to wield Ethan's lightsaber to fight Gennoh, while at the same time Nawaam takes Juro's lightsaber and manifests the silver color. Everybody is forced to evacuate the flagship when the boarding party detonates its fuel tank. Kara is narrowly able to escape in a separate ship, but is knocked unconscious.
5"The Storm of Violence"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Daisuke Onigashi
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Some time after the battle at Bibin, Nawaam continues to conquer more star systems while the now leaderless Jedi resistance is forced into hiding. Gennoh, having been defeated and grievously wounded by Zhima, is given a fully cyborg body. Despite Zhima having escaped, Nawaam assures Gennoh the Kyber crystal cannon is nearly complete so his assistance is no longer necessary. Ethan, Homen, and Kwana continue to gather allies to stand against Nawaam, while Kara secludes herself on a remote forest planet to protect the lightsabers Juro entrusted to her. She attempts to keep up her training, but remains traumatized with Juro's death. However, Nawaam's Jedi Hunters arrive on the planet searching for her and begin indiscriminately bombing the primitive local tribe Kara has been living with. Seeing the pointless destruction, Kara regains the resolve to fight. Meanwhile, Nawaam decides to invade Hy Izlan to make use of the giant, pure Kyber crystal located there to perfect his cannon. Kara manages to board the attacking battleship and mercilessly massacres the entire crew. When she returns to the surviving tribe members, they react in fear and she realizes her lightsaber has turned red, signifying her fall to the Dark Side. Kara drops her lightsaber and flees in terror. The Jedi Hunters take custody of her lightsaber and kidnap one of the local children, using him as a hostage to force the tribe to hunt Kara.
6"Light of the Force"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Mitsuyasu Sakai
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Kara attempts to flee from the tribe, but surrenders once she realizes there are hostages. Kara is taken away by the Jedi Hunters Eht and Bee-Toh, who she recognizes are the same people who kidnapped her father. While in captivity, Kara has a conversation with Juro's Force ghost and tells him she is no longer fit to be a Jedi. Juro assures Kara that she will not fall to the Dark Side as long as she can control her negative emotions, and advises her to trust in the Force to show her true path. Zhima raids one of Nawaam's bases and passes along information about the planned attack on Hy Izlan to the other Jedi. The Jedi Hunters then arrive at the base to track Zhima down. Overhearing that the Jedi Hunters plan to use her has bait to lure Zhima to them, Kara uses her Force powers to recover her lightsaber and escape. While initially still consumed with rage, she is reminded by Juro's voice to control her emotions, and her lightsaber turns silver. With her newfound focus, she kills Eht but spares Bee-Toh, sensing he has a good heart. She tells Bee-Toh he works for her now and gives him a lightsaber. He activates it and is surprised to see it is blue, confirming his potential to be a Jedi.
7"The Jedi Strike Back"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Mitsuyasu Sakai
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
The Jedi resistance arrives at Hy Izlan to intercept Nawaan and encounter Zhima who is already waiting for them. A massive coalition fleet led by Tafflah and Dunbai also arrives along with Kara, who is finally reunited with her father. She then distributes the remaining lightsabers to Zhima and Tafflah. Nawaam's fleet then arrives and begins pulling the giant Kyber crystal towards his flagship Fort Dominion with a tractor beam. Zhima instructs the other Jedi to disperse and attack Fort Dominion while he stays behind to personally defend the giant Kyber crystal, stating that its destructive potential would be far too much for Nawaam to handle. Kwama, Dunbai, and Tafflah lead the fleet while Kara, Ethan, Homen, and Bee-Toh stay to help Zhima. Gennoh arrives with a massive battle droid and starts a duel with Zhima. While initially at a disadvantage, Zhima taps into his full power to kill Gennoh. Likewise, Kara manages to destroy the battle droid with her full power. However, Gennoh's distraction allows Nawaam to seize the giant Kyber crystal.
8"The Ninth Jedi"
Shunsuke TadaStory by: Kenji Kamiyama
Teleplay by: Mitsuyasu Sakai
August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05)
Kara and the other Jedi board Fort Dominion and split up, with Zhima heading to personally battle Nawaam while Kara leads the other Jedi to sabotage the Kyber cannon. Kwana leads his fleet to disable Fort Dominion's engines, forcing it to crash land on Hy Izlan's surface. However, Nawaam orders the cannon to be fired anyways as Kara and her companions breach the cannon's control room. Nawaam heads to defend the cannon but is intercepted by Zhima. The two clash, but Zhima is ultimately defeated, forcing Kara to hold off Nawaam while her companions focus on disabling the cannon. As they battle, Kara realizes that the state of nothingness can be just as destructive as the way of the Sith without empathy and compassion, and her lightsaber returns to its original green color. Nawaam suddenly finds himself outmatched and he begins succumbing to his rage, turning his lightsaber red. With Nawaam having lost his focus, Kara easily defeats him but spares his life. Meanwhile, Ethan, Homen, and Bee-Toh use their lightsabers to physically smash the giant Kyber crystal to pieces, disabling the cannon. Now leaderless, Nawaam's forces quickly surrender, and it is revealed Nawaam actually spared Zhima's life as well. Afterwards, Kara and the other Jedi found a new Jedi Order on Hy Izlan. Zhima crafts a new lightsaber for an imprisoned Nawaam and gifts it to him, but the scene cuts to black before its color can be seen.
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Production

Development

James Waugh announced at the April 2025 Star Wars Celebration that Star Wars: Visions would begin a standalone spin-off series to tell longer form stories that began as shorts in the anthology series. The first Star Wars: Visions Presents series is The Ninth Jedi, after the Volume 1 episode "The Ninth Jedi" (2021) and the Volume 3 continuation "The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope" (2025), which was also announced at the Star Wars Celebration.[1]

The Ninth Jedi series was directed by Kenji Kamiyama and written by Mitsuyasu Sakai. Around 200 people at Production I.G worked on the series.[2] Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi composed the music.[3]

Casting

In July 2026, the voice cast was revealed for the series, with Chinatsu Akasaki, Tetsuo Kanao, Hiromu Mineta, Hinata Tadokoro, Chō, and Shin-ichiro Miki, Kimiko Glenn, Andrew Kishino, Masi Oka, Patrick Seitz, J. P. Karliak, and Simu Liu reprising their roles from the Japanese and English dubs of Visions, respectively, with Feodor Chin, Young Mazino, Chase Sui Wonders, Keone Young joining as newcomers for the English dub.[4]

Release

Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi premiered at the Anime Expo on July 1, 2026,[5] and was released in its entirety on Disney+ and Hulu on August 5, 2026,[6] consisting of eight episodes.[7]

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 91% for The Ninth Jedi, based on 22 reviews.[8] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 83 out of 100 for The Ninth Jedi, based on 7 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[9]

Jesse Schedeen, writing for IGN, praised The Ninth Jedi for being a blank slate free from the rest of Star Wars continuity and noted the superior quality of Star Wars animation work compared to its live-action work.[3] The animation quality and the composition of 2D characters in 3D environments were praised by Rendy Jones in his review for RogerEbert.com; Jones also compared the animation quality to that of Star Wars: Clone Wars.[10] Chase Hutchinson praised the "enrapturing animation" and how compelling the characters were in his review for The A.V. Club.[11] Richard Eisenbeis praised the score and the use of changing lightsaber colors as a plot device in his review for Anime News Network, but felt that the supporting characters were underdeveloped and that the show was thematically shallow.[12]

References

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