Film and TV Review: Star Wars: Visions Volume 3
We review the third volume of Star Wars: Visions, a collection that many Star Wars fans appreciate, including those who are not typically anime enthusiasts like myself. Volume 3 features nine episodes, maintaining the format of the previous volumes, and offers a diverse range of stories that cater to different tastes.
I found certain episodes more enjoyable than others in this volume, yet even those I liked less had elements worth appreciating.
The Duel: Payback (23m)
Produced by Kamikaze Douga/ANIMA, this episode showcases one of my favorite anime styles in the series, despite occasional visual ambiguity. It explores the essence of being a Jedi through the characters Ronin and Aneé-san. Ronin, a former Sith who now hunts Sith, and Aneé-san, a former Sith turned bodyguard, embody more Jedi qualities than the Jedi Grand Master tasked with stopping them.
This story subverts traditional Star Wars canon — instead of Sith hunting Jedi, the Jedi Grand Master comes across as more machine than man, hunting the Sith. The animation’s grey tones contrast sharply with the vibrant red and blue lightsabers, emphasizing this inversion. While Grey Jedi aren't officially part of the canon, this episode embraces the concept effectively.
"It sort of flips the canon Star Wars on its head, whereas the Sith hunt the Jedi; here, it’s the opposite, with the Jedi Grand Master being more machine than man."
As avid Star Wars fans, we can also recognize familiar audio cues, such as Ewok chatter and horn sounds from Return of the Jedi, enhancing the nostalgic experience.
Author’s summary: Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 offers a fresh and imaginative take on the Star Wars universe through diverse stories, blending traditional elements with innovative twists in animation and storytelling.