Star Wars Visions Episodes Ranked
Star Wars Visions is an anime series where various creators and studios offer their own unique takes on that Galaxy Far, Far Away. Nine episodes total, and sadly it must be said: some are better than others. This is MY personal rankings of the episodes from WORST to BEST. And keep in mind, this is an OPINION piece. Let’s get started…
WORST Episode: TO-B1
A little droid dreams of being a Jedi. The idea is OK, and of course the animation is gorgeous (a point of praise for the whole series, really) but that’s all the praise I can give this short. I was honestly almost bored throughout the short, and found myself un-invested in Tobi’s character arc.
This short was STRONGLY influenced by Astro Boy in tone and appearance, but I feel as though it could have taken that influence further. I found myself more entertained by the various different ways the short could have gone, than by the short itself. Never a good sign!
The best way to describe T0-B1 is by calling it “Astro Boy with a Star Wars coat of paint,” that sadly didn’t go far enough. All in all, I can give this short a C. It entertained, but it could have been done way better.
Number 8: Akakiri
It’s insanely hard for me to say which one’s worse, this or T0-B1. But while the previous short had a LOT of potential, I feel as though this one didn’t. The aesthetic was alright, the ending contained one heck of a twist, and… that’s about it.
Akakiri, I feel, couldn’t have been done better except by making it longer, to give its characters more screen time. But then one runs into the problem that the short had all the story beats it needed, and so stretching a fourteen minute short into a one hundred and twenty minute movie is going to wind up with a LOT of filler. Whereas I can think of dozens of ways to make T0-B1 better, I just can’t find a way to fix Akakiri. It’s as good as it’s gonna get.
This short is best described as “A Star Wars jidaigeki” and a sadly mediocre one at that. It gets a C.
Number 7: The Village Bride
The Village Bride tells the story of a masked Jedi who aids a peaceful village that’s being besieged by a group of bandits. Much of the focus on the story alternates between the eponymous bride, and the Jedi herself.
The short is FINE for what it is, but it’s grossly overshadowed by pretty much EVERYTHING that came before and most of what came after. It’s not bad per se, in fact, it’s quite entertaining! But it’s just not nearly as good as the OTHER episodes in the series.
The Village Bride, I’d call it “Rurouni Kenshin with a dash of Star Wars” and that’s the best way to describe it. I can give it a solid B-.
Number 6: The Elder
The Elder is the story of two Jedi, a Master and an Apprentice, who investigate the rumor of a mysterious warrior ravaging the countryside of a backwater planet. They soon discover their target is an old enemy of the Jedi…
This short is action packed and gorgeous to look at, with a story that actually services. But did it leave me wanting more? Not even close. I think that main issue with this short is that it did EVERYTHING it could have done with the characters. The short serviced, but it was otherwise unremarkable.
How to describe this short? “The Star Wars version of a typical Samurai manga/anime.” I can give it a B.
Number 5: Tatooine Rhapsody
This short was unique in the series for being centered around music, following a former Jedi turned rock singer called Jay as he and the band try to save their guitarist, a Hutt named Geezer, from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. The music slaps, and the story itself is unique and interesting.
BUT the character designs leave MUCH to be desired, particularly Geezer’s, which is just plain ugly. I was also personally unimpressed with our main character, Jay, who was a bit on the boring side. That said? Nah, I enjoyed this short WAY too much to rip on it further.
Best way to describe it? “A Band Movie set in the Star Wars Universe.” NOTICE I DIDN’T SAY THE STAR WARS ELEMENT WAS REDUCED TO THE AESTHETIC! This legit felt like a story that COULD be set in Star Wars! I give it a B+!
Number 4: The Twins
The Twins tells the story of a pair of twins raised by users of the Dark Side to serve the Empire. Am, the sister, is devoted to the Dark Side and the Empire. Karre, the brother, is not as certain…
THIS is what we wanted Visions to be! I’ll admit that I was skeptical at first at the idea of a Star Wars anime series, but this was the short that totally convinced me Visions as a whole was worth a watch. The short’s PACKED with action and doesn’t let go once it starts! As if that wasn’t enough, I found myself completely invested in the eponymous twins!
Unlike most of the other shorts, this one felt the most Star Wars, to the point that I’d argue it’s the ANIME that’s the aesthetic! How do I describe it? “Star Wars, with a Guren Lagann style of action scenes.” It scores an A-!
Number 3: Lop and Ocho
Lop and Ocho tells the story of the Yasaburo daughters and how they find themselves at opposite sides of the Galactic Civil War thanks to a difference of opinion. Lop fights for her adoptive father’s vision of a world freed from the pollution and corruption of the Empire, whilst Ocho believes their planet needs the Empire’s progress and technology to create a better future.
This short is marvelous in every sense of the word. The characters were wonderful, the action was superb, the art style was outstanding and nearly Ghibli-esque, the writing was superb…I ended up wanting more! SO MUCH MORE! I want MORE stories with Lop! I want to see this story continued!
How to describe it? “A Star Wars Bakumatsu jidaigeki.” And it gets an A!
Number 2: The Duel
So as I said before, I was skeptical about Visions when it was announced. Then I saw this short, and all my doubt vanished.
The Duel did EVERYTHING right: it gave me an awesome setting, it gave me action, it gave me fantastic and unforgettable characters, and it left me wanting more. SO. MUCH. MORE!
This short is best described as “A Ronin story with a Star Wars aesthetic.” It gets an A from me, teetering close to an A+.
BEST Episode: The Ninth Jedi
You know a short is good if it leaves you wanting more. I’m not afraid to say, this episode left me wanting a LOT more! Disney can EASILY turn this episode into a three season animated series!
Ninth Jedi tells the story of Kara, the daughter of a lightsaber blacksmith, who is tasked with delivering seven lightsabers to a surviving group of Jedi. Then things start getting complicated…
Nah, ladies and gents, this is IT! THIS is the PERFECT episode of Star Wars Visions! The action, the plotting, the writing, the characters, the animation… I CAN’T FIND A FLAW! It’s literally PERFECT!
How can I describe it? “Everything GREAT about Star Wars, distilled into fourteen minutes, with an Anime aesthetic.” It gets an A+!
