Film and TV Review: Star Wars: Visions Volume 3
We review the third volume of Star Wars: Visions, a series embraced by many Star Wars fans, including those who don't usually watch anime. Like the previous two volumes, Volume 3 features nine episodes and offers something for everyone.
The Duel: Payback
Produced by Kamikaze Douga/ANIMA, this episode is one of my favorites, notable for its unique anime style, though it can sometimes be visually challenging to decipher. The story examines the essence of being a Jedi through the characters The Ronin, a former Sith hunter, and Aneé-san, a former Sith turned bodyguard. Both display greater Jedi qualities than the Jedi Grand Master pursuing them.
"The Duel: Payback explores what it means to be a Jedi. The Ronin, the former Sith hunting Sith, and Aneé-san, the former Sith turned bodyguard, have more Jedi qualities than the Jedi Grand Master sent to hunt them down."
This episode flips traditional Star Wars canon by portraying the Jedi Grand Master as more machine than human, reversing the usual Sith hunt on Jedi dynamic. The animation’s grey tones contrast sharply with the vivid red and blue lightsabers, symbolizing the ambiguous nature of "Grey Jedi," which, while not official canon, is explored effectively here.
"Grey Jedi aren’t supposed to be a thing in canon, but here it’s free game and it’s done really well."
As dedicated Star Wars fans, viewers will appreciate subtle audio cues, such as Ewok chatter and horn sounds from Return of the Jedi, woven into the episode’s soundscape.
"I also like how, as Star Wars nuts that we are, we can pick out familiar sounds from the movies like the Ewok chatter and horn blows from Return of the Jedi."
Author’s summary: Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 continues to blend innovative anime styles with classic Star Wars themes, offering fresh perspectives even on familiar lore.