Disney+ Review – Star Wars: Visions Features – The Ninth Jedi

      Robert Ewing reviews Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi…

      Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi marks a daring new path for the Visions series as the inaugural project in the Presents line, allowing creators to further develop the shorts created for the original anthology series. This installment builds on the titular Ninth Jedi shorts from Volumes One and Three. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Eden of the East, and featuring animation by the renowned Production I.G, the studio behind Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor, and Psycho-Pass, The Ninth Jedi offers a familiar yet captivating expansion that maintains its allure throughout its eight episodes.

      The story picks up where Child of Hope ended: Lah Kara (Kimiko Glenn and Chinatsu Akasaki) along with the other masterless Jedi, Juro (Andrew Kishino and Tetsuo Kanao) and Homen (Patrick Seitz and Hinata Tadokoro), are fleeing from General Nawaam’s (Young Mazino and Nao Ōmori) army, which is in pursuit under the command of the Sith Gennoh. Juro is resolute in his mission to revive the Jedi Order and gather new allies to oppose Nawaam, all while trying to rescue Lah Kara’s father, Lah Zhima (Simu Liu and Shin-ichiro Miki), who possesses far more than mere craftsmanship with lightsabers.

      Even though it was produced outside the principal production committee structure that dominates much of anime and Japanese live-action filmmaking, some segments received an uneven share of the animation budget, leading to a noticeably inconsistent visual presentation, a common issue in traditional TV anime. Each ship features hyper-detailed, shiny 3D designs that contrast sharply with the more conventional 2D character models and environments, which lack detail. Additionally, many dialogue scenes exhibit minimal movement, highlighting the prioritization of animation resources during production.

      Nonetheless, there are numerous instances where the animation is genuinely stunning and could easily rival the best sequences of the year. An early lightsaber duel showcases incredible light refraction that is vibrant on screen and truly breathtaking in its execution. The visual impact of a laser weapon firing its warning shot creates a mesmerizing effect, showcasing destruction in a way that leaves you in awe. The show also introduces a unique art style for its flashbacks, a choice that feels both refreshing and creatively engaging, keeping the series’ visual style vibrant throughout.

      From a narrative perspective, the show provides a familiar yet engaging Star Wars tale. Although it is detached from the franchise’s canon, it heavily relies on well-known storytelling conventions. It grapples with themes regarding what defines a Sith or a Jedi, the threat of a laser weapon to the galaxy, and the temptation of the dark side of the Force. However, the show attempts to add moral complexity by examining a state of detachment, where one's actions are devoid of emotional influence, effectively illustrated through the color-changing lightsabers. Unlike series such as Psycho-Pass, which delve deeply into such thematic layers, this show merely skims the surface and does not venture further into that complexity.

      The voice acting from the English cast varies in quality, with standout performances from Simu Liu as Lah Zhima and Andrew Kishino as Juro, who provide much of the show’s emotional depth. Kimiko Glenn’s portrayal of Lah Kara, however, feels somewhat out of sync; it seems as though she is trying to mirror the delivery of the Japanese actress, but something is lost in translation, resulting in vocal inflections that don’t align with the character. Another disappointment is the score, which, while not bad, relies heavily on motifs similar to John Williams’ compositions rather than creating something wholly unique.

      Despite its shortcomings, Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi left me eager for more. Throughout its eight episodes, I was thoroughly enthralled by the unfolding story. While it could benefit from deeper thematic exploration and more refined animation, once the show grips you, it becomes impossible not to be enchanted, leading you to hit play on the next episode as soon as the credits finish.