Following its international expansion in Volume 2, “Star Wars: Visions” returns to its origins with Volume 3, featuring a collection of animated shorts produced entirely by Japanese anime studios.
Since its debut in 2021, the Disney+ series has revitalized the Star Wars galaxy by allowing animation studios from around the world to create original stories. These studios have been given the freedom to explore new perspectives on the Force, the different sides in the galactic war, and entirely new worlds and cultures, without being overly restricted by existing Star Wars lore.
The recently released Volume 3 demonstrates the versatility of anime. It brings back characters from the first volume and showcases a wide range of stories – from intense, mature tales like “The Duel: Payback,” which delves into the complicated history of the Sith and Jedi, to touching stories like “Yuko’s Treasure,” about two orphans finding family. This proves there’s an anime out there for every viewer.
Hollywood Inc.
The widespread success of ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle’, a collaboration between Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures, demonstrates anime’s increasing popularity around the world.
Anime is becoming increasingly popular, with recent hits like “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” and “Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc” proving its draw. It’s also easier to watch than ever, thanks to streaming services. If you enjoyed “Star Wars: Visions” and are looking for more anime, here are some recommendations inspired by the themes and stories found in its nine short films.
Stunning fights (with some moral ambiguity)
It’s no secret that lightsaber battles are a highlight of Star Wars. That’s why several of the shorts in Volume 3 of “Star Wars: Visions,” like “The Duel: Payback,” “The Lost Ones,” and “The Bird of Paradise,” focused on stories featuring Jedi and/or Sith.
If you enjoy anime with exciting and beautifully animated sword fights, “Demon Slayer” (available on Netflix, Disney+/Hulu, and Crunchyroll) is a great place to start. It follows a secret group dedicated to protecting people from demons. Another excellent choice is “Hell’s Paradise” (also on Netflix, Disney+/Hulu, and Crunchyroll), which features incredible battles between skilled fighters and supernatural creatures. The story centers on a ninja who teams up with a group of death row convicts on a dangerous quest: finding an elixir of life on a mysterious island filled with deadly monsters. Whoever succeeds will receive a full pardon for their crimes. While the concept might feel similar to movies like “The Suicide Squad,” the action and the island’s inhabitants are truly unique.
Master and apprentice dynamics
Like the bond between Jedi Masters and their Padawans, the stories “The Lost Ones” and “The Bird of Paradise” explore similar teacher-student relationships. If you enjoy stories about friendship, connection, memories, and what people leave behind, you might like “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” (available on Netflix, Disney+/Hulu, and Crunchyroll). This fantasy series follows an elf mage, her human apprentice, and their companions as they travel for years, visiting the memories of old friends. It’s a blend of travel adventure, with exciting quests, monsters, magic, and dungeon exploration.
Television
Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski are the creators of “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” a new anime series on Netflix. Produced with Science Saru, the show explores the lives of the characters in more detail than previous versions.
Lovable scoundrels
As a huge “Star Wars” fan, I’ve always loved the charming rogues and scoundrels – characters who operate by their own rules, and honestly, that’s a big part of what makes the galaxy so fun! The “Visions” episodes “The Smuggler” and “The Bounty Hunters” totally fit into that tradition, giving us more of those lovable, independent characters.
If you’re new to anime, great places to start are classics like “Cowboy Bebop,” “Lupin the Third,” and the epic series “One Piece.” These shows all feature exciting adventures with groups of bounty hunters, thieves, or pirates. For something fresh, check out “Buddy Daddies.” It’s about two assassins who unexpectedly become caregivers when they take in a young child. It’s similar to “The Mandalorian,” but with a more introverted co-parent and a particularly fussy little one.
Political space wars and mech suits
While not all “Star Wars: Visions” stories focus heavily on politics, several shorts in Volume 3 – including “The Lost Ones,” “The Smuggler,” “Black,” and “The Song of Four Wings” – explore themes of conflict between the Galactic Empire, the Rebel forces, and surviving Jedi. “The Song of Four Wings” notably features a young hero piloting a cool, high-tech flying suit.
The popular “Gundam” franchise is famous for its giant robots, but it’s much more than that – it’s a complex story set in space that explores serious issues like corruption, unfairness, and the devastating effects of war. A recent addition, “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury” (available on Crunchyroll), is a great starting point for new viewers. The show centers on a quiet new student at a military academy run by a corporation, where students resolve conflicts by piloting giant robots. While featuring typical school drama and a developing teenage romance, the series also tackles important themes like social inequality, corporate power, and the desire for revenge.
Food
A new official One Piece Cafe has opened in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo, offering fans a fun experience in an area working to revitalize itself after recent protests in June.
Emotionally resonant robots
Let’s be honest, no ‘Star Wars’ is complete without a charming droid. From C-3PO’s worrying to Chopper’s grumbling, these robotic characters are a series staple, and ‘Visions’ Volume 3 continues that tradition. Both ‘The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope’ and ‘Yuko’s Treasure’ introduce new droids that I found myself genuinely rooting for – they really add a lot of heart to their respective stories.
In Japan, robots like Astro Boy (Atom) and Doraemon are incredibly popular with kids, similar to Mickey Mouse and Snoopy. For a more grown-up take, there’s “Pluto” (on Netflix). This series is a dark, sci-fi mystery inspired by a story from the original “Astro Boy” comic. It takes place in a world where humans and robots coexist, but not always peacefully. The story centers on a robot detective investigating a series of killings involving both robots and humans, and explores big questions about what it means to be human – a common theme in science fiction about artificial intelligence.
Rambunctious kids
As a huge “Star Wars” fan, I’ve noticed a lot of stuff aimed at younger viewers, but it’s rare to see a story about kids actually having adventures in that galaxy. That’s what’s cool about Volume 3 of “Visions,” specifically the “Yuko’s Treasure” short – it centers on a pair of orphaned kids, and they’re joined by the cutest little bear-shaped droid you’ve ever seen!
Many anime shows feature lively kids and their escapades, and “Spy x Family” (available on Disney+, Hulu, and Crunchyroll) is a particularly charming one. It’s about a spy tasked with keeping the peace between two countries who creates a fake family as part of a secret mission. What he doesn’t know is that his adopted daughter can read minds, and his wife is actually a professional assassin! Naturally, a telepathic child living with a spy and an assassin leads to lots of funny situations. And to top it off, the family also gets a ridiculously adorable, large dog.
“Kotaro Lives Alone” (Netflix) is a surprisingly heartwarming show with a quirky premise. It centers around a four-year-old boy who lives independently in an apartment building. While the reasons for his unusual living situation are slowly revealed through interactions with his neighbors, the show balances his self-sufficiency and maturity with the vulnerability of a young child. Though you might expect a sad story, it’s ultimately more touching than tragic.
Books
Starting in early October, Crunchyroll is adding digital manga to its streaming service. The new feature, called Crunchyroll Manga, will give subscribers access to manga from a variety of publishers.
Musical, visual spectacle
A highlight of “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 3 is the short film “Black,” a visually stunning and unusual experience set during a battle, driven by jazz music and the perspective of a Stormtrooper. It’s truly unique. If you enjoy that kind of creativity, the anime film “Inu-Oh” (available on Netflix) might also appeal to you. This psychedelic rock opera, set in 14th-century Japan, tells the story of a blind musician and a dancer born with physical differences who become friends and use their incredible performances to express themselves.
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2025-11-04 14:32