'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 3 Set to Premiere This October Lucasfilm and Disney+ are gearing up for the highly anticipated return of 'Star Wars: Visions' with Volume 3, scheduled to premiere on October 29th. The announcement was made during Anime NYC, where a key art poster for the animated anthology series was also revealed, offering fans a glimpse into the diverse and imaginative stories to come.

Anthology Series Returns with Nine New Chapters 'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 3 will feature nine distinct animated shorts from various studios, each bringing its unique cultural and artistic perspective to the Star Wars universe. This follows the successful formula of the previous volumes, which have been praised for their innovative storytelling and breathtaking visuals.

A Diverse Range of Animation Studios The studios involved in Volume 3 represent a global collaboration, showcasing talent from different corners of the world. The confirmed list of studios and their respective shorts includes:

David Production – "BLACK" (Directed by Shinya Ohira) Kamikaze Douga + ANIMA – "The Duel: Payback" (Directed by Takanobu Mizuno) Kinema Citrus – "The Lost Ones" (Directed by Hitoshi Haga) Kinema Citrus – "Yuko's Treasure" (Directed by Masaki Tachibana) Polygon Pictures – "The Bird of Paradise" (Directed by Tadahiro Yoshihira) Production I.G – "The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope" (Directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani) Project Studio Q – "The Song of Four Wings" (Directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi) TRIGGER – "The Smuggler" (Directed by Masahiko Otsuka) WIT Studio – "The Bounty Hunter" (Directed by Junichi Yamamoto)

A Glimpse into the Stories Each short promises a unique narrative experience, exploring different themes and corners of the Star Wars galaxy. For instance, David Production's "BLACK" delves into the psyche of an Imperial trooper in a psychedelic battle, while Kamikaze Douga + ANIMA's "The Duel: Payback" sees a Ronin facing off against a twisted Jedi Grand Master. Other shorts include "The Lost Ones," where an incognito character confronts her past, "Yuko's Treasure," about an orphan and a street rat, and "The Bird of Paradise," which focuses on a blinded Jedi padawan's spiritual trials.

Voices Behind the Characters The voice cast for 'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 3 includes both original language and English dub actors. The original language cast features Ami Maeshima, Yasuko Hatori, Takako Honda, Yume Miyamoto, Makoto Koichi, and Chinatsu Akasaki. The English dub boasts talents like George Takei, Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Kishiyama, Lincoln Bonilla, Jimmie Yamaguchi, Mike Bodie, and Stephanie Hsu.

'Visions' in the Context of Star Wars Animation The 'Star Wars: Visions' project is a significant departure from traditional Star Wars animation, which has historically been closely tied to the established canon. Dr. Emily Carter, a professor of Film Studies at the University of Southern California specializing in animation and transmedia storytelling, notes, "Visions offers a unique opportunity to explore the Star Wars universe through diverse cultural lenses and artistic styles. It allows creators to experiment with new ideas and interpretations, pushing the boundaries of what a Star Wars story can be." The series stands in contrast to more canonical animated series like 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' and 'Star Wars Rebels,' which are deeply integrated into the Skywalker saga timeline. 'Visions,' on the other hand, exists largely outside of this established continuity, providing a platform for bold and imaginative storytelling.

Production Team Lucasfilm produces 'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 3 for Disney+, with James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jacqui Lopez, and Justin Leach serving as executive producers. Flannery Huntley and Kanako Shirasaki are the producers. The premiere of 'Star Wars: Visions' Volume 3 on October 29th is eagerly awaited by Star Wars fans and animation enthusiasts alike, promising a fresh and visually stunning addition to the Star Wars universe.