‘Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi’ Review: One With the Force

Star Wars needs no introduction. The iconic space opera franchise that began in 1977 continues to expand with its first anime series. In 2021, Disney+ brought a collection of nine shorts from seven anime studios with Star Wars: Visions.

Among those was “The Ninth Jedi,” and a subsequent episode “Child of Hope” in Season 3, from Production I.G., which both quickly became fan favorites. Star Wars Celebration Japan saw the announcement of The Ninth Jedi as a limited anime series, which is now streaming on Disney+.

‘The Ninth Jedi’ is a Breath of Fresh Air

A sequel series to the previous shorts, set many generations after The Rise of Skywalker (outside of canon), The Ninth Jedi is exactly why we need more Star Wars anime. The series is a breath of fresh air and not afraid to take big swings. 

The full season of The Ninth Jedi is a journey. In what feels spiritually like a blend between many Star Wars projects such as Light of the Jedi, The Last Jedi, and The Acolyte in some ways, Production I.G. provides a series that is so profoundly Star Wars, while expanding the lore and wow factor from the original short in 2021. The first few episodes act as a reintroduction and set up for those unfamiliar with this world presented in Star Wars: Visions.

Kara Proves To Be a Worthy Protagonist

The show’s leading character is Lah Kara (Chinatsu Akasaki, Kimiko Glenn), the daughter of saber smith Lah Zhima (Shin-ichirō Miki, Simu Liu). Kara trains under master Margrave Juro (Tetsuo Kanao, Andrew Kishino) in their attempt to find other Jedi and restore the Jedi Order. What ensues is not just a tale of Light vs. Dark, but an introspective season that explores what it means to choose the Light Side of the Force, and what it means to be a Jedi.

Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi accomplishes so much in so little time, allowing Kara to grow as a Jedi to a degree that would take decades from a trilogy of Star Wars films. Kara faces the temptations of the Dark Side and learns what it means to make tough decisions that shock both the audience and herself in the process. Writer Mitsuyasu Sakai did a wonderful job with Kara’s story.

The Familiar Becomes the Unexpected in ‘The Ninth Jedi’

When the initial The Ninth Jedi episode of Star Wars: Visions was released in 2021, the lightsabers built by Lah Zhima were shown to reveal the heart of the user. According to the heart of whoever wields one of his lightsabers, it will light up red for Sith, and colours like green or blue for those on the Light Side. In a reveal that was well executed, this concept turned into a surprising twist when all of the “Jedi” turned out to be Sith. Season 1 of the full series expands on this idea even further and gives context for why Lah Zhima executed it in the first place. Sakai’s use of the lightsabers to reflect character is brilliantly done, especially where Kara and her father are concerned.

Given the nature of Sith and corruption, it’s brilliant to have lightsabers reflect someone’s true nature. The show takes it even further by adding a new color: silver. The nature of the silver saber is not revealed to us besides the series antagonist’s take on what it may mean. The silver saber thematically and visually, is striking. When those in the show wield the color, it highlights the journey they’ve been on in the show, and leads to beautiful storytelling that climaxes in the season finale.

Nawaam (Nao Ōmori, Young Mazino) is a fascinating antagonist. Having witnessed events that shaped his worldview through Lah Zhima’s actions at a young age, Nawaam aims to bring peace through force. In an extreme Star Wars tradition, Nawaam is constructing a superweapon. What stands out about the character is his lack of Sith characteristics. He doesn’t seem to be guided by malice or someone who is necessarily evil, though he employs the same oppressive tactics of the Sith. In a campaign to bring about galactic peace through power, he brings a new perspective while serving in a familiar role.

‘The Ninth Jedi’ Review: An Exciting Story With Room to Expand

The clash between Nawaam and Kara is incredibly emotional, and seeing Kara’s journey to eventually be able to go toe to toe with Nawaam is a beautiful one. Ironically, seeing more of Nawaam would have been welcome; however, with limited time, he is done justice. The scale of the story as well does justice to the franchise. The Ninth Jedi has a beautiful blend of anime aesthetics with Star Wars, such as in the character and ship designs.

The Ninth Jedi is a welcome addition to Star Wars. While not technically canon, the story told is worthy of the mythology. The series concludes in an epic battle where the stakes are as grand as they are personal. Beautiful lightsaber battles, a great cast of characters, and rebuilding the Jedi Order. Who knows, if the series gets renewed, could we see the tenth Jedi?

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