Anime Expo Hosts Special Screening of Star Wars Visions Presents The Ninth Jedi
Anime enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike have a major event to look forward to this summer! Anime Expo recently announced an exclusive opportunity to experience the highly anticipated first episode of Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, a limited anime series spinoff from the groundbreaking Star Wars: Visions project. This special screening, hosted by Production I.G and Lucasfilm, is scheduled for July 2, promising an unforgettable start to the series' journey before its official premiere this summer on Disney+.
Exclusive Panel and First Episode Premiere
The event at Anime Expo is more than just a screening; it is a comprehensive celebration of this exciting new venture. Attendees will be treated to the first episode of Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, presented in its original Japanese audio with English subtitles, offering an authentic viewing experience. Following the premiere, a special panel will delve into the creative process behind the series. Featured panelists include supervising director and series script supervisor Kenji Kamiyama, series director Shunsuke Tada, producer Hitoshi Itō, and Lucasfilm executive producers Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes. This gathering of key creative minds promises insightful discussions into the making of this unique Star Wars anime narrative.
Director Shunsuke Tada brings a wealth of experience, known for his work on Kuroko's Basketball, STARMYU, and Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These - Collision film. Producer Hitoshi Itō has also played a crucial role in the Star Wars: Visions universe and Attack on Titan The Final Season, further solidifying the high caliber of talent involved in this Production I.G and Lucasfilm collaboration.
Expanding the Star Wars Anime Universe
The Star Wars: Visions Presents initiative marks a significant evolution for the Star Wars: Visions anthology. First announced at the Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 event, this expansion allows for beloved animated stories to evolve into longer, more detailed narratives. "The Ninth Jedi" short, which captivated audiences in the initial Visions volume, is the very first story to receive this extended treatment. Fans who cherished the original short will now have the chance to explore its universe, characters, and intricate plot threads in a much grander format, promising deeper lore and character development within the unique anime style.
A Journey Through Star Wars Visions
The Star Wars: Visions project has a rich history, beginning with its first volume's debut on Disney+ in September 2021. This initial anthology showcased nine distinct shorts from renowned Japanese studios such as Trigger, Kinema Citrus, Kamikaze Douga, Science SARU, Production I.G, and Geno Studio, introducing innovative takes on the Star Wars saga through the lens of anime. Volume 2 followed on May 4, 2023, expanding the creative scope by featuring nine shorts from animation studios around the globe, including Japan, India, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Chile, France, South Africa, South Korea, and the United States, demonstrating the universal appeal and adaptability of the Star Wars universe.
Most recently, Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 launched on Disney+ on October 29. This latest anthology notably continued the storylines of three popular shorts from the first volume: "The Duel," "Village Bride," and "The Ninth Jedi." Separate from the upcoming limited anime series, the short "The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope" offered a glimpse into a war-torn past, predating the birth of its central character, Kara. This rich background sets the stage perfectly for the limited series, promising an immersive and expansive narrative for its summer premiere on Disney+.
Anime Expo attendees have an unparalleled opportunity to be among the first to witness the exciting new chapter of Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi. This highly anticipated screening and panel are poised to be a highlight of the convention, fueling excitement for its full release on Disney+ later this summer.
