Film and TV Review: Star Wars: Visions Volume 3

Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 continues to unite fans across the franchise, appealing to both anime enthusiasts and those new to the style. The third volume offers nine episodes, following the format of the previous two, ensuring that every viewer can find an episode that resonates.

The Duel: Payback

Duration: 23 minutes

Studio: Kamikaze Douga / ANIMA

This short film stands out for its distinct anime style, which can be visually dense yet captivating. It reimagines the essence of being a Jedi, exploring moral complexity through compelling character contrasts. The Ronin, a former Sith who now hunts Sith, and Aneé-san, another ex-Sith who has become a protector, showcase qualities more aligned with traditional Jedi ideals than the Grand Master pursuing them.

It flips the familiar Star Wars narrative, where instead of Sith hunting Jedi, a cybernetic Jedi Grand Master becomes the aggressor.

The film’s muted grey palette enhances its philosophical tone, sharply contrasting with the vivid red and blue lightsaber hues. The story boldly embraces the concept of the Grey Jedi, a notion typically outside of Star Wars canon, and executes it with remarkable depth. Fans may also recognize subtle sound effects lifted from classic films, such as the Ewok chatter and horns from Return of the Jedi, grounding the new vision in familiar nostalgia.

Summary

Author’s note: Visions Volume 3 expands the Star Wars mythos, blending philosophical depth, bold animation, and nostalgic sound design into a fresh yet familiar experience.

Fantha Tracks — 2025-11-04