Why I Needed Star Wars: Visions

There are moments in the pop culture zeitgeist when something exceptional comes along; not defined by its popularity or memability, but by its sense of artistic freedom to expand on the existing culture that we know and love. When Star Wars: Visions was announced, it was understandable that a large reaction from fans felt like this was a long awaited scratch to a proverbial itch. Anime had become more mainstream in the west and Star Wars is a gigantic intellectual property, so the overall conception was that melding the two together could create something really interesting. As for my reaction, well the idea did sound very cool, but I had my doubts about the execution. 

My relationship with the Star Wars franchise has been a complicated one. For as long as I could remember, I have always wanted to have a deeper connection with Star Wars. It’s a space opera that takes place in unique locations, introduces one of the coolest fantasy weapons conceived in the lightsaber, the character designs are original and not to mention the geopolitical and ethic undertones that Star Wars poses. All of these intriguing aspects, but I still found myself unable to connect any deeper. And I wish I could say that the disconnect was due to a generational and time difference of when I discovered Star Wars, but I don’t think that stopped a lot of people my age from enjoying the franchise. I enjoyed it as much as any casual fan enjoys something, for the surface value content. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that the prequels were my first introduction into Star Wars? I lacked the context of the films before the prequels and accepted everything that was presented to me about the world and its universe – yes, even Jar Jar Binks. Since then, I have watched some of Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series, along with some of Star Wars: Rebels and every single film after the prequels. At this point I should have been a dedicated fanboy, right! Well, after consuming that much Star Wars I had come to realize that I had misunderstood the intro “A long time ago in a galaxy far far away….” The tales of Star Wars are undeniably “far far away” but it is the emphasis on the aforementioned “galaxy” part of that intro that conjures a lot to be imagined and barely delivers on that idea. 

Throughout all of Star Wars eleven film franchise, five feature Luke Skywalker as an important key figure, three mainly focus on Anakin Skywalker/Vader and his descent into the dark side, another three introduce the character Rey, hint that she could have potentially been a Skywalker, but abandoned that for a brilliant twist in which she is a failed clone of Palpatine(?????). One film focuses on the first ever resistance against the first Death Star, and one origin story film about Han Solo. And in those eleven films the characters Luke, Han, Leia, and Vader are either very prominent or referenced somewhat. For a galaxy that is supposed to be explored with an audience I can’t seem to get away from some of these characters in the Star Wars universe. It is an understatement when I say that the Star Wars films have left me confused, indifferent, and downright conflicted about my interest in the property as a whole. 

It would be pointless to comment on any other medium of lore throughout the comics or books, but as Star Wars stands in the visual medium, its reputation is divisive at best. The creatives working on some of the video game and serialized side of the franchise are making great strides in my opinion and Visions is at the peak of world building and ingenuity. From the very start of the series, with episode one, The Duel, I could tell that Visions was truly going to live up to its name in delivering on the intricate nuances of what it means to have a thriving universe. A broader ecosystem filled with many more moving parts that do not always have to rely on a subset of characters to always bring familiarity and safety. 

Star Wars: Visions is vibrant as hell and I love it! With amazing directors like Takanobu Mizuno and Kenji Kamiyama delivering an anthology, the styles, the tones and the animation are never stagnant. Episode five “The Ninth Jedi” being one of the best in thoughtfulness and creativity. The perspectives of Kara, the daughter of sabersmith, has so much more to be explored as to what role she plays in The Order being restored and Margrave Juro’s presence feels familiar and different enough as a leader to draw more speculation as to what he truly desires. Each episode serves as an amalgamation of passion and respect for what was and what could be for the Star Wars franchise. All of these things should excite any fan as it shows Star Wars has interest in growing. In my opinion Star Wars: Visions delivers on so many levels. Despite criticism that a lack of one narrative takes away from the experience, with Star Wars meaning so many different things to so many different people, an anthology like Visions perfectly encapsulates the entire spectrum of intrigue and curiosity of the galaxy in the best way possible.