Disney+'s Star Wars: Visions is a new Lucasfilm project which is taking the galaxy far far away to new territory. The Star Wars series will see a range of notable anime studios from across Japan take on the classic franchise. They are being given creative freedom to craft unique, compelling stories.
The non-canon project is unlike anything Lucasfilm and Disney have attempted before. There's plenty that fans need to know about the series however, with so many successful studios lending their voice to the show it's important to understand their background and what they may bring to Star Wars: Visions. Since it's an anthology series, each episode will be completely different from everything that has come before.
Kamikaze Douga
Working on the first episode of the series, The Duel, Kamikaze Douga is a famous anime studio that has worked in a number of mediums, including both feature-length and television productions. Founded by Mizusaki Junpei, the Tokoyo studio has a few notable entries in its filmography.
Known largely as a producer, the studio's most famous work was that of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. However, in recent years Kamikaze Douga also contributed their style to the western property of Batman, helping to create the world of Batman Ninja. This project may give a hint as to what can be expected from the powerhouse.
Geno Studio
The impressive Geno Studio is working on the second episode of the series entitled Lop And Ochō. A relatively recent company, it was founded by Kōji Yamamoto and is based in its headquarters in Ogikubo, Tokyo. Despite its age, the studio has worked on a number of impressive projects.
Owned by the parent company Twin Engine, Geno Studio has worked on both a film and a variety of TV shows. Their credits include Kokkoku: Moment by Moment, Golden Kamuy, Pet, and Genocidal Organ. They offer a compelling and visually vibrant style that meshes well with the tropes of Star Wars.
Studio Colorido
The third episode of the series, interestingly titled Tatooine Rhapsody, is being handled by Studio Colorido. The Setagaya, Tokyo-based studio is also another asset of the parent company Twin Engine. Its style is still quite varied in comparison to that of Geno Studio though.
This bright and cinematic studio has had a huge array of notable works to their name. From Burn The Witch to Penguin Highway and Wonder Garden, the more traditional and experienced style of the studio brings with it a great amount of knowledge for the medium. They are a useful partner to have onboard when portraying the powerful Jedi in anime.
Trigger, Inc.
Trigger, Inc. is one of the few studios out of the group to be producing more than one installment of Star Wars: Visions. The Twins and The Elder will be the fourth and fifth shorts of the series and could be a two-parter, perhaps capitalizing on the backstories of lesser-known characters.
The Tokyo studio was founded by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Ōtsuka. It sits under the parent company of Ultra Super Pictures. Their credits include a range of projects such as Little Witch Academia, BNA, and SSSS.Gridman. The studio is no stranger to the fantasy and sci-fi genres.
Kinema Citrus Co.
It looks like Kinema Citrus Co. will be taking on the sixth episode of the show which is currently titled The Village Bride. The short could be capitalizing on a new or pre-existing notable relationship in the universe. The Suginami, Tokyo, anime studio is a veteran of the industry and was founded by members of Production I.G and Bones studios.
Another experienced studio, their range of credits demonstrates the deep talent pool that Lucasfilm will get to work with. Projects like Made In Abyss, Code:Breaker, Yuyushiki, and Kuma Miko demonstrate the great range of stories that Kinema Citrus Co. is able to explore.
Science SARU
Interestingly, Science Saru is another studio that has been gifted the opportunity of working on two different short films for Star Wars: Visions. Akakiri and T0-B1 will be the seventh and eighth episodes respectively, with the latter clearly based around a droid.
The company was founded by Masaaki Yuasa and Eunyoung Choi and has its base in Musashino, Tokyo. Another safe pair of hands, their array of productions includes a number of quirky and artistically driven titles such as Inu-Ou, Super Shiro, and Devilman: Crybaby.
Production IG
Of note, Production IG has interestingly had a partnership with Lucasfilm in the past and will be working on the ninth and final episode of the show, The Ninth Jedi. The company is also in Musashino, Tokyo, and was founded by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Takayuki Goto. They are part of the parent company IG Port.
The studio enjoys playing around in genres and subverting tropes and as such should produce a great finale to this anthology series. Their work includes hits such as the Shingeki no Kyojin series, Haikyuu!! and Psycho-Pass, with a number of complex and dark themes being explored in each.
Lucasfilm Animation
The project is being largely overseen by Lucasfilm and its animation department. As the studio most familiar with Star Wars it's only fitting that they still have some creative control over Star Wars: Visions. The studio is handled by a number of officials including Dave Filoni.
Having created classics like The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Bad Batch, the studio is brilliant at understanding the source material and making larger connections to the rest of the universe. Although it has little anime experience, it has heaps of knowledge when it comes to telling these space opera stories.