Every Star Wars Visions Volume 2 Episode, Ranked Worst To Best
Contains spoilers for "Star Wars: Visions, Volume 2"
For the subset of "Star Wars" fans who had grown weary of the Skywalker Saga, the first volume of "Star Wars: Visions" shorts provided a much-needed respite. The nine-episode anthology re-envisioned "a galaxy far, far away" through the lens of anime storytelling, recruiting nine of the genre's most accomplished studios to put their own spin on George Lucas' original creation. Permitted to disregard canon, each episode felt like a wholly singular story within the "Star Wars" universe, still imbued with the franchise's central themes: forging one's own identity, good versus evil, and the importance of family, whether found or by blood.
In its second volume of vignettes, "Star Wars: Visions" has expanded to include a wider variety of animation styles from studios all over the world, including juggernauts like Aardman ("Wallace and Gromit") and Cartoon Saloon ("Wolfwalkers"). Fans will be excited to see "Star Wars" reimagined through each studio's unique approach, but much like the last collection, what really sticks with you are the shorts' powerful but contained stories. Though some of the films contain allusions to established lore, they all seem completely out of time, each carving out their own pocket of the beloved universe. "Star Wars: Visions" is a sure sign that, amidst the cyclical retreads of the Filoniverse, there remains a strong creative spirit in pop culture's favorite space opera.
Ranking these nine phenomenal shorts is like picking a favorite child, but we managed. Let's find out which ones come out on top!
9. Journey to the Dark Head (Studio Mir)
Don't worry, weebs, "Star Wars: Visions Volume 2" doesn't completely do away with anime! Although none of the studios included in the second season are Japanese, two of the shorts are rendered in anime styles. "Journey to the Dark Head" is the first, produced by South Korean anime-adjacent giant Studio Mir ("The Legend of Korra").
The short sees ambitious mechanic Ara and bratty Jedi Knight Toul paired on a mission that takes them to a temple in the Outer Rim that may hold the key to ending the Galactic War. Each character and environment is beautifully designed and brought to life with crisp line work, especially in what might be the most epic final confrontation in all of the nine episodes, anchored by a superb lightsaber duel between Toul and Sith Lord Bichen.
Though every short is phenomenal in its own way, "Journey to the Dark Head" presents such an all-encompassing vision for its story world that it may be a bit too expansive. Certain concepts and characters are thrust into the story with minimal explanation, such as Ara's history with the temple and transition into life as a mechanic and Toul's relationship with former master Leesagum and Bichen. There's even a Jedi Council, none of whom are explicitly identified beyond a few lines. It's all beautiful to behold, but it feels like this short would function better as a lengthier saga than a short restricted to the 20-minute "Star Wars: Visions" format.
8. In the Stars (Punkrobot)
"Star Wars Visions Volume 2" proves to us that "Star Wars" and animation truly go hand-in-hand, and nowhere is this more apparent than when the animators dabble in creature design. This season, we see a few shorts starring non-human protagonists. "In the Stars" follows two Force-sensitive sisters of unidentifiable alien origin. Though we get a brief (if overlong) exposition dump explaining their tribe's history, the character design alone speaks volumes: body tattoos, terracotta skin tones, and makeshift clothing composed of animal feathers and furs. These are creatures of the land, which makes it all the more resonant when we watch them fight for it against the greedy hands of the Empire.
Like most great "Star Wars" stories, "In the Stars" is about the power of belief and family. The film's two sisters, Tichina and Koten, have lived without their mother ever since she was killed after attempting to stop the Empire from raiding her homeland's resources. Tichina still believes in the power their mother instilled in them, but Koten is only concerned with survival. By the end of the short, the two come to recognize how powerful their faith in and love for each other can be.
Gorgeously crafted through Chilean studio Punkrobot's faux stop-motion stylings, "In the Stars" is a meaningful story, though its on-the-nose environmental theming and predictable climax keep it from being as compelling or exciting as the other shorts on this list.
7. The Bandits of Golak (88 Pictures)
"The Bandits of Golak" may feel a bit like two rushed short films smushed together, but that's easily forgivable when both are fairly engaging. The first half introduces brother-sister duo Charuk and Rani, who are on the run after their village is ravaged by the Empire. Little backstory is provided, to the point that we could have used a bit more, but their dynamic is so adorable that you come to care for them quickly. However, the real centerpiece is a train-chase sequence ripped right out of "The Lone Ranger" as speeders ride side-by-side with horses against a warm canyon backdrop.
When we arrive at our destination, the city of Golak, Rani's Force sensitivity attracts an intimidating Inquisitor. This leads directly to a brief but welcome lightsaber duel (with two double-blade wielders!!!), fluidly animated in 88 Pictures' 3D style that feels like what a more polished "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" could have been. It's also set to the pulsating vocal rhythms of Solkattu music, one of the many elements of this short inspired by Indian culture. Though each short reflects the culture of the country it came from, "Bandits of Golak" is the most deliberate in its embrace. You can see it in the characters' fashion choices as well as the food they eat. The film's recurring candy, Le'bi, is based on jalebi, a traditional South Asian dessert. These inclusions give "Star Wars: Visions Volume 2" a rich, intersectional quality that makes it a joy to watch!
6. I Am Your Mother (Aardman)
Now this is podracing!
"I Am Your Mother" is the short most of us were anticipating the most going into "Star Wars Visions Volume 2" (they even premiered it early at this year's Star Wars Celebration), so it may be surprising to see it barely crack the middle tier of this list. Don't get us wrong. We love Aardman's charming comedic sensibilities, especially when brought to the "Star Wars" universe. However, it translates into a film that is more humble and goofy than visually mesmerizing or emotionally impactful. In that sense, it really can't stack up to the rest of the list, but hey, it's an Aardman short set in the "Star Wars" universe, so who's complaining?
The short stars Anni (surely a reference to Anakin's same nickname), a young Twi'lek pilot who is too embarrassed by her clumsy mother to participate in her academy's family podrace. However, her mother, Kalina, has other plans, and the two are soon caught in tight competition with the self-absorbed Van Reeples. "Star Wars" rarely explores mother-daughter relationships, so it's fun to see one set against the high-speed stakes of podracing with Aardman's quick-witted slapstick.
In a lean and mean 11 minutes, the shortest of any film in the collection, the British animation studio provides us with a simple but lovable "warts-and-all" family story. Add that to the episode's many hilarious easter eggs, including an Aardman-ified Wedge Antilles, and it's impossible not to fall in love with this one.
5. Sith (El Guiri)
"Star Wars" has always been about the balance of darkness and light. We've seen many Jedi and Sith fall prey to falling too far to one side, but what happens when one tries to rid herself of the choice altogether? Lola, the protagonist of El Guiri's "Sith," secludes herself on a far-off planet and is solely dedicated to her painting and her loyal droid, E2. However, her past as a Sith apprentice continues to haunt her nightmares as well as her art. No matter how hard she fights against it, in her own words, "Darkness wants to be part of the painting."
It isn't until her former master attacks that her abilities are tested. Ultimately, she is able to use her darkness in combination with her light (represented by a rainbow of paint colors) to defeat the Sith Lord and master her own destiny. The Spanish animation studio's choice to immerse Lola in a world of expressive brush strokes and Pollack splatters only further immerses her in the story's symbolism. It seems odd to use the phrase "shades of gray" for a film so colorful, but that complexity gives the character dimension. The style translates to a mix between "The Unfinished Swan" and "Into The Spider-Verse," creating a thoroughly layered but still discernible look and feel. It does wonders for the short's final lightsaber battle, which is not only the best duel of the series but also features one of the franchise's most incredible final blows.
4. The Spy Dancer (Studio La Cachette)
Stories of rebellion are essential for any good "Star Wars" collection, and thankfully, they appear throughout "Star Wars: Visions Volume 2." However, no act of revolution is more resonant than that of "The Spy Dancer," a spellbinding 2D short from Studio La Cachette, best-known for their work on Genndy Tartakovsy's "Primal." The film transports us to an extravagant cabaret run by dancer Loi'e and her troupe of secret rebel spies. However, when she believes the Imperial officer who took her son years before is in attendance, Loi'e's attempts at revenge lead to a frantic shoot-out.
Beyond the lovely aesthetic of the animation, its incorporation of acrobatics and contemporary movement in its fight choreography gives it an exciting edge. Not only are Loi'e and Hétis fashion statements stunning in color and shape, but they also make for solid weapons on the battlefield, corralling stormtroopers in voluminous ribbons of elastic fabric. All of it is seamlessly animated, using Cachette's digital process to perfectly recreate the appeal of hand-drawn spontaneity.
At its core, "The Spy Dancer" is about what fascistic regimes take from us and the different ways in which we reclaim what has been lost. For Hétis, that means physically fighting against the Empire. For Loi'e, it means combatting her son's indoctrination with love.
3. The Pit (D'Art Shtajio and Lucasfilm)
Anime is back on the menu! Though D'Art Shtajio is based in Japan, it's a Black-owned American studio specializing in hand-drawn, '90s-style anime (think "Ghost in the Shell" or "Cowboy Bebop"). Let's face it. "Star Wars" hasn't done justice to their Black characters since Disney took over, so it's remarkable to see a majority-Black animation team and voice cast helm their own story in a co-production with Lucasfilm titled "The Pit." With an art style this good, a voice cast this strong, and a story this intense, "The Pit" is easily one of the best shorts in "Star Wars: Visions Volume 2."
One of the best aspects of "The Pit" is its simple but unpredictable story. Sure, something was going to go wrong for these Imperial miners, but for the Empire to leave them all to die in that pit? It's a shocking development that sets serious stakes for the story. As Crux, voiced by Daveed Diggs, escapes the pit and enters the city, you truly don't know what's coming next. For his character — the main character — to be killed as brutally as he is (falling down the same pit he successfully scaled moments earlier) is truly heart-wrenching. When you knock us down that low, we need a serious pick-me-up. Plus, it is "Star Wars," after all. I remember somebody once saying that rebellions are built on hope.
2. Screecher's Reach (Cartoon Saloon)
When it was announced that acclaimed Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon would be helming an episode of "Star Wars: Visions," the hype could not have been more real. Their spotless output, including the stunning "Irish Folklore Trilogy," has always dealt with legends and myths, not to mention close family dynamics. It seemed as though they would fit into Lucas' world like a glove, but little did we know they would exceed expectations this much.
Introducing four children on a quest to conquer a long-fabled cave that is said to be haunted by a mysterious ghost, "Screecher's Reach" initially feels like a familiar Cartoon Saloon story. The gang's cheeky chemistry taps into the studio's endearing sensibilities. However, the short's second half quickly morphs into a full-stop horror show when the ghost proves to be real. Daal, who is determined to seek a life for herself beyond her workhouse, pushes through her fears to discover the ghost is a weakened Sith. After ending its life with its own lightsaber, Daal charts a new, dark path.
The short is a surprisingly brutal and honest look at what happens when you choose your own destiny but choose wrong. It isn't a place any of us expected this series to go, but these harsh realities make Cartoon Saloon one of the best companies working in animation. Made even starker through thick line work and a dulled color palette, "Screecher's Reech" is a haunting horror story that reminds us not everyone gets a happy ending.
1. Aau's Song (Triggerfish)
They saved the best for last. "Aau's Song" is the ninth and final short of this collection, humble yet representative of everything one could want from a "Star Wars: Visions" entry. It's not only a beautifully simple story that incorporates elements of the "Star Wars" franchise in ways that makes them seem fresh, but it does so in a singular visual style with robust character design and lush environments. Plus, it has a lot of heart and even more charm. What more could you ask for?
What's refreshing about "Aau's Song" is that it uses music, a topic only lightly incorporated into the "Star Wars" universe, as an expression of the Force. Much like the Force, music is all around us, and having a young character discovering their voice as they discover the Force is an ingenious parallel. Further tying the character's journey to kyber crystals, an element of the "Star Wars" universe often associated with identity and individuality, makes it an even stronger extension of the franchise's core values.
Brought to life using 3D animation with stop-motion techniques, "Aau's Song" is a delight to behold with vast backdrops, mixed-textile character models, and an intimacy in its humility that doesn't sacrifice incredible scale and scope. We would pay good money to watch a "Star Wars" film set entirely in this wooly world. After all, watching Aau sing her heart out to cure a canyon of crystals is just as satisfying as any of the franchise's greatest hits.