Star Wars: Visions Vol. 3 Just Cast a Proper Psychedelic Spell, and I'm Hypnotised
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is set to kick off with 'BLACK,' a wildly psychedelic and experimental short from anime legend Shinya Ohira that ditches traditional narrative for a mind-bending exploration of Star Wars' Japanese roots, proving that sometimes the best way to explore a galaxy far, far away is to get a bit trippy with it.
Right, so you know how sometimes you try a new spell, and it goes gloriously off-script, blowing open a portal to a dimension you never expected? Yeah, well, Star Wars just did something similar, and frankly, I'm absolutely here for it. We're talking about *Star Wars: Visions Volume 3*, and if the first episode is anything to go by, our perceptions of a galaxy far, far away are about to get delightfully messed with.
Word on the digital street, after an exclusive sneak peek at AnimeNYC, is that the first short, titled 'BLACK,' is a full-blown psychedelic acid trip. No, seriously. Imagine taking the established Star Wars universe, shoving it through a kaleidoscope made of early-MTV music videos and heavy metal album art, then filtering it all through the mind of a legendary anime artist. That's essentially what Shinya Ohira – the genius behind bits of *Akira*, *Spirited Away*, and *The Animatrix* – has cooked up with David Production (the folks who gave us *JoJo's Bizarre Adventure*, so you *know* they get 'experimental').
'BLACK' is reportedly a highly experimental piece, ditching traditional dialogue for minimal narration and a truly jazzy score by Fujiwara Sakura that apparently screams 'Mos Eisley cantina after a few too many alien cocktails.' Ohira himself explained it was designed less as a conventional story and more like a music video, an animated canvas for Sakura's voice against a backdrop of intense, trippy battles. And bloody hell, does it sound like an experience. Visuals are said to blend the rotoscoped charm of A-ha's 'Take on Me' video with the gritty, fantastical aesthetic of *Heavy Metal* magazine. Sounds like my kind of accidental wizardry, where you aim for a simple charm and end up with a trans-dimensional disco.
So, what's actually happening in this mind-bender? Picture this: a battle within the haunted psyche of an Imperial stormtrooper. It's set during the frantic final moments of the Death Star in *A New Hope*, with a green-hued stormtrooper clashing with a red-tinged one. It's a visual metaphor, mate, exploring 'sacrifice in the name of justice' and the duality of humanity amidst the cycle of life and death. You even get a tender, melancholic moment where one of these 'faceless' soldiers lies in nature, reflecting on what they're giving up. It’s a pretty deep dive for a short, isn't it? It genuinely makes you pause and think, which is a rare feat for something so visually chaotic.
Now, why does this matter beyond just being a cool-looking Star Wars cartoon? Well, *Visions* has always been about something more than just adding to the official canon. It's Lucasfilm's love letter to the Japanese influences that birthed Star Wars in the first place – think Akira Kurosawa's samurai epics, the philosophy of bushido, and the concept of *qi* (which George Lucas famously adapted into the Force). This anthology series is a brilliant platform for Japanese artists to explore those foundational themes with complete creative freedom, unburdened by strict lore adherence. It's like letting a band of seasoned alchemists loose in the lab with a new set of elements – you might not get a traditional potion, but you'll definitely get something spectacular and perhaps even groundbreaking.
And let's be fair, the distinctive art styles and fast-paced action we've seen in *Visions* – reminiscent of Genndy Tartakovsky’s earlier *Clone Wars* series – capture an intensity that live-action struggles with, and that the CGI *Clone Wars* sometimes couldn't quite convey. There's a raw, kinetic energy to hand-drawn animation when done by masters that just hits different, eh? It’s genuinely exciting to see this kind of artistic expression applied to such a colossal IP. It makes you wonder what other beloved gaming or movie franchises could benefit from this kind of unchained creative interpretation, doesn't it?
This new volume isn't just Ohira's wild ride, either. We're getting nine original anime shorts in total, featuring a mix of returning studios from Volume 1 – like Kamikaze Douga, Kinema Citrus, Production I.G, and TRIGGER – alongside exciting newcomers such as ANIMA, Polygon Pictures, Project Studio Q, and WIT Studio. That's a veritable who's who of animation talent, all lining up to chuck their unique vision at the Star Wars galaxy. It’s like gathering all the most eccentric and brilliant wizards for a magical jam session; you just know something incredible, and probably a bit bonkers, is going to come out of it.
In an industry that can sometimes feel a bit… safe, with IP playing it by the numbers, *Visions* is a breath of fresh, albeit hallucinogenic, air. It's a reminder that sometimes the best way to understand an existing universe is to explore its foundations through entirely new lenses. It’s a genuine celebration of creative freedom, and that's something I'm always cautiously optimistic about. Because while I'm a bit of a skeptic when companies promise 'revolutionary' changes that turn out to be just another skin pack, I'm all in when it comes to actual artistic innovation that respects the spirit of what came before, while daring to do something wildly new.
So yeah, mark your calendars for October 29th. *Star Wars: Visions Volume 3* is heading to Disney Plus, and if 'BLACK' is anything to go by, we're in for a proper treat. Get ready to have your perceptions of a galaxy far, far away delightfully messed with. Just remember your digital safety goggles, eh?
Tags: Star Wars, Anime, Animation, Sci-Fi, Creative Freedom
Original article: Polygon