Star Wars spin-offs often arrive under intense scrutiny, and according to the report, that pressure has only grown as recent entries have been compared against the franchise’s highest highs and lowest lows. But Star Wars: Visions has already carved out a special place within the galaxy far, far away by letting top animation studios tell stories that could sit inside or outside canon. Two shorts from Production I.G. stood out enough to inspire a full spin-off, and The Ninth Jedi is said to not only honor that legacy, but push it further.
The series follows Lah Kara, a young Jedi padawan searching for her father, Lah Zima, while a dangerous warlord named Nawaam launches a campaign to take over planets across the system. Kara’s personal mission is quickly complicated by the larger conflict around her, forcing her to balance family, loyalty, and survival as the threat grows. The report notes that the story leans into new characters and ideas rather than simply relying on familiar Star Wars beats, especially as it moves into its later episodes.
A fantasy-forward take with standout visuals
One of the strongest points of The Ninth Jedi, according to the review, is its animation. The hand-drawn style is described as exceptional, with the series standing alongside some of the biggest names in modern anime. While it still includes the expected Star Wars elements such as lightsabers and starships, those details are used more as support than as the main attraction. Instead, the show places greater emphasis on original worldbuilding, including fantasy-inspired settings and a planet populated by elven- and dwarf-like creatures.
The report also highlights the way The Ninth Jedi expands on the idea of lightsaber colors, a concept introduced in an earlier Visions installment. That mythology continues in more layered and meaningful ways here, especially as the story digs into character psychology and moral choices. While the series reportedly stumbles a little when it echoes familiar franchise formulas, its most original ideas are the ones that leave the biggest impression. Overall, the piece positions The Ninth Jedi as one of the most impressive Star Wars stories in recent memory, and a strong example of what Visions can do when it is allowed to take creative risks.
Source: collider.com
