Star Wars: Visions - Ranking The Shorts
9.) Akakiri
Studio: Science SARU
Akakiri is definitely the darkest entry in Star Wars: Visions but it is also one of the most frustrating, not just thanks in part to some of the characters and story beats, but also thanks in part to some spotty animation along the way. Normally, these issues wouldn't be as much of a distraction, but when comparing the short to the other master class works, it does tend to fall short. While having a short with a darker ending definitely sets this story apart, there are a few too many holes in the boar when it comes to the final entry in the anthology series.
prevnext8.) Tattoine Rhapsody
Studio: Studio Colorido
Tattoine Rhapsody is a lot of fun, albeit a little breezy when it comes to the story of a former Jedi finding himself, and this story feels like it could have definitely taken place during the original trilogy. Colorido is the perfect choice for this tale of "Star Waver" as it is able to capture the energy of Jay and his bandmates but this didn't feel like a short that had us thinking about it once the credits began to roll.
prevnext7.) Ninth Jedi
Studio: Production IG
This might be our most controversial pick of the list, as for many, Ninth Jedi appears to be one of the top shorts, but for us, the heavy exposition and traditional story weren't able to knock it out of the park and resonate with us when the short came to a close. There are definitely some jaw dropping scenes here, especially when it comes to the chase scene, as well as some killer action beats, but when compared to some of the other shorts, the Ninth Jedi falls short.
prevnext6.) Lop & Ocho
Studio: Geno Studio
Lop & Ocho throws in a number of big twists, while introducing some interesting, three dimensional characters to the Star Wars lore, with the short not pulling any punches when it comes to the dynamic of a family that is torn apart by the Empire. This short by Geno introduces an interesting argument, wherein the Empire can simultaneously be seen as a threat and a savior at the same time. Lop & Ocho feels like the entry that is most deserving of a sequel story and we're crossing our fingers that we can see these characters return should Visions return for a season two.
prevnext5.) Twins
Studio: Studio TRIGGER
TRIGGER's animation on "The Twins" is simply jaw-dropping, with the studio behind the likes of Promare, Kill la Kill, and BNA: Brand New Animal proving that they are a titan within the world of anime. While The Twins' story is somewhat cut and dry, the frantic energy of the battle between these two siblings torn apart by the light and dark sides of the force is well worth the price of admission. If you wanted to sell fans of Star Wars on the idea of a Star Wars' anime, I think The Twins would be the short to show them.
prevnext4.) The Elder
Studio: TRIGGER
Unsurprisingly, TRIGGER adds another top-tier short to Star Wars: Visions, with a "The Elder" that manages to squeak by "The Twins" not only thanks to its animation and story, but thanks to its unique villain and tension building fight scenes. The Elder feels like a story that is part of an ongoing series, following along with a Jedi Master and his padawan encountering a terrifying elderly Sith whose biggest enemy is time. It's a great entry in the series and while it's animation might not be as frantic as the story of the siblings, it's story hits harder for us.
prevnext3.) The Village Bride
Studio: Kinema Citrus
While watching The Village Bride, it evokes a feeling that you are watching a short produced by Studio Ghibli, with the story having the best soundtrack of the anthology hands down. Kinema Citrus is able to pull off some rather dynamic animation here, while also introducing a thought-provoking story at the same time. The Village Bride is a feast for the eyes and definitely earns its place in the top three.
prevnext2.) The Duel
Studio: Kamikaze Douga
The Duel is the first short to introduce viewers to the style of Star Wars: Visions and it easily earns its place as one of the top shorts of the anthology. The story of an unlikely protector saving a besieged village is nothing new when it comes to Star Wars, or spaghetti westerns, but the segment itself is dripped with atmosphere and throws in some major surprises that definitely threw us for a loop. The style by Kamikaze Douga is unlike anything else presented as part of the series and would easily take the number one spot, if there wasn't another...
prevnext1.) T0-B1
Studio: Science SARU
When putting together this list, we came up with a number of different criteria for what would differentiate all of these outstanding shorts from one another. Was the short able to stick with the aesthetic of Star Wars while offering a new story and animation style that hadn't been seen before? Did the short leave an impression on us when it ended? T0-B1 does all of these and more, presenting us with the heartfelt story of a droid grappling with his dream to become a Jedi while also struggling with the death of his creator. With the short feeling reminiscent of Astro Boy and other entries of anime's past, the story of this young droid makes its way to the top of our list.
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