Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi Debuts on Disney+ with 8 Anime Episodes

Star Wars fans have a fresh reason to log onto Disney+ this week. The streaming platform just added the eight‑episode anime series “Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi,” the first full‑length entry in the Visions anthology. The show follows Kara, a young Jedi apprentice, as she trains under Juro and embarks on a galaxy‑spanning mission to rescue her missing father. With Production I.G’s signature animation and a new creative team, the series promises to broaden the franchise’s visual storytelling.

What happened

The Ninth Jedi premiered on August 5, 2026 and is available immediately on Disney+ and Hulu. The series consists of eight episodes, each continuing the story introduced in the Visions shorts “The Ninth Jedi” and “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope.”

Production I.G, the acclaimed studio behind Ghost in the Shell, produced the series under the direction of Shunsuke Tada, writer Mitsuyasu Sakai, and supervising director Kenji Kamiyama. The creative team also includes producers James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez, Josh Rimes, Justin Leach, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Hitoshi Ito, Kanako Shirasaki, and Caroline Keller. The narrative follows Kara’s training with Margrave Juro and a fellowship of Jedi‑in‑training as they search for her missing father across the galaxy.

Why it matters

By delivering a full‑length anime series, Star Wars expands its storytelling toolkit beyond live‑action and traditional animation, attracting anime‑savvy audiences and offering a fresh aesthetic for longtime fans. The collaboration with Production I.G signals Disney’s commitment to high‑quality international partnerships, potentially opening doors for more cross‑cultural projects. For viewers, the series adds depth to the Visions anthology, enriching the lore with new characters and themes of self‑discovery.

How to think about it

Treat the series as a standalone adventure that also rewards knowledge of the Visions shorts. Start by watching the original “The Ninth Jedi” and “Child of Hope” videos to grasp Kara’s backstory, then binge the eight episodes in one sitting to maintain narrative momentum. Consider the themes of mentorship and identity when discussing the show with fellow fans, and compare the animation techniques to other Production I.G works for a deeper appreciation.

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