New Star Wars Series 'The Ninth Jedi' Premieres August 5, 2026

The new Star Wars anime series, 'The Ninth Jedi,' will have 8 episodes, a longer format than the original 'Visions' shorts. It premieres on August 5, 2026.
By Newsroom | Entertainment, Sci-Fi |

Lucasfilm has debuted the first trailer for Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, an eight-episode limited anime series set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on August 5, 2026. This release signals a significant pivot, explicitly moving beyond the Skywalker saga and venturing into previously unexplored narrative territories within the galaxy far, far away.

The series continues the journey of Lah Kara, a Force-sensitive protagonist, who embarks on a high-stakes mission to find her missing father, a renowned saber-smith. Her quest is fraught with peril, as she must evade ruthless Jedi Hunters and confront a formidable new antagonist named Nawaam. This villain is depicted as seeking to impose his own brand of "order" by harnessing Kyber crystals to create a superweapon, aiming to eradicate the Jedi Order and achieve a twisted version of peace.

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Expanding the "Visions" Framework

"The Ninth Jedi" represents an expansion of the concept introduced in Star Wars: Visions, which has historically served as an anthology platform for standalone animated stories from diverse global creators. This new series, however, marks the first time Visions will feature a longer-form narrative, exploring recurring characters and storylines within the established banner. The decision to produce an eight-episode limited series under the "Star Wars: Visions Presents" banner suggests a deliberate strategy to explore more ambitious and serialized storytelling within the universe, free from the constraints of the main saga.

"This summer, trust in the Force and listen to your heart when Kara resumes her quest to find her missing father and evade Jedi Hunters in Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, a new limited series from Lucasfilm and Production I.G."

The series is a collaboration between Lucasfilm and Production I.G, a studio with a notable history in animation. The trailer, revealed at Anime Expo 2026, hints at a deep dive into the philosophical and mystical aspects of the Force, questioning the very nature of what it means to be a Jedi or a Sith. This thematic exploration aligns with the experimental spirit of the original Visions anthology, but with the potential for greater narrative depth due to its serialized format.

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The Ninth Jedi trailer reveals a future for Star Wars beyond the Skywalker saga - 1

Voice Cast and Production Details

The English dub features returning voice talent from earlier "The Ninth Jedi" shorts, including Kimiko Glenn as Lah Kara, Andrew Kishino as Juro, Masi Oka as Ethan, Patrick Seitz as Homen, JP Karliak as Gramps, and Simu Liu as Lah Zhima. The original Japanese voice cast also includes reprisal from Chinatsu Akasaki as Lah Kara, Tetsuo Kanao as Juro, Hiromu Mineta as Ethan, Hinata Tadokoro as Homen, Cho as Gramps, and Shinichiro Miki as Lah Zhima. Akio Otsuka returns to voice the Narrator.

Production oversight for the series includes Hitoshi Itō, who also contributed to the first season of Visions, alongside Lucasfilm executives Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes. The series' structure will include an episode presented in Japanese with English subtitles, reflecting the global creative approach characteristic of the Visions project.

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Background: A Shift in Star Wars Storytelling

The original Star Wars: Visions project, launched in 2021, was a groundbreaking initiative by Lucasfilm to collaborate with acclaimed anime studios from around the world. It presented a collection of distinct, non-canonical short films, each offering a unique interpretation of the Star Wars universe. This approach allowed for creative freedom and diverse storytelling, often exploring themes and visual styles not typically seen in live-action Star Wars productions.

"The Ninth Jedi" short, which originated within the Visions anthology, garnered significant attention for its compelling narrative and distinct aesthetic. The decision to develop it into a longer, serialized series signifies a strategic move by Lucasfilm to leverage the success of Visions and test the waters for more ambitious, creator-driven narratives outside the established Skywalker saga. This development comes at a time when the franchise is actively seeking to broaden its scope and appeal to a wider audience by exploring different eras, characters, and storytelling formats.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does the new Star Wars series 'The Ninth Jedi' premiere?
Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi will premiere on August 5, 2026. It will be available on Disney+ and Hulu.
Q: What is the story of 'The Ninth Jedi' series?
The series follows Lah Kara, who is Force-sensitive, on a mission to find her missing father. She must avoid Jedi Hunters and a new villain named Nawaam who wants to destroy the Jedi.
Q: How is 'The Ninth Jedi' different from previous Star Wars: Visions content?
This is the first time the 'Visions' banner will feature a longer, eight-episode story with recurring characters. It moves beyond the Skywalker saga to explore new narratives.
Q: Who are the main characters in 'The Ninth Jedi'?
The main character is Lah Kara, voiced by Kimiko Glenn in English. Other characters include Juro, Ethan, Homen, Gramps, and Lah Zhima, with Simu Liu also in the cast.
Q: What is the main theme explored in 'The Ninth Jedi'?
The series delves into the Force, questioning what it means to be a Jedi or a Sith. It aims for a deeper narrative exploration than the original 'Visions' shorts.