Star Wars Visions Vol 3 review (2025)

Star Wars Visions Vol 3 provides another round of anime-infused Star Wars fun with nine new anthology tales.

As with any anthology, there are some standouts and some that fall a little flat. At its best Visions Vol 3 delivers a visually stunning and unique spin on the Star Wars mythos. None of the nine are objectively bad so much as they feel like they’re just echoing the same themes explored and tackled better in other shorts.

Visions Vol 2 featured a more diverse set of stories including two featuring black leads. Disappointingly, Visions Vol 3 reverts to a traditional anime focus with the largest factor in the diversity being the characters’ hair color.

This tends to impact the storytelling options as it feels like the various studios had the same basic premise to start their story and could deviate as needed. Many of the Visions Vol 3 stories kick off with a plucky female protagonist — typically an orphan — with no companion save her droid. Along the way, she might find someone, a group or something that needs her assistance.

Given the brevity of Visions Vol 3 — none of the episodes extend beyond 25 minutes — it’d be easy to watch all nine in one session. That approach just makes the plot similarities more apparent. This volume is better served watched on a delayed basis to allow some time to pass before immediately clicking to start the next episode.

With its anthology format, Visions doesn’t have an abundance of returning characters each volume. For this installment, several stories resume from previous volumes. Perhaps opting to kick things off on a high note, Visions’ one breakout character, The Ronin (Brian Tee) continues his quest from the earlier volumes with The Duel: Payback.

This is one of the highlights of Visions Vol 3 as The Ronin battles a deranged Jedi alongside some unusual allies. Directors Takanobu Mizuno and Shin’ya Ôhira utilize a largely black, white and grey color palette with a splash of accent colors in telling this story, which also features a supporting role from some key Star Wars characters.

The Ronin chapters are always beautifully animated with sensational action sequences. The Duel: Payback has plenty of memorable moments with some fun twists. It seems like The Ronin could easily headline his own standalone film at this point.

MORE:

• The Long Walk review (2025)
• Peacemaker – Full Nelson review S2 E8
• Transformers Studio Series 86 Megatron review (2025)
• DC Comics reviews – 10/22/25 – JLU 12, Absolute Wonder Woman 13

Another standout is The Song of Four Wings, which features a princess and her droid trying to keep an alien child safe from the clutches of the Empire. This story uses some creative ways to incorporate familiar Star Wars vehicles and weapons into the mix.  The Ninth Jedi story continues with Child of Hope, which doesn’t so much as advance the Vol 1, but tells a heartfelt story that plays out like an ideal blend of Star Wars and anime.

The Smuggler, about a young smuggler (Emma Myers) who takes a mission to escort a young man (Tanner Buchanan) and his escort (Judith Light). This is less intense compared to some of the other stories and its lighter nature makes it a very satisfying watch.

Maybe the best installment in Visions Vol 3 is The Bird of Paradise, a beautifully CGI animated story featuring a padawan named Nakime (Sonoya Mizuno). Alongside her master, Nakime tangles with a dangerous Sith Aman (Victoria Grace). Nakime is reckless and not in control of her emotions so it’s not shocking with Aman defeats her and leaves her for dead in a cave. Initially still refusing to acknowledge her role in her predicament, Nakime gradually starts to understand her master’s teachings in advance of her next encounter with Aman.

Of the lot, the final story — BLACK — is the most uniquely told. It features a Stormtrooper who’s losing his mind as the Death Star is under attack. It’s a very frenetic story with non-stop movement. Director Shinya Ohira crafted a free-flowing background to accompany Fujiwara Sakura’s jazz-infused score. BLACK is unlike anything else done in Visions Vol 3 and might be the one that requires multiple viewings to fully appreciate.

Visions Vol 3 is an eclectic mix of animation styles with largely engaging characters that should satisfy Star Wars fans seeking something different from the norm.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Photo Credit: Disney

Enjoyed Star Wars Visions Vol 3? Pick up the Star Wars The Black Series Ronin and R5 at Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.