Lucasfilm has released the first official trailer for Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, an eight-episode limited anime series. The trailer debuted during a panel at Anime Expo 2026 and offers fans their first extended look at the project, which expands one of the most popular stories from the Star Wars: Visions anthology. The series is scheduled to premiere on August 5, 2026, exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu.
Trailer Debuts at Anime Expo 2026
The trailer and accompanying key art were unveiled at a dedicated panel during Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles. Supervising director Kenji Kamiyama, director Shunsuke Tada, and producer Hitoshi Ito appeared at the event to introduce the series. Attendees also received an early screening of the first episode with English subtitles.
Watch the official trailer here:
Eight-Episode Limited Series Premieres August 5
Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi is an eight-episode limited series produced by Production I.G in collaboration with Lucasfilm. It will stream exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu starting August 5, 2026. The project falls under the new “Visions Presents” banner, which Lucasfilm is using for longer-form stories that expand beyond the traditional anthology format of Star Wars: Visions.
This marks the first time a story from the Visions series has been developed into a full standalone limited series. The Playlist Star Wars News Net
Story Continues From Original Visions Shorts
The limited series continues the story of Lah Kara, first introduced in the acclaimed “The Ninth Jedi” short from Star Wars: Visions Volume 1. It also builds on the events of the follow-up short “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope,” which appeared in Visions Volume 3.
In the new series, Kara continues her training under Margrave Juro while joining a small group of Jedi-in-training. Together they embark on a mission to rescue her father in a galaxy where the Jedi Order has long disappeared and the balance between light and dark has become uncertain. The story explores themes of legacy, hope, and the true meaning of being a Jedi in a fractured era. Anime Corner
Creative Team and Voice Cast
Kenji Kamiyama, who helmed the original “The Ninth Jedi” short, is back as supervising director on the new series. Shunsuke Tada serves as director, while Mitsuyasu Sakai wrote the scripts for the limited series. Executive producers include James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez, Josh Rimes, Justin Leach, and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa.
The English dub features several returning voice actors, 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. Neil Kaplan also returns as the Narrator. New additions to the English cast include Feodor Chin, Young Mazino, Chase Sui Wonders, and Keone Young.
The original Japanese voice cast also returns, with Chinatsu Akasaki reprising her role as Lah Kara, Tetsuo Kanao as Juro, and Akio Otsuka as the Narrator.
Animation and Visual Style
Production I.G, known for acclaimed works such as Ghost in the Shell and Psycho-Pass, is handling the animation. The trailer showcases the studio’s detailed and fluid animation style, with dynamic lightsaber combat, atmospheric world-building, and large-scale sequences. It highlights new villains and cosmic set pieces that expand the scope of the original shorts while maintaining their distinctive tone.
The series continues to explore the unique concept of lightsabers that change color depending on the wielder’s connection to the Force, along with deeper questions about the nature of the Jedi and Sith. Polygon Bleeding Cool
Significance for Star Wars Anime
The launch of Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi represents a notable step for Lucasfilm’s anime initiatives. It is the first Visions story to receive a full series expansion, signaling that standout entries from the anthology can grow into larger projects. The original short was widely praised for its fresh take on Jedi lore and its samurai-inspired storytelling set in a distant future where the Jedi have become legend.
By developing this story further, Lucasfilm is testing a new model for expanding creative ideas from Visions beyond single episodes.
Learn more about the series: Wookieepedia
Disney+ and Hulu will exclusively premiere the new limited series Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi on August 5, 2026. Additional details about the cast, episodes, and marketing are expected in the coming weeks.
