New Series on Disney+ – 9 short (<30 min) episodes made by various anime studios and set in the Star Wars universe.
The visual/story style varies – the first episode is almost entirely black and white (with a few color bits) and serious the second is more silly.
I need to watch more to form an opinion, but since the episodes are short I can easily fit them in.
Brian
I saw them all yesterday. I’m more of a Star Wars fan than an anime fan, so my favorites were the most classically cinematic: “The Village Bride”, “The Elder”, and especially the “Ninth Jedi”, which I would be happy to see made into a series. The others, I could take them or leave them.
I’m 5 episodes in. I’m a big fan of Trigger and enjoyed the twins episode for it’s absurdity and over the top style but the Village Bride and Ninth Jedi are my favorite so far.
Check out the Japanese version of the song from the music episode. I prefer the Japanese vocals but the instruments take a bigger priority. The English version dampens the instruments for some reason.
I’m three episodes in. I like “The Duel” the most so far. “The Twins” destroyed my suspension of disbelief by having them talk in space. And then the protocol droid is the only one that comes by in a spacesuit!
The second season is out. This time, it’s from animation studies from around the world - neither from the U.S. or from Japan.
IMHO, it’s better than the first. While some are better than others, the writing is stronger, and the animation is more varied and imaginative. Plus, while anime Star Wars was nice, Japanese culture is already baked into SW. Seeing other cultures’ approach to the subject was a revelation. I never knew I wanted Indian-themed Star Wars before, for instance, but now I need more of it in my life.
Also, the Aardman bit was a delight. But I didn’t have to tell you that.
I was fascinated how they had the common theme of young women escaping their circumstances, finding their path, discovering they had a power and where it might take them.
Also the animation styles were so diverse, all completely breathtaking.
Screecher’s Reach is amazing.
The last one with Aau was some of the cutest animation I have seen in a while – even the lice were cute!
Brian