The Star Wars universe is expanding in a new direction. Lucasfilm and Production I.G are bringing one of the most popular stories from the Star Wars: Visions anthology to life as a full-length anime series. The project, officially titled Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, has a confirmed release date and a complete eight-episode season ready for viewers.
The series marks the first time a story from the Star Wars: Visions collection has grown into its own television show. It also launches the new “Star Wars: Visions Presents” banner, which will develop longer stories based on the anthology’s shorts.
Complete Release Schedule for All Eight Episodes
The Ninth Jedi Season 1 arrives on August 5, 2026. All eight episodes will be available at the same time on Disney+ and Hulu. This means viewers can watch the entire season without waiting for weekly releases.
The series had its first episode screened at Anime Expo on July 1, 2026. A dedicated panel called “First Look | Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi” took place on July 2, where the creative team shared details about the project. The first full trailer also debuted at the event.
Each of the eight episodes runs for about 30 minutes. The series is a limited run, meaning it tells a complete story within these eight episodes.
Story Picks Up After Visions Shorts
The Ninth Jedi continues directly from two existing Star Wars: Visions entries. The first is the Volume 1 short called “The Ninth Jedi,” which came out in 2021. The second is its Volume 3 sequel, “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope,” released in 2025.
The story takes place in a distant future, long after the Empire and the Rebel Alliance have become ancient history. The Jedi and Sith have faded into legend, and the Force remains but the old orders are gone.
The series follows Lah Kara, the daughter of a legendary lightsaber smith named Lah Zhima. Kara leaves her home with new Jedi allies to free her father from Jedi Hunters. Her father is the only known sabersmith left in the galaxy, which makes him very valuable. The show also follows Kara as she trains in the ways of the Jedi under Margrave Juro.
“A main [theme] of The Ninth Jedi is that things aren’t always black and white, dark and light,” said Kenji Kamiyama, the creator and supervising director.
The group faces General Nawaam, a masked antagonist inspired by characters like Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader. The official log line states that Kara and her ragtag Jedi crew “seek out to find worthy Jedi to fight against an increasingly powerful warlord”.
The series stands apart from the main Star Wars canon. It offers a standalone narrative that exists outside the core timeline.
Production Team and Animation Studio
Production I.G handles the animation for The Ninth Jedi. The studio is known for major anime works including Ghost in the Shell and Terminator Zero. They also produced the original Visions short that started this story.
Kenji Kamiyama returns as supervising director. He created the original story and also serves as script supervisor. Kamiyama is a well-known anime director with a strong reputation in the industry.
Shunsuke Tada serves as lead director. He previously directed Kuroko’s Basketball and Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These – Collision.
Mitsuyasu Sakai wrote the series. Hitoshi Ito, who produced Star Wars: Visions, returns as producer for this project.
Voice Cast Features Familiar and New Names
The English voice cast includes several recognizable actors. Kimiko Glenn voices Lah Kara, the main character. Simu Liu, known for playing Shang-Chi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, voices Lah Zhima, Kara’s father.
Other cast members include Andrew Kishino as Juro, Masi Oka as Ethan, Patrick Seitz as Homen, and J.P. Karliak as Gramps. Neil Kaplan returns as the narrator.
New additions to the cast include Feodor Chin as Gennoh, Young Mazino as Nawaam, Chase Sui Wonders as Tafflah, and Keone Young as Kwana.
The series premiered its first episode in Japanese with English subtitles at Anime Expo. The full series will be available in both Japanese and English dub versions when it releases.
Where to Watch The Ninth Jedi
The Ninth Jedi streams exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu starting August 5, 2026. The series is available in multiple regions worldwide. In India, it will also stream on JioHotstar.
The show is part of Disney’s streaming lineup. The Walt Disney Company owns Lucasfilm, Disney+, and Hulu. Viewers in the United States can access it on both platforms. International audiences should check their local Disney+ service for availability.
The series fills a gap in the Star Wars streaming schedule. Ahsoka Season 2, which was originally planned for summer 2026, has been moved to early 2027. The Ninth Jedi arrives in the meantime, giving Star Wars fans new content to enjoy.
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What Makes This Series Different
The Ninth Jedi represents a new approach for the Star Wars franchise. It is the first long-form standalone anime series set in this universe. Previous Star Wars anime content was limited to short films within the Visions anthology.
The show exists outside the main Star Wars canon. This gives the creators freedom to tell stories without being tied to existing movie or series timelines. The distant future setting means the series can explore new ideas about the Force, the Jedi, and the galaxy.
The series also expands on themes introduced in the original short. The idea that things are not simply good or evil runs through the story. Characters face moral choices that challenge the traditional view of Jedi and Sith.
The success of the original The Ninth Jedi short made it a natural choice for expansion. Fans responded positively to the episode when it first appeared in Visions Volume 1. The sequel short in Volume 3 further built interest in this story and characters.
The Ninth Jedi Season 1 arrives on Disney+ and Hulu on August 5, 2026, with all eight episodes available to watch immediately.
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