Star Wars’hidden gem TV showStar Wars: Visionshas a third season coming in October, and based on the stellar reception of its first two seasons, it’s certainly worth the watch. While conversations aboutStar Wars’best TV showsfrequently focus on the canon and especially live-action shows, there’s so much more in this franchise.
No,Visionsis not canon, but it deserves quite a bit more recognition amongStar Warsmovies and TV shows, especially because of its innovative approach to the franchise. In fact, it is that very creativity that may bleed directly intoupcomingStar WarsshowsandnewStar Warsmoviesin canon.
The promising future of the show, in addition to the incredible ingenuity and inventiveness it’s already brought toStar Wars,makesVisionsthe perfect installment forStar Warsfans waiting for new projects to be released, and now is the ideal time for new viewers to jump in.
Star Wars: Visions Is Unconstrained By Canon
One of the most exciting aspects ofVisionsis the fact thatbeing non-canonical means the show really isn’t limited in terms of what it can do. While other recentStar Warsshows and movies have been heavily scrutinized because they’ve ‘broken canon’—a major part of thebacklash toThe Acolyte—Visionsdoesn’t have that problem.
Instead, the show can bend (and has bent) if not break the rules ofStar Wars, which has led to some truly thrilling moments. As just one example, some of thecoolest lightsaber designs inStar Warshave come from this show, such as the umbrella/parasol red lightsaber.
We’re unlikely to ever see such a weapon in canon, even asStar Warshas gotten more innovative with lightsaber designs in movies and shows over the years. And therein lies the real value ofVisions; it invites creative minds to the table, who are then able to explore areas whereStar Warswould otherwise be very hesitant to go.
There are examples ofVisionsaligning with canonin certain ways, such as withseason 2 exploring stories of the Sith and how that might fit into the canonStar Warstimeline, though thousands of years before the Skywalker Saga begins. Even in that case, though, that is up to the creators. This isn’t a limitation or requirementVisionshas.
The Artistry & Animation Is Everything George Lucas Loved
Yet another major point inVisions’corner is the fact that,visually, it is a beautiful representation of what George Lucas wanted forStar Wars. For one, the animation style clearly takes some inspiration from Japanese art and culture. This fits with Lucas' own source of inspiration.
As far back as the original trilogy, George Lucas was inspired by Japanese culture, most notably with the influence of the Samurai on how Lucas envisioned the Jedi.Visionsis the logical evolution of that original idea, particularly with the way the show approaches lightsabers, duels, and the overall aesthetic.
Moreover, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a museum founded by George Lucas himself, showcases how much appreciation and respect he has for animation, popular culture, and art in general.Visionsexemplifies that same type of adoration and respect, and it is easily one of the most visually stunning projects in the entire franchise.
In addition toStar Wars: Visionsseason 3being just around the corner, with an Jul 27, 2025, release date,Visionsis also getting a spin-off, titledThe Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope.This new project takes its lead from aVisionsepisode in season 1, similarly titled “The Ninth Jedi.”
That episode reflected what a galaxy controlled by the Sith would look like, particularly when so few Jedi still existed at the time (an interesting parallel to the canonStar WarsDark Times). Presumably, this spin-off will pick up with the same focus, further exploring Sith domination in a fragile galaxy.
Just given what that story alone represents, it’s clear that there are so many different directionsVisionscould go from this point forward. There are no doubt countless characters, stories, and episodes from the show that could be further explored in a way similar to “The Ninth Jedi.”
It’s perhaps easy to overlook a show likeVisions, not only because it isn’t canon (although many of the bestStar Warsstories are), but also because it looks so distinct from the movies and shows that dominate the franchise. Yet, in a way,Visionsactually reflects whatStar Warswas always meant to be.
WhenStar Warsbegan, Lucas was building the franchise and all its complex concepts from the ground up, which was a Herculean task that left many wondering how successful the franchise could really be. When the original trilogy then ended up becoming a cult classic, Lucas had the same approach to the prequel trilogy.
That, too, was no simple feat, as the prequel trilogy faced even more scrutiny, criticism, and backlash than the choices made in the original trilogy had. Yet,this is what has definedStar Warsfrom the very beginning: innovation at the risk of being criticized or even failing.
Visionshas that very same undaunted spirit and willingness to change the rules, and that makes it the perfect next watch for anyStar Warsfan, especially because we are about to see even more from the show in terms of its new season and its spin-off.
