When Star Wars: Visions – an animated anthology series that saw prolific anime studios from around the globe craft bold new Star Wars stories – first debuted back in 2021, it was game-changing. It provided fans with ambitiously told stories in the Star Wars universe that were visually striking and gave the franchise a much-needed reimagining. Now, Visions returns to expand on the triumphs of the first batch of stories with imaginative tales set across the galaxy.

Where the first season of Visions had a distinct focus on giving the world, characters, and lore of Star Wars an anime-spin, this second season has more of a worldwide approach. The studios involved in season two come from different parts of the world – from Ireland-based studio Cartoon Saloon to South African-based studio Triggerfish. With there being a wider net of studios involved, this season ends up being much more culturally rich in terms of the stories and jaw-dropping animation styles on display.

Seriously, if fans thought the first season’s action visuals and atmospheric aesthetics were mind-blowingly gorgeous, they’ll be even more impressed this season. It’s awesome to see veteran animation studios like Cartoon Saloon (The Breadwinner, Wolfwalkers) and Aardman (Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run) get their chance to bring their distinctive styles to the world of Star Wars, and they hold nothing back. The use of stop-motion in episodes like Aardman’s “I Am Your Mother” and Triggerfish’s “Aau’s Song” is immaculate and a great showing of how different two stories can be visually even with them utilizing the same artform. Stories like El Guiri’s “Sith” and Studio La Cachette’s “The Spy Dancer” boast these incredibly vibrant color palettes that make the fights absolutely stunning and their worlds endlessly eye-catching. Fans even get treated with 88 Pictures’ “The Bandits of Golak” as it features an art style very reminiscent of more modern animated Star Wars series like The Bad Batch.

Each studio highlights different genres within their animation as well creating a depth that makes each episode captivating to watch in their own unique ways. Aardman’s notable charm and expertise in crafting delightful characters and action comes through excellently to create a loveable, claymated tale of a mother/daughter duo trying to win a starship race. It’s great how Cartoon Saloon brings some strong horror visuals – along with some delightful Irish accents – with “Screecher’s Reach” that fits and elevates the heartbreaking finale it has. Stories like “The Spy Dancer” and “The Bandits of Golak” have their respective studio’s cultural backgrounds embedded into the music, animation, and depictions perfectly to give Star Wars some French and Middle Eastern flavors, respectively.

In terms of animation and style, Visions has never been better and takes much more ambitious routes this time around to make Star Wars more exciting, fresh, and diverse than ever before. Even the action takes a more interesting form here as it’s not only thrilling and beautifully animated, but it also isn’t just filled with usual lightsaber battles because of the kinds of characters it focuses on. Not every story is about Jedi fighting off the Sith or the Empire and the underdog (sometimes civilian) heroes bring more unique visuals, fighting styles, and heart to the battles.

Like the first season, these stories do a great job touching on heartfelt and gripping underdog stories from small corners of the galaxy. It’s always moving to watch unexpected heroes find their own power and rise against the Empire to reclaim what’s been taken from them. Visions always does a great job highlighting the trickling tethers of the Rebellion far outside the Skywalker Saga and this season is no different. Season two also continues the trend of redefining Sith in the overall lore with some personal, character-driven arcs that see people deal with the Sith’s power – both within themselves and from outside forces.

Punkrobot’s “In the Stars” and D’Art Shtajio’s collaboration with Lusasfilm, “The Pit,” are great showings of people coming to grips with the greater evils in the galaxy and ultimately fighting back. “Sith” and “The Spy Dancer” give new meaning and perspective to Sith arcs that would be awesome to see explored in expanded film adaptations. Plus, these new interpretations of well-known hero and villain factions in Star Wars will make fans find a deeper appreciation and intrigue for the lore they love. Truth be told, the storytelling and sheer story moments in season two of Visions are just on another level.

Some of the twists and turns that come in these stories are just incredible and will easily get some emotional hooks into viewers that go deep. “The Spy Dancer” has a great little twist in its final moments for how the main character and villain are connected and it’s something that’s so fitting for something like Star Wars. As said before, “Screecher’s Reach” has a gutting finale that’s totally unexpected but satisfying. Even when stories have similar endings of their characters finding their place within the world or going off to chart a new adventure, they make their own personal mark that’s highly emotional and leaves a lasting impact. Not to mention, these episodes are often boosted by the phenomenal voice acting that excellently reflects the diversity behind the scenes – further elevating the global reach this series has.

Star Wars: Visions already achieved such grand accomplishments in its first season by revitalizing what Stars Wars can be as a franchise, but this second season somehow manages to be even greater. It’s a fantastic showing of the global reach that Star Wars has and is something that fans should celebrate as it delivers visually bold, highly emotional, and ambitiously told stories that redefine the exciting potential this franchise still has.

Watch the Trailer Here: