I just finished watching the original Japanese option of The Ninth Jedi - and thoroughly enjoyed it! I think I even loved it…
Something fresh, new, distinct - with a few familiar tropes in the GFFA (a powerful superweapon); albeit with a disparate approach on that as well. For me, the series build upon what has come in the past - and looks to tell its own story - and not beholden to the past with all-too familiar fan service or callbacks.
The animation is stunning - especially in the action and emotive scenes. Voice acting was on point. The soundtrack was decent and interesting, if nothing spectacular. I haven’t yet watched the English dub version - though will do so over the weekend.
I’d like to see some more character development from the others within the group in future stories - though as this was the first outing for them… they did quite well, and it could be argued they are keeping their options open and maintaining a mystery about the backstories for future releases.
All 8 episodes are between 20-30 minutes long. The story is broken into two halves - first half being the first episodes, then pushing onwards the final in the 2nd four installments. If you want something new, fun, stylish and cool to watch set in the GFFA this could well be for you. It reminded me of those sweet animated stories we got on endless repeats as kids back in the 80s. Plus, you don’t have to be ‘up-to-date’ on your Star Wars releases or canon to watch this; it would certainly help to watch the previous 2 episodes (freely available on the official Star Wars youtube) - but you can just simply start pick it up and start watching the show ‘as is’, if you wish to.
As in the previous two Ninth Jedi episodes (and many of the Visions installments overall) the emphasis of the Force is that of a mystical power from the OT-era - rather than the PT-era midichlorians, numbers of them, and ‘power levels’ etc.
Very much looking forward to more instalments from ‘The Ninth Jedi’ - or hopefully also more from ‘Visions Presents’ banner (with ‘Ronin’ rumoured - and only rumours so far - to be getting a series as well).
A few reviews…
Star Wars Visions Presents : The Ninth Jedi - Full Series Review - 10 minute Star Wars Explained video
This is the future of Star Wars - 14 minute Generation Tech video.
New Star Wars Series Continues 7-Year Rotten Tomatoes Record With Stellar Debut - ScreenRant
In less than one minute, Star Wars’ new show finally does what Lucasfilm never could - Polygon
‘The Ninth Jedi’ review: This anime spin-off abandons ‘Star Wars’ canon, and it’s all the stronger for it - Space
THE NINTH JEDI Review: Back to its Samurai Roots, Shaking up The Lore, For The Better - Screen Anarchy
Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi Review - New and Exciting - Empire
Star Wars finds new hope from an unexpected source - Polygon
The Ninth Jedi Review: Star Wars’ First Full Anime Series Is A Stunning Triumph - ScreenRant
‘Star Wars: Visions’ Spin-Off ‘The Ninth Jedi’ Is One of the Franchise’s Best Stories | Review - Collider
The Ninth Jedi Is The Most Ingenious Star Wars Reboot In Years - Inverse
THE NINTH JEDI Is Pure Star Wars Magic Through an Anime Lens - Geeky Tyrant
The force remains strong with Star Wars animation in The Ninth Jedi - AV Club
“Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi” Expands the Animated Potential of a Galaxy Far, Far Away - Roger Ebert
The Ninth Jedi’ Proves Star Wars Storytelling Has No Real Limits | Review - Cinelinx
Robert Ewing reviews Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi… - Flickering Myth
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi Season 1 Review - IGN
The Ninth Jedi Review: Star Wars’ New Anime Is Too Much of a Good Thing - CBR
REVIEW: Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi - The HoloFiles
Critics Have Spoken: ‘Star Wars: Visions – The Ninth Jedi’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed - Comic Basics
10 years later, Star Wars made lightsaber canon way more interesting - Inverse
Star Wars’ New Lightsabers Break 3 George Lucas Era Rules - ComicBook
‘Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi’ Proves Star Wars Doesn’t Need The Skywalkers - But Why Tho?
The Ninth Jedi’s ending reveals a new beginning for Star Wars - Polygon
3 Star Wars Visions Stories That Deserve Their Own Show After The Ninth Jedi - ScreenRant
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi… Reactions Playlist - Star Wars: Wave Squadron
Star Wars: The Ninth Jedi Review – We NEED More Star Wars Anime - 6 minute Zach Pope review
“The Ninth Jedi” Spoiler Review (Episodes 1 - 4) with Thor & Naboo - 11 minute Thor Skywalker review
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi | Season One Review - 14 minute Anthony A. Perez review
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi - Season 1 Review - 9 minute Shaurya Chawla review
Mynock Manor’s review of each episode: https://mynockmanor.com/category/star-wars/tv-shows/visions-tv-show/visions-presents-the-ninth-jedi-tv-show
IMDB Score: 7.3 (ranging from 7.5 to 8.7 on the 8 episodic ratings)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94% Tomatometer. 84% Popcornmeter
MetaCritic Score: 83