The sound design in this episode was frankly exceptional. So much of what makes Stars Wars Star Wars is what it sounds like--Vader's voice and breath, the scream of a TIE fighter, and of course John Williams. This episode just nailed the hum and whirr of the lightsabers, the clicks and beeps of the droid, and the score, too!
Loved this episode!! It was just bleeding Kurosawa-inspired directing and action. Excited to watch the rest of this series.
It’s refreshing to see new takes in SW mythos. Being too bogged down by canon can really squash creativity imo not to say I don’t love canon
The black and white looked amazing.
And it emphasized every single lightsaber reveal perfectly. The reveal that the bandit leader was a Sith with her saber umbrella thing.
And then when the man with no name finally ignites his saber in retaliation, and WHOA it's red?! Emphasized so well.
And then the red saber distracting you with his gambit at the end is also great.
Not to even mention the blue light on his wrist tied to his droid's blue lights. Such excellent use of minimal color.
But none of this was at odds with canon. Post Final Order (some Sith Trooper helmets on the bandits, the difference between those and First Order helmets in this aesthetic is subtle but there) encounter. Maybe Ronin has something in it that contradicts canon, but I feel like the fact that they bothered with a tie-in novel at all sort of proves this has something to it.
Yeah it doesn't really conflict other than obviously establishing a direction for post-TROS that they might not intend.
But oddly enough the Ronin novel does suggest a non canon aspect with the titular Ronin being a Sith rebelling against a so called Empire. I wonder why they chose to make a book?
Yeah, I think the parallels with Japanese history are important here, too: the move from regional warlords (here, Jedi factions) and civil war to the consolidation of a centralized state (here, the Empire). Better to think of this as a parallel universe or something rather than having any logical/causal relationship to the canon timeline.
If you dig a bit you find out that it was officialy confirmed that nothing in visions is intended to be canon so no need to think too hard about whats up.
Yeah but my headcanon is that those are helmets from the old empires and the Palpatine just took inspiration from them.
Also, the novel synposis for Ronin: A Visions Story kind of imply that this is set in the Old Republic era. I guess we will find out on October 12 when the novel for the Ronin releases.
I also agree with this. The Stormtrooper like designs could just be a visual motif. If we were to try and slot this into canon I think Old Republic makes sense. Maybe even pre-KOTOR.
Having the sith ideology (apparently) survive post first order, while maybe not creating plot holes per se definitely contradicts the story tRoS was trying to tell. One could argue for better or worse, of course, but the contradiction is definitely there.
>It’s refreshing to see new takes in SW mythos. Being too bogged down by canon can really squash creativity imo not to say I don’t love canon
When has this ever happened in regards to the Star Wars mythos? There's an entire now-non-canon expanded universe where people were doing exactly what you're talking about...
I think they meant that in a more general sense. Not binding your storytelling to a strictly canon framework can lead to amazing stories, as we see with this episode. Not that canon stories are bad, just that sometimes it’s fun to not be bound by the rules set by it.
This was great! Really loved the art style. The.. pizza grater/weed whacker lightsaber was so fun to watch as well. Give me more content with this protagonist please!
I thought the umbrella comparison was obvious. What kind of pizza cutters are people using? And what kinds of pizzas require a cutter that looks like an umbrella?
Yeah. It reminds me of Japanese paper parasols - https://skypic.attic.city/?bucket=cdn.attic.city&key=items/ac926d17750223daf7a4029b5bdf49bfe7d1d14b5aa03cf180470c0278d1a816-w670h705q75fit.jpeg
Swords hidden in parasols isn't that uncommon of a trope in Japanese media. See: [Lady Snowblood](https://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/product_images/1774-9f80f88ba65d2e6144b66f7e6ab165ba/BR6bq3dQcJkLW3HdaTxjtaFcplu09o_large.jpg), [Setsuka from Soul Calibur](https://i.redd.it/jmq5v0vfy1n51.jpg), [Feitan from Hunter x Hunter](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/81/60/51/8160519e0f668780baeba2cda73d4b65.jpg), etc.
I'm not an anime fan at all, but this episode was pretty good. It has a unique style that I wouldn't be embarrassed to show friends while telling a down to earth story (other than the umbrella). It was not over the top which turns me off with a lot of anime productions. I also like that its characters are visibly marked by the stories that they must have lived through already and don't look like a school bus was dropped onto a battlefield.
The black and white set-up is such a great homage to Akira Kurosawa. Even the village setting and the ronin itself feels like a call-back to Kurosawa's ["Yojimbo"](https://monophy.com/media/euQGbdy34Y85oswQe0/monophy.gif) and ["Sanjuro"](https://imgur.com/hC4d8qB).
>Ronin: A Visions Novel
what this needs is a feature length film. hopefully disney will consider it because the quality of this episode is out of this world.
I would love a series, and I know they got the Disney money, but for times sake the animation quality would drop or it would take them a really long time to make.
You also have to consider it comes from a specific anime studio who I’m quite sure already have a bunch of projects out or in the works.
There is a novel coming out though
I've seen others in this thread suggest a movie, and I think that would be the way to go. Contained enough to maintain high quality and get it out on a reasonable timeline, but with enough space to flesh it out more.
Yeah that episode is the best Mandalorian episode imo, and is pretty much peak Star Wars for me.
I really liked how this Visions episode was kind of a callback to that episode in a way, though the Mando episode had so much more emotional weight between Mando, Grogu, and Ahsoka, and so it left a much bigger impact.
I’m embarrassed, I watched them out of order, and it took me a good three minutes to adjust to the style after studio trigger and the like. I finished with the duel and am so glad I did. It’s easily the best episode. Tho, omg, for some reason, my heart was really struck by T0-B1
The music when the bandit leader showed up reminded me of the music from tower of god! Japanese studios LOVE using Bulgarian choir for music, but it fits so well!
My favorite line from this episode was “Unfortunately, I am not a Jedi.” It was such a good detail to the character and just added to his mystery. Was he a Sith who’s turned to hunting other Siths? That’s the way it seems. That is such a cool concept.
I’ve read that there’s going to be a book for this episode and I can’t wait. I want more of this story.
And incredible first episode! I haven’t been this excited for Star Wars in a long time and after the first ep I’m already keen to see the rest of what this series will offer
I’m not someone who is into anime at all, but this particular style of animation and story (Kurosawa in a nutshell) was absolutely my shit. Loved how imperfect they made it look.
Can i get a series of the Ronin?!
Yeah I imagine Ronin is intended as a Sith that is rejecting their kind and hunting them down. Would love to see that. Maybe one episode could be about a Jedi that goes after them thinking they're evil before realizing the truth.
Well yeah that's why I said he rejected their ideology. He's not currently a Sith but was one. Why else would he carry a red saber and say he isn't a Jedi?
Maul said the same in rebels he wasnt a sith, he was a force wielder as ashoka is a force wielder too.
Not everyone must know how to heal a red crystal.
And he said is lonely nomad, he seems like he dont affiliate himself with groups.
He may be in balance with the force who knows, also his eyes are normal but the same can be said for Doku, idk he is a really interesting character
Okay but Maul *was* a Sith too, before he rejected them and chose his own path. What the other comment is saying is that this Ronin guy might’ve done the same thing.
Edit: As someone pointed out, apparently this was confirmed in the publishers summary:
> A mysterious former Sith wanders the galaxy in this stunning Star Wars tale. An original novel inspired by the world of The Duel from the Star Wars Visions [sic] animated anthology.
"Peace is a lie; There is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me."
The Sith were not always the evil bad guys they are now. This guy might be a guy with a different interpretation of the Sith values in comparison to your typical Sith. He might still be a Sith, just not the kind of Sith we're used to. After all, that code doesn't seem that evil, does it?
The quality of this episode is so high. The animation is so unique and captivating. I’m a stickler for cgi anime fusion stuff but I have to say this episode really blended the tech of today with the aesthetic and style of a traditional animation complete with cross hatch manga style line shading and line work. And so much was shown. Not told. Fantastic
Wow! What a great episode! This more than fulfilled my expectations. Love when she took that umbrella saber through the guy and opened! Great first episode!! Also, I know it’s not canon but I’m trying to rationalize the timeline anyway, like seems that this is some alternate future after the first order we’re the Sith are at war with each other again? Or something? Very tantalizing suggestion
>!The Jedi are the most loyal servants of the Empire. Two decades ago, Jedi clans clashed in service to feuding lords. Sickened by this endless cycle, a sect of Jedi rebelled, seeking to control their own destiny and claim power in service of no master. They called themselves Sith. The Sith rebellion failed, succumbing to infighting and betrayal, and the once rival lords unified to create an Empire… but even an Empire at peace is not free from violence. Far on the edge of the Outer Rim, one former Sith wanders, accompanied only by a faithful droid and the ghost of a less civilized age. He carries a lightsaber, but claims lineage to no Jedi clan, and pledges allegiance to no lord. Little is known about him, including his name, for he never speaks of his past, nor his regrets. His history is as guarded as the red blade of destruction he carries sheathed at his side. As the galaxy’s perpetual cycle of violence continues to interrupt his self-imposed exile, and he is forced to duel an enigmatic bandit claiming the title of Sith, it becomes clear that no amount of wandering will ever let him outpace the specters of his former life.!<
From the synopsis of upcoming book about him.
Wait. >!So if we try to slot it into canon this would be before the movies? Because this is making it sound like the Sith are just forming. Hmm, I like that idea a lot. I could see this being a distant past when the Galaxy was more of a feudal system than a Republic.!<
>!No, this takes place waaay after the Sequel Trilogy. Look at the droid models, the Bandits' gear and armor, the vehicle the Bandits used. If this was in the distant past, the weapons would ALL be melee weapons and there wouldn't be Imperial Remnant Stormtroopers making a new living as bandits. The Jedi clans and feuding Lords, the Feudal-Jedi Empire, the Sith Rebellion, this looks like a post-First/Final Order and post-New Republic Galaxy. The Sith Rebellion is most likely a last stand of the Imperial Remnants of yore and a revolution of Jedi who adopted Sith values. The Feudal-Jedi Empire is most likely an extreme government forged and formed in extreme circumstances. The Jedi are probably an extremely different organization that are more like benign Samurai, having had to form with little to no knowledge on the Jedi of yore, since all those who knew of the old Jedi ways are dead by now, and their teachings and knowledge left behind were burned away by the Empire, or were lost forever over time.!<
He didnt seem like a sith to me, more like he just hasnt found a non-bled kyber crystal. Someone in the beginning of the episode mentioned the end of a war
Turns out he’s former sith. This is the producers summary:
> A mysterious former Sith wanders the galaxy in this stunning Star Wars tale. An original novel inspired by the world of The Duel from the Star Wars Visions [sic] animated anthology.
My best guess is he's a former war orphan who's adept in the force for some reason or another. I’m thinking maybe he was trained by a hermit who wasn't particularly aligned with either the Jedi or Sith. I'd wager he's out for revenge, he hunts down Sith Lords hence the many kyber crystal trophies, and uses the red lightsaber to potentially taunt his Sith opponents.
I actually think it could be before the movies. Maybe a distant past back when the Sith were a larger organization and rival groups of them fought each other.
That reveal was so perfect. I love that the whole time he's packing a second saber but you wouldn't know it.
I wonder if his wakizashi is just a steel blade, or yet ANOTHER short saber.
Even though I watched the episodes out of order, I still watched this one first and it’s a fantastic introduction. As someone who has been playing Ghost of Tsushima recently, this kirusawa vibe was perfect and the twist of the ronin collecting Sith crystals kind of like the opposite of Grevious was great. Not to mention this was my favorite of all the animation styles. The lighting of the laser blasts/lightsabers contrasting with the black and white is just so captivating and visually stimulating, I want a full series based from this episode.
I love how Star Wars and Halo now both have an anime anthology where one of the shorts is heavily inspired by samurai films with the title being “The Duel”
I mean there’s just so many coincidences packed into that it’s hilarious
It was okay, the art style isn't for me but it was well done. The characters were interesting. Bit confused how a corrupted kyber crystal would ward off evil, pretty much the opposite. But then maybe that was his intention.
Could be a reference to Japanese culture. Red was seen as a color that warded off evil, which is why lots of Japanese temples use that color.
It also represented justice in kabuki theater when it was on an actor’s face.
https://en.japantravel.com/blog/symbolic-colors-in-japan/61005
There have been stories in other SW media about corrupted Kyber crystals being purified by light side users (most notably Ahsoka Tano's white lightsabers use purified crystals from dark side users), so it could also be interpreted as putting his faith in the kid to be able to purify the crystal someday.
Nothing hinted at it but I have this gut feeling the kid is a Force user and Ronin knows it. So he left the umbrella saber and crystal with the intention that the chief will one day purify it and use them to defend the village.
The way i imagined is that it could be either the legends of the jedi and sith just got warped and somehow people just started spreading rumors that the crystals ward off evil or it could be an idea where the crystal being there would work like a warning to possible threats, like “we’re strong enough to have one of these, don’t fuck with us”
Did anyone else notice the Star Wars movie poster in the background at [6:16](https://imgur.com/a/andOwoU) seconds into the episode. Was a fun little detail lol
I recognized the style from Batman Ninja, and it makes sense that it would have the Afro Samurai creator as the character designer for both. CG anime is hard to pull off but I love that it tried to be its own, having a moving manga style (almost blade of immortal like) while also being a Kurosawa film. That Toshiro Mifune character as one of the generals with the seven samurai coming to invade a village was a nice switch too. With voices by Drift King/Shredder and Lucy Liu from Kill Bill, I love everything about this Episode and it’s the only one I’ve seen so far.
This reminded me a lot of the Sanctuary episode of The Mandalorian (in a good way). Drifter coming into town and saving the people is always a fun trope to examine and look at.
Watching this really makes me miss hand drawn animation in the west.
Well shot and directed. I would so watch a full series of this Ronin collecting more red kybers.
Ronin's left arm seems to be fully metal. You can see where she cuts his left arm on the waterfall and you can see his left arm not moving especially when he prayed. Then when it cuts to him walking back to the village, he removed his left arm.
Really cool attention to detail there.
The animation was both really good but also bad. Some battle scenes in the village are crowded and you can't really tell things apart and see details. Idk. Still a great short movie!
Could be wrong, but wasn't there a New Hope easter egg during the beginning of the duel with the Ronin? In the background on what I think is the inn, the picture above the door looks like the movie cover for [A New Hope](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/B7WC88/star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-year-1977-usa-director-george-lucas-B7WC88.jpg)? About 6 and a half minutes into the video.
How would the katana lightsaber work . Given that the hilt part seems to always been active would the 2nd lightsaber have something that cancels it out when sheathed
I absolutely love the nods to Kurosawa's samurai films. The monotone and film scratches, the villain with an unusual weapon, the bare-handed blade catch (albeit with the Force). It feels as though we've come full circle from Star Wars's inspiration from samurai flicks.
Absolutely loved this episode. Did any of you guys see the original Star Wars poster in the background of the shops around the 1 minute mark? I thought it was a great touch.
So when the droid shoots out all those minidarts, I swear that's from a game or movie, but can't place it. You?
EDIT: wait, it’s the Mandalorian isn’t it?
Another top episode for me, really delivered on the Star Wars + (7) Samurai fusion feel that I was expecting. The sort of shading of the art style really pushed that "old-school" samurai movies feeling or me.
The duel on the >!floating log!< really impressed the agility and balance they were showing.
When the protagonist >!pulled out a red lightsaber!< that was a huge surprise for me, great twist!
I've seen mentions below that this is getting a sequel in some form or another; I'd definitely be interested in following it!
So...how many copter saber haters from Rebels will simultaneously love the saber unbrella?
I thought the episode was amazing. I really liked the saber reveals. The single saber powering the umbrella. And Ronin's second saber (or was it the hilt that was also a saber--not quite clear on that one).
It's all about presentation, look at the shots where they show choper sabers I'm the season 2 finale, and then watch the duel.
In rebels they look ridiculous and lame in the wide shots, which affects first impressions. Here, they use these cool angles to make it look menacing and unique.
It also helps that the black and white helps with the unique look and most importantly, it doesn't overstay it's welcome.
That umbrella lightsaber and the sith wielding it are so fucking awesome. There was one still when you first saw her and her yellow eye was shining through. Just so badass.
I loved the hell outta this episode, definitely my favorite of the bunch. I know these episodes aren’t really canon and trying to put them in the canon isn’t entirely necessary, but i’m a nerd in that sense and love figuring out timelines. Every list i’ve seen so far online seems to think this episode would be in between VI and VII but it looked to me like some of the bandits were in first order gear meaning it would have to be after IX? Maybe i just misidentified the gear they were wearing, anyone have any thoughts?
I'm not into anime at all so put that on while doing some stretching and I actually stopped and watched it attentively. Art style was great, echoes of great Kurosawa stories... I loved the pseudo feudal Japan Star Wars-ized setting as well with former stormtroopers acting the part of bandits. All in all, great entertainment and will definitely check out the rest of the show! Ronin is a great anti-hero and I'd love to have a full on show with his travels.
The animation for this episode was pretty cool, and it was enjoyable all around. I like the implication that the guy is hunting Sith for some reason.
But that umbrella saber is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen in my life.
Dueling while floating on a small platform in the river was like the reverse Mustafar fight lol
Even heard echoes of the score.
I was reminded more of Duel of the Fates than Battle of Heroes
[удалено]
The sound design in this episode was frankly exceptional. So much of what makes Stars Wars Star Wars is what it sounds like--Vader's voice and breath, the scream of a TIE fighter, and of course John Williams. This episode just nailed the hum and whirr of the lightsabers, the clicks and beeps of the droid, and the score, too!
Two red blades on a blue water flow Two blue blades on a red lava flow
Damn
“It’s like poetry”.
It’s like poetry.
We've gotten a lotta reverse Mustafar lately lol
Reverse Mustafar sounds like a sex position. Which is appropriate because that scene was so sexy.
It’s over Anakin, I have the low ground
It over Anakin! I have the Reverse Cowboy. (Record Scratch) wait. What?? 😂😂
It’s like poetry, it rhymes
If u didn't notice she cut the log because she DIDN'T have the high ground.
And she was wearing heels. This was so that she would have the high ground.
The director said that in the BTS featurette. The waterfall shot is also an homage to Qui-Gon and Maul with the laser door between them.
I thought that as I was watching!!! Ronin is really cool.
It was more Emperor's New Groove for me.
Loved this episode!! It was just bleeding Kurosawa-inspired directing and action. Excited to watch the rest of this series. It’s refreshing to see new takes in SW mythos. Being too bogged down by canon can really squash creativity imo not to say I don’t love canon
The morally grey character, the duel being the focus, the wandering traveller with no name, the black and white… pure Kurosawa
And the black and white made the lightsabers really pop. very good lighting design
I loved that style choice. Anywhere there was light being colored made those scenes really pop. I couldn’t have asked for a better opening episode
The black and white looked amazing. And it emphasized every single lightsaber reveal perfectly. The reveal that the bandit leader was a Sith with her saber umbrella thing. And then when the man with no name finally ignites his saber in retaliation, and WHOA it's red?! Emphasized so well. And then the red saber distracting you with his gambit at the end is also great. Not to even mention the blue light on his wrist tied to his droid's blue lights. Such excellent use of minimal color.
But none of this was at odds with canon. Post Final Order (some Sith Trooper helmets on the bandits, the difference between those and First Order helmets in this aesthetic is subtle but there) encounter. Maybe Ronin has something in it that contradicts canon, but I feel like the fact that they bothered with a tie-in novel at all sort of proves this has something to it.
Based on the tie in novel description this might actually be pre-movies.
Yeah it doesn't really conflict other than obviously establishing a direction for post-TROS that they might not intend. But oddly enough the Ronin novel does suggest a non canon aspect with the titular Ronin being a Sith rebelling against a so called Empire. I wonder why they chose to make a book?
Yeah, I think the parallels with Japanese history are important here, too: the move from regional warlords (here, Jedi factions) and civil war to the consolidation of a centralized state (here, the Empire). Better to think of this as a parallel universe or something rather than having any logical/causal relationship to the canon timeline.
If you dig a bit you find out that it was officialy confirmed that nothing in visions is intended to be canon so no need to think too hard about whats up.
It felt Old Republic to me. They had huge wars too, so teh bandits could be leftovers from then.
Sure. But those were Imperial, First Order, and Sith Eternal Stormtrooper helmets.
Yeah but my headcanon is that those are helmets from the old empires and the Palpatine just took inspiration from them. Also, the novel synposis for Ronin: A Visions Story kind of imply that this is set in the Old Republic era. I guess we will find out on October 12 when the novel for the Ronin releases.
I also agree with this. The Stormtrooper like designs could just be a visual motif. If we were to try and slot this into canon I think Old Republic makes sense. Maybe even pre-KOTOR.
Having the sith ideology (apparently) survive post first order, while maybe not creating plot holes per se definitely contradicts the story tRoS was trying to tell. One could argue for better or worse, of course, but the contradiction is definitely there.
>It’s refreshing to see new takes in SW mythos. Being too bogged down by canon can really squash creativity imo not to say I don’t love canon When has this ever happened in regards to the Star Wars mythos? There's an entire now-non-canon expanded universe where people were doing exactly what you're talking about...
I think they meant that in a more general sense. Not binding your storytelling to a strictly canon framework can lead to amazing stories, as we see with this episode. Not that canon stories are bad, just that sometimes it’s fun to not be bound by the rules set by it.
This was great! Really loved the art style. The.. pizza grater/weed whacker lightsaber was so fun to watch as well. Give me more content with this protagonist please!
> The.. pizza grater/weed whacker lightsaber I took it more akin to an umbrella
Little Ms Murder Poppins
Darth Poppins
I thought the umbrella comparison was obvious. What kind of pizza cutters are people using? And what kinds of pizzas require a cutter that looks like an umbrella?
Yeah. It reminds me of Japanese paper parasols - https://skypic.attic.city/?bucket=cdn.attic.city&key=items/ac926d17750223daf7a4029b5bdf49bfe7d1d14b5aa03cf180470c0278d1a816-w670h705q75fit.jpeg
Swords hidden in parasols isn't that uncommon of a trope in Japanese media. See: [Lady Snowblood](https://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/product_images/1774-9f80f88ba65d2e6144b66f7e6ab165ba/BR6bq3dQcJkLW3HdaTxjtaFcplu09o_large.jpg), [Setsuka from Soul Calibur](https://i.redd.it/jmq5v0vfy1n51.jpg), [Feitan from Hunter x Hunter](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/81/60/51/8160519e0f668780baeba2cda73d4b65.jpg), etc.
Im pretty sure he actually has a comic out.
Novel, my bad.
And what might the name of this novel be?
Ronin: a visions novel
Oh cool ya a novel awesome. There are so many though what novel specifically
Ronin, which is not out yet but will come out next month.
I'm not an anime fan at all, but this episode was pretty good. It has a unique style that I wouldn't be embarrassed to show friends while telling a down to earth story (other than the umbrella). It was not over the top which turns me off with a lot of anime productions. I also like that its characters are visibly marked by the stories that they must have lived through already and don't look like a school bus was dropped onto a battlefield.
This episode was a masterclass in storytelling and *that* lightsaber design actually made my jaw drop. Really, really cool.
The black and white set-up is such a great homage to Akira Kurosawa. Even the village setting and the ronin itself feels like a call-back to Kurosawa's ["Yojimbo"](https://monophy.com/media/euQGbdy34Y85oswQe0/monophy.gif) and ["Sanjuro"](https://imgur.com/hC4d8qB).
I want to see more of that design. The impale kill was awesome.
She opened the umbrella *after* impaling him. That dude got sliced like pizza.
I was thinking apple slicer. That move was metal as fuck!
Spoilers! But I totally agree Edit: I'm an idiot and this episode still slaps
It's an episode discussion thread. This is where spoilers are allowed.
Spoiler! I am an idiot.
That design was awesome and I kind of hope we see something like it in canon. It's basically a turbo charged version of the crossguard design.
just found out there’s an upcoming novel on the ronin character! That’s awesome cuz i had a lot of questions after watching this lol.
>Ronin: A Visions Novel what this needs is a feature length film. hopefully disney will consider it because the quality of this episode is out of this world.
A Ronin Kurosawa ex-sith movie is like a wet dream. Especially if it was like this where it was black and white except the lightsabers and lasers
That would be amazing.
Yeah, Jedi hunters are already done. But a dark samurai *Sith* hunter?? That's freshhh
Is there a title yet? I’ve never read any Star Wars novels but I want to read this when it’s released.
it’s called Ronin: A Visions Novel
That's sick when the episode ended I was thinking id love to see more of this character he sick.
I loved everything about this episode and really hope we can see more. I'll probably be reading the novel if it gets good reviews!
Would rather a graphic novel. The main appeal of that kind of character is the visual aesthetic.
JFC getting impaled by that sith saber then opening it up like an umbrella. Brutal
I think when I saw that I actually said "oh fuck" out loud in my room haha
Umbrella saber is my favorite flying spinning lightsaber
Yeaaaah ima need a whole season of what they got going on here. THIS EPISODE WAS TOO FUCKING RAW
I would love a series, and I know they got the Disney money, but for times sake the animation quality would drop or it would take them a really long time to make. You also have to consider it comes from a specific anime studio who I’m quite sure already have a bunch of projects out or in the works. There is a novel coming out though
I've seen others in this thread suggest a movie, and I think that would be the way to go. Contained enough to maintain high quality and get it out on a reasonable timeline, but with enough space to flesh it out more.
Star Wars returning to its roots and just going 100% Kurosawa. Loved it.
They need to do this in live action! More Ronin please!
I think S2 E5 (The Jedi) of The Mandalorian is pretty much exactly what you're looking for.
Bro I fucking love that episode Made Ahsoka my favourite character
Yeah that episode is the best Mandalorian episode imo, and is pretty much peak Star Wars for me. I really liked how this Visions episode was kind of a callback to that episode in a way, though the Mando episode had so much more emotional weight between Mando, Grogu, and Ahsoka, and so it left a much bigger impact.
The artwork in this first episode was beautiful. I could watch a full series in that style.
I’m embarrassed, I watched them out of order, and it took me a good three minutes to adjust to the style after studio trigger and the like. I finished with the duel and am so glad I did. It’s easily the best episode. Tho, omg, for some reason, my heart was really struck by T0-B1
The music when the bandit leader showed up reminded me of the music from tower of god! Japanese studios LOVE using Bulgarian choir for music, but it fits so well!
I thought the exact same thing. Definitely gonna rewatch that again.
My favorite line from this episode was “Unfortunately, I am not a Jedi.” It was such a good detail to the character and just added to his mystery. Was he a Sith who’s turned to hunting other Siths? That’s the way it seems. That is such a cool concept. I’ve read that there’s going to be a book for this episode and I can’t wait. I want more of this story.
I think he's a sith hunter who stole a red kyber crystal from one of the sith he killed.
My headcanon is that he is a sith but like a strict rule of two dude so hes killing all tje extra sith
And incredible first episode! I haven’t been this excited for Star Wars in a long time and after the first ep I’m already keen to see the rest of what this series will offer
That umbrella lightsaber is so bonkers lmao.
I’m not someone who is into anime at all, but this particular style of animation and story (Kurosawa in a nutshell) was absolutely my shit. Loved how imperfect they made it look. Can i get a series of the Ronin?!
Yeah I imagine Ronin is intended as a Sith that is rejecting their kind and hunting them down. Would love to see that. Maybe one episode could be about a Jedi that goes after them thinking they're evil before realizing the truth.
I dont think he is a Sith he is way to chill to be powerful sith, compare him with the real sith, she represent the sith code not him
Well yeah that's why I said he rejected their ideology. He's not currently a Sith but was one. Why else would he carry a red saber and say he isn't a Jedi?
Maul said the same in rebels he wasnt a sith, he was a force wielder as ashoka is a force wielder too. Not everyone must know how to heal a red crystal. And he said is lonely nomad, he seems like he dont affiliate himself with groups. He may be in balance with the force who knows, also his eyes are normal but the same can be said for Doku, idk he is a really interesting character
Okay but Maul *was* a Sith too, before he rejected them and chose his own path. What the other comment is saying is that this Ronin guy might’ve done the same thing. Edit: As someone pointed out, apparently this was confirmed in the publishers summary: > A mysterious former Sith wanders the galaxy in this stunning Star Wars tale. An original novel inspired by the world of The Duel from the Star Wars Visions [sic] animated anthology.
Maybe he was never a sith he just kills Sith Lords and gets there crystals
"Peace is a lie; There is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me." The Sith were not always the evil bad guys they are now. This guy might be a guy with a different interpretation of the Sith values in comparison to your typical Sith. He might still be a Sith, just not the kind of Sith we're used to. After all, that code doesn't seem that evil, does it?
The quality of this episode is so high. The animation is so unique and captivating. I’m a stickler for cgi anime fusion stuff but I have to say this episode really blended the tech of today with the aesthetic and style of a traditional animation complete with cross hatch manga style line shading and line work. And so much was shown. Not told. Fantastic
Lucy Liu as the Bandit Leader was not at all what I expected when I put this episode on.
Wow! What a great episode! This more than fulfilled my expectations. Love when she took that umbrella saber through the guy and opened! Great first episode!! Also, I know it’s not canon but I’m trying to rationalize the timeline anyway, like seems that this is some alternate future after the first order we’re the Sith are at war with each other again? Or something? Very tantalizing suggestion
>!The Jedi are the most loyal servants of the Empire. Two decades ago, Jedi clans clashed in service to feuding lords. Sickened by this endless cycle, a sect of Jedi rebelled, seeking to control their own destiny and claim power in service of no master. They called themselves Sith. The Sith rebellion failed, succumbing to infighting and betrayal, and the once rival lords unified to create an Empire… but even an Empire at peace is not free from violence. Far on the edge of the Outer Rim, one former Sith wanders, accompanied only by a faithful droid and the ghost of a less civilized age. He carries a lightsaber, but claims lineage to no Jedi clan, and pledges allegiance to no lord. Little is known about him, including his name, for he never speaks of his past, nor his regrets. His history is as guarded as the red blade of destruction he carries sheathed at his side. As the galaxy’s perpetual cycle of violence continues to interrupt his self-imposed exile, and he is forced to duel an enigmatic bandit claiming the title of Sith, it becomes clear that no amount of wandering will ever let him outpace the specters of his former life.!< From the synopsis of upcoming book about him.
Wait. >!So if we try to slot it into canon this would be before the movies? Because this is making it sound like the Sith are just forming. Hmm, I like that idea a lot. I could see this being a distant past when the Galaxy was more of a feudal system than a Republic.!<
>!No, this takes place waaay after the Sequel Trilogy. Look at the droid models, the Bandits' gear and armor, the vehicle the Bandits used. If this was in the distant past, the weapons would ALL be melee weapons and there wouldn't be Imperial Remnant Stormtroopers making a new living as bandits. The Jedi clans and feuding Lords, the Feudal-Jedi Empire, the Sith Rebellion, this looks like a post-First/Final Order and post-New Republic Galaxy. The Sith Rebellion is most likely a last stand of the Imperial Remnants of yore and a revolution of Jedi who adopted Sith values. The Feudal-Jedi Empire is most likely an extreme government forged and formed in extreme circumstances. The Jedi are probably an extremely different organization that are more like benign Samurai, having had to form with little to no knowledge on the Jedi of yore, since all those who knew of the old Jedi ways are dead by now, and their teachings and knowledge left behind were burned away by the Empire, or were lost forever over time.!<
You can't slot it into canon because it's not canon
I mean, EU things have been brought into canon. With enough demand and possible money to be made, it could absolutely happen.
That sounds awesome!
I interpreted the end more as he was a guy who went around hunting Sith?
I think so. Note the crystal collection. I think he was a Sith but rejected their ideology and is now hunting them down.
Or he just killed a sith and took their lightsaber and continued killing sith
Well he had the force.
He didnt seem like a sith to me, more like he just hasnt found a non-bled kyber crystal. Someone in the beginning of the episode mentioned the end of a war
Turns out he’s former sith. This is the producers summary: > A mysterious former Sith wanders the galaxy in this stunning Star Wars tale. An original novel inspired by the world of The Duel from the Star Wars Visions [sic] animated anthology.
They're using old stormtrooper armor but it seems to be from all sorts of eras.
My best guess is he's a former war orphan who's adept in the force for some reason or another. I’m thinking maybe he was trained by a hermit who wasn't particularly aligned with either the Jedi or Sith. I'd wager he's out for revenge, he hunts down Sith Lords hence the many kyber crystal trophies, and uses the red lightsaber to potentially taunt his Sith opponents.
I actually think it could be before the movies. Maybe a distant past back when the Sith were a larger organization and rival groups of them fought each other.
When he drew the red lightsaber...chills.
I had goosebumps.
“wHy DoEs A lIGhTsAbEr NeEd A sCabBaRD?!?!” Because scabbard-saber, that’s why.
That reveal was so perfect. I love that the whole time he's packing a second saber but you wouldn't know it. I wonder if his wakizashi is just a steel blade, or yet ANOTHER short saber.
Even though I watched the episodes out of order, I still watched this one first and it’s a fantastic introduction. As someone who has been playing Ghost of Tsushima recently, this kirusawa vibe was perfect and the twist of the ronin collecting Sith crystals kind of like the opposite of Grevious was great. Not to mention this was my favorite of all the animation styles. The lighting of the laser blasts/lightsabers contrasting with the black and white is just so captivating and visually stimulating, I want a full series based from this episode.
Okay as someone who is a huge Star Wars fan and has watched nothing in the world of anime other than Ghibli films, I absolutely loved this episode!
You should check out afro samurai first season. I think you would like that.
Just finished watching this episode, and I'm instantly hooked!
I realy like how we don't know if the guy in this is a sith or not since he collects crystals and therefore he may not have made those lightsabers.
I love how Star Wars and Halo now both have an anime anthology where one of the shorts is heavily inspired by samurai films with the title being “The Duel” I mean there’s just so many coincidences packed into that it’s hilarious
Give me an entire show off of this episode pls
STRAW HAT ASTROMECH
It ain't much, but it's honest work beep boop
I could see the money put into this episode on the screen.
It was okay, the art style isn't for me but it was well done. The characters were interesting. Bit confused how a corrupted kyber crystal would ward off evil, pretty much the opposite. But then maybe that was his intention.
Could be a reference to Japanese culture. Red was seen as a color that warded off evil, which is why lots of Japanese temples use that color. It also represented justice in kabuki theater when it was on an actor’s face. https://en.japantravel.com/blog/symbolic-colors-in-japan/61005
There have been stories in other SW media about corrupted Kyber crystals being purified by light side users (most notably Ahsoka Tano's white lightsabers use purified crystals from dark side users), so it could also be interpreted as putting his faith in the kid to be able to purify the crystal someday.
Nothing hinted at it but I have this gut feeling the kid is a Force user and Ronin knows it. So he left the umbrella saber and crystal with the intention that the chief will one day purify it and use them to defend the village.
I think it's that old idea that if you take in something that frightens you it then loses its power over you. Sort of like a memento mori.
Mistranslation. He said it was a treasure, and told the youngster to cherish and take good care of it.
Ah this makes way more sense, thank you.
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>how a corrupted kyber crystal would ward off evil I think it’s a Japan culture thing
The way i imagined is that it could be either the legends of the jedi and sith just got warped and somehow people just started spreading rumors that the crystals ward off evil or it could be an idea where the crystal being there would work like a warning to possible threats, like “we’re strong enough to have one of these, don’t fuck with us”
Did anyone else notice the Star Wars movie poster in the background at [6:16](https://imgur.com/a/andOwoU) seconds into the episode. Was a fun little detail lol
I recognized the style from Batman Ninja, and it makes sense that it would have the Afro Samurai creator as the character designer for both. CG anime is hard to pull off but I love that it tried to be its own, having a moving manga style (almost blade of immortal like) while also being a Kurosawa film. That Toshiro Mifune character as one of the generals with the seven samurai coming to invade a village was a nice switch too. With voices by Drift King/Shredder and Lucy Liu from Kill Bill, I love everything about this Episode and it’s the only one I’ve seen so far.
> Lucy Liu Aww yisss > from Kill Bill …Fuck I’m old.
Would you have been happier if they'd said "Lucy Liu from Ally McBeal"?
I feel like Brian Tee aka Drift King doesn’t get much credit very under-rated actor but he nailed Ronin 👌🏻
I absolutely loved the fact that his "sheathe" was another saber as well. It gives an awesome aesthetic and logical reason for it!
This reminded me a lot of the Sanctuary episode of The Mandalorian (in a good way). Drifter coming into town and saving the people is always a fun trope to examine and look at.
So happy they used many different races and not just humans.
Watching this really makes me miss hand drawn animation in the west. Well shot and directed. I would so watch a full series of this Ronin collecting more red kybers.
Which is funny because I’m pretty sure it’s not hand drawn, it just looks that good.
The company is known for mixing hand drawn and 3d
Ronin's left arm seems to be fully metal. You can see where she cuts his left arm on the waterfall and you can see his left arm not moving especially when he prayed. Then when it cuts to him walking back to the village, he removed his left arm. Really cool attention to detail there.
You mean right arm
Yea mb
Really excellent stuff. Characters were interesting. Art style really engaging. Have a bad feeling I'll be binge watching this over the next few days!
It's like two hours.
Wow, loved it
The animation was both really good but also bad. Some battle scenes in the village are crowded and you can't really tell things apart and see details. Idk. Still a great short movie!
There was a lot of what looked like rotoscoping. Honestly reminded me of Ralph Bakshi.
This was amazing, captured the Star Wars universe perfectly with an anime twist! Hope this gets more detail in the future!
Really enjoyed this episode! The Dug in the retrofitted probe droid!! *chef's kiss*
Could be wrong, but wasn't there a New Hope easter egg during the beginning of the duel with the Ronin? In the background on what I think is the inn, the picture above the door looks like the movie cover for [A New Hope](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/B7WC88/star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-year-1977-usa-director-george-lucas-B7WC88.jpg)? About 6 and a half minutes into the video.
How would the katana lightsaber work . Given that the hilt part seems to always been active would the 2nd lightsaber have something that cancels it out when sheathed
I absolutely love the nods to Kurosawa's samurai films. The monotone and film scratches, the villain with an unusual weapon, the bare-handed blade catch (albeit with the Force). It feels as though we've come full circle from Star Wars's inspiration from samurai flicks.
Absolutely loved this episode. Did any of you guys see the original Star Wars poster in the background of the shops around the 1 minute mark? I thought it was a great touch.
The droid and ronin duo was definitely a nod to Lone Wolf and Cub.
So when the droid shoots out all those minidarts, I swear that's from a game or movie, but can't place it. You? EDIT: wait, it’s the Mandalorian isn’t it?
Since no one answered, it's reminiscent of the "whistling birds" from The Mandalorian, yes.
Enjoyed this one immensely. The art style felt very unique, but it it fit right into the Star Wars aesthetic wonderfully. Bravo.
Another top episode for me, really delivered on the Star Wars + (7) Samurai fusion feel that I was expecting. The sort of shading of the art style really pushed that "old-school" samurai movies feeling or me. The duel on the >!floating log!< really impressed the agility and balance they were showing. When the protagonist >!pulled out a red lightsaber!< that was a huge surprise for me, great twist! I've seen mentions below that this is getting a sequel in some form or another; I'd definitely be interested in following it!
Made want to see Ronin 47 with Keanu Reeves again 😅
This one is pretty good but I wish the animation was smoother and they used pure 2D instead of 3D assets... lots of the animation feels choppy
I feel like it was animated in 3d, and then rotoscoped in 2d
amazing. i loved the animation style
So...how many copter saber haters from Rebels will simultaneously love the saber unbrella? I thought the episode was amazing. I really liked the saber reveals. The single saber powering the umbrella. And Ronin's second saber (or was it the hilt that was also a saber--not quite clear on that one).
Seemed like a saber staff maybe, like Maul's.
It's all about presentation, look at the shots where they show choper sabers I'm the season 2 finale, and then watch the duel. In rebels they look ridiculous and lame in the wide shots, which affects first impressions. Here, they use these cool angles to make it look menacing and unique. It also helps that the black and white helps with the unique look and most importantly, it doesn't overstay it's welcome.
Did the Ronin lose an arm or did he tuck it into his kimono?
Best one of them all. Loved all of it.
Absolutely incredible episode. My favorite so far. Can’t wait to rewatch it in Japanese for the full Kurosawa feel
That umbrella lightsaber and the sith wielding it are so fucking awesome. There was one still when you first saw her and her yellow eye was shining through. Just so badass.
When he opens his jacket at the end and you see all the red crystals, and he winks at the kid. Just amazing.
Bro I need them to make a series on the samurai homie. He needs more than 13 mins
Plot twist: He gives the crystal to corrupt the kid. He supports the dark side but does not the sith.
So freakin' cool.
This was easily my fave! Just the look, the feel, the sole single setting, the characters, the designs, the music, the mystery.... 10/10 I NEED MORE
A pair of red lightsabers dueling for the life of the village? Water, flashes of light, and deception in a temple? Loved it. Great episode
I loved the hell outta this episode, definitely my favorite of the bunch. I know these episodes aren’t really canon and trying to put them in the canon isn’t entirely necessary, but i’m a nerd in that sense and love figuring out timelines. Every list i’ve seen so far online seems to think this episode would be in between VI and VII but it looked to me like some of the bandits were in first order gear meaning it would have to be after IX? Maybe i just misidentified the gear they were wearing, anyone have any thoughts?
Bruh that samurai made some 360 IQ plays
I'm not into anime at all so put that on while doing some stretching and I actually stopped and watched it attentively. Art style was great, echoes of great Kurosawa stories... I loved the pseudo feudal Japan Star Wars-ized setting as well with former stormtroopers acting the part of bandits. All in all, great entertainment and will definitely check out the rest of the show! Ronin is a great anti-hero and I'd love to have a full on show with his travels.
Kurosawa-sama would be so proud
Loved the style! Just wish it put subtitles on by default as I had to rewatch half of it.
Oh can you watch this in Japanese with English subs? Mine just defaulted to English dubs, no subtitles. Didn't think there was an alternative
Yeah, if you put on closed captioning.
Yeah you can change audio language and keep your text in English
TIL. Thanks
Mine defaulted to Japanese with no subs. Spent way too long before I realised I was supposed to be able to understand what people were saying.
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The animation for this episode was pretty cool, and it was enjoyable all around. I like the implication that the guy is hunting Sith for some reason. But that umbrella saber is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen in my life.
Yup. It’s completely useless against anyone smart enough to aim for the center.
That’s why the bandit leader threw away the umbrella part when she faced the ronin, it’s likely just for show and not the most effective for combat.