WARNING: The following article contains minor story details for Star Wars: Visions, out Sept. 22 on Disney+.
With Star Wars: Visions set to drop on Disney+ in one week's time, the anime anthology series has offered a sneak peek at some of its key antagonists.
In an interview with the official Star Wars website, Visions co-executive producer Justin Leach dished on five majors villains fans of the galaxy far, far away can expect to meet when the series arrives. Announced late last year during Disney Investor Day, Visions is a collection of nine anime short films inspired by the Star Wars mythos.
Leach first discussed The Elder, the titular antagonist of Studio Trigger's "The Elder," directed by Masahiko Otsuka. "He is a master swordsman seeking worthy adversaries," Leach said of the Elder. "Even though his appearance is that of an aged old man, he moves gracefully and effortlessly against any opponent."
However, while The Elder certainly "appears very Sith-like," Leach explains that the villain is "clearly more focused on mastering his skills than following their ideology." He isn't particularly concerned with gaining power, which "adds a new dimension to the Sith archetype." What's more, the Elder's katana-shaped lightsaber serves as a "wonderful tribute to the original source material that inspired Star Wars."
Next, Leach discussed Am, one of the two dark side siblings featured in Studio Trigger's "The Twins," directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi. The sister of Karre, Am is very different from her brother, having been "consumed by her desire for power." "Seeing Am take action in her special dark armor suit is truly a unique expression of the dark side," Leach said of the villain, who is described as being "ambitious" and "extremely powerful."
Despite the path his sister has chosen, Karre still "cares deeply" for Am, trying his best to "save her from destruction," all while Am herself "struggles to find the right balance."
Then, there's Masago, villain of Science SARU's "Akakiri," directed by Eunyoung Choi. "With a great deal of strength and weight in the design, her broad shoulders and physical presence are palpable," Leach said of Masago. "Her red eyes, imbued with the dark side of the Force, create the impression of a soul full of darkness, ambition, and hunger for power."
Like many dark side-users before her, Darth Vader included, Masago attempts to recruit others to her side, citing destiny. "Like other great villains within the Star Wars universe, she believes in this principle and uses it as an argument against her enemies when she tries to recruit them," said Leach.
Next up, there's the Sith Bandit Leader from Kamikaze Douga's "The Duel," directed by Takanobu Mizuno. Inspired by the female samurai warriors of feudal Japan known as "Onna-Musha," Leach compares the the Sith Bandit Leader to "the famous female warrior from Japanese cinema in the '70s, Lady Snowblood."
Regarding her weapon of choice, Leach explains that the character "has a very special type of lightsaber umbrella that can turn her lightsaber into a weapon capable of defensive and offensive maneuvering." She also has a fighting style similar to that of Darth Maul. "The Sith Bandit Leader is a fresh take on the classic Sith Villain expressed through dynamic action and fighting sequences not seen, perhaps, since Darth Maul faced Obi-Wan in The Phantom Menace," said Leach.
Finally, there's the Inquisitor, a member of the Empire's elite Jedi-hunting force previously seen in the animated series Star Wars Rebels and the video game Jedi: Fallen Order. A droid pretending to be a Jed invokes the wrath of the Inquisitor in Science SARU's "T0-B1," directed by Abel Góngora.
"As he fights, he becomes more animal-like, exposing a mouth full of teeth as he screams in anger," Leach said of the Inquisitor's primal nature. The Inquisitor is sure to pose a great challenge to the T0-B1, who must look within himself to "find the independence and strength he needs to grow."
Star Wars: Visions premieres in its entirety Wednesday, Sept. 22 on Disney+.
Source: StarWars.com
