Lucasfilm is expanding its animated universe with the upcoming anime series Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi. Scheduled for an August 5, 2026, release on Disney+ and Hulu, the eight-episode season follows a ragtag crew in a distant future where the Jedi have become mere legends.

Simu Liu and the Star-Studded Voice Cast

The upcoming anime series Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi features a high-profile English voice cast led by Marvel star Simu Liu. Liu, recognized for his role as Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will voice the character Lah Zhima. This casting choice signals a significant push to bring mainstream cinematic talent into the Star Wars animated space.

Other key members of the ensemble include Kimiko Glenn, who portrays the protagonist Lah Kara, and Andrew Kishino, who voices Juro. The cast is rounded out by Masi Oka as Ethan, Patrick Seitz as Homen, and J. P. Karliak as Gramps. According to the report, this diverse vocal lineup is intended to support the series' highly anticipated storyline and character arcs.

A Galaxy Long After the Rebel Alliance

The setting of The Ninth Jedi suggests a major departure from the traditional eras of Star Wars storytelling. As the report indicates, the series takes place in a distant future where both the Empire and the Rebel Alliance have long since vanished, leaving the Jedi to exist only as legends .. This shift allows for a reimagining of the franchise's core mythology, including a new Jedi character designed to offer a modern interpretation of Luke Skywalker.

The plot, according to the show's log line, centers on Lah Kara and her crew as they attempt to find worthy Jedi to combat an increasingly powerful warlord. A central conflict involves the rescue of Kara's father, Lah Zhima, who is described as the only known sabersmith in the galaxy. This makes the lightsaber—and Zhima himself—the most invaluable assets in a galaxy where the Jedi's power has largely faded .

Production I.G's Role in the August 2026 Launch

The production of The Ninth Jedi is a major collaboration between Lucasfilm and the renowned animation studio Production I.G. The series is penned by Mitsuyasu Sakai, with direction provided by Kenji Kamiyama and Shunsuke Tada. This creative team is tasked with delivering an eight-episode inaugural season that maintains the high aesthetic standards expected of the Visions brand.

Fans were first given a glimpse of the project during its premiere at Anime Expo on July 1, 2026. Since that debut, the series has been gaining significant traction among both critics and the anime community. The August 2026 launch on Disney+ and Hulu marks a key milestone in Lucasfilm's strategy to utilize international animation styles to broaden the reach of the Star Wars IP.

The Connection to Dave Filoni's Ahsoka Season 2

While the announcement of The Ninth Jedi brings excitement, several questions remain regarding its place in the broader Star Wars timeline. The report mentions that series creator Dave Filoni is currently working on Ahsoka Season 2, which is slated for an early 2027 release. However, it remains unverified whether The Ninth Jedi will be a part of the non-canonical Visions anthology or if it will hold a permanent place in the official Star Wars canon.

Furthermore, the source does not clarify if the "powerful warlord" mentioned in the plot is a new character or one with existing ties to the franchise's history. There is also no confirmation on how the "modern take on Luke Skywalker" will impact the established lore of the Skywalker lineage.. Until Lucasfilm provides more specific details, fans are left to wonder how much of this distant-future tale is truly standalone.