The Ninth Jedi Series
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, a newly released limited animated series from Lucasfilm, is set to captivate audiences with its unique blend of Star Wars and Japanese culture. Director Shunsuke Tada recently spoke about the new series, which introduces a beloved companion character, 99-99, a small, floating droid with yellow plating.
The series debuted on Disney+ and Hulu on Aug. 5 to critical acclaim, telling the story of Kara and her ragtag crew of Jedis as they try to find worthy allies to help them battle against an increasingly powerful warlord. Tada discussed how 99-99 could rival the popularity of Grogu, saying, "From our perspective, if there’s anyone who can compete with the hugely popular Grogu, it might be 99-99."
Japanese Culture in Star Wars
Tada emphasized the importance of Japanese culture in the series, stating that they incorporated Japanese elements into the visual design of the main antagonist, Naworm, who wears a black mask inspired by samurai warriors. The lightsabers in the series are also based on Japanese swords, and the Jedi are inspired by samurai.
During Kara's journey, she encounters various Star Wars species and creatures, and Tada highlighted the role of non-human species in the series. "For example, there are the non-human species. Even among the main characters, Kara’s companion Homen isn’t human, and we’ve also included many non-human species and creatures throughout the city," Tada shared.
The official Star Wars website's character guide for The Ninth Jedi describes 99-99 as "a small, floating droid with yellow plating who stays resolutely by Lah Kara’s side, even when she ventures into danger." It adds that Kara "considers the excitable droid a friend and turns to him for a hug when she needs comfort."
Learn more about the series and its unique blend of Star Wars and Japanese culture.
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi is now streaming exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu.
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