Star Wars: Visions draws on the extensive cultural tradition of the samurai, among various aspects, to offer an entertaining anime experience. Considering that this is a series in which lightsaber combat is essential, what better way to link the universe than by relating it to the iconography and tradition of the samurai? In that sense, the Disney Plus series is round because it achieves a staging with clear references to both the Star Wars universe and the samurai.
In that sense, the narrative possibilities offered by anime as a discursive genre allow different freedoms. Considering that the production was delivered to different Japanese studios, Star Wars: Visions results in a compendium of entertaining, at times explosive, and moving stories and styles. Therefore, for those who are not familiar with anime aesthetics, it can be a pleasant experience to see the different drawings that are grouped in the series.
However, the tradition of this type of story is not new and, in addition, Star Wars: Visions seems to drink from other anime considered canonical or with a notable cultural impact. Therefore, below we share other animes that can be seen to deepen the relationship of the genre with the culture of the samurai and other references that can be found in the most recent Disney Plus production.
‘Star Wars: Visions‘and some influences
that can be associated
This tour starts from animes that are considered cult. It is not that Star Wars: Visions have made adaptations of this. No. They are only references that seem to have influenced the development of the story.
‘Afro Samurai ‘
Perhaps it is one of the most important contemporary anime in terms of integration of culture and references. Afro Samurai is a manga created by Takashi Okazaki. This story was later adapted as an anime through the Gonzo studio. It integrates samurai mythology as well as different references to Afro-urban culture, with the addition of including futuristic elements and a powerful drawing. “The duel”, the first chapter of Star Wars: Visions, remember aspects of this series. It is not the only episode that does.
‘Rurouni Kenshin‘
This anime was also known as Kenshin, the samurai warrior or Samurai X. It may be one of the most historically and culturally rich works in relation to Japan and the mystique of the samurai, based on different events related to the Meiji Era. Through this story, it is exposed about different styles of combat and part of its relationship with the Japanese tradition. Added to this is the explosiveness of their fights, drawn in a good way in a time where the technological resources of today were not available. Beyond the fights, the cultural legacy that is explored in this anime resonates in chapters like “Lop & Eight” by Star Wars: Visions.
‘Samurai 7‘
This anime is inspired by what, for some people, is the best movie ever: The Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954). Like the movie, Samurai 7 tells how a group of villagers organize to face a band of ruined samurai. To do this, they hire another group of samurai to deal with the abuse. The anime gives a twist to the story, updating itself through other issues, achieving a story with another narrative rhythm in relation to the film. The suggestion? See both.
‘Fullmetal alchemist‘
This anime can be considered one of the most important in recent years. A story in which science, alchemy and the human condition merge to recreate different values in an attractive way. Chapter “T0-B1” of Star Wars: Visions seems to keep a nod to that anime, where humans, objects and machines dialogue naturally. This also fits into the classic narrative of Star wars.
‘Dragon ball‘
It is not one of the most direct references, since Dragon Ball does not have a story marked by the samurai tradition. Nevertheless, in the recreation of the fighting and the expulsion of energy recreated in some chapters. The most obvious episode to perceive this or make any association is “The Twins” by Star Wars: Visions. The relationship between the protagonists also invites us to think about some characters from Knights of the Zodiac, who also present positive-negative relationships through their episodes.
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Each of these series are references that can be reviewed, in case they are not known, to deepen narratively and aesthetically in some questions that are suggested through Star Wars: Visions. All nine chapters of the series are now available on Disney Plus.