Kenji Kamiyama, Director of The Ninth Jedi, Said that True Heroes Choose Compassion Over Power
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TAME OTONITY – Production IG explains how samurai philosophy, color-changing lightsabers, and personal responsibility shape the new anime series *Star Wars: Visions*.
The creators of *Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi* have revealed how Japanese samurai philosophy influenced their portrayal of the Jedi, including the series’ unconventional lightsabers and its emphasis on compassion over raw power.
In an interview with Anime News Network, supervising director Kenji Kamiyama, series director Shunsuke Tada, and producer Hitoshi Itō discussed the ideas behind the anime’s world and characters.
Kamiyama explained that his vision of heroism centers on selflessness, not merely defeating enemies. He said, “True justice brings fairness and equality,” describing Kara’s decision to pursue redemption and goodness rather than taking the quickest path to victory.
Released on Disney+ and Hulu on August 5, 2026, *The Ninth Jedi* continues Kara’s story in an eight-episode limited series produced by Lucasfilm and Production IG. According to the series’ official Lucasfilm page, Kara and her fellow Jedi trainees embark on a journey to save her father.
Kamiyama revealed that the unique lightsaber concept stemmed from a misunderstanding he had as a child. When he first watched *Star Wars*, he believed that the color of the lightsaber changed depending on the user’s connection to the Force. That mistaken assumption ultimately became the creative foundation for the anime.
