If You Loved ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Volume 2, Watch These Anime Anthologies Next
If you can’t get enough of Star Wars Visions, these anime anthologies should be at the top of your to-watch list.
Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 just came to Disney+ in time for May The Fourth, and it’s great. A full review is on its way, but suffice to say that Volume 1 was awesome and Volume 2 is up to the same level in every category. And the uniqueness of Visions is something that only an anthology-style collection could do. Between the wide variety of voices and storytelling styles and the wildly different art and animation styles, anthologies have the ability to tell a collection of stories that are only loosely related. In this case, they all come from the Star Wars galaxy. But it’s a big galaxy with a lot of very different stories.
So if you, like me, loved Star Wars: Visions, Volumes 1 and 2, and the genre of animated anthologies in general, these five animes should be at the very top of your to-watch list.
Animatrix
Nostalgic, strange, and also inspired by a popular Western series, The Animatrix was one of my favorite animated anthologies before I even realized that’s what it was. Surprisingly similar to Star Wars: Visions in style and tone, The Animatrix told stories from around the world that most people wouldn’t have ever thought to ask about. It filled in blanks about the setting and backstory that the movies themselves left vague or didn’t have time to touch on. The episodes ranged from gorgeous and linear to truly strange. And if I’m being honest, The Animatrix was often sometimes more enjoyable than most of the live-action Matrix films.
Robot Carnival
Released by studio A.P.P.P. in 1987, Robot Carnival tells five stories with five different well-known directors. The stories range from silly and funny to dramatic with drastically different animation styles across the board. The themes of robots and carnivals and the titular Robot Carnival are constant throughout the various short films, but each can be watched and enjoyed separately from the rest. This anthology is a classic of the industry and well worth your ninety minutes.
Love Death + Robots
This one may feel like it doesn’t quite belong on the list. Of the 35 episodes, only one features a Japanese studio. But if we’re being honest about Star Wars: Visions, Volume 2 also only included one Japanese studio. So it’s shying away from the strict definition of ‘anime’ as well. That said, I stand by this pick.
In fact, Love Death + Robots feels very much like the spiritual predecessor or older sibling of Visions in a lot of ways. The strong Sci-Fi themes and heavy use of robots or droids are one way. But another is just the tone. Both shows are equal parts hopeful and bleak. Both show worlds where everything in the big picture is terrible, but sometimes you can carve out a small bit of beauty anyway. And sometimes both are just a little silly because sometimes we need that. The real difference is that while Visions feels somewhat kid-friendly, Love Death + Robots is decidedly not. As I said, it’s the older sibling.
Neo Tokyo
Also known as Labyrinth Tales or Manie-Manie, Neo Tokyo is another 1987 science fiction anthology film. Project Team Argos and Madhouse as well as a team of three separate writer-director produced a three-film collection that spans just 50 minutes. In 2021, Neo Tokyo found itself at the #10 spot on Paste Magazine’s list of 100 Best anime Movies of All Time. Some movies can’t hold up for more than thirty years, Neo Tokyo does.
Batman: Gotham Knight
Another fantastic collection to check out if the itch you’re looking to scratch is an “anime anthology with a subject that isn’t normally anime or even based on a Japanese IP.” Six episodes with seven directors and four production companies (not including DC or Warner) all depict different fights between Batman and various mobs and villains throughout Gotham.
The animation and storytelling styles are all different. But there is a semi-connected story as well as consistent voice acting throughout. If you’re a fan of Western comics and anime, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen this one. But if you haven’t yet, this is a collection that people really love and you should definitely check it out.
What is your favorite anime anthology? Do you prefer when an anthology has a single theme or world, or when every chapter stands alone? Did you love Star Wars: Visions? Let us know in the comments!
Ja ne, adventurers!
