George Lucas has always been incredibly open about how Japanese films directly influenced his creation of Star Wars over 40 years ago. That debt has been repaid many times over, as Lucas and his original trilogy — and the landmark franchise those movies spawned — influenced future filmmakers all around the world. That lasting legacy comes full circle with Star Wars: Visions, Lucasfilm’s first animated anthology comprising nine short films, all told in various anime styles by some of the top Japanese storytellers working today, all of whom cite Star Wars as a main reason they became filmmakers in the first place. Backstory was given the exclusive opportunity to interview four of the helmers of some of Visions’ best and most ambitious shorts about what it was like to join the Star Wars universe and the bold storytelling and visual choices they made to help make the series the unique success it has become.

Simply click the links below to access each individual article. Enjoy!

THE DUEL
TATOOINE RHAPSODY
THE VILLAGE BRIDE
THE ELDER
Interview with the Producers

Subscribing to Backstory gives you access to our entire catalog of back issues with tons of past Star Wars coverage including in-depth interviews with Dave Filoni and Rian Johnson, coverage of animated series like Rebels and Resistance, interviews with Marvel comic writers Jason Aaron and Kieron Gillen, and features with The High Republic architects Cavan Scott and Daniel Jose Older.

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There’s plenty more to explore in Backstory Magazine issue 45 you can see our table of contents.

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