Star Wars: Visions made its highly anticipated return with Volume 3 on October 29, 2025, continuing its tradition of offering unique, non-canonical animated short films that reimagine the iconic galaxy far, far away through diverse cultural lenses. Among the nine new shorts, Episode 2, titled “The Song of Four Wings,” stands out as a visually striking and emotionally resonant tale that pays homage to classic Star Wars themes while delivering a fresh narrative.
“The Song of Four Wings”: Episode Overview
“The Song of Four Wings,” produced by Project Studio Q, transports viewers to a snow-swept planet, reminiscent of Hoth, where a princess-turned-frontline scout named Crane embarks on a mission. The episode unfolds as Crane investigates an Imperial presence, stumbling upon a lone survivor, a small alien named Woopas, amidst the Empire’s mining operations. Their unexpected encounter shifts Crane’s objective from reconnaissance to a mission of rescue and retaliation against the Imperial forces exploiting the planet’s resources.
Themes and Inspirations
This episode is rich with Star Wars inspirations, drawing parallels to the original trilogy with elements like an ice planet, a rebel base, AT-AT walkers, and an evacuation scenario. However, “The Song of Four Wings” cleverly twists these familiar concepts, revealing that the Empire’s true purpose on the planet was not to target the Rebels, but rather to plunder its newly discovered resources.
Thematically, the short explores ideas of resilience, bravery, and transformation, with Princess Crane embodying a protagonist driven by loss, duty, and choice, echoing the spirit of characters like Leia Organa and Padmé Amidala. Her journey with Woopas becomes a tale of finding purpose and accepting one’s past as a driving force for the future.
Animation and Visual Style
Project Studio Q’s animation in “The Song of Four Wings” is noted for its vibrant colors, emotive storytelling, and bold visual style, transforming rebellion into a ritual and flight into an act of faith. The episode masterfully blends traditional Star Wars aesthetics with unique anime bravado, featuring sequences that include a “magical girl/sentai hero transformation” for Crane and expressive character designs, such as Woopas who folds paper cranes. This blend creates a “mech-infused fairy tale” that feels both familiar and refreshingly new within the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3’s Return to Anime Roots
Volume 3 marks a return to the series’ original focus on Japanese animation studios, after Volume 2 expanded to include creators from around the world. This latest installment features nine short films from various Japanese anime studios, including veterans like Production I.G and Trigger, alongside newcomers such as Project Studio Q, David Production, and Wit Studio.
The anthology format allows for diverse interpretations of the Star Wars mythology, exploring different themes, time periods, and unique characters, all while remaining outside the established Star Wars canon. “The Song of Four Wings” exemplifies this creative freedom, taking beloved Star Wars elements and presenting them through a distinct artistic and narrative lens, proving that Visions continues to be a fertile ground for imaginative storytelling.
