Star Wars: Visions has finally arrived, and it’s bringing anime to a galaxy far, far away! Whether you’re on the lookout for more anime as a new fan, or you’re coming back for the first time in years, it might be a little daunting to see how many series and movies are out there to discover.
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If you’ve watched Star Wars: Visions and you’re looking for more anime, we’ve got a few to add to your watchlist. Find series from the same incredible studios that made the nine Star Wars short films, or go along with some Jedi-like ronin on their own amazing adventures across the countryside. There’s something for everyone right here on Funimation!
Rurouni Kenshin
Star Wars: Visions imagines Jedi Knights as ronin—wandering samurai who aren’t in service of a lord—walking from village to village with their blades on their hips. When anime fans think of ronin, chances are they think first of Rurouni Kenshin. If Visions shorts “The Duel” and “The Elder” sent your imagination roaming, get ready to join Kenshin on his adventures.
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Rurouni Kenshin is set in the late 1870s. Himura Kenshin has been traveling for 10 years after playing a vital role in the recent government upheaval. Once an assassin, the peerless swordsman has sworn to never kill again. He now uses his reversed, blunt blade to help the innocent, but Kenshin’s past has a way of catching up to him. Comedy, drama and action made this story a smash hit that’s still popular today.
Watch Rurouni Kenshin on Funimation!
Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo comes from Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe, and, like Star Wars: Visions, puts a new twist on the timeless tales of wandering samurai. These ronin aren’t historical figures or Force wielders from a galaxy far, far away, but the fictional story has a similar background—and as a bonus, it’s set to unique hip-hop beats. It’s an invigorating take on the genre that feels both familiar and refreshing, much like Star Wars: Visions.
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Swordsmen Mugen and Jin cross paths (and blades) inside a teahouse where a hapless young waitress named Fuu works. She later helps them escape from capture, and in return asks for their help finding a “samurai who smells like sunflowers.” Mugen and his unpredictable breakdancing-inspired fighting style pairs perfectly with the spectacled, stoic samurai Jin in this adventure across Edo-era Japan.
Watch Samurai Champloo on Funimation!
KILL la KILL
Did Star Wars: Visions’ “The Twins” blow your mind? You need more Trigger in your life! The renowned animation studio also produced KILL la KILL, which shares the explosive visuals you loved in their imaginative take on the Galactic Empire. Eye-popping action and wildly imaginative animation are hallmarks of Trigger, and KILL la KILL is no exception.
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Young Ryuko Matoi is looking for the wielder of a specific sword, a half-blade from a giant pair of scissors. Her journey takes her to Honnouji Academy. The school is ruled over by Satsuki Kiryuin, the class president, who doles out special uniforms that grant the wearers superhuman abilities. Ryuko challenges Satsuki, but finds a lot more than she bargained for at the unusual school…
Watch KILL la KILL on Funimation!
SSSS.DYNAZENON
If you’re looking for a little more sci-fi in your high school student battles, Trigger is also the studio behind SSSS.DYNAZENON. The bright, colorful action of “The Twins” and Promare meets gigantic kaiju battles in this stunning 12-episode series.
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High schooler Yomogi Asanaka encounters a starving man one fateful day and offers him food. Grateful, he introduces himself as Gauma, a kaiju user. Embarrassed, Yomogi runs away, but quickly discovers that Gauma is telling the truth. Together with some new friends, Yomogi defends against the rampaging kaiju as a co-pilot inside the giant mecha Dynazenon.
Watch SSSS.DYNAZENON on Funimation!
The Heike Story
Science SARU brings a classic Japanese tale to new life. The Heike Story is an ode to another time and place, and it sets otherworldly scenes of serene moments against quick flashes of blades and battle.
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The Heike Story is a retelling of the 12th-century saga Heike Monogatari, or The Tale of the Heike. Young orphan Biwa is taken in by a gentle man in the Taira Clan, also known as the Heike. She has the power to see the future, but what it promises for the Taira Clan is nothing but death and ruin. This breathtaking retelling of the historical epic is striking and emotional.
Watch The Heike Story on Funimation!
What anime would you recommend to a Star Wars: Visions fan? Share this post and let us know! And stay tuned to Funimation for the latest news on all things anime, this season and beyond.
