The third season of the animated anthology series Star Wars: Visions includes a sequel to the first season's short "The Duel," marking the fourth appearance of the character known as the Ronin. This lone Sith-turned-Sith-hunter first debuted in a Kurosawa-inspired episode by Kamikaze Douga. The new installment builds on previous expansions of the character's story across novels and comics.
Star Wars: Visions, the Disney+ animated series, returns with its third season, featuring sequels to select shorts from the inaugural collection. One highlight is "The Duel: Payback," a follow-up to the original "The Duel," which introduced the enigmatic Ronin—a solitary Sith who has evolved into a hunter of his former kind.
This episode represents the Ronin's fourth venture in the Visions universe. Following his debut in season 1, the character appeared in the 2021 novel Ronin: A Visions Novel, which retells elements of "The Duel" and extends his narrative, delving into his backstory within a distinctive Star Wars setting. In 2022, the comic Visions #1 provided a prequel to the short, further enriching his lore.
In "The Duel: Payback," the Ronin continues his mission by tracking another ex-Sith named Aneé-san. Their pursuit is interrupted by the Grand Master, a cybernetic Jedi from the Ronin's past, compelling an unlikely alliance to defeat this adversary. The story concludes with the Ronin and Aneé-san engaging in a duel, their smiles hinting at a possible ongoing partnership despite the truce's end.
This development leaves ample room for future tales, as the Ronin remains active. The season also includes a sequel to "The Ninth Jedi" from season 1, laying groundwork for the 2026 spin-off series Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, produced by Production IG and Lucasfilm Franchise Animation.
The expanded media around "The Duel" underscores interest in this alternate galaxy, where Jedi uphold a peaceful Empire and Sith emerge as rebellious former Jedi against feudal lords.
