After two stories on the dark side, we get a proper heroic story for this third edition of the second run of "Star Wars Visions". Chilean studio Punkrobot provide us with a beautiful looking and unique story, that (presumably) draws on local mythology for its themes.
Koten (Valentina Muhr) and her sister Tichina (Julia Oviedo) are the only survivors of the Empirical invasion of their home world. The Empire has been ravaging the planets resources and polluted the air and water, making their base the only source of clean water in the area. Whereas Koten is fearful of losing her sister, Tichina, inspired by their force sensitive mother who was killed, wants to storm the base an destroy it. Tichina follows Koten on a mission to steal some water and is captured.
I've not seen anything from Punkrobot before, and their website seems like they like to go in for a few different styles of animation. This feels like stop motion animation, though I'm prepared to accept that it might be using CGI to complete that effect, either way it looks wonderful and the characters movement, as well as the special effects elements work really well. Performances are OK and I did recognise Kate Dickie's voice before confirming it in the end credits.
It's in service of a pretty good story this time too, there's a "Moana" vibe to the mythology of the painting of the hands and the stories passed on. One that you suspect really knows a thing or two about technologically superior invading forces. The action though is good once Tichina is captured and Koten's rescue mission begins. This is the first one to involve some Imperial vehicles this season and the sound effects alone are glorious, but they work within the story.
Not perhaps quite as strong as the previous episode but ultimately it was good this one.