From The Clone Wars to Star Wars Rebels and The Bad Batch, it’s hard to believe we’ve only had 20 years of Lucasfilm Animation goodness, as the impact these shows have had on all aspects of the franchise grows every year. At Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, a panel celebrated this milestone with a lovely tribute video, a very packed poster, a discussion with Dave Filoni, Athena Portillo, and David Collins, a screening of the first Asajj Ventress of the upcoming Tales of the Underworld series, and the big reveal: Maul: Shadow Lord is a brand-new series launching in 2026! We also got confirmation of the return of Young Jedi Adventures, with a new trailer! Head below for more!
From what fans have shared from the panel, the Tales of the Underworld episode shown with Asajj Ventress takes place after Dark Disciple, which was originally going to be part of The Clone Wars before it got cancelled and later adapted into the novel, and will help fill in the blanks to how and why she’s alive and well, as seen in the third season of The Bad Batch! Very excited for her return and to see what she’ll all get up to in her episodes of Underworld. And then speaking of the underworld…
Attendees were treated to a special trailer for Maul: Shadow Lord, as well as the arrival of Sam Witwer who of course will be voicing the eponymous character! Fans at home can get the first glimpse of the show at the end of the Anniversary video at the top of this article, though I haven’t had any luck with finding any leaks of the full one shown at the panel. From what we know, Maul: Shadow Lord will cover the former Sith Lord’s rise to power, taking over Crimson Dawn, and I’m sure eventually his fall from power as well, while he’ll be training a new apprentice (with word from the panel suggesting the trailer showed the apprentice to be Darth Talon making her canon debut) and fighting Inquisitors. UPDATE: I’ve seen the leaked trailer and, well, a red Twi’lek is picked by Maul as his next apprentice so this very well could be Talon! The animation looks upgraded and styled a little different than TCW, but still close. Plenty of slick action and lots of promising gritty looks at the underworld and those who operate in it. Also, the Kiner family confirmed they’re working on the show via an Instagram story. END UPDATE Given when this takes place, Qi’ra should be appearing at one point as well, as she’s with him eventually and later takes over Crimson Dawn, as seen in the recent comic crossovers, and that’s probably the part that’s the most exciting for me. There’s no set release date but expect the show to air on Disney+ sometime in 2026 (maybe in the Fall, so it’s after The Mandalorian and Grogu?).
What a fun poster, bringing together all the wonderful characters, creatures, and vehicles Lucasfilm Animation has touched on and/or made an iconic part of the franchise! And also…the cancelled Detours even got a nod, somehow (though the stormtrooper looks to be sleeping/dead, a little wink and nod at its status). Attendees got this exclusively, but I’m sure some will be selling theirs online, if you want it that badly.
Lastly, Young Jedi Adventures is back for a third season this Fall!
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