Star Wars Unveils Its Female Luke Skywalker in 'The Ninth Jedi'

A new Star Wars heroine is being directly compared to Luke Skywalker by the creators of an upcoming series. According to The Direct, the character Lah Kara, the lead of Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, embodies a modern, female take on the classic hero's journey.

Who is Lah Kara?

Lah Kara is the central character of the eight-episode anime series, voiced by Kimiko Glenn. Her story is set long after the Jedi and Sith have faded into legend. She trains under the mysterious Margrave Juro while attempting to rescue her father, the galaxy's only known sabersmith, from Jedi Hunters.

What do the directors say about the Luke Skywalker comparison?

The parallel comes straight from the filmmakers. In an official Star Wars interview, director Shunsuke Tada highlighted that both characters grow gradually into their power. "Luke was also an unknown boy and not talented in the beginning, [and] he gradually becomes a true Jedi. We tried not to make Kara look like a Master from the beginning, but she's gradually growing," Tada said.

Supervising director Kenji Kamiyama added that Kara possesses a "natural talent" and that her connection with "the Force is becoming stronger," although she doesn't initially know how to use it.

How is her journey different?

While the growth arc is similar, the directors note a key difference in motivation. Tada explained that unlike Luke, who often sought approval from mentors or his father, Kara's drive is internal. "In the original story of 'The Ninth Jedi,' Kara’s not trying to win over her father or somebody else. She’s trying to win over herself and grow as a person," he said.

When and where does the series premiere?

Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi is set to premiere on August 5. It will be available on Disney+ and, notably, Hulu simultaneously, marking it as the first Star Wars series to launch day-one on both platforms. The series exists outside of mainline Star Wars canon.