It had already become clear: after it was initially leaked that we could look forward to a surprising Grogu short film on Disney+ on November 12, 2022, moments later it was teased that the legendary Japanese animation studio Ghibli collaborated with the “Star Wars” Forge Lucasfilm does. quickly clear that these supposed two projects were one and the same
And indeed: On today’s third birthdayThe MandalorianStarts is a brand new short film with Grogu at the heart of the action Disney+ was released, which was hand-drawn by animators in Ghibli.
» “Zen: Grogu and the Rotmen” on Disney+*
This is “Zen: Grogu and the Rotmen”
As previously leaked, the movie is called Zen: Grogu and the Sootmen. Ghibli fans will, of course, prick up their ears, as the sootmen are hardworking little mythical creatures who have already appeared in the anime masterpieces “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro”. The new short film “Star Wars” thus combines two very popular types of fan favorites – more cuteness is hardly possible!
However, the encounter has no real plot. As previously suspected from the movie title “Zen”, Grogu’s mini-adventure is somewhat based on the Disney+ format “Zenimation”, which consists of short meditation films in which scenes from popular Disney animated films are accompanied by relaxing music. “Grogu and the Soot Men” does indeed offer new footage of Baby Yoda, but he only flirts a bit with the Ghibli mascots.
» “Zenimation” on Disney+*
It’s always fun to watch, but if you were hoping for a full-fledged Grogu adventure from the famed anime company, you might be a little disappointed by the meditative Ghibli finger exercise. But who knows, maybe “Grogu and the Sootman” is just a harbinger of a “Star Wars” collaboration between Lucasfilm and Ghibli…
Will Ghibli be in Visions Season 2?
As it became increasingly clear that Ghibli would be in charge of a “Star Wars” project, many had suspected (and hoped) that the studio behind classics like “Princess Mononoke” and “The Last of the Fireflies” was one episode before the upcoming second season of anthology series Star Wars: Visions. This is composed of non-canon short films set in a galaxy far, far away, contributed by various animation studios.
Just because the Ghibli project has now become the film described above doesn’t necessarily mean that a Ghibli contribution to “Visions” is off the table. Perhaps the road has even been paved for this, although that is still wishful thinking at the moment.
What is certain is that we will see Grogu back in action in about three months. The start is expected to be February 22, 2023 third season of The Mandalorian on Disney+.