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— CH. 1 · THE SPY ON THE COLOSSUS —

Star Wars Resistance

~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections
  • Kazuda Xiono stands on the bridge of the Colossus, looking out at the stars. He is a young pilot for the New Republic who has been recruited by the Resistance to spy on the growing threat of the First Order. The station floats in the Unknown Regions, a massive fueling platform that serves as a haven for travelers and smugglers alike. Kaz must hide his true identity while working alongside Jarek Yeager, the owner of Yeager's Repairs. He wears a Resistance uniform under his civilian clothes, ready to transmit data whenever he can. The tension builds as Commander Pyre and Agent Tierny begin their search for spies within the station. Kaz struggles with the weight of his mission, knowing that one mistake could expose him to the entire galaxy.

  • Lucasfilm had trademarked the name Star Wars Resistance on the 22nd of February 2018. Dave Filoni officially announced the series on April 26, scheduling it for a Fall 2018 debut. He created the show after directing the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and developing subsequent television series. By the 1st of August 2018, Polygon Pictures was selected as the animation production company. Filoni stated on the 12th of August 2018, that he would not work as directly on Resistance in a day-to-day capacity due to his work on The Clone Wars revival. He provided direction and notes to the story team, comparing his role to George Lucas' input on The Clone Wars. The show was influenced by anime and by Filoni's grandfather's experiences in World War II.

  • A trailer released on the 17th of August 2018 showcased the new animation style and characters. It received a negative reaction from fans, including criticism for its apparent targeting of younger viewers. Blair Marnell of Nerdist compared the initial reaction to the early stigma The Clone Wars and Rebels suffered for similarly targeting younger demographics during release. Syfy Wire noted that Resistance's cel-shading animation style stands out amongst the franchise's traditional CG-animated fare. Critics debated whether the bright, colorful palette suited the darker themes of the First Order. Some reviewers felt the art style made the show feel more like a children's program than a serious space opera. Despite the mixed reception, the visual approach remained consistent throughout both seasons.

  • The first season begins six months before The Force Awakens and crosses over with it at the end of the 17th episode. Season two picks up immediately afterwards, crossing over with The Last Jedi and leading up to The Rise of Skywalker. Kazuda Xiono must navigate the political landscape while the galaxy teeters on the brink of war. Characters like Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma appear in key moments that tie directly into the films. The narrative arc ensures that every action taken by the Resistance has consequences visible in the movies. By the final episode, the station faces destruction as the First Order closes in. The story concludes with the characters scattered across the galaxy, setting the stage for future conflicts.

  • The series debuted in the United States on the Disney Channel on the 7th of October 2018. Disney XD aired the series later in the United States and worldwide, with the exception of Southeast Asia. The second season premiered on Sunday, the 6th of October 2019, on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. Season two was the final season of the show and consisted of 19 episodes. Lucasfilm released the first season on DVD on the 20th of August 2019. It includes all 21 episodes of season one, along with an exclusive sneak-peek at the making of the show. The first season became available for streaming on the 12th of November 2019, the launch date for Disney+. The second season became available on the 25th of February 2020.

  • On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 has an approval rating of 92% based on reviews from 13 critics. William Hughes of The A.V. Club praised the first episode, giving it a grade B. Brian Lowry of CNN gave it a mixed review, noting that previous Star Wars shows offered plenty for older fans but this show was more clearly made for a younger audience. The series received generally positive reviews from critics despite some criticism regarding its target demographic. It won the Saturn Award for Best Animated Series on Television in 2019 for its debut season. The show was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for both of its seasons. Critics highlighted the vivid animation and high-flying action as key strengths of the production.

Common questions

Who created Star Wars Resistance and when was it announced?

Dave Filoni officially announced the series on April 26, scheduling it for a Fall 2018 debut. He created the show after directing the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and developing subsequent television series.

When did Star Wars Resistance premiere in the United States?

The series debuted in the United States on the Disney Channel on the 7th of October 2018. Disney XD aired the series later in the United States and worldwide with the exception of Southeast Asia.

What animation style does Star Wars Resistance use compared to other Star Wars shows?

Syfy Wire noted that Resistance's cel-shading animation style stands out amongst the franchise's traditional CG-animated fare. Critics debated whether the bright colorful palette suited the darker themes of the First Order but the visual approach remained consistent throughout both seasons.

How many episodes are in each season of Star Wars Resistance?

Season two was the final season of the show and consisted of 19 episodes. Lucasfilm released the first season on DVD which includes all 21 episodes of season one along with an exclusive sneak-peek at the making of the show.

Did Star Wars Resistance win any awards for its first season?

It won the Saturn Award for Best Animated Series on Television in 2019 for its debut season. The show was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for both of its seasons.

All sources

73 references cited across the entry

  1. 1newsPolygon Pictures Producing New Star Wars Resistance SeriesMercedes Milligan — August 1, 2018
  2. 5magazineStar Wars Resistance to end with season 2; trailer revealedJames Hibberd — August 14, 2019
  3. 9webDay 418 – Nazneen ContractorSeptember 5, 2019
  4. 14webDay 419 – Nikki SooHooSeptember 6, 2019
  5. 17bookI Am C-3PO: The Inside StoryAnthony Daniels — DK — 2019
  6. 18webStar Wars Resistance will race toward a second season on the Disney ChannelJosh Weiss — Syfy Wire — January 10, 2019
  7. 21webStar Wars Resistance: EpisodesDisney ABC Press
  8. 33webStar Wars Resistance: Dec 2018 EpisodesTumblr — November 10, 2018
  9. 52webTop 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.12.2020Mitch Metcalf — January 14, 2020
  10. 56webDisney Channel Orders Star Wars Resistance Animated SeriesAriana Brockington — April 26, 2018
  11. 57webStar Wars Resistance First LookDisney — August 17, 2018
  12. 58newsDisney's Star Wars Resistance animated series gets severe backlash onlineHanna Flint — Hanna Flint — August 20, 2018
  13. 59newsStar Wars Fans Are Split Over ResistanceBlair Marnell — August 17, 2018
  14. 64webDisney+ in NZ – Your Questions AnsweredMatt G. — 16 November 2019
  15. 65newsHere's What's New on Disney+ in February 2020Lawrence, Gregory — January 23, 2020
  16. 70webStar Wars Resistance ReviewEmily Ashby — March 23, 2020
  17. 73web72nd Emmy Awards: The Primetime Animation Nominees Are…Mercees Milligan — Animation Magazine — July 28, 2020