We at Nerdist are planning to bunker down for the foreseeable future thanks to the coronavirus–a precaution that will prevent the spread of disease and keep us all safe. But what sounds alarmist is actually a great opportunity to spend time with the people we love and catch up on home media. There are plenty of things for adults to binge on streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. But if you’ve got small kids, it may be overwhelming to know how to keep your little ones occupied at home.
Thankfully, Disney has your back. For kids who dig Star Wars–or parents that want to get their kids into the franchise–there’s a brand new season of Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures to enjoy. Lucasfilm dropped the first three episodes today on their Star Wars Kids YouTube channel and on StarWarsKids.com, and–as expected–they’re delightful little morsels of the galaxy far, far away perfect for inducting kids into the fandom. Here’s the trailer for the second season.
The idea behind Galaxy of Adventures is to reimagine key scenes from Star Wars in a new, animated context for younger viewers. Episodes are, on average, only about a minute long, and spend time with our favorite characters. The second season takes us into the world of the sequel trilogy. In the first episode, “Force Calls to Rey,” we meet the scavenger Rey on the planet of Jakku and witness the moment when she first finds Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber–the beginning of her adventure.
The second episode, “Kylo Ren and Darth Vader – A Legacy of Power,” we are introduced to the villainous Kylo Ren and learn of his connection to his grandfather Darth Vader and the temptation of the Dark Side.
The third episode, “Rey and Friends vs. The First Order,” is unique in the Galaxy of Adventures. While all previous episodes focus on moments that take place in the three main film trilogies, this one tells an original story. Though brief, it’s a glimpse at what Rey and her Resistance friends–Finn, Poe, and BB-8–get up to in-between the major events of the films. Here, we see them retrieve information from the First Order and flee from Stormtroopers.
According to StarWars.com, the second season of Galaxy of Adventures will contain more original content, showing us what happens between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, as well as incorporating tales set in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Disneyland and Disney World theme park.
We love these little shorts, and we love the idea of introducing kids to the world of Star Wars via animation. With the future of–well, everything–feeling uncertain, there’s no better time to spend time with your family in the galaxy far, far away. It’s a portal to imagination, to possibility, and to dreams of tomorrow. Team up with Rey, Finn, Poe, BB-8, and the Resistance, and start fighting for a better world–it’s an important way to stay positive right now.
Featured Image: Lucasfilm