The upcoming anime series Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi has revealed its primary antagonist, a mysterious figure named Nowaam. While his dark helmet and cloak evoke memories of Darth Vader, the character’s core motivations and relationship with the Force lean heavily into the legacy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’s Darth Revan.
For those unfamiliar with the 2003 classic, Revan remains one of the most complex figures in the Star Wars universe. A Jedi who rose to prominence during a galaxy-wide war, Revan eventually succumbed to the Dark Side—not out of pure malice, but from a desperate, misguided desire to unite the galaxy under a single power to end the cycle of conflict. It is this moral ambiguity that The Ninth Jedi appears to be channeling.
A Mirror to the Old Republic
The trailer for The Ninth Jedi, which hits Disney+ and Hulu on August 5, paints Nowaam with what can only be described as a Revan-colored brush. The series is set in a galaxy defined by perpetual war, and Nowaam is presented as a leader willing to do whatever it takes to secure peace—including the deployment of planet-destroying superweapons. Like Revan, he views his monstrous methods as necessary evils to achieve a noble goal.
Perhaps the most fascinating detail is the reaction of the lightsabers in this series. In The Ninth Jedi, blades change color to reflect the heart of the wielder. When Nowaam ignites his saber, it burns blue—a color traditionally synonymous with the Light Side and goodness. This suggests that, like Revan, Nowaam truly believes he is doing the right thing, challenging the audience to consider whether noble intentions can justify heinous actions.
The Enduring Legacy of KotOR
The influence of Knights of the Old Republic on modern Star Wars projects remains significant, even as the status of the long-rumored KotOR remaster remains in question. Seeing a creative team lean into the gray morality that made the 2003 title a standout is a welcome sign for fans who appreciate a more intellectual approach to the franchise’s storytelling.
While we may not see the return of Revan himself, The Ninth Jedi proves that the spirit of the Old Republic era is still a powerful source of inspiration. By crafting a villain who defies the traditional black-and-white morality of the Skywalker Saga, the series is pushing the Star Wars galaxy into deeper, more complicated territory.