The Strange Significance Of Star Wars' New Katana Lightsaber

Since Season 1, it's been considered that "Star Wars: Visions," an animated anthology series set in a galaxy far, far away, is not canon to the rest of the "Star Wars" mythos. However, that doesn't mean ideas and characters should be written off entirely. There are even Easter eggs, as a Season 2 episode contains a sly reference to the video game "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order." The events themselves may not be referenced again, but other "Star Wars" properties could easily take ideas introduced in these shorts and incorporate them into other projects. 

"Star Wars: Visions" Season 2 has one such concept in its first episode, titled "Sith." The episode follows Lola, a former Sith apprentice who sought isolation but is continually hunted by her former Sith Master. They get into one final lightsaber duel, only for it to be revealed that Lola possesses a dual katana lightsaber with both a red side and a yellow side. Dual lightsabers are nothing new to "Star Wars" ever since Darth Maul exhibited one in "The Phantom Menace." You can even wield one as a player in "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order." However, "Sith" is the first time we've seen a dual lightsaber with two different colors. 

This suggests there are split or dual kyber crystals in Lola's lightsaber, a concept that hasn't been explored in "Star Wars" up until this point. Even if viewers never see Lola again in a "Star Wars" property, it's possible her lightsaber could introduce a whole new concept to the world of "Star Wars."

An entire mythology has emerged surrounding lightsaber colors. In the original trilogy, it was pretty straightforward. Good guys had blue or green lightsabers, while red indicated the Dark Side. However, more movies, TV series, and other expanded universe properties have created many shades to this area to where a dual katana lightsaber like the one Lola has could indicate a lot in terms of character. 

Obviously, Lola is a former Sith apprentice, which explains the red portion of her lightsaber. However, yellow lightsabers are more often associated with Sentinels. It signifies intrigue and pursuit and often symbolizes a change in identity. In this way, yellow is the perfect complement for Lola's katana lightsaber, as she underwent a massive change to reject Sith lore, but she still carries that part of her with her. Notably, Rey (Daisy Ridley) had a yellow lightsaber at the end of "The Rise of Skywalker," which is appropriate in this context as she also changed her identity, going from a Palpatine to a Skywalker.

However, eagle-eyed observers may have noted that right before Rey ignites her lightsaber, it briefly flashes blue and green before turning yellow, likely signifying how she carries the lessons of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) with her. This idea that lightsabers can contain different colored kyber crystals could suggest that even more combinations exist. Lola's lightsaber could open the floodgates to all kinds of possibilities in future movies, TV shows, and games that give greater significance to a person's lightsaber color(s). A "Star Wars" katana lightsaber would also make a pretty cool toy, and aren't merchandising opportunities the most important thing at the end of the day?