The Clone Wars remains among the most iconic and critically acclaimed animated Star Wars installments. But the series didn’t just redefine animated storytelling for the franchise; it established a visual style that Disney and Lucasfilm have carried forward for 17 years.From the final, polished seasons of the long-running series to spinoffs like The Bad Batch and the Tales of anthology series, the studio has largely maintained the same core CG style.Credit: LucasfilmWhile other shows like Rebels and Forces of Destiny use their own style, The Clone Wars remains the most recognized. But that continuity is set to change with Lucasfilm’s next major animated project.StarWars.com has confirmed that its upcoming Darth Maul-focused series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, will debut a new animation style when it arrives on Disney+ in 2026.The series was announced by Maul voice actor Sam Witwer at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, alongside footage that signaled a visual shift away from the Clone Wars aesthetic.Maul: Shadow Lord (2026)#StarWarsCelebrationJapan #SWCJ pic.twitter.com/423nKYQNqT— Jorge Carrón (@_jcarron) April 18, 2025Related: ‘Star Wars’ Says Goodbye to Pedro Pascal’s Original Role, Confirms Multiple Changes for 2026 ‘Mandalorian’ MovieMaul – Shadow Lord is set after the events of The Clone Wars and during the early rise of the Galactic Empire. The series follows the disgraced Sith Lord as he navigates the criminal underworld, expanding on a character arc previously explored in The Clone Wars and Rebels.“After the Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire,” the official synopsis reads, adding, “In a new series set after the events of the final season of The Clone Wars, Maul rises again to lead the underworld factions.”Credit: LucasfilmAccording to Witwer, the series’ new look is still recognizably rooted in the world of The Clone Wars, but pushes the design further to reflect the character’s darker perspective, telling CinemaBlend earlier this year that it will embrace “a little bit more extreme” and “more edgy and jagged and dangerous” style.Now, Lucasfilm has confirmed that style, stating (via StarWars.com) that the new series, which “explores Maul’s quest for power in the gritty and merciless underworld following the aftermath of The Clone Wars and Order 66″ will feature “a new style of animation.”Before the series arrives next year, Marvel Comics will release a prequel titled “Star Wars: Shadow of Maul”, a five-issue series written by Benjamin Percy and illustrated by Madibek Musabekov. Pre-orders for #1, which releases in March, are available at local comic shops.Are you excited about these new stories centered on Maul? Share your thoughts with us in the comments down below!The post ‘Star Wars’ New ‘Clone Wars’ Sequel Abandons Beloved Show’s Animation Style appeared first on Inside the Magic.