10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

As a Star Wars enthusiast who’s had more than her fair share of parsecs under my belt, let me tell you about some of my favorite characters that have graced our screens and pages over the years.


If I had compiled this list prior to the debut of the sequel trilogy, it would have been challenging to choose among so many compelling characters. For instance, should I favor General Rieekan or Admiral Piett in a hypothetical confrontation? Or, do I find Corran Horn or Myn Donos more endearing as my top X-wing pilots? This list only focuses on the ten characters from the Disney era that have captured my heart.

Here are 10 of the best Star Wars characters from the last 10 years.

1. Doctor Aphra

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

For the first time, we encountered this morally ambiguous character in the 2016 “Vader Down” comic, serving as a contrast to Darth Vader. However, she later starred in her own spin-off series. In an interview with StarWars.com, creator Kieron Gillen described her as someone who tackles problems like Indiana Jones, but with his moral compass flipped upside down. This character is an archaeologist and executed missions for Darth Vader, yet she reacted differently than most when Alderaan was destroyed. Upon hearing the news, she showed enthusiasm and inquired about the details from General Cassio Tagge.

She loves things that aren’t strictly right or wrong, saying that “what being an archaeologist is about” is “being able to see the fullness of the history of the entire galaxy.”

2. Chopper

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

I have a soft spot for robots, especially those with a sassy side. I was disappointed when characters like Emtrey and Squeaky from the X-wing series were moved to “Legends” status. However, C1-10P, or “Chopper” from Star Wars Rebels, has filled that void for me. Similar to R2-D2, he’s got a knack for taking charge and making decisions on his own, often at just the right moment to save the crew of the Spectres.

It was a pleasure to catch up with him again, as his appearance in the Ahsoka series provided much-needed resolution for our characters – something that doesn’t always happen when series conclude.

3. Nubs

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

It wasn’t until after I had become fond of the gruff, little blue character in “Young Jedi Adventures” that I discovered he was actually given voice by all clones in the Grand Army of the Republic.

Frequently, characters in children’s shows seem to excel at anything they attempt or always have an overly positive outlook. However, unlike the other Jedi on Tenoo, Nubs is the one who usually manages to persevere even after some failures.

He easily grows frustrated, often makes hasty errors, and can be quite clumsy at times, reminiscent of an inexperienced Jedi youngling. However, he always manages to overcome these issues. Growing up, I was the most accident-prone child in school due to a certain disorder, and if only I had someone like Nubs around to understand me, it would have made a world of difference. As it stands, I find inspiration in him, and he is the driving force behind introducing my nieces and nephew to his series.

4. Amilyn Holdo

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

There’s no question that Laura Dern truly shone as a queen-like figure, embodying Leia Organa’s leadership style in The Last Jedi. Her “Holdo Maneuver,” a memorable moment from the film, has become an iconic scene.

In essence, I’m referring to a different character named Amilyn Holdo, as depicted in Claudia Gray’s novel “Leia, Princess of Alderaan.” This Amilyn is an astrology-obsessed legislator who encourages Princess Leia to take up “skyfaring” – a meditative practice – and accompanies her with striking blue hair during her friend’s investiture as crown princess.

What I admire most about her is her empathy and sensitivity, which Amilyn consistently shows. For instance, when Leia mourns Kier Domadi, Amilyn assists her by taking her skyfaring again. She understands and addresses Leia’s complex emotions effectively. When her older counterpart hears Leia express that she can’t bear any more personal loss, Amilyn replies, “You can handle it. You showed me how.

5. Finn

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

One standout scene in the trailer for The Force Awakens showcased a stormtrooper in distress on a barren world, portrayed by an actor of color. The upcoming trilogy demonstrated greater diversity than any previous Star Wars episodes. Since its debut, it had been clear that one of the narratives would center around a character played by John Boyega.

It’s not just the casting choice that makes Finn interesting. His journey from fearful subservience to strong leadership makes Finn worth watching. His decision to free a Resistance pilot because it’s the right thing to do is a great approach for a stormtrooper, but some of his best moments are when he is caught off-guard by others being more cunning than him. Rey subduing him and Rose stunning him both come to mind.

He’s part of the sweetest bromance with Poe Dameron to grace the galaxy since Han and Luke, but his friendship with various female characters is fraternal to the hilt. And he does it all based on the ethics that awakened from his first battle.

6. Tai

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

In the 2019 comic book series titled “The Rise of Kylo Ren“, three students managed to survive the demolition of Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Temple because they weren’t present when Ben Solo carried out the destruction. Their names are Hennix, Tai, and Voe. With no understanding of what occurred while they were away, they choose to locate Ben instead.

Tai belongs on this list because among the three students, he resembles a young Luke Skywalker the most. Just like Luke, Tai trusts that Ben is not at fault for the disaster and can see the good in him. In contrast to his fellow Jedi students, he believes that Ben isn’t someone who should be pursued; instead, he needs our assistance.

Despite repeated attempts, Tai continues to make efforts to contact Ben. This tenacity reminds us of Luke, who ultimately surrendered to Darth Vader, demonstrating that there was still a glimmer of goodness within him.

7. Grogu

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

Initially, I stepped into “The Mandalorian” with a strong inclination towards favoring the antagonists. However, my allegiance remained with IG-11 throughout most of the first episode. That is, until the emergence of elongated sharp ears in a crucial scene, at which point I found myself vehemently opposed to any misfortune befalling this small character.

It took some time to figure out why I loved Grogu. Yes, Yoda is my favorite character. That means I automatically want to know more about someone who resembles him, but that was merely an introduction. There’s a balance between his trust and dependence on his father figure and the moments in which he takes a little too much initiative. While he has yet to speak a line of dialogue, he has grown and adapted. I want an entire book about his training with Luke and a series of comics just about his years between Order 66 and the fall of the Empire.

8. Qimir

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel the sting of uncertainty when it comes to “The Acolyte” getting cancelled. One of the aspects that leaves me yearning for more is the intriguing narrative surrounding The Stranger, or Qimir, and his enigmatic apprentice, Osha. Although spin-off novels are in the pipeline for certain characters, I’m left hanging on to every shred of information about their eventual fates.

Initially, Qimir played the role of a friendly intermediary for a stronger entity, appearing somewhat clumsy and comical. However, as he started taking charge and directing events, whispers emerged about his potential link to the ominous Force user responsible for Mae’s deadly assignments. By the moment Jecki compelled him to disclose his true identity, many viewers were anticipating this development, and his subsequent actions could have led to an extraordinarily evil outcome.

But it didn’t. Sort of. Instead, we saw a man who looked for a different path, whose philosophies were both manipulative and disturbingly logical. I wrote very passionately about the ways to free Mae from her abusive apprenticeship, but wanted to see what was possible when Osha joined him in the finale. Qimir was very complicated and had a fascinating character arc.

9. Avar Kriss

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

Introducing additional content from the High Republic era opens up opportunities to delve into uncharted realms and untapped possibilities. Following the reestablishment of the Jedi in the original saga, their decline in the prequels, and a Jedi Order in disarray throughout the entire series, the High Republic offers us a glimpse of an almost scattered Jedi Order. The temples are numerous, the bonds between apprentices, knights, and masters can be strange at times, and they face challenges that would have been unimaginable in later periods.

Avar Kriss, as depicted in both books and comics, is a Jedi character who delves into the topic of emotional connections within the Order and their impact on enduring friendships. She stands as a valiant defender of the Jedi, serving first on board and eventually commanding the Starlight Beacon station. Additionally, she displays remarkable empathy when handling the aftermath of the Great Hyperspace Disaster and the confrontation with the Nihil.

Kriss exhibits the traits of a seasoned Jedi Master, deeply committed to preserving life and rectifying injustices. There’s an impression that she might have shared a bond of free thinking with Qui-Gon Jinn.

10. General Hux

10 of the best characters from the last 10 years of Star Wars

Please curb your mockery, will you? General Armitage Hux isn’t typically thought of as a “villain.” He is power-hungry, excessively zealous, and perhaps overly sarcastic for his benefit. Although he bears the title of General, he is certainly not an evil mastermind. As a fan of Harry Potter, I initially found it challenging to see Domhnall Gleeson in any role other than his charming older brother character within that series.

What makes a good villain for me is evolution and internal conflict, and that comes through for General Hux. One of the best scenes in The Force Awakens is his uninterrupted speech about all star systems being designed to bow before the First Order. He is the patriot who scares his colleagues a little with his zealotry, and that is exactly who is needed in the first movie. But he’s humiliated at Starkiller Base, and there’s this resentment-filled decline as Kylo Ren rises. He slinks into less power. When he announced himself as the spy in the First Order, his explanation that “I don’t care if you win. I need Kylo Ren to lose” absolutely tracks with the hatred festering inside the once-powerful man that he has become.

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2024-09-07 20:52

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