Star Wars Canon Characters: Unpacking The Legacies

Within the vast universe of Star Wars, the distinction between what is considered canon and what belongs to the Legends series is a complex subject. This article aims to demystify the criteria and guide you through the nuanced landscape of characters who belong in the Disney Canon and those who are Legends.

Understanding The Canon

The Disney Canon comprises all films, in-universe television shows, and official books, comics, and video games that have been sanctioned by Lucasfilm and Disney. This collection serves as the foundation for the Main Canon, where all the Legends characters and events are considered to have happened outside of this accepted canon.

Canon Characters

Let’s explore some of the most prominent canon characters from the films and series:

Film Characters

Admiral Anakin Skywalker (An original trilogy, Clone Wars, The Rise of Skywalker) Marshall Raiss (Luke) (original trilogy, Rogue One, The Rise of Skywalker) Misella Leia Organa (original trilogy, Rogue One, The Rise of Skywalker) Rey (The Force Awakens, The Rise of Skywalker) Hangman Hux (The Force Awakens, The Rise of Skywalker) Rosie (The Force Awakens, The Rise of Skywalker)

Legends Novels, Comics, and Games

The Legends series, which predates the Disney purchases of the franchise, includes various novels, comics, and video games. Characters from these source materials are no longer considered part of the official canon, though they continue to hold significance in the broader fanbase. Notable Legends characters include:

Mara Jade (novels, comics) Darth Nihilus (novels, comics) Cade Skywalker (novels) Talon Karrde (novels, comics) Kyle Katarn (novels, comics) Naomi Sunrider (comics)

Canon Beyond Films

In addition to the films, several other media fall under the Disney Canon:

TV Shows

Star Wars: Rebels (Seasons 1-3) Star Wars: The Clone Wars (all seasons) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Seasons 1-3) Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett (Season 1) Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi (miniseries)

Comic Series

Here are some comic series that are considered canon:

Star Wars: Darth Vader (IDW comics) Star Wars: Ahsoka (Image Comics) Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (Marvel Comics) Star Wars: Sana Starros (Marvel Comics) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (comics)

Video Games

Recent video games that fall under the Disney Canon include:

Star Wars: Battlefront II (original characters) Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order Star Wars: The Prisoner Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Star Wars: Battlefront

Conclusion

The distinction between canon and Legends is a crucial part of navigating the Star Wars universe. For those who are dedicated fans, understanding these criteria can help in fully appreciating the richness and depth of the Main Canon. The Legends series, while not part of the official history, continues to provide a rich and engrossing alternative timeline for the ever-growing Star Wars fan base.