Boba Fett is not an official Mandalorian in The Book of Boba Fett, but he should be, given his characterization. The fan-favorite bounty hunter from the original Star Wars trilogy led the franchise to create an entire warrior culture to explain his iconic armor. In the Legends continuity, Boba Fett was a Mandalorian Journeyman Protector and later the Mand’alor, but the post-2014 canon continuity has inconsistently depicted Boba and Jango Fett as Mandalorians until The Mandalorian cleared things up. Given Boba Fett’s characterization in canon, he should eventually follow his Legends counterpart and join the Mandalorians in an official capacity.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars initially stated that the canon version of Jango Fett (and by extension, Boba Fett) was not a Mandalorian, but rather a common bounty hunter who wore their iconic armor. The Mandalorian season 2 later retconned this by having Boba Fett explain to Din Djarin that Jango Fett was a foundling and a veteran of the Mandalorian Civil Wars, indicating that details from the Legends-era comic, Jango Fett: Open Seasons were part of the canon timeline as well. Boba Fett, however, deviates from his original incarnation, stating outright that he doesn’t consider himself a Mandalorian, despite wearing his father’s armor.

Related: How Star Wars Canon Changed Boba Fett's Mandalorian Background

For much of Boba Fett’s canon history, he was an unscrupulous bounty hunter, taking jobs for some of the Star Wars galaxy’s most ruthless villains, including the Sith Lord Darth Vader, and the crime syndicate leader, Jabba the Hutt. For a time, Boba Fett had a little-to-no sense of ethics, taking whatever job he was given and killing or capturing his quarry, motivated only by his payment. By the events of The Book of Boba Fett, however, Fett has changed significantly, resolving to rule the remnants of Jabba’s criminal empire with respect and honor instead of fear and brutality. With this in mind, Fett may be better suited to a leadership role in a Mandalorian clan than commanding a crime syndicate.

Boba Fett aiming a blaster in The Mandalorian season 2

The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and The Mandalorian have shown numerous Mandalorian warriors, with most being members of the Death Watch terrorist group. While some Mandalorian warriors are altruistic, like the heroic Sabine Wren and the reluctant Din Djarin, most are like Bo-Katan Kryze, a murderous and opportunistic would-be leader whose sole motivation is installing herself on Mandalore’s throne. Kryze has shown no remorse for the murder of innocent villagers in The Clone Wars, only helps Djarin if it suits her goals of ruling Mandalore, and often only sides with the heroes due to a common enemy.

Although Boba Fett has committed numerous sordid actions as a bounty hunter (his torturous interrogation and execution of a moisture farmer in Marvel’s canon Star Wars comics, for instance) he’s changed significantly by the events of The Book of Boba Fett and his dialogue in The Mandalorian season 2 indicates significant remorse for his past brutality. Similar to the Legends version of Jaster Mereel, Boba Fett may have become a more merciful and ethical person partially out of guilt.

The simple fact that Boba Fett is a principled leader who treats allies and enemies alike with respect makes him worthy of the Mandalorian ways, even if he expressed disinterest in being affiliated with the culture before. Boba Fett may gradually learn that his honorable style of leadership is not well-suited to the life of a crime lord, and in this case, he may truly join the Mandalorians at some point in the canon timeline. Making Boba Fett a true Mandalorian at some point in The Book of Boba Fett would be a satisfying way to connect him to both his revered father and complete his redemption arc.

Next: Boba Fett Isn't Really A Villain (& Clone Wars Proved That)

The Book of Boba Fett releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+

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