Star Wars' Mandalorians are based on a variety of real-life cultures and religions, many of which have their own codes of virtue and ways of the warrior. Ahead of The Mandalorian season 3, which features more live-action Mandalorians than ever before, showrunners Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have shared their creative inspirations for the Mandalorian people. However, they also credit Star Wars creator George Lucas and his original material, as well.
Screen Rant exclusively spoke with Favreau and Filoni ahead of The Mandalorian season 3's premiere, and Favreau in particular spoke to the Expanded Universe inspirations and real-life cultures used to frame the various sects of Mandalorians in the Star Wars galaxy:
"It's somewhat ambiguous. I think we mention things. I think we draw from more than just within Star Wars, because they're a warrior culture. The way of the warrior is bushido, and it's shared by a lot of different cultures, like the Stoics. We wanted to differentiate it from the definitely Eastern-leaning version of the Force and the teaching of the Jedi, and to create something that felt a little bit more rooted in the foundations of a warrior culture. Samurai and Romans and even the Greeks. You see that there are different combinations of more of a Western civilization's spiritual underpinnings. But all of this is following in George's footsteps; he looked at Joseph Campbell and [saw] the commonalities of all religions."
Referencing Lucas' original inspirations from Joesph Campbell and the hero's journey, it's clear that Favreau and Filoni have taken that initial groundwork and greatly expanded upon it. Mandalorian culture and its offshoots are very much a collage of various real-life beliefs, and their way of life and traditions help identify them as an incredibly formidable force of warriors in the Star Wars galaxy.
Star Wars' Mandalorians Are A True Warrior Culture
From the very beginning of The Mandalorian's first season, it wasn't hard to see that Favreau and Filoni wanted to depict Mandalorian culture and its various sects with a massive focus on the warrior's way of life. With particular reference to Din Djarin's Mandalorian clan known as the Children of the Watch, these Mandalorians are not unlike religious zealots, keeping with older practices other Mandalorians may not adhere to and following a strict path they call "The Way." As such, it's very similar to real-life teachings like the bushido code, as referenced by Favreau.
It's also interesting that Favreau speaks to the Mandalorians having a more Western-styled religious mindset, acting as a counter to the Eastern-inspired teachings of the Jedi and the Force. This makes sense considering Star Wars' canonical history when Mandalorians and Jedi were often at odds with each other during the days of the Old Republic. However, the real-life inspirations from warriors such as the Japanese samurai or the Spartans of Ancient Greece are just as compelling.
The Mandalorian season 3 has just scratched the surface of the variations of Mandalorian culture, depicting an induction of a youth into the Children of the Watch. Based on promotional footage, it does seem as though Mandalorians like Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze will be headed for a major conflict between the various sects, implying a clashing of cultures that will need to be navigated in this new Star Wars era.