The Mandalorian has continued to show evidence that fan favorite Baby Yoda is the true Chosen One of the Star Wars franchise. While the little green creature's role in the series' greater mythology is still unclear, his possible ascension to the title would bring about a major status quo shift and forever alter what's known of the galaxy, especially since Anakin Skywalker has always been long-considered its savior.
However, it seems that with each passing chapter of the popular Disney+ series, Ani's hold on his status as the universe's sole Chosen One grows more and more tenuous, especially given the revelations of The Mandalorian season 2, episode 5, "Chapter 13: The Jedi." In an installment that marks the highly anticipated live-action debut of Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson), Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) finally connects with the former Jedi Knight (once Anakin's Padawan). Ahsoka gives the titular Mandalorian information about Baby Yoda, including his real name, which turns out to be Grogu. Connecting with Grogu via Force-enabled telepathy, Ahsoka relays some of the child's memories, which involve his training in the ways of the Jedi on Coruscant before being hidden away after the fall of the Jedi Order, managing to avoid the Empire's detection by concealing his prodigious abilities.
On a sheer narrative level, the little that's known of Grogu's origins and life fall neatly into the trappings of a traditional Chosen One story, a convention broadly defined by a figure whose inherent powers are solely capable of resolving conflict. And while Anakin has been long-touted as the only prophesied "Chosen One" in Star Wars canon, it is becoming increasingly possible that Baby Yoda is giving him a run for his money. Here's the evidence.
Baby Yoda Was Born The Same Year As Anakin Skywalker
In The Mandalorian season 1, episode 1, "Chapter 1: The Mandalorian," the Client (Warner Herzog) sets Din Djarin on his fateful mission of collecting an asset who he describes as being 50 years old. If this is indeed Baby Yoda's age, it would mean he was born in 41 BBY - the same year in which Anakin Skywalker was born. While it is possible that the Client's information was wrong (or he was rounding Grogu's age up or down to a square number), it seems unlikely that Jon Favreau and his team would choose to have the child born in such an important year without exploring the connections between the original Chosen One and the green, big-eared infant.
This development is reminiscent of a similar prophecy made in the Harry Potter series, which puts up both the Boy Who Lived and Neville Longbottom as candidates for Chosen One because they were both born in July to parents who thrice defied Voldemort. It is certainly possible that their shared birth year will similarly play into both Anakin and Baby Yoda's connection and affinity with the Force. The idea that Anakin and Grogu are somehow connected or two parts of the same whole is also conducive to the larger Star Wars mythos, so often featuring pairs - Master and Padawan, light and dark, Rebellion and Empire, and Force Dyads.
Baby Yoda, Like Anakin, Is Drawn to Both the Light and Dark
In Star Wars: The Clone Wars' compelling "Mortis Arc," Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka are brought before the enigmatic Son, Daughter, and Father who represent the dark side, the light side, and the balance between them, respectively. During the episodes, the Father attempts to recruit Anakin to take his place, citing his role as Chosen One and the necessity of both the light and dark in the galaxy. Given these remarks, it is assumed that Anakin's ability to tap into both sides of the Force help him fulfill his destiny and a necessary characteristic for the universe's savior.
However, Grogu's appearances on The Mandalorian have also confirmed Baby Yoda can - unconsciously or not - tap into both his light and dark natures, as well. Of course, Baby Yoda's ability to Force heal (used on Greef Karga) is an incredibly rare skill typically to the light side (although The Star Wars Book interestingly links it to Force Dyads). However, he has also been seen Force-choking poor Cara Dune, indicating an ability to tap into darker, more violent tendencies on occasion. Citing Grogu's "fear" and "anger," Ahsoka will later refuse to train him, warning "I've seen what such feelings can do to a fully trained Jedi Knight." This comparison to Anakin might end up being another clue to the Child's larger role and his own struggle with maintaining balance as he inches closer to fulfilling a Chosen One destiny.
Baby Yoda is Also Confirmed to Have a High "M-Count"
In The Mandalorian season 2, episode 4, "Chapter 12: The Siege," Din Djarin and company intercept a hologram from Dr. Pershing (who collected blood samples from the child in season 1) who seemingly confirms Baby Yoda's affinity for the Force, saying, "I highly doubt we'll find a donor with a higher M-count." Introduced in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, midi-chlorians refer to microscopic organisms which are present in all living beings and, generally speaking, should large quantities of midi-chlorians be present in a creature's blood, he or she will have greater potential to wield the force. Anakin Skywalker, who surpassed even the likes of Master Yoda, was confirmed to have an "M-count" of 20,000. While Grogu's official count is yet to be revealed (and it is still unclear as to how many Force-sensitive beings there are left to compare it to), the confirmation of his formidable potential could end up being a major clue that he is an alternate candidate for Chosen One.
Grogu Was Hidden Away
During her psychic correspondence with Baby Yoda, Ahsoka tells Din Djarin "He was hidden. Someone took him from the temple then his memory becomes...dark. He seemed lost. Alone." The Chosen One being hidden away or otherwise sidelined is often a narrative staple, allowing them arise from a sort of stasis before beginning their journeys toward greatness. Consider figures like Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender who spends a century in the iceberg before being awakened by Katara and Sokka. Or Harry Potter who is forced into a mundane life on Privet Drive before entering into the Wizarding World. Or Jon Snow who is labeled a bastard despite being the true heir to the Iron Throne. There is precedence even in the Star Wars universe, as Luke Skywalker begins his heroic journey living a humble life on Tatooine without knowledge of his lineage. Anakin Skywalker himself is introduced as a slave living in poverty and obscurity. It is possible that The Mandalorian has been playing upon this trope with the Child from his very first appearance.
Did Anakin Really Restore Balance?
With the return of Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker despite his apparent demise in Return of the Jedi, some fans were skeptical if Anakin actually fulfilled the prophecy at all. After all, Palpatine's survival would technically mean that the Sith was still undefeated before Rey's assist at the end of Star Wars' most recent cinematic entry. This can be rationalized by considering a peaceful span of years enjoyed by the universe between the original and most recent trilogies, but as most episodes of The Mandalorian showcase, things were far from ok in the galaxy after Return of the Jedi.
Then there is the argument that, if Anakin was truly meant to the galaxy's enforcer of balance, he didn't do the best job of it, having spent much of his later life (to paraphrase Yoda) consumed by the dark side. By contrast, Baby Yoda has not yet succumbed to either side of the Force - at least not yet. However, it appears as though the child will soon be tested, since Ahsoka prompts Din Djarin to take him to a seeing stone on the planet Tyhon, where he may finally "choose his path." With that adventure imminent, fans are surely wondering if Baby Yoda will choose the light, the dark, or - if he really is the Chosen One - both.
Ultimately, it is possible that - as with so much in the Star Wars mythology - further complications will arise and expand what's known of The Chosen One prophecy, perhaps allowing for more than one to exist in the universe over the many decades. After all, in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Anakin calls out to Rey in her climactic fight with Palpatine, saying, "Bring back the balance, Rey, as I did," alluding to the fact that saving the universe is not dependent on one hero alone. In a galaxy preoccupied with of the cyclical conflict of its light and dark forces, there will always be a need for someone exceptional - like Anakin and like Rey - to pick up the torch and negotiate the difficult balancing act. Maybe The Mandalorian is simply detailing the adventures of another Chosen One - this time, diminutive and green - whose own journey will soon be the stuff of Star Wars legend.