Across the wide Star Wars universe, from the films to the animated series, there are so many characters to choose as a favorite. While the likes of Han Solo, Princess Leia, Poe Dameron, and Rey are often among the most cited, there are a plethora of non-human characters that deserve recognition as well.
As the franchise and stories take place all around space on different worlds, there are so many species that contribute to the richness of Star Wars. But many of them have one thing in common: their resistance against tyrannical powers that would see their people taken over.
Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka appeared in the Star Wars: Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels animated series. She became a beloved Jedi Padawan among the fanbase. Apprenticed to Anakin Skywalker, she at first got under the reckless Jedi's skin, but soon their bond grew and became a friendship.
Her time in the clone wars taught her valuable lessons that turned her into a great leader of the rebellion. After clearing her name when framed for a bombing, she turned her back on the Jedi order. But the battle with Darth Vader, her former master, proved heartbreaking.
Kit Fisto
A Nautolan Jedi Master, Kit Fisto proved a fierce combatant in the Galactic Republic's final years. He then went on to become a General in the Clone Wars where he fought in the Battle of Mon Cala and took part in the Mission to Vassek Three.
Eventually, he faced off the infamous Jedi hunter General Grievous and nearly beat him, but ended up barely escaping with his life, and a failed mission. Kit Fisto faced his share of ups and downs, but he always proved he belonged in his place as a warrior.
Garazeb Orrelios
Better known as Zeb, this Lasat rebel was one of the few of his people to escape the destruction of his home planet, leaving him with a deep hatred of the Empire. He became a member of the Lothal rebel cell and took part in many missions and attacks against the Empire.
Zeb's character is the classic, gruff and hardened soldier with a heart of gold. He could be brash and angry, but he always had great compassion. He was even able to make friends with characters he once considered his enemies.
Sebulba
Sebulba is one of those characters the fans love to cheer against. He's an aggressive, cocky, and cheating pod-racer that everyone wants to beat, but no one can. That is, until Anakin comes along.
Even though Sebulba is a skilled pilot, he ensures his way to victory through illegal weapons' enhancements on his vessel and pushing the other pod-racers around. After his loss to Anakin, he eventually becomes a battle-racer in the Clone Wars. He owes the Hutts a great deal of money and pays his debts by robbing the Rebel Alliance supply line.
Admiral Ackbar
No one can forget the iconic line: "It's a trap!" Gial Ackbar serves in several wars throughout the franchise, from the Clone Wars to battle between the First Order and the Resistance. He serves for 60 years as a respected tactician. He's the fleet commander at the Battle of Endor, where the second Death Star is destroyed.
He's usually at the forefront as a symbol of resistance among the nonhumans that the Empire subjugates. Admiral Ackbar is a great representation of what the Star Wars franchise is truly about: resisting despotic overlords.
Chewbacca
Fan-favorite Chewie the Wookiee always followed close behind Han Solo. He was a smuggler, a warrior, a resistance fighter, and every bit as complex as the humans he called his friends and fought beside. No one could forget his iconic communicative sounds that somehow everyone understood.
Chewbacca played an integral role in helping the rebels win against the oppressive governments. Without him, the Resistance would never have succeeded. More than anything, he provided the heart of the team. It was impossible not to love Chewbacca.
The Child
Most often referred to as Baby Yoda but still, without an official name, the Child from the first season of The Mandalorian took the fandom by storm. The ridiculously cute character turned an unquestioning mercenary into the fanbase's favorite father figure.
From eating frogs to messing with Mando's ship, the Child could do no wrong in the audience's eyes. Fans hope to see no harm come to Baby Yoda in the next season of the Disney+ show. They also hope he doesn't turn to the dark side.
Hondo Ohnaka
A pirate and smuggler that sometimes aided the rebellion during the war against the Galactic Empire, Hondo Ohnaka was a scoundrel with a heart of gold. He provided crucial aid and intelligence to the Rebellion when they needed it most.
Although he didn't become part of the Rebels, he always helped them. Later he went straight and opened his business Ohnaka Transport Solutions on Batuu. In this capacity, he assisted the Resistance against the First Order. The Book of Hondo was credited to the famous former pirate captain.
Hera Syndulla
Hera, a Twi'lek from Ryloth, experienced the devastation of the Clone Wars and Galactic Empire first-hand. She grew up with a general father that fought the wars and a brother that died young due to the Empire's havoc on her homeworld.
She trained to become an expert pilot and left her homeland resistance to become part of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. She led a rebellion attack on Lothal that caught the eye of Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader, as well as Senator Bail Organa.
Aayla Secura
The Rutian Twi'lek with Force sensitivity became a Jedi Master that grew into a Jedi General for the Republic's army in the Clone Wars. In the Battle of Geonosis, she helped rescue Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padme.
Unfortunately, she was among the first slain in the execution of Order 66, where Chancellor Palpatine had the Jedi Order slaughtered by their own troopers. But she fought valiantly alongside her fellow soldiers to the bitter end. This secured her place as a fan favorite in the franchise and a respected character in the canon.