The highly anticipated Kenobi is just weeks away and fans are buzzing about the live-action debut of some iconic animated characters. Numerous characters who originated in animation have been brought into Star Wars live-action family in recent years and many who made the jump have made a significant impact.
The first Star Wars cartoon was an animated short attached to the 1978 Holiday Special, and since then fans have been treated to Droids, Ewoks, 2 Different Clone Wars shows, Rebels, and more. Many of these characters have become as beloved as the core film characters, but which of them are the best?
Saw Gerrera
The Onderon-born Gerrera was introduced as a young fighter in the 2008 Clone Wars program. He was trained by the Jedis Obi-Wan and Anakin, and soon the Onderonians turned the tide of the war on their planet.
Later, he appeared in Jedi: Fallen Order and Rebels as a key fighter in the rebellion, though seen as an extremist on both sides. Forrest Whitaker portrayed him in his final chronological appearance in the 2016 film Rogue One, where he met his end when the Death Star fired on Jedha.
The Fifth Brother
The Fifth Brother of the Inquisitorious was introduced in Rebels, though his design was based on an unused concept from The Force Awakens. He was sent by Darth Vader to assist imperials during the siege of Seelos, where the Lothal rebels has fled.
The Fifth Brother is confirmed to be appearing in the upcoming Kenobi live-action series. He will be portrayed by Sung Kang who is best known as the fan-favorite character Han from the Fast and the Furious series.
General Grievous
Grievous was first introduced in the low legends 2003 Clone Wars show by Genndy Tartakovsky. Once a humanoid, he had to be reconstructed as a cyborg after being severely injured. Later Mace Windu crushed his lungs, leading to Grievous' recognizable wheezing and coughing.
After the death of Dooku, General Grievous became the leader of the separatists in Revenge of the Sith. He met his demise on Utapau at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi, shortly after the hello there/General Kenobi exchange, which has become a famous meme.
Rex
CT-7567 was a clone of Jango Fett and was a commander introduced in the 2008 Clone Wars film and show. As second in command to Anakin Skywalker, he was one of the most frequently appearing characters in the show.
Rex became a fan favorite and also appeared in The Bad Batch and Rebels, where he grew a recognizable thick white beard. He was retroactively confirmed by Galaxy of Adventures to be the rebel soldier with the same facial hair in Return of the Jedi.
Bo-Katan Kryze
Mandalorian warrior Bo-Katar first appeared in 2008's Clone Wars as a member of Death Watch and The Nite Owls. She opposed her sister's pacifist views and believed Mandalores should embrace their warrior heritage.
She was voiced in the show by Katee Sackhoff, who later reprised the role in the live-action show The Mandalorian. As before she sought the darksaber needed to rule Mandalore. Din Djarin earned the saber instead, setting up a possible clash between the two.
The Grand Inquisitor
After serving as a Jedi Temple guard, this unnamed male from Utapau turned to the dark side after order 66. He soon became head of the Emperor's Inquisitorious Jedi hunters and he hunted and killed numerous Jedis.
He later crossed paths with the characters of Rebels, where he first appeared, although a character in Clone Wars was later retconned to be him. Rupert Friend is set to appear as The Grand Inquisitor in the upcoming Kenobi show, where his recognizable head shape was controversially redesigned.
Cad Bane
Hailing from planet Zuro, Cad Bane was considered the best Bounty Hunter of his time. Debuting in 2008's Clone Wars, he dueled with many of the strongest Jedis, including Obi-Wan and Anakin. He was hired numerous times by Darth Sideous and Jabba the Hutt.
Bane made his live-action debut in The Book of Boba Fett with a dramatic Western-style introduction. He was seemingly killed by Boba Fett, but the light on his suit indicated to fans that he was still alive.
Boba Fett
Boba Fett himself was first introduced in animation, as well. Though many fans think he debuted in The Empire Strikes Back, his first appearance actually came in the 1978 Holiday Special cartoon where he rode what may be a mythosaur and tricked Han Solo and Chewbacca.
Boba Fett has by far the most live-action screentime of any animation-originating character. He had major roles in three of the films, was added to the special edition of A New Hope, and appeared in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Originally portrayed by Jeremy Bullock, he is now played by Temuera Morrison.
Ahsoka Tano
When Ahsoka Tano was first introduced as Anakin Skywalker's apprentice in the Clone Wars film and TV shows, she was quite unpopular with fans. A very young character at the time, she was seen as being annoying.
But as the series progressed, fans watched as the character grew and matured into a fan favorite, even taking a stand against the Jedi Order's false accusations. After also appearing as Rebels, she came to the live-action fold through The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Portrayed by Rosario Dawson, she is set to star in her own show soon.