Spoiler alert: This article spoils parts of Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi.From familiar figures such as Ahsoka Tano and Qui-Gon Jinn to new faces such as Pav-Ti and Senator Dagonet, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi features a slew of compelling characters. The new series proves there is still more intriguing questions and new stories to explore in the galaxy far, far away with many of the best characters from the prequel era.
Each episode adds more nuance to existing characters from the saga while also developing its new characters. So how likable are each of these characters in Tales of the Jedi, regardless of how likable (or unlikable) they are outside the series.
10 Senator Dagonet
While Senator Dagonet lives a life of luxury and comfort from the capital of his planet, he allows his people to suffer, doing nothing to help them or their villages. The situation is so dire that the only way the planet's citizens can get Dagonet's attention is by kidnapping his son, who is horrified to learn how his father is neglecting his people.
When Dagonet arrives at one of the villages, he and his guards openly attack, injure and even kill his suffering people. Not only is Dagonet a neglectful leader, but he is a cruel and vindictive one. He believes himself superior to everyone, including the Jedi. Dagonet is unlikable to the point that the audience can almost condone Dooku Force-choking him.
9 Darth Sidious/Palpatine
After seeing how much Dooku cared about being a Jedi, defending the innocent, and rooting out corruption and injustice in the earlier episodes, it is heartbreaking to see Darth Sidious/Palpatine manipulating Dooku into following the ways of the Sith and the Dark Side. Palpatine took the traits and values that made Dooku such a unique and exceptional Jedi and twisted them for his own gain.
Palpatine doesn't even trust Dooku or appreciate everything Dooku has done for him, which is clear when he immediately accuses Dooku of betraying him when Yaddle reveals herself. Palpatine convinces Dooku that he needs to kill Yaddle to prove his loyalty. Between Palpatine's role in turning Dooku to the Dark Side and his role in the death of Yaddle, Palpatine is unlikable and at the peak of his villainy in the single episode in which he appears.
8 Mace Windu
From Mace Windu's best quotes to his most iconic scenes, the Jedi is most well-known for being a legendary warrior and being a rule follower who does things by the book. His penchant for being a rule follower makes him rather unlikable on the mission he undertakes with Dooku as he prioritizes the rules over pursuing the truth and saving lives.
Windu is rewarded for following the rules and is given the Jedi Council seat that belonged to the deceased Master Katri. It is heavily suggested that Windu cared more about following protocol so he could inherit Master Katri's seat than he did about finding out the truth about what happened to Katri or addressing the underlying issues that led to Katri's death.
7 Dooku
Between the prequels and The Clone Wars, fans are used to seeing Dooku as a pure villain. Building on the work that Cavan Scott did in his audio drama Dooku: Jedi Lost, it is fascinating to see Dooku as a Jedi who cares deeply about others, particularly when it comes to Qui-Gon Jinn and those being oppressed across the galaxy. The pride and gratitude he feels toward Qui-Gon is heartwarming. The empathy he feels toward the oppressed and the measures he takes to defend them are inspiring.
Seeing the corruption and neglect in the Jedi Order and among the Republic Senate is alarming, and it is disheartening to see others dismissing or overlooking these concerns. If this was a different story, Dooku would be the hero as he is one of the few individuals willing to address these issues. However, in true villain fashion, Dooku becomes too extreme in his desperation to solve these problems, which culminates in the unforgivable murder of Yaddle.
6 Anakin Skywalker
Anakin comes off as a bit harsh in Tales of the Jedi as he nearly pushes Ahsoka to her breaking point. Yet, Anakin shouldn't be faulted for this as he is only trying to teach Ahsoka how to better protect herself in ways that the Jedi Order doesn't teach her.
While Anakin doesn't yet know this, the ways in which he pushed Ahsoka in this series ultimately give her the tools and training she needs to survive Order 66. Sometimes a lesson does not stick unless a teacher truly pushes their students and in this case, it absolutely pays off as Anakin's teaching help save Ahsoka's life down the line.
5 Rex
Just like Anakin, Rex pushes Ahsoka to her limits in the "Practice Makes Pefect" episode, but it is all because he wants to help her. He demonstrates concern the first time she is stunned, but he takes an active role in Ahsoka's test and training, determined to help her expand her abilities.
He shares genuine pride and encouragement with her as she improves, once again solidifying the strength of their bond. The end of the episode shows Rex referencing this training during the Siege of Mandalore episodes, showing how his belief in Ahsoka and his bond with her never wavered.
4 Pav-Ti
The first episode "Life and Death" features more new characters than any other episode, with baby Ahsoka being the only previously established character. Out of all the new faces, Ahsoka's mother Pav-Ti is the most likable. Pav-Ti has a close bond with Ahsoka that is evident as she travels, hunts, and talks with baby Ahsoka.
There is a sweet tenderness to her, and her love for Ahsoka is palpable, but she is also unafraid to begin teaching Ahsoka important lessons about life and death. The character work with Pav-Ti makes the audience more invested when Ahsoka is taken from her. This raises the stakes as the audience knows Ahsoka will be fine, but doesn't know how the story will play out for Pav-Ti.
3 Qui-Gon Jinn
Tales of the Jedi depicts Qui-Gon at different points in his life, beginning when he is a Padawan to Dooku and then later as the Jedi Master who informs the Jedi Council of encountering a Sith Lord (Darth Maul) on Tatooine. Qui-Gon is likable in both of these instances.
As a Padawan, he shares the compassion of Master Dooku, but he also has the levelheadedness and wisdom to free Senator Dagonet's son as a way of defusing the situation between Dooku and Dagonet. Qui-Gon is equally levelheaded and wise when he is briefly reunited with Dooku years later.
2 Yaddle
Voiced by The Mandalorian director and movie star Bryce Dallas Howard, Yaddle steals the show in "The Sith Lord" episode. It is the most thorough exploration yet of Yaddle in a canon story and the first time hearing her speak in a movie or television series. Yaddle is the only Jedi toward the end of Dooku's time with the Order who recognizes the internal battle he is wrestling with and who tries to help him.
Yaddle puts herself at risk and even loses her life through trying to help Dooku. She is seemingly the last one to believe in him and to try and make him see that he is still capable of good. This makes it all the more tragic when Yaddle is killed at the hands of Dooku.
1 Ahsoka Tano
Through all three of her episodes, Ahsoka proves to be the most likable character in Tales of the Jedi. It's impossible to dislike the adorable baby Ahsoka who brings so much joy to her family and fellow Togrutas, along with being able to use the Force to calm and connect with a creature initially seen as savage.
She is just as likable as a Jedi eager to do her best and make herself and her teachers proud. The audience also feels deep sympathy for Ahsoka as she attends Padmé Amidala's funeral where she mourns the loss of both Padmé and Anakin, and is later inspired to defend the innocent from an Inquisitor and rededicate herself to protecting the galaxy.