Major Sequel Trilogy Character Makes An Appearance In 'The High Republic' Series

Star Wars: The High Republic is a canon multimedia project released in 2021, which covers the High Republic Era, almost two hundred years prior to the events of The Phantom Menace. It was the golden age of the Jedi Order and the Republic. The threat from the Sith and the Dark Side was non-existent. The Jedi flourished as they traveled through the galaxy, aiding those in need. This was unlike the Jedi of the Prequel Trilogy, who were mostly sequestered in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. One of the projects within this era is The High Republic Adventures comic book series published by IDW. Aimed at younger readers, the series follows a group of Padawans travelling the galaxy under the watchful eye of Master Yoda. The recent issue, #9 of the series, brings excitement to readers as we see the appearance of a certain popular character from the Sequel Trilogy. It has already been established that Master Yoda was one of the main characters in the series. However, he became one with the Force in Return of the Jedi, and only appeared as a Force spirit in the Sequel Trilogy. Who else could be around during the High Republic era who was still alive almost 268 years later into the time of the sequel trilogy?

The previous issue had teased an appearance of this character when the villainous Nihil attacked the planet of Takodana. Does the name ring a bell for anyone yet? After all, only a certain “pirate queen” has been maintaining a quaint castle on this planet for centuries.

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In Issue #9, the Padawan learners headed for the lush forest planet of Takodana to assist the lone Jedi defending the local Jedi temple against the Nihils. However, one of the protagonists, the Aloxian Qort, has a history with this forest planet. Apparently baby Qort was left at the doorstep of Maz Kanata. She would raise him before he left for his Jedi training.

Maz Kanata’s castle has a reputation as a refuge for pirates, smugglers, and bounty hunters. For a price, Kanata would offer credits, equipment, and connections to aid in their jobs. When we saw her in The Force Awakens, Maz presented herself as the benevolent overseer of her own version of “a wretched hive of scum and villainy.” She was probably one of the first people to nudge Rey on the path to become a Jedi. Despite her kind demeanor, we all know that she did not earn the title “pirate queen” from pleasantries alone. All manners of smugglers and bounty hunters laid down their differences temporarily out of respect for her and the roof she provided over their heads.

With the upcoming conflict on Takodana, we hope to see Maz Kanata in a more combative role. Could we see her utilize all the weapons built into her castle? How would the charming character fare in a fight? Did she prefer sniping from afar or would she rather meet her opponent up close and personal in hand-to-hand combat? As a Force-sensitive who is not a Jedi, would we see her use the Force in some unconventional ways that have not been seen before?

It was a joy to see the sweet and charming Maz Kanata in the High Republic era. From The Force Awakens, Han had informed us that she has been around for “a thousand years.” We all thought he was just exaggerating once again. This made her role in the Sequel Trilogy even more profound. She represented the wisdom gathered through all the years from the relatively peaceful High Republic era, through the Clone Wars to the fall of the Republic and the Jedi. She had survived the oppressive Imperial regime, seen the rebuilding of the New Republic, and the unfortunate rise of the First Order. Furthermore, her being in the High Republic era opens up opportunities for her to appear in other upcoming Star Wars media.

READ NEXT: How The High Republic Jedi Handled Older Force-Sensitive Students

Source(s): CBR

Written by Apinya Wong

Syndicated from Culture Slate

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