Star Wars: The High Republic has introduced over 100 new Jedi to the Star Wars franchise over the last two years. The High Republic transmedia initiative has produced multiple novels, comics, audio plays, an animated kids TV show, and soon, a live-action Disney+ show. Together, all of these stories chronicle the trials and dangers the Jedi Order faced at the height of its power around 200 years before the events of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The High Republic’s storytelling has become so vast over the last two years that it has also begun to influence more mainstream, Empire-era Star Wars projects, with the High Republic’s history being a major plot point in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, too.
Anyone looking to learn more about the Jedi Order and those who practice its teachings would do well to dive into the High Republic. Before Light of the Jedi, the novel by Charles Soule which kickstarted the entirety of the High Republic, was published, the High Republic was a largely unexplored era of the Jedi’s history. While one or two characters from this era will be familiar to those who have immersed themselves in Star Wars before (Yoda has a minor role in The High Republic’s story), there are plenty of other Jedi to discover and learn from, too. More than ever introduced in any other Star Wars era, in fact.
Star Wars: The High Republic Has Introduced 100 New Jedi
Star Wars: The High Republic has led to the creation of over 100 new Jedi in the Star Wars franchise. This was confirmed in Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia, a reference book written by Amy Richau and Megan Crouse. The franchise introducing this many new Jedi now is no surprise – after all, the High Republic era encompasses around 400 years of storytelling, between 500BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) – 100BBY.
New characters include Jedi Padawans like Reath Silas and Bell Zettifar, Bell’s friend, the Wookiee Jedi Burryaga, one of the youngest Jedi ever to be knighted, Vernestra Rwoh (who is soon to make her live-action debut in The Acolyte), Jedi Masters Avar Kriss, Stellan Gios, Elzar Mann, and Loden Greatstorm, the Wayseeker Orla Jareni, and many, many more. Through these new characters, readers can gain a better understanding of how the Jedi dealt with their personal lives, learn more about certain Jedi’s unique abilities, and discover cool new weapons, like Vernestra’s lightsaber whip.
This Truly Is The Golden Age Of The Jedi
The High Republic truly represents a Golden Age, both within the story itself and for the audience diving into it. The High Republic era is often referred to as the Golden Age of the Jedi. During this period, the Jedi were at the height of their power. The Order was open and accessible, its members helping to discover and chart the galaxy, reaching out to unknown and distant worlds. It also permitted some of its members to find their own paths by allowing them to become Wayseekers – those who are not beholden to the will of the Jedi Council but follow where the Force leads them instead. During this time, the Jedi were ideal representatives of the light, fighting the darkness wherever it may strike.
For audiences, similarly, The High Republic represents a new Golden Age of Star Wars storytelling. Never before has the history of the Star Wars timeline been so extensively and meticulously recorded. Readers not only learn more about the Jedi and the threats they faced while delving into The High Republic, but also how their actions during that time may have affected the Jedi from the Star Wars prequel era. There’s so much to read, watch, and listen to. All in all, Star Wars: The High Republic has likely changed how Star Wars approaches its storytelling forever.
