During the reign of the Empire in the Star Wars saga, several Force-sensitive children were born that constituted future generations of the Force. Throughout the main periods of the Star Wars timeline that have been explored predominantly in film and TV, the prequel era included the most Jedi. During the prequel trilogy, the Jedi Order was at an incredibly powerful stage despite the rising threat of the dark side that will be explored in upcoming Star Wars TV shows like The Acolyte.
However, given that the prequels explored the rise of the Empire, what followed was a period of relative absence for the Jedi. The reign of the Empire saw Force-sensitives hunted down, reduced by the thousands from the waning days of the Republic. Despite this genocide, several Force-sensitives were born during the Dark Times as explored in stories like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. While upcoming Star Wars movies will explore the Force-sensitive people destined to continue the Jedi Order after the sequel trilogy, there were multiple powerful individuals born during the Empire’s reign that impacted the Star Wars franchise more than anyone.
6 Luke Skywalker
Son of Anakin Skywalker & Padmé Amidala
Undoubtedly the most influential Force-sensitive born during the Empire’s reign in Star Wars is Luke Skywalker. As is known from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Luke Skywalker was born two days after the Empire’s formation. The stress of Padmé Amidala’s encounter with her husband Anakin after the latter’s fall to the dark side saw her go into labor. Her children, one being Luke, were then born a day later shortly before Padmé’s tragic death. As explored in the original Star Wars trilogy, Luke Skywalker grew up to become the hero of the Rebel Alliance.
While his childhood was mostly spent in solitude on the planet of Tatooine, Luke eventually was trained in the Jedi arts by Obi-Wan Kenobi, which would see him dubbed one of Star Wars’ Bokken Jedi after Ahsoka. After destroying the Death Star, seeking out Jedi Master Yoda, and learning the truth about his heritage as the son of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker eventually became a true Jedi Master and ended the Emperor’s reign of terror over the galaxy. As such, one of the Force-sensitive children born during the Dark Times of the Star Wars galaxy fittingly went on to abolish the Empire, becoming a true Master in the process.
5 Leia Organa
Daughter Of Anakin Skywalker & Padmé Amidala
Another incredibly important Force-sensitive child born during the Empire’s reign was Leia Organa, As is known from Star Wars’ prequel and original trilogies, Leia is Luke’s twin sister. Leia was born seconds after Luke, making her the youngest of the twins. After their birth, Obi-Wan and Yoda opted to split them up to protect them from the Empire which led Leia to be adopted by Bail Organa of Alderaan. Eventually, Leia’s Force powers became clear during the events of the original trilogy from her sensing of Luke in danger during The Empire Strikes Back to the Force subtly imbuing her with the knowledge of her heritage and memories of Padmé.
Just as Luke was vital to the Rebel Alliance, so too was Princess Leia. From leading the Rebellion covertly until the destruction of Alderaan to openly leading at the Battle of Endor and founding the New Republic, Leia’s importance to the Skywalker saga almost rivals her brother’s. Regardless of their influence on the Star Wars story, Leia being born alongside Luke during the reign of the Empire solidified them as the future of the Force after the prequel era. This was furthered when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker revealed that Leia received Jedi training from Luke, further proving her aptitude for the Force.
4 Ezra Bridger
Kanan Jarrus’ Jedi Padawan
Another Force-sensitive individual born during the Empire’s reign was Ezra Bridger. First introduced in Star Wars Rebels before going on to appear in live-action properties like Ahsoka, Ezra Bridger was born a day before Luke and Leia. As such, Ezra was born on Empire Day, the same day on which the Empire’s formation was officially announced by Palpatine. In the years preceding the original trilogy, Ezra was trained by a Jedi named Kanan Jarrus. This led Ezra to directly oppose the Empire, fighting against enemies like Darth Vader and Grand Admiral Thrawn, even coming into conflict with Palpatine himself by the time of Star Wars Rebels season 4.
Ezra’s survival into the New Republic Era after Ahsoka means he is another Force-sensitive child born during the Empire’s reign that has outlasted the fascistic organization. Like Luke and Leia, Ezra being born during the Dark Times proves how many important Star Wars heroes managed to rise beneath the Empire’s oppression. As has been seen with Ezra’s journey throughout Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka, the list does not stop with young Bridger.
3 Pypey
Hunted By The Inquisitors
Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 10 was named “The Future of the Force.” This episode centered on the Ghost crew tracking down Inquisitors who were being sent to search for Force-sensitive children across the galaxy. One of these children was an Ithorian named Pypey whom the cast of Star Wars Rebels protect throughout the episode. The revelation that the Empire is targeting Force-sensitive children born during the Dark Times spurs the Ghost crew into protecting more of these young, powerful individuals on their journeys.
2 Alora
Hunted By The Inquisitors
Another of the Force-sensitive children focused on in Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 10 was a human baby named Alora. Alora was one of the children the Inquisitors were targeting in the Dark Times and was taken from her family during the cold open for the episode. Later, Alora was found and saved by the Ghost crew alongside Pypey. While Alora was only an infant, it was clear that she had Force abilities given the Emperor’s focus on targeting such children. Where Alora went after Star Wars Rebels remains to be seen, yet her Force powers likely manifested fully during the era of the New Republic
1 Kata Akuna
Daughter Of Bode Akuna
The 2023 video game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor introduced a former Jedi named Bode Akuna. The character was the antagonist of the story due to his desire to protect his young daughter, Kata. Given that Jedi: Survivor takes place in 9 BBY, during the midst of the Empire’s reign, it is safe to assume that Kata – who is presented as around five years old – was born during the Dark Times. As her father was Force-sensitive, Kata likely holds burgeoning Force abilities that may be explored in future Star Wars Jedi installments, making her another Force-sensitive individual born during Star Wars‘ Dark Times as the Imperial regime smothered the galaxy.
