2023's Top 10 Star Wars Characters: A Year of Memorable Heroes and Villains

Introduction

Star Wars introduced several new characters while bringing back familiar ones in 2023, leading to incredible stories throughout the year. While The Star Wars movies and TV shows generally receive the most attention and praise for their outstanding characters, the books, comics, and video games feature just as many compelling heroes and villains.

Star Wars Rise of the Red Blade Cover

From Jedi to Inquisitors, soldiers to admirals, all kinds of characters had a chance to shine in 2023 across every storytelling medium. However, the year's best characters were the most memorable for their growth, uniqueness, and faithfulness to source material for returning characters.

Each character has a different motivation driving them, contrasting methods for achieving their goals, and distinct traits that keep viewers invested. 10 Star Wars characters embodied these traits the most throughout the year and deserve to be recognized as the best of 2023.

The Top 10 Star Wars Characters of 2023

1. Baylan Skoll - Ahsoka

Baylan Skoll from Ahsoka cast in red and blue

Baylan Skoll was one of Ray Stevenson's last performances before his death and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best of his career. Stevenson's charisma, reserved nature, and physicality elevated a character that was already exceptionally written, making Baylan a perfect Star Wars villain. Baylan's goals are highly intriguing, and his motivations are always understandable, yet he's still a ruthless antagonist. Stevenson may not have had the chance to return for Ahsoka season 2, but fans will always be grateful for his role in season 1 and remember him as the best Star Wars character of 2023.

Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll standing on The Father statue in Ahsoka episode 8

2. Bode Akuna - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Bode Akuna from Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Bode Akuna was the most shocking Star Wars character of 2023, with his villain reveal being the year's most significant twist. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor committed to making Akuna Cal Kestis' friend throughout the game, making his betrayal surprising and devastating. Rather than stop there, the game revealed that Akuna was a former Jedi who could mask his presence in the Force, making his actions especially unforgivable as the game title's double meaning becomes clear. Driven to the dark side to save his daughter, Akuna's death was one of 2023's most tragic Star Wars moments.

A close-up on Bode Akuna as he's standing in the cockpit of the Stinger Mantis in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

3. Grand Admiral Thrawn - Ahsoka

Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) studies the battlefield with Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) in Ahsoka

Ahsoka and the other Mandoverse shows successfully brought several animated Star Wars characters into live-action, but none were as faithful as Grand Admiral Thrawn. Lars Mikkelsen returned to play Thrawn in Ahsoka, making the character's voice, mannerisms, and personality consistent with Star Wars Rebels. Thrawn manages to be intimidating without raising his voice or attacking another character, outsmarting his enemies through strategy and deduction. These traits were highlighted by Thrawn's victory over the heroes, setting up his war with the New Republic in Dave Filoni's Star Wars movie.

Thrawn In Ahsoka Episode 6

Continuation of the Top 10 Star Wars Characters of 2023

4. Avar Kriss - Star Wars: The High Republic - The Eye of Darkness

Star Wars The High Republic Avar Kriss

Jedi Master Avar Kriss only returned for one book in 2023 but played a crucial role in kicking off Phase III of Star Wars: The High Republic. Having gone off on her own for a year, she returns from Nihil space to bring hope to the galaxy while dealing with trauma and an old attachment to a fellow Jedi. Master Kriss is the High Republic era personified, embodying light, life, power, and synergy but with the danger of attachment threatening to cause a downfall. 2023 was the character's best year yet, helping to get the next phase of The High Republic off to an emotionally satisfying start.

5. Cal Kestis - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Cal Kestis in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

Cal Kestis was a wonderful character in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and the developers made him even better in the sequel. His commitment to fighting the Empire and restoring the Jedi Order is admirable, especially after his closest allies chose a different path, and he remains a good man no matter what turns the story takes. Cal is often the group's moral compass, leading to fascinating cutscenes between him and the antagonists, but he gains new wisdom throughout the game. His goals have changed by the end as he carries a new weight on his shoulders, adding complexity to an already great character.

Cal Kestis meeting Jedi Master Eno Cordova in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, with BD-1 on Cordova's shoulder.

6. Tech - Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Season 2

star-wars-bad-batch-tech-death-bad

Because of his high intellect, Tech has always been the most emotionally distant member of the Bad Batch, which made his character arc the most fascinating in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2. His seeming lack of concern over Crosshair's betrayal and Echo's leaving put him into conflict with Omega, bringing him out of his shell and creating a surprisingly heartfelt bond between them. Tech continued to grow and express greater emotional intelligence throughout the season, making it heartbreaking when he chose to sacrifice himself to save the group. As tragic as this moment was, it was a compelling end to Tech's journey throughout the show.