The High Republic's Legendary Heroes Make Their Long-Awaited Star Wars TV Premiere

Article Overview

The animated series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures has introduced popular High Republic-era Jedi characters Loden Greatstorm, Bell Zettifar, and Estala Maru.

Scott Cavin, a prominent architect of the High Republic era, penned the episode that showcased the first appearance of Bell and Loden, emphasizing their roles as mentors.

The introduction of these characters on television has the potential to establish a standard for the presence of High Republic Jedi in other Star Wars series, including The Acolyte.

Three of the most notable Jedi from the High Republic era have finally made their long-awaited debut in new episodes of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. This animated series, set during the era, aims to introduce young audiences to the captivating Star Wars universe, particularly this period that predates the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace by hundreds of years. The arrival of characters like Loden Greatstorm and Bell Zettifar from the High Republic books and comics in animated form was previously announced, and now, their debut has arrived, along with the introduction of another noteworthy Jedi.

In these new episodes of Young Jedi Adventures, viewers will meet Loden, Bell, and Estala Maru. To celebrate their on-screen debuts, Star Wars is providing an in-depth look into the process of bringing these characters to life. Scott Cavin, one of the key creators of the High Republic era, had the privilege of writing the episode that marks Bell and Loden's debut. He humorously shared his experience of revisiting these characters and discussed the unique portrayal of Bell as a mentor and Loden as more than just a tragic figure.

Being able to share a story with Bell and Ember during a calm moment feels incredible. This time, I get to portray Bell as the wise mentor, someone who the kids, especially Kai, admire for his vast experiences. My previous encounter with Loden Greatstorm was quite unsettling for everyone involved, so it's a relief to depict him as the revered Master Loden, respected and loved by all.

As for Estala, Cavin couldn't contain his excitement in bringing this character to life, especially with the magnificent Starlight Beacon involved. With the Jedi as the heroes' guide in the Young Jedi Adventures, Cavin sees this episode as a chance to explore Estala's character in a way he had originally envisioned in the High Republic comics.

Will More High Republic Jedi Soon Make Their TV Debut?

One aspect of the comic series that we had always intended to delve into, but unfortunately never had the opportunity to explore, was Maru's interaction with younglings and Padawans as their mentor. The episode in question finally delves into this particular aspect of his life that I felt I was unable to fully tackle myself.

The TV debut of Bell, Loden, and Estala in Star Wars is incredibly thrilling for the future of the High Republic Jedi. Furthermore, it sets a precedent for the upcoming live-action series, The Acolyte. This Star Wars show is set to occur a century prior to The Phantom Menace, placing it at the end of the High Republic era. It showcases the downfall of the Jedi from the perspective of the Sith. Considering the recent introduction of these three High Republic Jedi on TV, there is a strong possibility that more Jedi from this era may make appearances in The Acolyte. This is particularly true for younger characters like Bell himself.

Bringing characters from books and comics to the screen is challenging, but the impressive High Republic era deserves to showcase its prominent characters in both Star Wars animation and live-action. Following Cobb Vanth's success in The Mandalorian season 2, it is reasonable to anticipate that additional Jedi from the High Republic era will join Disney+. Whether it's through Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures or The Acolyte, we can anticipate more character debuts from the High Republic era in the future of Star Wars.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to witness the arrival of the High Republic Jedi in the Star Wars TV universe. The animated series, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, has taken the bold step of introducing three iconic characters from the High Republic era—Loden Greatstorm, Bell Zettifar, and Estala Maru—and I couldn't be more excited. These characters, previously confined to the pages of books and comics, now have the opportunity to reach a broader audience and captivate a new generation of Star Wars fans.

The High Republic era, set hundreds of years before the events of the Skywalker saga, offers a fresh and unexplored chapter in the Star Wars universe. It allows creators to delve into the Jedi Order at its peak, showcasing their bravery, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the light side of the Force. The introduction of Loden, Bell, and Estala on television brings this era to life, giving fans a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the High Republic and its diverse cast of characters.