Introduction
Star Wars introduced several exciting new villains in 2023 while bringing back fan favorites, but only a handful will be remembered as the year's best. The Star Wars TV shows featured an impressive range of compelling antagonists, from live-action to 3D animation to anime. However, the Star Wars books, comics, and video games had just as many fantastic villains that deserve recognition.
Bichan in Star Wars Visions volume 2
These Star Wars villains are the most memorable, emotionally engaging, and effective against their enemies. They have unique motivations for what they do and have their own methods for achieving their respective goals, some coming very close to killing the heroes. 10 Star Wars villains in 2023 exemplified these qualities while bringing something new to the franchise, resulting in the year's most superb stories.
The Top 10 Villains
10. Bichan - Star Wars: Visions - Season 2, Episode 5 'Journey to the Dark Head'. Star Wars: Visions season 2 introduced several new Sith Lords through impressive animation styles, and Bichan was the most memorable. He was a master lightsaber duelist whose hilt had an attached whip, making his weapon twice as deadly as he caught his opponents off guard. Bichan was ruthless, but he also took joy in hurting others, killing eight Jedi masters but sparing Jedi Padawan Toul after seeing his anger. Yun Yong Sik and Daniel Dae Kim elevated the character even more through their exceptional voice acting in the Korean and English dubs, respectively.
9. Shin Hati - Ahsoka. Most of the lightsaber action in Ahsoka focused on Shin Hati, a dark apprentice who immediately made a lasting impression in the show's first few minutes. Her ferocity in combat made viewers fear for the other characters, but the season gradually revealed more of Shin's character that differentiated her from her master. Shin was young, reckless, and power-hungry, yet she wasn't afraid to question her master's plans or remain skeptical of those they associated with. Ahsoka ends with Shin setting off on her own path, opening more opportunities for the character and hinting at her possible redemption.
Shin Hati as seen in her official Ahsoka character poster
8. Dagan Gera - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. A former Jedi from the High Republic Era, Dagan Gera was sealed in a bacta tank after betraying the Jedi Order, remaining in stasis for hundreds of years. He woke up during the reign of the Empire and learned that the Jedi were gone, using this as an opportunity to build a new army and cleanse that galaxy through fire. Gera's obsession with the planet Tanalorr drove him to madness and blinded him to reason, making him a dangerous and highly skilled opponent, even with one arm missing.
Closeup of Dagan Gera and his yellow lightsaber in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
