Star Wars: 10 Best Non-Human Characters

Across the wide Star Wars universe, in both the Star Wars movies and TV shows, there are so many characters to choose as a favorite. While the likes of Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Leia Organa, and Anakin Skywalker are often among the most cited, there are a plethora of non-human characters that deserve recognition as well. Some of these non-human characters even make up the list of Star Wars’ best charcters, and they have certainly earned their place there.

As the franchise and stories take place all around space on different worlds, there are so many species that contribute to the richness of Star Wars. Many of them have one thing in common: their resistance against tyrannical powers that would see their people taken over. Here are the 10 best of these heroic non-human characters, who have become forever memorialized in the Star Wars galaxy.

10 Darth Maul (Zabrak)

First Appeared: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

While Darth Maul’s tenure in live-action Star Wars was relatively short, Maul went on to become one of the greatest characters in animation – thanks to the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series. As Darth Sidious’ apprentice, Maul was able to not only shake up the Jedi who had previously thought the Sith to be extinct, but also kill Qui-Gon Jinn just before being cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Miraculously, he survived this event, motivated by revenge alone. This hunger for vengeance is what drove Maul through the rest of his life, fueling his every move.

From creating an entire network of crime syndicates in his Shadow Collective alliance to taking over the throne of Mandalore, Maul’s character has become something of a legend in Star Wars. He went from being one of Star Wars’ most underutilized villains to one of its most fascinating antagonists. Maul’s story is now highly revered, and though he still falls short of the other heroes (and villains) on this list, he certainly deserves to have a place here.

9 Garazeb Orrelios (Lasat)

First Appeared: Star Wars Rebels (2014)

Better known as Zeb, this Lasat rebel was one of the few of his people to escape the destruction of his home planet, leaving him with a deep hatred of the Empire. After joining the Phoenix rebel cell from Lothal, Zeb began to channel this anger into their coordinated missions against the Empire with a family who helped to mend the wounds left behind by his people’s eradication. Still, Zeb faced challenges that forced him to learn how to forgive those who wronged him and move on, which eventually motivated him to befriend those he had once considered enemies.

This change in Zeb, of him eventually opening up and being more willing to take in others, is what has helped to make him one of Star Wars’ best non-human characters. Zeb has always been the classic, gruff and hardened soldier with a heart of gold. He could be brash and angry, but he always had great compassion. Watching this part of him unfold more and more over the course of Star Wars Rebels is a pure delight, one that will hopefully be seen more in the future. Zeb’s character only falls short of some other iconic names.

8 C-3PO (Protocol Droid)

First Appeared: Star Wars (1977)

It’s impossible to talk about non-human characters and leave out this iconic droid duo, starting with C-3PO. As one of the first characters ever seen in Star Wars, C-3PO alone bears a highly recognizable image that even those who have never seen Star Wars can easily recognize. Though C-3PO has often acted as the human voice of the heroes, announcing the concerns that any person would have in tense situations, C-3PO has certainly had his fair share of heroics, which earns him a spot on this list.

Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that C-3PO, like his droid friend, is one of the few Star Wars characters to appear in all nine of the Skywalker saga movies. From the original Star Wars in 1977 to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, C-3PO has been witness to the highest highs and the lowest lows of the Skywalker family. C-3PO even continues to be an important figure in the Star Wars TV shows, with him making a cameo in Ahsoka season 1. Though C-3PO certainly has his flaws, he’s still no doubt one of the best.

7 R2-D2 (Astromech Droid)

First Appeared: Star Wars (1977)

The second half of the iconic droid duo, R2-D2, has also earned his place as one of the best non-human characters in the franchise. R2 is a fan-favorite and is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best droid in the entire galaxy. Serving as Anakin Skywalker’s right-hand man during the Clone Wars and going on to do the very same for his son Luke Skywalker, R2 is as loyal as any droid could ever be. He’s even loyal to C-3PO, despite their bad habit of bickering and picking fights with one another.

R2 has also achieved quite a few heroics in his lifetime. He first proves himself by being the only astromech to repair Padmé Amidala’s ship when they’re fleeing Naboo, and he goes on to become the astromech in the X-wing when Luke Skywalker takes down the Death Star. The trust Anakin places in R2 throughout the Clone Wars speaks for this beloved droid hero. The only thing that gives the other characters on this list a leg up is that, as non-droids, they have even more transformative stories, even though R2 will always be one of the very best.

6 Grogu (Unknown)

First Appeared: The Mandalorian (2019)

Grogu is not only one of Star Wars’ best non-human characters, but also one of the franchise’s most adorable. Grogu took the world by storm as “Baby Yoda” following his surprise debut in The Mandalorian, and the way his character has grown since then has only made him even better. Initially starting out as a rather helpless Jedi youngling, Grogu is now a Mandalorian apprentice learning from his adoptive father, Din Djarin. He is extremely powerful, even as a child, but his heart outweighs any Force powers he could ever wield.

Grogu has managed to change his father from the inside-out, turning a lone bounty hunter into a protective, loving father. This is because of Grogu’s own compassion, which he has displayed time and time again by helping those in need – without needing words to do so. Grogu’s story will only continue to get even more fascinating as he learns under the Mandalorian Way, having exchanged the Jedi path for one that will allow him to spend as much time as possible with his father. Until that point, however, five other non-human characters still have Grogu beat.

5 Hera Syndulla (Twi’lek)

First Appeared: Star Wars Rebels (2014)

Hera Syndulla is another member of the Phoenix rebel cell – arguably its co-leader, along with her lover, Kanan Jarrus – who has since grown into a respected general of the Rebel Alliance. Hera knew who she wanted to be from a young age, as she and her droid Chopper both stood up to the Empire’s occupation of Ryloth just after the fall of the Galactic Republic. Years later, she became renowned as the best pilot in the galaxy, accomplishing feats that no one else could ever dream of doing – all while taking care of her newly-formed family.

Even after losing Kanan, Hera’s strength refused to dwindle. If anything, she became even stronger, pushing onward as she helped to lead the Rebel Alliance to victory during the Galactic Civil War. Hera’s heart and her strength are easily her two most admirable traits, both of which have helped her to become one of Star Wars’ best non-human characters. There are only a few others who have managed to beat her out for a higher rank, but it doesn’t make Hera’s character any less important.

4 Grand Admiral Thrawn (Chiss)

First Appeared: Heir to the Empire (1991) [Novel]

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s rise to importance alone proves why he deserves to make this list, and earn a placement within its top five. Thrawn originated in the 1991 Heir to the Empire novel, a book that is perhaps the most important of any other – if only because it helped to kickstart the Star Wars Expanded Universe that has since evolved into Legends and the current state of Star Wars canon. As for his character, however, Thrawn stands on his own. He’s easily Star Wars’ most intelligent villain, and that makes him wonderfully frightening.

Thrawn’s role as a non-human has relevance in-universe, as he is the only high-ranking Imperial official who’s not a human. This is because of Thrawn’s reputation as a tactician, which has led him to be extremely victorious. Even amidst defeats, Thrawn can create a victory, as he learns from each experience in a way his peers and his enemies simply do not. Thrawn has only just started to scratch the surface in live-action after brilliant storylines in novels and animation, which means he could climb this list over time – but three other iconic characters still beat him out.

3 Chewbacca (Wookiee)

First Appeared: Star Wars (1977)

Another one of Star Wars’ most iconic, and most recognizable, non-human characters is Chewbacca. The Wookiee, Han Solo’s best friend and closest confidante, has been a hero ever since his first Star Wars appearance – despite not receiving a medal. Chewie and his distinctive Shyriiwook growls are on a level that’s comparable to Darth Vader and his breathing, completely synonymous with the Star Wars brand. Chewbacca earned his place by being a loyal friend to everyone, but especially Han Solo.

Over the course of his long life, Chewbacca has played an integral role in helping rebels win against oppressive governments. Without him, both the Rebel Alliance and the Resistance would never have succeeded. More than anything, however, he provided the heart of the team. His physical strength was immense, but his heart was even bigger than that, as he fiercely protected everyone he cared about time and time again. For that reason and many more, Chewbacca will always go down as one of Star Wars’ best characters, with only two rising above him here.

2 Yoda (Unknown)

First Appeared: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Yoda is yet another character who has become synonymous with the Star Wars brand, and the wisdom with which he’s guided many generations is the reason for that. Though he did make several mistakes as Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, it cannot be understated that he was a member of their ranks for centuries, helping both the Jedi and the greater galaxy to flourish during its golden age. Even in darkness, Yoda provided a light, offering counsel to those who needed it most. He was highly revered and respected by everyone.

Even more integral is the role Yoda played in training the next generation of Jedi. Because of Obi-Wan’s sacrifice to save Luke and his friends from Darth Vader on the Death Star, Yoda was the only one left to complete Luke’s training. Without Yoda, Luke couldn’t have learned, and that wisdom could not have been passed on. Above all, however, Yoda taught every generation how to truly trust and rely on the Force, which has always been the galaxy’s greatest guide. Only one other character surpasses Yoda’s greatness, someone whose growth is difficult to outdo.

1 Ahsoka Tano (Togruta)

First Appeared: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) [Movie]

Rising to the top of this list after nearly two decades of growth is Ahsoka Tano, the Jedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker. Initially one of the most criticized aspects of The Clone Wars, Ahsoka would go on to become one of the greatest Jedi characters ever introduced, with her strength, courage, and heart guiding her wherever she goes. From animation to live-action, Ahsoka’s story has been a source of inspiration for new Star Wars generations, serving as an example that it’s never too late to become who you’ve always been meant to be.

Forced to become a Jedi soldier at a young age, Ahsoka is one of the strongest and most capable Force-users to have ever wielded a lightsaber. She was able to survive Order 66 on a Jedi cruiser packed full of brainwashed clone troopers with little to no help, and she even held her own in a duel against her former Jedi Master, Darth Vader. She has conquered death not once, not twice, but three times, which proves how important and strong she is. Ahsoka has no doubt become Star Wars ‘ best non-human character, and certainly one of its most iconic.