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The Star Wars universe is not just for boys. To prove it, we’ve made a list of the 50 best female characters from the movies, tv shows, comics, and books.
Since Star Wars premiered in 1977, parents and merchandise marketers have made the mistake of thinking the franchise is only for boys. This is because, in the original film, Princess Leia is the only active female character. Her uniqueness as a princess who essentially saved herself is overlooked in the search for female role models for young girls.
Now, however, the Star Wars universe’s gender diversification has greatly expanded. The recent television shows, comics, books, and films introduced a galaxy of new, well-rounded, thoughtful female characters for all fans to love.
To celebrate the female side of Star Wars, we’ve made a list of 50 of the best female characters in the franchise. We pulled from the films, The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, and comics and books (both Legends and canon) to gather the best of the best. It wasn’t easy. There are so many great female characters in the saga now, it was hard to choose and make a ranking. But we did it, and we hope you enjoy the results.
Coming in at 50 is a character who didn’t get much screentime in The Phantom Menace, but whose similarity to a popular hero has us wanting more.
50. Yaddle
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Anyone remember this Yoda-like character from the Jedi Council room in The Phantom Menace? Perhaps not; Yaddle is easy to miss since she doesn’t have any lines. Not only does she not have any lines, she doesn’t have a story, either. We know from Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need To Know that she was born around 450 years before the Battle of Naboo in The Phantom Menace. This same source says she was well-known for her wisdom, patience, and kindness. The Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, published earlier this year, says she was an expert in rare Jedi powers, like one which slowed one’s opponent’s body functions to the point of death.
In spite of all of Yaddle’s coolness, all the Star Wars Databank – Lucasfilm’s online canon library of people, places, and objects in the galaxy far, far away – has to say about her is that by the time of the Clone Wars, she was no longer on the Council. Her species is marked “unknown.” We don’t know where she’s from or what happened to her or if she is related to Yoda in any way other than their green skin, pointy ears, and a short stature. The lack of information about Yaddle is a great injustice to her, and that’s why we included her in this list.
49. Sly Moore
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Sly Moore is always seen in the company of Chancellor (later Emperor) Palpatine. In Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, the Umbaran served as Palpatine’s administrative aide. She continued to follow him when he declared the formation of his Empire.
Little is known about Sly. According to the Star Wars Databank, the rumor in her circles is she possesses supernatural powers. The Star Wars in 100 Scenes visual dictionary elaborates on this tidbit, saying Sly may have the power to influence minds. So it is possible the Umbaran is Force-sensitive. Palpatine is smart. Who better to have as his political aide than someone who can influence the Senate members to do his will?
More importantly, though, Sly is the first Star Wars female villain. As a person of unknown mental powers and an unnerving physical presence, she clearly chose to become a servant of the Sith. Though she has no lines in the films, Sly’s agency and cool look put her in at 49 on our list.
48. Beru Lars
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Beru Lars appears in several Star Wars films, despite her untimely end in A New Hope. Her younger self appeared in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, but it is in the original Star Wars movie she speaks the most lines. She is best known as Luke Skywalker’s loving aunt who along with her husband Owen, Anakin’s stepbrother, raises the boy on Tatooine. Unlike Owen, she understands Luke’s adventure-seeking spirit. She encourages Owen to allow Luke to join the Imperial Flight Academy.
Luke’s reckless spirit requires equal parts discipline and love to temper. Owen is Luke’s disciplinarian while Beru is his comforter. The kindness and belief in the goodness of others Luke shows in later films were not just inherited from his biological mother. They were instilled in him by his caring aunt.
Sometimes, a strong female character is not a great doer or leader. Sometimes, she is simply a good, kind woman who makes life brighter for her family.
47. Breha Organa
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Okay, so he’s only a trophy husband if you find Senator Bail Organa attractive (which I do). But the fact remains that Breha Organa is the queen of Alderaan while Bail is only Alderaan’s senator. Breha only appeared in one scene in the entire Star Wars saga. In it, she receives Bail as he brings her the daughter of Padme and Anakin Skywalker. The couple adopts Leia and raises her to be the princess we know and love in the original trilogy.
But Breha is amazing for more than just being a queen and Leia’s adoptive mother. In the canon Princess Leia mini comic series, published in 2015, it was revealed that Breha personally mentored young women who went on to become rebels. One of these pilots is named Evaan Verlaine. She recalls the queen, who perished with her planet by the Death Star’s superlaser, fondly and with respect.
Our only wish is to know more about this strong leader who took the time to be a loving mother and wife. That’s why she ranks as number 47 on our list.
46. Zam Wesell
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Boba Fett, IG-88, Bossk; the list of male bounty hunters introduced in the original trilogy goes on. But the first female bounty hunter to get ample screen time and lines to boot didn’t come until Attack of the Clones premiered in 2002. Then we got Zam Wesell.
Zam has a cool look, cool gadgets, and a cool speeder. The only thing she lacks is the ability to finish a job properly. Both of her attempts to assassinate Senator Amidala fail, and she is summarily beaten by Obi-Wan Kenobi in a bar. The final stroke of her character is a toxic dart in her neck, shot by Jango Fett to silence her about his part in the assassination scheme.
But let’s be honest: her failures weren’t entirely her fault. She didn’t know the Senator used a decoy when she landed on Coruscant. She didn’t know two Jedi, one who is in love with Amidala, were protecting her and could sense any threats to her life. Finally, she couldn’t have known that Jango would betray and kill her.
So what are we left with, then? A really cool character. Zam wears a neat outfit (purple!), uses cool gadgets, and pilots a streamline green speeder. Finally, she’s a Clawdite shapeshifter, otherwise known as a changeling. According to Star Wars Databank, this means she can change her physical appearance and assume any humanoid form. These characteristics are what put her at 46 on our list.
45. Jocasta Nu
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Many people may only remember Jocasta Nu as the old lady Jedi who was a little too confident in her the Jedi Temple library. But Jocasta is so much cooler than that.
Jocasta is the chief librarian of the Coruscant Jedi Temple prior to and during the Clone Wars. Her job is crucial, as she controls access to the Holocron Vault. Her confidence in the Jedi archives is supreme; when she and Obi-Wan Kenobi cannot find the planet Kamino in the records, she surmises the system simply doesn’t exist.
But she has good reason to be protective of the library. During the Clone Wars, a Clawdite bounty hunter infiltrates the Temple, subdues Jocasta, and replaces the aged librarian to gain access to the Holocron Vault. Fortunately, Jocasta, with the help of Ahsoka Tano, recovers and captures the imposter. The Jedi Master also helped the Jedi Council with the mystery of Master Syfo-Dias, the Jedi who ordered the creation of the clone army.
Jocasta represents a side of the Jedi rarely seen: masters of information. She also deserves credit as the first female Jedi to speak in the Star Wars saga. For these reasons, she ranks as number 45 on our list.
44. Corde
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It’s the opening scene of Attack of the Clones. Senator Padme Amidala’s ship lands on a platform on Coruscant. The ship’s ramp lowers and the senator descends with her entourage. Then, an explosive sends the ship’s ramp into flames. The senator is catapulted into the air. One of her pilots rushes to her side and takes off her helmet, and we realize Padme is the pilot. The woman lying on the ground is her handmaiden and bodyguard, Corde.
The world of Padme’s handmaidens is one I’m dying to learn more about. These women are not just pretty figures in fancy dresses. They shoot and fight like soldiers. They live and die for their senator. Corde and the other handmaidens are examples of women holding an occupation usually left to males: protection. To celebrate Corde, we placed her at number 44 on our list.
43. Adi Gallia
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Adi Gallia had no lines in The Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones. She does, however, appear several times in The Clone Wars television show. In the series, she often helps Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in their missions. According to the Star Wars Databank, Adi “would remark upon the more outrageous tactics carried out by Anakin Skywalker or Obi-Wan Kenobi in the course of the war, but would rarely condemn their effective actions.”
Perhaps Adi didn’t condemn Anakin and Obi-Wan because she was radical herself. The Star Wars Databank describes her as “an aggressive warrior who had no problem bringing the fight to the enemy.” A female character is not often portrayed as physically aggressive as well as a wise hero. These qualities made her the perfect choice to accompany Obi-Wan in his mission to confront Darth Maul and his brother Savage Oppress. As befitting a great warrior, Adi died in battle.
Adi represents the strength and the wisdom of the Jedi Order in their prime, and for that reason, she made this list.
42. Numa
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Numa was instrumental in helping the Republic free her world, Ryloth, from Separatist occupation. Small and young as she was, she befriended two clone troopers and showed them the tunnels underneath Ryloth’s surface. Obi-Wan Kenobi used this geographical advantage to confront the droid army. But Numa was brave beyond just being helpful. She stood resolutely with Kenobi as he was about to be shot down by a Separatist tank. Fortunately, her native Twi’lek people intervened and Kenobi, Numa, and Ryloth were saved.
But Numa’s fight against tyranny was not over. Years later, after the Republic had become the Empire, Numa joined the Free Ryloth Movement led by Cham Syndulla. She became one of his lead lieutenants and helped lead sabotage missions against the Empire.
Most of the time, we don’t see how rebels in Star Wars become rebels. Numa shows that anyone of any age and gender can help with an important cause.
41. Bazine Netal
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Bazine Netal is far more than she appears, and that’s her strength. She looks like harmless eye candy in the above image from Maz Kanata’s castle. But in reality, she is a fearless bounty hunter. When Bazine sees BB-8 in Maz ‘s castle, she realizes he is the droid the First Order is looking for. She is responsible for alerting Kylo Ren to Han Solo, Rey, Finn, and BB-8’s presence on Takodana.
She sounds pretty heartless, right? Once again, however, there is more to Bazine than her seconds-long appearance in The Force Awakens allows. First, there is her outfit. Not only is it visually stunning, it also comes with some neat practical applications. According to the Star Wars Databank, Bazine’s baffleweave dress jams sensors, while her cowl hides burn wounds from a flamethrower. Then there is Bazine’s training. The Star Wars Databank notes she learned an array of “deadly” martial arts skills at a combat school. This woman is not to be trifled with. It is not surprising she has no sympathy for the Resistance.
The Star Wars universe needs more women with a disregard for morality and a ruthless fashion sense. Because, just as heroes need to be represented, so do villains to cultivate diverse and creative storytelling.
40. Aurra Sing
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Aurra Sing’s only film appearance is a quick one-shot in The Phantom Menace. There, she is calmly and casually watching the Boonta Eve podrace. But The Clone Wars showed Aurra’s true character: an absolutely ruthless assassin.
Aurra has no shades of gray. She has no qualms about killing adults or children. She works with Hutts. And she mentored the most feared and beloved bounty hunter in the original trilogy, Boba Fett. She even helped him in his attempts to kill Mace Windu, who beheaded Boba’s father Jango in Attack of the Clones.
Not only is Aurra a skilled bounty hunter, she is fearsome to behold. Her spidery fingers, chalk-white skin and the evil gleam in her eyes make her look like a witch straight out of a Grimm fairytale. And she would likely take that comparison as a compliment.
Aurra Sing’s fate remains undetermined, as she survived The Clone Wars. She was once Hondo Ohnaka’s girlfriend, so perhaps the pirate will reintroduce her in Star Wars Rebels. We hope she shows up again because this fierce, scary woman is a rare example of a true female Star Wars villain.
39. Captain Phasma
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Ah, Captain Phasma. The greatest mistake The Force Awakens committed was her. Here is this amazing female villain – the commander of the First Order’s army of stormtroopers – and she gets stuffed into a trash compactor before she can do anything but look cool.
This character ranks in at 39 and not lower because she has incredible potential. She is unlike any other female we have ever seen in Star Wars. At 6’3″, she towers over those around her. Her armor looks like normal stormtrooper armor, save for the chrome plating. If it weren’t for her distinctly feminine voice, you would never know for sure if she was a woman or not. Furthermore, she is completely devoid of the sexuality female villains are usually imbued with (Darth Talon, Asajj Ventress, and Aurra Sing are prime examples of the latter). Finally, she is a military leader, an expert in physical battle.
How cool and unique does this woman sound? And yet, we never get to see her use any of her awesome skills in The Force Awakens. We have to wait till Episode VIII for that. For goodness’ sake, Rian Johnson, do Captain Phasma justice!
38. Jessika Pava
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Say hello to the first female X-wing pilot to appear in a Star Wars movie. She even has lines! And a cameo in a book! Jessika Pava has already become a fan favorite character, despite her being a minor character. The reason for this is girls like to be pilots, too. The Phantom Menace gave us female pilots in the Battle of Naboo. But everyone knows the coolest starfighters are the X-wings in the original and sequel trilogies. The fact Jessika wears that signature orange flight suit and flies her very own X-wing in the assault on Starkiller Base makes her worth celebrating.
Fortunately, Jessika Pava is no longer the only female X-wing pilot in the Star Wars movies. In Rogue One, two women fly X-wings in the space battle above Scarif. Women pilot other ships in the movie, as well: a U-wing and a starfighter in Gold Squadron. The number of female pilots can only increase as more Star Wars movies are added to the saga. But let it be known: Jessika Pava was the first of the many.
37. Ketsu Onyo
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Ketsu Onyo only appeared in one episode of Star Wars Rebels, but she left a first good impression. In her younger years, Ketsu was a cadet at the same Imperial Academy as Sabine Wren. She, too, left the Empire, but she chose a different path than her friend. Instead of a rebel, Ketsu became a bounty hunter. She is on a mission for Black Sun when she appears in Rebels. This mission puts her in direct conflict with Sabine, whose goal – extract a droid carrying important Imperial information – is the same as Ketsu’s. The two must overcome their different life choices, however, to escape the Empire.
Ketsu ranks 37 on our list because she is a rare example of a teenage girl who decided not to become a hero. She also brings diversity to Star Wars by beign a young woman of color. Finally, she’s just cool. Those who think the color pink is all fluff and sparkle should think again. Ketsu rocks her pink armor and a brand new helmet design, never seen before in Star Wars. She even wields a staff which she uses to take down a stormtrooper squad in Rebels. She’s the perfect action character for girls to play on the playground. And there may even be hope for her joining the Rebel Alliance in the future.
36. Steela Gerrera
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Steela Gerrera’s personality is just like her name: hard as steel and no-nonsense. She is at her best when she is behind the scope of a blaster rifle. The politics, she leaves to her brother, Saw Gerrera.
Those who have seen Rogue One may or may not know that Saw Gerrera (Forrest Whitaker) was first introduced in The Clone Wars. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi met Saw and Steela on Onderon, where the Gerreras led an insurgency against the Separatists. The Star Wars Databank calls Steela “a crack shot” who “racked up an impressive number of droid kills with precise headshots fired from the cover of canopy jungle.”
Steela proved herself an effective leader, which got her elected head of the Onderon resistance. However, she lost the position in a battle in which she fell to her death off a crumbling cliffside.
Steela is awesome because she is a rebel leader on the ground. Unlike Mon Mothma and even Princess Leia to a certain extent, she is not a figurehead. She blows things up and shoots droids with the best of the men. In fact, she is the best which is why she was elected leader of the resistance. For these reasons, she ranks as number 36.
35. Bo-Katan
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Bo-Katan is immediately recognizable by her barn owl-style helmet. But her Mandalorian armor is not all that makes her unique.
The sister of Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore, Bo-Katan was a lieutenant of Pre Viszla, Death Watch’s leader during the Clone Wars. Later, Death Watch joined forces with Darth Maul to take over Mandalore. But Bo-Katan left Maul’s service when he beheaded Pre Viszla following a lightsaber duel. She then led a team to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi from Maul’s clutches so he could warn the Republic of Maul’s schemes.
Beyond The Clone Wars series, we don’t what happened to Bo. But she was wise enough to reject manic authorities like Maul. It is possible she also refuted the Emperor’s claim to rule and reformed her followers into a resistance unit.
We love Bo because she has all the swag of a Mandalorian but more wisdom than Viszla. She also represents sisterhood in Star Wars, in spite of the fact she and her sister were exact opposites. Satine wanted Mandalore to become a pacifist world, while Bo wanted to maintain their militaristic traditions. In the end, though, they agreed Maul could not rule Mandalore. For her wisdom and badassery, Bo-Katan makes 35 on our list.
34. The Seventh Sister
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The Seventh Sister doesn’t exactly adhere to the traditional definition of “family.” Her “family” is the Inquisitors, and her mission is to hunt down and kill Jedi.
The Seventh Sister is another example of an irredeemable female Star Wars villain, and we love her for it. She wears black armor and a stylized helmet. Her angled yellow eyes are full of pure malice. With her double-bladed lightsaber and seeker droids, she proves a frightening foe for Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger in Star Wars Rebels.
It is not often you can delight in a villain. But the Seventh Sister is a rare example of someone you relish to watch be bad. She reminds one of a comic book villainess: slick, sexy, and powerful. It is only by Darth Maul’s hand she is finally killed. It’s too bad because she made a far more interesting Imperial lackey than the Third Brother, her partner in Rebels. For these reasons, she comes in at 34.
33. Sugi
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According to the Star Wars Databank, Sugi “asks no quarter and gives no quarter.” Sounds like a typical bounty hunter, right?
Not Sugi. This Zabrak only takes jobs she believes in on a moral level. She accepted a job protecting farmers on Felucia from Hondo Ohnaka’s pirate gang. Later, she was hired by Wookiees to pilot a ship to a Trandoshan moon to rescue Chewbacca. They also picked up Ahsoka Tano and a group of younglings, who were likewise stranded.
Usually, we are shown the process of a character’s transformation from self-serving credit hunter into a righteous do-gooder. In Sugi, we see only the results of that process. She already has a moral code when we meet her in The Clone Wars. The credits she earns in her jobs aren’t what matters to her the most. It’s whether or not the job rests easily on her soul that is important. Her moralistic attitude in a lucrative career makes her unique and an easy 33 on our list.
32. Riyo Chuchi
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The Star Wars Databank tells us that Riyo Chuchi began her stint as Senator of Pantora “timidly.” But she quickly learns to be brave when duty requires her to take action.
The Clone Wars saw a variety of conflicts, not all of them between the Republic and the Separatists. The chairman of Plutonia, Chi Cho, tried to deny the Talz people their claim to the moon Orto Plutonia. Riyo stepped in and stood up against Chi Cho. She worked thereafter to forge a new peace between her people at the Talz.
Later, Riyo was put into the same position as Padme Amidala in The Phantom Menace. In an attempt to persuade the newly elected Pantoran chairman, Baron Papanoida, the Trade Federation kidnapped his daughters and blockaded Pantora. With Ahsoka Tano’s help, Riyo rescued one of Papanoida’s daughters and ended the blockade. Like Padme, she took matters into her own hands.
Riyo makes this list because she starts out shakily but ends up a heroine. Not everyone is born courageous or with a take-charge attitude. Some of us are more used to living as followers than leaders. Riyo shows you can grow into a leader and still be sensitive and caring.
31. Mina Bonteri
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The Star Wars films only show the militaristic side of the Separatists. The Clone Wars went deeper with Mina Bonteri. Through her, we learned the war was not nearly so black and white.
During the Clone Wars, Mina Bonteri was the senator of Onderon in the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Prior to the war, she was Padme Amidala’s mentor. The two remained friends but were prevented from communicating once the galactic conflict broke out. Padme smuggled herself onto Raxus, the capital world of the Confederacy, to speak with Mina. She convinced Mina to call for a vote to start peace talks with the Republic.
While Mina’s peace initiative was favorably received in the Separatist senate, General Grievous’s attack on Coruscant rendered any potential for peace talks impossible. Mina was later punished for her attempts at peace. She met her end at the hands of Count Dooku’s agents.
Mina is included on our list because of her extraordinary position as a Separatist senator. She represents the truth that the majority of people in a war only want peace. It is the leaders and the bureaucracy who keep the fight going. The Clone Wars took us to a thoughtful place with Mina, and that’s why she is our number 31.
30. Sabe
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The Star Wars Databank describes Sabe as “the most important of Queen Amidala’s royal retinue of handmaidens.” Even more than Corde earlier in our list, Sabe’s role as a decoy for her queen is crucial to Padme’s safety.
Remember watching The Phantom Menace for the first time? Did you ever notice there were two different queens? As a kid, I never did. I didn’t even realize Natalie Portman’s voice was dubbed over with Keira Knightley’s till I was much older. Now imagine the bravery Sabe needed to adopt a different persona so completely. She fooled the Trade Federation to the point that if the Jedi had not rescued her and her entourage, she would have been executed in Padme’s place.
Another reason we love Sabe is she makes the third important female character in The Phantom Menace. Compare this to the last Star Wars film made before Menace, Return of the Jedi. The only important female character in that film was Leia. Sabe is the saga’s most unsung heroine, and that earns her the rank of 30 on this list.
29. Winter
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Winter Celchu is not canon, but she remains a fan-favorite character in the Legends universe. Winter is Leia’s closest companion in Legends stories, starting in their childhood. The two girls looked similar enough to one another that Winter became Leia’s decoy in times of need. Later, she looked after Leia’s three children.
But Winter is more than a glorified babysitter. During and after the Galactic Civil War, she served with Alliance Intelligence. She was particularly suited for a job as a spy because she possessed a perfect memory. She remembered everything she ever saw or heard.
Winter makes this list because she is a well-rounded female character with her own unique qualities and personal dramas. She is also important to a lot of fans because she represents the Legends tales which were our only sources of Star Wars for many years. In her way, Winter is a legend all unto herself.
28. Luminara Unduli
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Luminara Unduli is not only visually interesting, she has an interesting character, as well.
A Mirialan, Luminara was first introduced to us in Attack of the Clones. She was one of the party of Jedi who traveled to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi. She didn’t have any lines in the film, but The Clone Wars remedied that.
The Star Wars Databank describes Luminara as a “by-the-book Jedi.” Like a true Jedi, she met every challenge in the Clone Wars with grace and patience. Her lightsaber fighting style – one-handed – reflected her poise. She overestimated her power in thinking she can fight Count Dooku’s apprentice, Asajj Ventress, alone. But her willingness to fight without help is a testament to her dedication.
Sadly, Luminara met a cruel end. After Emperor Palpatine ended the Clone Wars and set Order 66 into motion, Luminara was captured and imprisoned. She was eventually executed but her bones were preserved so their lingering Force presence would lure other Jedi to their doom. Kanan and Ezra nearly succumbed to this trap in Star Wars Rebels, but they were just able to escape the Grand Inquisitor’s clutches. Luminara was not so lucky.
Luminara is one of many cool female Jedi featured in The Clone Wars. Her coolness is what ranks her at 28.
27. Shaak Ti
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Shaak Ti was also part of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi rescue party on Geonosis. Her exotic alien appearance renders her immediately memorable. Later, The Clone Wars made her more than just visually stunning: it gave her a character.
Shaak spent most of her time in the Clone Wars on Kamino training clone cadets. She was there when a clone named Tup turned rogue and killed another Jedi on Kamino, Master Tiplar. Shaak was on the brink of discovering the bioengineered implant that would eventually force the clones to obey Order 66. But she was thwarted by the Kaminoans, who overruled her attempts to examine implant.
Shaak, too, met an unhappy end. She was at the Jedi Temple when Anakin Skywalker assaulted it on Palpatine’s orders. She was stabbed through by Anakin’s Jedi blade.
In Legends, Shaak’s fate was slightly more bizarre but no less final. Instead of staying at the Temple on Coruscant to be murdered, the Jedi Master fled into hiding on Felucia. Sometime during the Dark Times, Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, Galen Marek, arrived on Felucia and killed Shaak in a duel.
However she died, what is important is how Shaak lived. She was a powerful and, let’s be honest, beautiful Jedi. She more than earns her place at number 27 on our list.
26. Barriss Offee
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The Star Wars Databank says Barriss Offee “preferred learning and studying ancient Jedi texts in the Temple to war.” Nevertheless, she embarked on field missions with her master Luminara Unduli. The pair teamed up with Anakin Skywalker and his apprentice Ahsoka Tano on occasion, and Barriss and Ahsoka became friends. That is until the young Mirialan decided to use Ahsoka for her own ends.
Because, by the approaching end of the Clone Wars, Barriss decided the Jedi were no longer worth fighting with.
Barriss is the first canon female Jedi traitor in Star Wars. But does she have a point? That’s the beauty of including characters with many shades of gray. They make you think.
Barriss believed the Jedi were corrupt for getting involved with the war and causing so much pain. She has a point. As Mace Windu says in Attack of the Clones, the Jedi are “keepers of the peace, not soldiers”; but he and the other masters reject that concept with the advent of the war. And when Barriss frames Ahsoka for her sabotage of the Temple and the Council believes Ahsoka is responsible, it becomes clear the Council has lost its way.
But there again, Barriss herself committed horrible crimes – framing Ahsoka, bombing the Temple – in the name of protesting the Jedi’s part in the war. She doesn’ t exactly set a good example for non-violence.
Barriss ranks at 26 on our list because she is a truly complicated individual. She raises questions that don’t have easy answers.
25. Darth Zannah
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Even fans who haven’t read the Darth Bane trilogy know who Bane is. He is famous for establishing the Rule of Two which dictates there can only be two Sith: one master and one apprentice. The first apprentice to follow this new code was a human female named Darth Zannah.
Granted, the Darth Bane trilogy is considered part of the Legends universe. But The Clone Wars canonized Bane, so Zannah could easily be canon as well. Either way, she is a character worth celebrating because she was the key to the continuation of Bane’s Rule of Two.
Bane discovered Zannah when she was a child. The two were attracted to one another because of their similar rage and will to murder. Zannah proved herself a loyal and powerful apprentice of the dark arts. But as with all Sith, treachery befell Zannah and Bane’s relationship. The apprentice slew the master and banished his spirit’s remnants into the netherworld. Afterwards, she took her own pupil, Darth Cognus, and continued the Rule of Two in Bane’s honor.
Zannah is pure evil, rage, and brutality. She is a true Sith Master and we have yet to see a female Sith lady in the Star Wars films or television shows. For this reason, she ranks at 25 on our list.
24. Lyra Erso
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Lyra Erso is new to the ranks of Star Wars female characters. But she has all the qualities of an instant classic.
Lyra appears in the beginning of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Her husband is the man responsible for unwittingly researching a major weapons system for the Empire. Her daughter, Jyn, is the star of the film. Lyra’s parting words to Jyn are “Trust the Force” as she hands her a kyber crystal necklace. Then she leaves her daughter to be rescued by Saw Gerrera and attempts to save her husband from Director Orson Krennic.
As anyone who has seen the movie knows, Lyra only succeeds in shooting Krennic in the shoulder before she is killed by blaster fire. And that, it would seem, is the end of her story. But there is more to her character revealed in Catalyst, a Rogue One prequel novel. It turns out Lyra was a surveyor before she went into hiding from the Empire with Galen and Jyn. She traveled to many different and exotic planets. She was also much wiser than Galen and saw through Krennic’s deceptions. Lyra realized before Galen did that the Empire was using his energy research for diabolical purposes.
Lyra is also unique for her connection to the Force. Like Chirrut Imwe, she cannot use the Force. Nevertheless, she is deeply connected to it, as evidenced by the red Sash of the Enlightenment she wears in the film. Her necklace also reminds Jyn of her mother’s faith and gives her strength, as well.
It’s sad that Lyra had to die so quickly in Rogue One. A mother-daughter story would have been far more compelling and groundbreaking than the father-daughter arc we got. Fortunately, the filmmakers and author James Luceno gave her a well-rounded and compelling backstory. For these reasons and her bravery in Rogue One, she ranks at number 24.
23. Shara Bey
Image Credit: Marvel (via Wookieepedia)
Shara Bey flew an A-wing in the Rebel Alliance’s attack on the Second Death Star. After the battle, she earned the respect and attention of Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker and accompanied both on important missions. Later, she retired from the Alliance to give birth to her son, Poe Dameron and raise him in a peaceful life. Six years after the destruction of the Second Death Star, however, she died in unknown circumstances.
One reason Shara makes our list is she is a Star Wars mother figure who remains active during and after her pregnancy. She also isn’t sacrificed for a greater cause. Ultimately, however, Shara is an amazing woman representative of the new attempts at diversity by Lucasfilm and Marvel. She is a female soldier and pilot, and she is just as good at what she does as any of her male peers. We’re happy to celebrate her.
22. Satele Shan
Image Credit: Electronic Arts (via Wookieepedia)
Satele Shan may or may not be canon. It has not been confirmed if The Old Republic PC game is official Star Wars lore or not. But Satele deserves to be canon, and not just because she became Grand Master of the Jedi Order.
Jedi are sometimes hard to relate to thanks to their rules about attachments. But Satele is different. She broke the Jedi’s rules in her youth and bore an illegitimate son. Later, she was allowed to return to serve the Order. A journey to the Jedi’s origin world of Tython and the wisdom it brought her earned her the title of Grand Master, the leader of the entire Jedi Order.
Satele represents the ultimate female Jedi. She gets sidetracked and makes what some might call mistakes. But her knowledge of the Force and dedication to peace propel her to high places. She is also an incredible character design, with her silvery hair and intricate lightsaber hilt. We are happy to bring her to fans’ attentions with a number 22 ranking on our list.
21. The Daughter
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
The Daughter is perhaps one of the strangest female Star Wars character of all. She appears in The Clone Wars as a manifestation of the light side of the Force. The Daughter is part of the Mortis trifecta representing the balance of the Force. Her brother, the Son, is allied to the dark side. Their father balances the two. Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano meet this strange family when their ship happens upon Mortis during a space journey.
The Daughter is more of a goddess than a human being. One need only look at her the ethereal glow of her skin, her floating hair, and her towering height (seven feet) to know she is not of any known world. The fact she can turn into a griffin at will also hints at her mystical qualities.
As the representative of the light side, the Daughter is a paragon of self-sacrifice. When the Son tries to stab the Father, the Daughter steps in between and takes the death blow. She uses her remaining life force to bring Ahsoka Tano back from the dead. The Daughter’s death shrouds Mortis in darkness until the Jedi kill the Son.
What does the Jedi’s adventure on Mortis mean? Is the Daughter real or is she a fantasy created by the Force? Whatever her purpose in the canon, she is a fascinating figure of Star Wars mythos and a beautiful character.
20. Mother Talzin
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Mother Talzin is creepy incarnate in The Clone Wars.
The leader of the Nightsisters of Dathomir, Talzin is an expert in the magical arts. She might have been ruler of the galaxy alongside Darth Sidious. But Sidious betrayed her and stole her son, Maul, for his own apprentice. During the Clone Wars, Talzin tried to gain revenge on Sidious’s new apprentice, Count Dooku, for his betrayal of Asajj Ventress, herself a former nightsister. She gave a Zabrak named Savage Oppress to Dooku as a new pupil to gain the Sith lord’s trust. In reality, Oppress was supposed to kill Dooku. He failed and was given a new assignment: find his long-lost brother, Maul.
When Oppress brought Maul back to Talzin, the Dathomir Mother used her magic to give Maul a new pair of legs and restore his sanity. Her and Maul’s plans to rule the galaxy are thwarted, however, by Sidious and Dooku. Talzin is eventually slain in a battle between her and Maul, and Sidious, Dooku, and General Grievous.
Mother Talzin is a weird, bizarre, and awesome part of Star Wars lore. We have no idea how she is able to perform magic and how far her powers stem from the Force. Her conniving, her skill, and her ambition stand her toe to toe with Emperor Palpatine. For these reasons, she ranks at number 20 on our list.
19. Depa Billaba
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Depa Billaba first appeared on the Jedi Council in The Phantom Menace. Her Legends Clone Wars-era story, Shatterpoint, is a bit bizarre. On a solo mission on a wild planet, Depa falls to the dark side and goes mad. Her former master, Mace Windu, goes after her. Depa eventually emerges from her madness, but injuries she sustained caused her to sink into a permanent comatose state.
In Marvel’s canon Star Wars comic series, Kanan, Depa Billaba is Kanan Jarrus’s master during the Clone Wars. The Jedi Master only hints at a previous period of her life where she was in a comatose state for six months. Now, though, she is kind, wise, and deeply connected to the Force. She is also somewhat of a radical thinker among the Jedi, since she does not agree with the Jedi taking military titles in the war.
Depa is a Jedi out of her time. She is too wise to let herself be caught up in the war as everyone else is. There is also something spiritual about her which the art of Kanan conveys largely without words. She is a true Jedi, and that’s why she is number 19 on our list.
18. Maz Kanata
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Nobody knows Maz Kanata’s past, but it’s a long one. The tiny pirate queen is some one thousand years old, older even than Yoda. In some ways, she may be wiser.
There are a few things we learned about Maz from The Force Awakens. First, she has a connection to the Force but doesn’t use it for combat. She has kept an eye on the workings of the galaxy for a long time. She is also aware of the importance of the Skywalkers. Somehow, she obtains Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber which Luke dropped in Cloud City. When Rey comes and the lightsaber calls to her, Maz willingly hands it over to her.
Probably because of her desire to know what’s going on in the galaxy, Maz’s castle on Takodana is a haven for creatures of all walks of life. Most of them are scum, but where better to get down-low information than from those used to dealing in it?
The last time Maz appeared in The Force Awakens, she encouraged Finn to use Anakin’s lightsaber to defend himself against the First Order. After that, she disappears from the film. She may have been captured by the First Order or she may have escaped with the Resistance. We know she will be in Episode VIII, so hopefully, the mystery of her previous absence will be solved.
Maz is one of those characters whose history has no end; she has been so many places and seen so many things. And she is a delightful personality, despite the unsavory people she allows to frequent her castle. For these reasons, Maz ranks as number 18 on our list.
17. Evaan Verlaine
Image Credit: Marvel
Evaan Verlaine’s quiet stubbornness and sarcasm make her a perfect partner in crime to Princess Leia. Directly after the destruction of the first Death Star and the ensuing celebration, Leia recruits Evaan to accompany her on a covert mission. This mission, not sanctioned by Alliance leadership, takes Leia and Evaan across the galaxy gathering the remaining Alderaan refugees. Along with the two rebel heroines, the refugees are targets of the Empire.
Evaan is a rare case of someone who does not like Leia – at first. The pilot thinks the princess is cold and unfeeling after the destruction of their planet. However, Evaan is dedicated to the Alderaanian royalty and promises to follow Leia’s orders.
By the end of their adventures, however, Evaan and Leia are best friends. For her steadfastness, bravery, and loyalty, Leia appoints Evaan the new queen of the remnant of Alderaan. She commands her to seek out a safe existence for their people. Evaan does so, and she is still the leader of New Alderaan just prior to the events of The Force Awakens. In Bloodline by Claudia Gray, Senator Leia calls on her old friend for a favor, and Evaan is happy to help.
Evaan is a fun character. It’s delightful to see her trade barbs with Leia, all the while calling her, “your highness.” We also love her strength and her dedication. These qualities earn her the 17 spot.
16. Admiral Rae Sloane
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Rae Sloane started out low in the Imperial hierarchy. But by the time the Second Death Star was destroyed, Sloane was a high-ranking admiral. In the canon Aftermath trilogy by Chuck Wendig, Sloane took control of the entire Imperial war machine. Granted, she takes orders from a former servant of the Emperor, Gallius Rax. But Sloane knows her worth and in the end, decides she won’t let Rax push her around anymore.
We love Admiral Rae Sloane because she is a powerhouse. Smart, strategic, and tough as nails, she is much wiser than the arrogant men who make up the Imperial leadership. Being an Imperial doesn’t make her evil, either; she truly believes that a totalitarian government can bring peace for all peoples. She has conviction and confidence in herself, and these qualities drive her. In a way, she is the ultimate career woman in Star Wars.
15. Satine Kryze
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Duchess Satine Kryze’s convictions lie in a concept entirely alien to Sloane’s ideals: pacifism. Kryze’s insistence upon her world remaining neutral during the Clone Wars is ironic, almost laughable. That’s because her world is the traditionally war-torn Mandalore.
Because of her attempts to make Mandalore a pacifist world, Satine was targeted by the Mandalorian Death Watch. Several attempts were made on her life, and Satine survived them all. But she was finally flummoxed when Death Watch overthrew her government with the help of Darth Maul. A prisoner of Maul, Satine became bait for Maul’s arch enemy, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
It’s sad that Satine had to die to further someone else’s character. To gain revenge on Obi-Wan, Satine’s former lover, Maul ran the duchess through with his lightsaber. Sure, the way Obi-Wan handled her death proved that a Jedi could love someone and not go to the dark side after losing her. But the end result was the loss of a strong, wise character who could have had a lot more stories told about her. Obi-Wan would agree that Satine’s death was unnecessary and unfair. That’s one reason we’re celebrating her at number 15 on our list.
14. Mon Mothma
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
If Mon Mothma wanted to turn the Empire into a monarchy, we would have gladly supported her as queen.
The fact she would never in a million years make herself queen of anything makes us love her even more. We’re satisfied with her being the leader of the Rebel Alliance and, later, the chancellor of the New Republic.
In both Legends and canon, Mon is the obvious choice for the first head of the new democratic government post-Empire. She is kind, wise, soft-spoken, but determined. She does what needs to be done and doesn’t shy away from hard facts. Her bravery is boundless; during the Dark Times, she actively led the Rebellion while representing Chandrila in the Imperial Senate.
In Legends, Mon contracts a disease in her later years that almost kills her. One of Luke Skywalker’s new Jedi apprentices manages to heal her. Still, Mon is not the same vital person she was before the disease. In the new canon, it’s only hinted that Mon has an illness post-Return of the Jedi. Her resulting condition was severe enough to cause her to leave political office altogether.
We adore Mon for her strength and optimism. It takes a great deal of both to foment and organize a rebellion. For these reasons, Mon is number 14 on our list.
13. Shmi Skywalker
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Imagine you just found out you are pregnant. And you know there is no way on earth you should be pregnant. There is no one in your life who could have helped you conceive a child. How do you cope?
If you’re Shmi Skywalker, you cope with grace and dignity. And you love your child like she did. Perhaps no woman loved her child with more unselfish affection than Shmi. Consider how hard her life was. She was a slave and she had to watch her son become a slave, as well. Then, even though it meant she would be alone, she encouraged her son to take his freedom. She did not even weep watching Anakin leave her. She knew he was on his way to a better life than she, still a slave, could give him.
Later, a miraculous turn of events brought Shmi happiness. The man who eventually purchased her, Cliegg Lars, fell in love with her and freed her. They married and built a life together with Cliegg’s son Owen. But Shmi’s new life didn’t last. She was captured by Tusken Raiders and tortured. It’s some comfort that she got to see Anakin one last time before she passed away. But then she died in his arms.
Shmi’s strength is beyond comprehension. She projects zero bitterness at the hard life she lives or the people in it. She never sheds a tear on-screen. The ultimate single mother, she raises her inexplicable son with wisdom, gentle scolding, and kind encouragement. At the end of the day, though, she is tough as nails. That’s why we love her.
12. Sabine Wren
Image Credit: Disney XD
Sabine Wren melds girliness with toughness without any of the commercial fakery. Her armor is pink, her hair is a new color every season, and art is her favorite form of terrorism. Everything about her says you can still have fun in life and be a badass Star Wars heroine, too.
Sabine is not just what you see at face value, though that might be enough (she looks pretty cool). First, she’s a Mandalorian. And not just any Mandalorian; her family is part of House Viszla, which headed Death Watch during the Clone Wars. Sabine is also an Imperial defector. She was attending an Imperial military academy when she decided to become a rebel.
We don’t know how she fell in with Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus. But by the time the events in Star Wars Rebels take place, she is a thoughtful leader and strategian. She also puts her artistic side to practical use against the Empire in creating beautiful explosions.
Sabine’s story will expand further in Star Wars Rebels season 3B. In season 3A’s finale, the young rebel discovered the darksaber, a Mandalorian lightsaber with a black blade. She is certainly wise enough to use it. With her creative mind and the authority of the darksaber, Sabine is unstoppable. Who says pink makes you weak?
11. Doctor Aphra
Image Credit: Marvel
If you can stand in front of Darth Vader without your knees shaking, you’re probably just as powerful as he is, mentally, politically, or spiritually. On the other hand, you might be plain crazy like Doctor Aphra.
Aphra is an archaeologist who makes a living working for other people. She specializes in droid and weapons technology and has no moral compass. These qualities make her an excellent hire for Darth Vader, who wants to build his own secret army. Aphra works with Vader on several occasions after the events of A New Hope. Eventually, however, she falls out of his favor and he ejects her in a pod out into space. But she survives. And now she’s getting her own ongoing comic series from Marvel.
Aphra is amazing for several reasons. First, she is a doctor (granted, she cheated on her doctorate, but nuance). Second, she is an archaeologist and there are all sorts of fun adventures she could have with that. Finally, she’s eccentric. In both the Darth Vader series and Doctor Aphra, Aphra works with two homicidal droids. In the beginning of her relationship with Vader, knowing he would kill her eventually, she asked him to run her through with his lightsaber when he was done with her. What kind of person makes a deal like that?
But Aphra does. She’s fun, crazy, and a fresh new character, and that’s why she’s number 11 on our list.
10. Hera Syndulla
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Hera Syndulla is the first non-human aside from Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars to be a main character. She is also the first on-screen Twi’lek not skimpily dressed. But the main thing is she is a sensible, take-charge person with an altruistic desire to aid the people of the galaxy.
Hera was brought up as a rebel. Her father, Cham Syndulla, is the leader of the Free Ryloth Movement against the rebellion. For reasons unknown, Hera chose to go off on her own in her ship, The Ghost, and rebel where she felt she was needed. Along the way, she formed her own crew with Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, and Ezra Bridger. Due to their close friendship and Kanan’s initial flirtation upon meeting Hera, many fans speculate the captain and the Jedi Knight are in love. Whatever their true feelings for one another, they keep them well-hidden for the good of their cause.
Because Hera is important to the rebellion. And not just toThe Ghost crew’s personal resistance on Lothal. With the help of Ahsoka Tano, Hera, and her comrades join a larger rebel fleet which will eventually merge with the Rebel Alliance. And Hera is completely on board with a larger, more organized resistance. Moreover, she inspires those around her to be just as self-sacrificing and dedicated to fighting the Empire as herself. She truly believes in hope and helping the galaxy break free from the Emperor’s tyrannical hold. Her steadfastness and military expertise earn her the rank of general in the Alliance, and also the rank of 10 in our list.
9. Asajj Ventress
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Asajj Ventress’s story is a tragic one. As a baby, she was sold into slavery and taken from her home on Dathomir. Ventress’s Force sensitivity was eventually discovered by a Jedi Knight. Asajj grew to love her master. However, he was killed on one of their mission and Asajj plunged into despair. She was consumed by the dark side. After this, she fell in with Count Dooku and became his acolyte.
During the Clone Wars, she honed her dark side skill by carrying out Dooku’s most important orders. But Darth Sidious, who followed the Sith’s Rule of Two, ordered Dooku to do away with Ventress. Ventress found herself abandoned by yet another master and wanted revenge. But after a couple of failed attempts at taking Dooku’s life, she resigned herself to a life of bounty hunting.
Close to the end of the war, Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos convinced Ventress to help him assassinate Dooku. Once again, the plot failed. But Ventress fell in love with Vos and sacrificed herself to save his life. At the very end, she recognized and welcomed the warm embrace of the light side of the Force. She redeemed herself.
Much like Satine Kryze’s death, however, Ventress’s was unnecessary. She could have created yet a new life for herself. She could have become a morally conscious bounty hunter like Sugi or, eventually, a rebel like Hera Syndulla. Instead, she was condemned to death on the brink of her redemption. Her character was interesting, her story powerful. She could have had more stories. Still, nothing can be done now except to highlight Ventress’s merits, which we accomplished by placing her at 9 on our list.
8. Jyn Erso
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
(Felicity Jones)
Ph: Film Frame
©Lucasfilm LFL
Jyn Erso is “reckless, aggressive, and undisciplined.” These are descriptors not normally applied to a woman. Jyn is also physically strong and hard as a rock. She does what she needs to do when she needs to do it, no matter what she is feeling inside. And she is not sexualized in any way, a rare thing for an action movie heroine. Her toughness makes her unique in the Star Wars universe.
But what really makes Jyn special is the confluence of toughness and heart in her character.
Throughout the course of Rogue One, Jyn’s character makes a complete 180-degree turn. At the start of the film, Jyn is an out-for-herself terrorist who doesn’t care about causes. By the time she dies on Scarif, she has become an inspirational rebel leader. Her depth of feeling is brought out by two things: the loving, desperate words of her father’s message, and the Death Star’s destruction of Jedha City. Finally, she realizes the Rebellion is a cause worth fighting for.
We love Jyn because she is a complicated human being. Like so many of us these days, she is angry and pathless. There is so much evil happening around her but she doesn’t see how she can possibly help or how it even affects her. Fortunately, life allows her to discover her purpose in a big and obvious way. She shows us there is hope for a better future, and that’s why she’s number 8 on our list.
7. Nomi Sunrider
Image Credit: Dark Horse Comics (via Wookieepedia)
Nomi Sunrider is a Legends character created for the Tales of the Jedi series by Dark Horse Comics. Her story takes place millennia before the Skywalkers when the Jedi were less strict on attachment. Nomi married a Jedi in training named Andur and bore a child. She was Force-sensitive but did not desire to become a Jedi like her husband. But when Andur died in battle, Nomi decided to follow her husband’s original path. She followed her destiny in the Force.
And what a grand destiny she had. She became a formidable Force user. During a war between the Jedi and the Sith lord Exar Kun, she used the strength of her emotions to sever Exar Kun’s apprentice’s connection with the Force. The defeat of the apprentice brought the war to an end. Later, she became a Grand Master of the Jedi Order.
Nomi’s story is inspirational. Instead of succumbing to despair after the death of her husband, she followed his path. In the process, she became one of the greatest Jedi in history. Her strength and power, her amazing accomplishments are why we ranked her at 7 on our list.
6. Mara Jade
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Mara Jade is arguably the most popular Legends character. And for good reason.
Mara was known as the Emperor’s Hand during the Dark Times. She was not as powerful as a Sith lord, but her limited Force abilities and her purple lightsaber got whatever task Palpatine needed doing done. Her last order from the Emperor was to kill Luke Skywalker. She almost succeeded, but was thwarted at the last moment. Shortly after, the Second Death Star was destroyed along with her master. Mara was forced to find a new path in life.
She eventually joined the smuggler organization run by Talon Karrde. Her paths crossed with Luke Skywalker in the Heir to the Empire trilogy by Timothy Zahn. By this time Mara had changed, and through a series of adventures she and Luke became friends. She attended his Jedi Academy on Yavin IV for a time before striking off on her own. When the two were thrown together again some years later, they fell in love and married.
The couple led the Jedi with their respective strengths. Luke was the calmer, more austere of the two. Mara was hands-on and sarcastic. She also became a powerful Jedi in her own right. In the end, she was only defeated by her nephew, Jacen Solo, who turned to the dark side.
We adore Mara for her incredible story arc. She experiences many trials, and she faces every one of them down with grit and sarcasm. Her personality is as fiery and vibrant as her flaming red hair. For these reasons, she ranks as the 6th best female Star Wars character.
5. Padme Amidala
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Padme Amidala had a lot to live up to. She was the second Star Wars movie heroine after Princess Leia. Furthermore, she was Leia’s biological mother and the wife of the infamous Darth Vader.
Some people don’t think she fulfilled her role as a powerful heroine. But we believe she did, which is why she is number 5 on our list.
In her short twenty-seven years, Padme accomplished a lot. She was elected queen of Naboo as a teenager and led the liberation effort against the Trade Federation. She became Naboo’s senator when her term as monarch was up. During the Clone Wars, she juggled the Senate and the fear of losing her secret husband, Anakin Skywalker, in battle. Later, she became pregnant, only to have her husband turn to the dark side. She died after giving birth to twins, believing in Anakin’s innate goodness to the very end.
Some think Padme was weak for marrying a young, immature man like Anakin and then losing the will to live after he turned against her. But really, Padme is the most human of all the Star Wars movie heroines. She falls in love. She makes some unwise decisions. And there is also a theory that Padme’s life force was drained from her by Palpatine to give Vader strength. Whether that theory is accurate or not is a moot point. Padme is still a strong person in her lifetime. And she is relatable. We could not make a list of Best Female Star Wars Characters without including her high in the ranks.
4. Rey
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Rey has not had time to cultivate a sweeping character arc. But the potential she showed in The Force Awakens puts her at number 4 on our list.
Rey is unique because she literally doesn’t know who she is. She probably wouldn’t recognize her family if they actually showed up. The Force Awakens is the first step in her journey of self-discovery. This is something else new for on-screen female Star Wars characters. Rey is taking a hero’s journey. Much like Luke Skywalker before her, she has an enormously important destiny but humble origins. Luke is her wizard, her guide on the Force path. Will she make the same choices and mistakes? We can’t wait to find out what her future brings.
Destiny aside, though, Rey is a charming personality. She is tough yet innocent. She is steadfastly loyal and morally conscience, in spite of her rough upbringing. Her spirit shines out through enthusiasm for adventure. She is a literal ray of sunshine.
3. Jaina Solo
Image Credit: Del Rey Books
Jaina Solo is such a popular Legends character that many thought Rey would represent her in the new canon. But Jaina remains her own person, and we couldn’t be happier. She’s too incredible to be touched.
Jaina is Han and Leia’s daughter in the Legends universe. She becomes a powerful Jedi and a fighter. Her fighting on the front lines of the Yuuzhan Vong war earned her the moniker Sword of the Jedi. She needed her lightsaber skills later on when she dueled her twin brother, Jacen, who fell to the dark side. Like a true Jedi who puts aside attachment for the greater good, she killed the Sith lord her brother had become.
The Sword of the Jedi is an icon not just in Star Wars but in science fiction. Pilot, Jedi, wife, and warrior, Jaina represents women’s unique strength. There are not many Legends characters in this list. But Jaina is, for many, the greatest of them all. She is a Legend.
2. Ahsoka Tano
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Ahsoka Tano is the most fan-favorite of all the canon characters created within the past decade. The Clone Wars viewers watched her grow from an annoying little “Snips” to a well-rounded young adult. In Star Wars Rebels, she was reintroduced as Fulcrum, a rebel informant, and resistance organizer. Her fate remains uncertain after her battle with Darth Vader. But such is her popularity that Rebels creator Dave Filoni says she will return.
Why is this character so popular? Part of it is her mischievous personality. Another is her wisdom, which is beyond her years in The Clone Wars. Her arc is also the most tragic in that series. She is framed for a crime against the Jedi she did not commit. After she is proved innocent, her faith in the Jedi is so shaken that she leaves the Order. In Star Wars Rebels, she is not officially a Jedi. Nevertheless, she still uses the Force and carries a pair of white-bladed lightsabers. When she duels Darth Vader, she discovers the Sith Lord was once her master, Anakin Skywalker. It is a poignant, deeply sad moment unprecedented in animation.
Ahsoka is the kind of character who inspires deep emotional responses. That is the true secret to her infamy in the Star Wars fandom. And it is why she receives the number 2 spot on this list.
1. Leia Organa
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
At last, we come to the best female character in the Star Wars universe. It’s no surprise she was the very first to appear on-screen.
Leia Organa is a princess, politician, political leader, wife, and mother all rolled into one. She can even use the Force, though she refused Jedi training from her brother. Her strength is mindblowing. This woman lost her entire adoptive family and her planet all in one day. But she still had the wherewithal and the energy to carry on. She withstood torture by the most fearsome villain in the galaxy, her own biological father. She rescued herself, Luke, and Han from the Death Star when Luke’s initial plan failed. And the princess never stops moving. Every waking moment of her life is spent thinking and planning for others: the rebellion, the New Republic, and later, her son. She is the powerhouse heroine we’ve been looking for.
Leia is not number one on our list because the actress who played her, Carrie Fisher, recently passed away. But the character would not have been the same if Fisher had not portrayed her. Leia’s spark and attitude come from Fisher. Together, these two women show us how to be strong when the going gets tough. And they show girls how to be real princesses.
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What did you think of our list? Who are your favorite female Star Wars characters? Tell us in the comments below.