25 most heartbreaking Star Wars character deaths of all-time

Chirrut Îmwe

A blind, force-sensitive guardian for the temple of Kyber –which followed the teaches of the Church of the Force– Chirrut Îmwe makes his first appearance in Rogue One when he’s discussing Kyber crystals and the origins of lightsabers with Jyn on the moon Jedha. Chirrut is one of the few people left who still believe in the ways of the Force and is quick to join Jyn and Cassian’s squad to service the Rebellion.

Chirrut serves as a symbol of the “old ways” in a story that takes place long after the Jedi have died out. He even acts as a sort of Obi-Wan or Yoda to the squad and his use of the Force gets the Rebel team out of more than one bad situation.

Chirrut dies during Jyn and Cassian’s battle on Scarif to retrieve the Death Stars plans for destruction. While the Rebel Alliance refuses to send their Fleet into battle, Chirrut is one of the few who volunteers to assist Jyn in her mission. Chirrut was the one who cleared the way for Jyn and Cassian to send the Death Star plans to the Alliance, but was killed in an explosion shortly after.

Even though everyone on Scarif was doomed to die by the Death Star’s blast, it was still heartbreaking to see the only Force-user in the film meet his end.