As a prequel trilogy kid, I adore Star Wars stories that portray the Jedi as flawed individuals while breaking down the systemic issues of how and why the Order fell. However, I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea. After all, Star Wars is a mythology. As a modern myth, these kinds of stories are built on lessons of redemption, hope, and love overcoming great evils.
Recent Star Wars series like Andor and Star Wars Resistance might have few to no Force users. The Acolyte explores flawed Jedi individuals and the beginning of the Jedi Order's downfall in the prequel trilogy. Where are the stories where the Jedi are heroes? Where is the Order itself a force of good?
Here are 10 places in Star Wars (both canon and some fun extras thrown in) where the Jedi are heroes and the Order is good.
1. The Original Trilogy
Star Wars fans first heard the word "Jedi" in A New Hope as Obi-Wan Kenobi told a young farm boy named Luke Skywalker about the great warriors of the Jedi Order. All three movies of the original trilogy present the Jedi and the Order as a force of good. Yes, Yoda's method might seem a bit out there as he doesn't want Luke to leave to save his friends. Obi-Wan lied about Luke's father "From a certain point of view." However, these movies are about Luke discovering his path as a Jedi and the hope that he can bring the galaxy. That the Order isn't dead, that the Empire didn't destroy it. Luke is a symbol of hope that things will get better.
2. The Clone Wars
I know this one might seem like a more out there take, but hear me out.
Yes, the later seasons of The Clone Wars see the Jedi Order breaking down thanks to years of war and Palpatine's machinations coming to fruition. Individuals like Anakin Skywalker, Pong Krell, and Barriss Offee either fall to the dark side or become disenfranchised with the Jedi Order as an institution.
That said, I would argue that most of this show, especially in the early seasons, showcases Jedi as individuals doing good and the Order trying their best to help save the galaxy. From episodes like "Defenders of Peace," where the Jedi risk their lives for pacifists refusing to fight, to the kindness of Obi-Wan teaching his clones empathy with a little child named Numa in "Innocents of Ryloth," the early seasons of The Clone Wars are packed to the brim with heroic moments from these Force users.
Even later in Season 7, Ahsoka has left the Order but comes back to fight at Mandalore because it's the right thing to do. She tries her best not to strike down the clones under the spell of Order 66 because she understands it's not their fault. While it may not be every episode, there are seven seasons worth of content in this series where Jedi are shown to be good at one point or another.
3. Star Wars Rebels
The Jedi Order might be gone, but that doesn't mean their idea and individuals are. Star Wars Rebels captures this perfectly.
One of my favorite things about Kanan Jarrus is the Order fell when he was a padawan. He didn't get into the more dogmatic bureaucratic levels of the Order. All he has are the basics taught to him and the Force, which is what he passes on to his padawan, Ezra Bridger. That's all a Jedi really needs.
Ezra and Kanan become symbols of what made the Jedi good. Working for the Rebellion, they spend their time saving the galaxy, working towards the greater good, and stopping evil. While not claiming the "Jedi" moniker at this time, Ahsoka Tano is very much a representation of the light side of the Force, especially with the Daughter's convor, Morai, at her side.
The Jedi in this series don't have to worry about the headache of the Order because there is no Order. They define what a Jedi is for them in this new time period, setting the stage for the next generation through meeting characters like Leia Organa, the introduction of Jacen Syndulla, and Ezra becoming his own kind of Force user, which we see in the next entry.
4. Ahsoka
Ahsoka is the first of two series on this list that focuses on individual Jedi and their journey of healing. Ahsoka Tano's journey to this point with the show has been a tumultuous one, especially after the pain she felt after being betrayed by the Jedi Order. That was still a huge loss for her, regardless of the negative feelings she held toward the institution. She loved individuals in the Jedi and still felt that grief knowing they were all gone.
From facing her old master, Anakin Skywalker, in the World Between Worlds, training the next generation through Sabine Wren, and finding Ezra in another galaxy, Ahsoka's series is one where she learns to embrace the title of "Jedi" once again. She gets to choose the kind of Jedi she wants to be in a new era where so few of them are left. Ahsoka's narrative is one of healing and learning how to be a beacon of light once again in a galaxy that needs her.
5. The Force Awakens
Putting the other two sequel trilogy movies to the side, The Force Awakens frames the Jedi as these mythical heroes from another era. Rey's eyes sparkle as Han Solo confirms that all the stories about the Jedi are true. Luke Skywalker is spoken about as this legendary being. Leia Organa, while not a Jedi but a Force user, is handled with gravitas. The heroes and Jedi of the original trilogy are held to a positive degree in the narrative. It drives Rey's story forward because she has these great people to look up to. Even when getting into something like The Last Jedi, Rey's hope in the idea of the Jedi of old brings Luke back from his isolation. Her faith in the Jedi heals him so he can step into the hero role once more.
6. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Like Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi focuses on an individual Jedi and his healing journey. It's a story about how Obi-Wan fully embraces being a Jedi once more. He starts the series ignoring the needs of those around him, and his actions get another Jedi on the run killed. He puts his obsession in protecting Luke over the needs of others because it's an obsession driven by mourning.
However, thanks to the little light of Leia and the story of bringing her home, Obi-Wan grapples with, faces, and conquers his fears of losing Anakin to the dark side. His showdown with Vader is one of the most powerful moments in recent Star Wars, not killing Anakin but instead choosing the Jedi path to let him go. Letting go of that pain allowed Obi-Wan to move forward and also give him the ability to bring Reva back to the light side. She was saved thanks to Obi-Wan. The series ends with him once more being firmly in his beliefs as a Jedi, connected to the Force, and even getting to reunite with his master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
7. The High Republic
While The Acolyte takes place at the end of this era, the beginning of The High Republic features the Jedi, the Order, and the Republic during their golden age. The first book, Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule, introduces the plot of this time, while Into the Dark by Claudia Gray explores the concepts and ideas, all featuring the Jedi at their best, no matter how horrifically dark it gets. And it gets dark! The High Republic has an insane body count, even in the young adult, middle grade books, and the all-ages comics. These books set the stage for The Acolyte's "Night" and are not afraid to kill its main characters. But unlike the TV series, these books and comics always show their characters fighting and bouncing back despite the odds, even if it's in the next book.
The way the Jedi bring hope and light in the most dire of times is spectacular. The characters feature some insane hardships. But people like Avar Kriss, Bell Zettifar, Elzar Mann, Orla Jareni, Loden Greatstorm, Stellan Gios, and yes, in this era, Vernestra Rwoh showcase the Jedi at their very best. No matter how dark it gets, these characters rise above it, sometimes to their detriment. The seeds of the Order slipping as an institution are starting to be sewn, but the individuals of this time period are some of the best characters as individual Jedi.
8. Young Jedi Adventures
It seems like a given that the preschool show about Jedi probably won't dive into the systemic issues of the Order. That might be a bit too much for your toddler. Though, there is an entire episode about gentrification, so get in those important lessons while they're young, right?
Young Jedi Adventures shouldn't be written off just because it's very much for a younger audience. There's a reason it's found an adult fanbase through Nubs Nations (more on that here if you need reasons to watch the show) and has won two Emmy Awards. This show is very much the Bluey of Star Wars and very well put together from its fun characters, evolving storylines, and exploration of why the Jedi are, in fact, good people.
This show will not be for everyone, which is totally fine. However, I do advise giving it a try with an open mind. I was enchanted by it, especially the episodes featuring the character of Raxlo. Who doesn't love a capitalist-loving bird man trying to deforest a jungle for profit? Haley Joel Osment shines in that role, bringing some hilarious one-liners to the series.
9. Star Wars: Visions
While moving into two non-canon examples, I do think they are worthy to be on this list. Star Wars: Visions has a plethora of examples of the Jedi being at their best. What I love about this entry is that most of Star Wars has been from an American point of view, as Western filmmakers have crafted the majority of the franchise. Visions allows creators from all over the world to showcase what is important to their view of Star Wars, which results in many positive takes on the Jedi and the Order.
Season 1 is full of examples. Ronin might have a red blade, but he steps in to rescue a village in "The Duel." Jay defuses a conflict with Jabba in a peaceful way in "Tatooine Rhapsody" to save his friend's life. The bond between master and padawan is tested in "The Elder." The love of a brother to save his twin sister and the importance of found family is on full display in "The Twins" and "Lop and Ocho." A Jedi creator passes his love and knowledge to his droid apprentice in "T0-B1." And a Jedi named F overcomes her trauma to reconnect with the Force in "The Village Bride."
Season 2, while not quite as Jedi-focused, continues these ideas of why they're good. Several characters find their own paths to the light side or the Force in "Sith," "In the Stars," and "Aau's Song." A brother gets his sister to the safety of a Jedi in hiding in "The Bandits of Golak." A wayward padawan discovers a path of healing and defeats the Sith who has tormented him in "Journey to the Dark Head."
Star Wars: Visions may not be canon, but it features some of the best Jedi stories in the Disney era of storytelling.
10. The Freemaker Adventures
If you've never given LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures a try, it's a delight. This little non-canon alternate universe take on the Rebellion era is a great time while still having plenty of cameos from Luke, Leia, Hera Syndulla, and more. At the core are the Freemaker siblings, all orphaned from the war. The youngest Rowan discovers he's Force-sensitive. With the help of his older brother and sister, Zander and Kordi, he has to figure out what it means to be a Jedi in a time where there are so few. Also, Matt Sloan and Trevor Devall smash this series as Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, having the best jokes of the show.
If you've loved the LEGO specials, give the two seasons of The Freemaker Adventures a try. This little show has a ton of heart and, if anything, some of the best clips of Darth Vader letting his "Anakin nerds out over ships" moments in the entire franchise.
Honorable Mentions: Books, comics, and video games
Honestly, the number of books and comics showing the Jedi and the Jedi Order as heroic could be a list of its own. That is not even counting Star Wars Legends, with decades of storytelling with its own books and games. Speaking of games, video games too! Cal Kestis is a fantastic character in the Jedi series. That's just one example because Kyle Katarn walked so Cal could run. And board games, card games, and tabletop TTRPGs are where you can be your own heroic Jedi. The list goes on. The depths of this section go so deep that there is something for everyone when you jump into the wonderful world of the ancillary materials of this franchise. The best part is that if something isn't to your liking, there is so much to choose from in this category that it's easy to try something else.