You would be forgiven for not having heard of Star Wars Galaxy of Creatures. Despite being an official Star Wars production, the series was released on the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel with almost no publicity or advertising from Disney or Lucasfilm, so it completely slipped under the radar. Which is unfortunate, because it might just be one of the best Star Wars animated shows in recent memory.
The short-form animated series focuses on an aptly named Safari droid called SF-R3, who travels to various planets across the Star Wars galaxy to observe all the strange and wonderful creatures which the franchise has to offer. SF-R3 (who is regularly referred to as "Aree") and his companion, a cam droid known as CAM, carry out this work at the behest of the Galactic Society of Creature Enthusiasts. Wookieepedia places the timeline of the series at around 34 ABY, which is the same year that The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and Star Wars Resistance Season 1 take place for context.
The first season was released in 2021 and consisted of twelve episodes. Season 2 also contained twelve episodes when it arrived in 2023. Examples of the planets and creatures featured in the series include Banthas on Tatooine, a Rancor on Dathomir, Porgs on Batuu, Tauntauns and a Wampa on Hoth, and Puffer Pigs on Kyryll's World.
Each episode only lasts for around three minutes, so the show can easily be enjoyed on a casual basis without taking too much time out of your day. The episodes each follow an incredibly basic and simplistic story structure, in which SF-R3 would travel to a new planet in order to observe an alien species from the Star Wars franchise, with hilarious hijinks then occurring as he comes into contact with the creatures. The cozy and casual storylines and the overall lightness of the actual plot helped to make Galaxy of Creatures into a highly relaxing viewing experience, which does not require any real mental energy to enjoy, as opposed to the more complex plotlines in most other Star Wars media.
The show also makes absolutely no mention of politics or the various conflicts occurring within the Star Wars galaxy, which means that it can also be enjoyed by more casual fans who may be unfamiliar with the broader aspects of Star Wars. The episodes also feature no real violence or conflict, giving the series a very safe and friendly feel. Put simply, this is a show that absolutely anyone can enjoy, regardless of their age or whether they happen to be a hardcore or casual fan.
The delightful style of animation is also brilliantly simplistic and easy on the eyes, with the bright colors and the incredibly clear visual design making the series incredibly pleasing to look at. The bright and simplistic animation was clearly designed to appeal to younger viewers, but older fans will still find it pleasant to observe when they watch the series. Each of the creatures was given large eyes and highly expressive facial features, so that their emotions could be expressed to the viewer in a clear and cute way. Somehow, the animators even managed to make the more terrifying creatures from the Star Wars galaxy, such as Rancors, Nexus, and Wampas, seem cute and cuddly, which was certainly no easy feat.
After watching Galaxy of Creatures, you really will wish that you could keep your own pet Rancor in your backyard. And Aree was an incredibly likeable protagonist, with his kind and inquisitive personality and his quick-thinking and keen problem-solving skills making him a droid who viewers will no doubt want to be friends with. Aree also approaches every task with a positive and uplifting attitude. So, whether he is using a toothbrush to clean the gigantic teeth inside a Rancor’s mouth or lighting a fire in a cave to warm a freezing Wampa, it becomes clear that you can always rely on Aree to get you out of a tight spot. And the likeable Aree also proved to have a heroic side to his personality, which was showcased when he rescued a Nexu from poachers by freeing it from a net.
Voice actor Matt Surges did a fantastic job of bringing Aree to life, perfectly capturing the droid’s curious and good-natured personality in a way that made Aree seem pleasant and highly amicable. Surges also returned to voice Aree in several episodes of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, which takes place hundreds of years before Galaxy of Creatures. Since droids can last for innumerable centuries in the Star Wars franchise, it is wonderful to think that Aree has been observing wildlife for a period of time consisting of many human lifespans.
Galaxy of Creatures also features hilarious visual humor reminiscent of the early Mickey Mouse cartoons from Disney and the original Looney Tunes shorts from Warner Bros. This particular kind of humor is largely absent from the wider Star Wars franchise, making it a welcome addition to Galaxy of Creatures. And you will no doubt laugh uncontrollably when you witness Aree being thrust into the air after he broke the handle on his speeder bike while he was trying to herd a flock of Blurrgs, or when he accidentally blasted a Porg across the other side of a mountain as he attempted to teach it to sit.
It was also hilarious to see Aree being knocked across an enclosure by a Puffer Pig swelling up to its full size, and since Aree is more durable than an organic being, you will no doubt laugh when he is decapitated after the angry Tauntain he was riding caused him to crash into a stalactite. The hapless droid then fumbles around the cave on Hoth until he finds his missing head, which was downright hilarious. There was also a particularly hilarious visual gag in which a tribe of Kowakian Monkey-Lizards threw dozens of pieces of fruit in Aree’s direction, causing the unfortunate droid to desperately employ evasive maneuvers to avoid being hit. Each episode of Galaxy of Creatures showcased wonderful visual hijinks involving Aree and the creatures he encounters, making it a series that will leave its viewers regularly laughing out loud.
Best of all, Galaxy of Creatures also conveys an important message about preserving wildlife and protecting animal species at all costs, and this is certainly a noble message for viewers of all ages. Despite taking place in a galaxy far, far away, the central theme of protecting nature is still very relevant to the world we live in, making Galaxy of Creatures a surprisingly relevant and noteworthy animated series that sheds light on an important issue in a fun and creative way.
If you still have not watched Star Wars Galaxy of Creatures, you should immediately head over to the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel to enjoy both seasons of this absolutely delightful animated series. It will take less than fifty minutes to watch every episode, so the show really will not take up too much of your time, and it will also leave you smiling from start to finish. Although it certainly is not the most famous or discussed animated Star Wars series, it still goes without saying that Galaxy of Creatures is a show that Star Wars fans simply cannot afford to miss.