Summary

From Anakin Skywalker to Master Yoda , theStar Warsuniverse has been massively influenced by exceptional characters who permanently change the trajectory of the galaxy throughouttheStar Warstimeline , but 10 specific characters are the most influential . Key player have shape the history ofStar Wars , and , without them , the outcome of the dealership would not have transpired in the same way or , in some cases , at all . Whilethe Skywalker familydoes make up a part of this list , many other characters who touch on them are equally and , for some , even more of the essence than the member ofStar Wars’main bloodline .

A ranking of this nature is complicated in a franchise likeStar Wars , which emphasizes bonds between graphic symbol - masters and apprentices , Fatherhood and sons , secret married man and wives , and more . Not only do so many characters have a mitt in the major events of the coltsfoot , but they also intersect with one another in such a fashion that it ’s difficult to untangle them . Especially because theStar Warsstory is in part the write up of one very brawny , very influential fellowship , the influences of one eccentric are heavily related to the influences of another . Despite that , certain characters post much more exercising weight throughout the franchise .

What ’s the best way to look on Star Wars ? Here ’s everything you require to acknowledge to find out in liberation or timeline order , and how to include the TV show .

Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn from Star Wars The Phantom Menace, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars A New Hope, Daisy Ridley as Rey from Star Wars The Force Awakens

10Mace Windu

First Appeared:Star Wars: Episode I -The Phantom Menace

Although Mace Windu dies in the prequel trilogy , he had a monumental impact on the events that led to Anakin Skywalker becoming Darth Vader , and , alas , many of those influence were not positive . Mace Windu was a Jedi Master on the Council who was known for being extremely skilled with a lightsaber ; however , when he is introduced inThe Phantom Menace , he get along across as uncongenial . He is the most outspoken , not only in that motion-picture show but also throughout the prequel trilogy , about not trusting Anakin . Particularly inStar Wars : TheClone Warsseries , he is at multiplication even antagonistic towards Anakin .

By the metre Anakin has bring in that Palpatine is a Sith Lord , it ’s too little too late for Mace Windu to exchange his tune . When Anakin come to Mace Windu to cover this discovery , Mace Windu says,“If what you ’ve told me is true , you will have gained my trust . “This exchange demonstrate their strained relationship ; this comes after more than a decade of Mace knowing Anakin , during which Anakin fought valiantly for the Republic . Based on that , it ’s unsurprising that when Palpatine , who has built a bond with Anakin , attacks Mace , it ’s Palpatine that Anakin choose . Immediately after , he is baptize Vader .

9Qui-Gon Jinn

Although even more short - endure than Mace Windu , Qui - Gon Jinn ’s determination inThe Phantom Menacehave monolithic ramifications for theStar Warsgalaxy . In many way , Qui - Gon severally seals the wandflower ’s fate . Not only does Qui - Gon insist on Anakin becoming a Jedi , but he also introduces Anakin and Padmé , which ultimately sic in motion the fear , adhesion , and anxiety about loss that create Darth Vader . Had Qui - Gon not brought Padmé with him onto Tatooine , not taken Anakin off the planet , and not insisted that Anakin be trained as a Jedi against the Council ’s recommendation , Darth Vader may have never been created .

8Ahsoka Tano

First Appeared:Star Wars:The Clone WarsMovie

Putting Ahsoka this low on the lean is unmanageable , but because she was nearly entirely missing from the Skywalker saga movies ( her voice is include inThe procession of Skywalker),Star Warsis still expose , through show likeAhsoka , The Mandalorian , andThe Book of Boba Fetthow influential she really was . However , The Clone Warsseries andStar WarsRebelsdo demonstrate that she had a significant impact on both Anakin and the Rebellion . In terms of her core on Anakin , as his Padawan , she represents yet another attachment that Anakin struggle with ; this issue was not isolated to Padmé .

InThe Clone Wars , Ahsoka leaves the Jedi Orderbecause they abandoned her when she was falsely accused of execution , which create a fracture that conduce to Anakin believe the Jedi are evil . Anakin is visibly disgusted by the Council ’s behavior during this arc , and when Ahsoka allow for , he unwrap that he too has thought of leaving . Although Ahsoka blame herself for his fall because of her leaving , that ’s a little unfair ; Anakin was already on that path . Ahsoka also contributes significantly to the Rebellion inRebelsas a spy name Fulcrum .

Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano have a meaningful , yet tragic human relationship in Star Wars . How did they meet , and what happened between them ?

Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano in live-action Star Wars

7Princess Leia Organa

First Appeared:Star Wars

​​​​​Princess Leia has a significant impact on the galaxy throughout the original and prequel trilogies , which comes in multiple forms . As the Princess of Alderaan , she represents the continuance of an total planet and people that have been put down by the Empire . As a senator ofthe New Republicfollowing the fall of the Empire and a superior general in the Resistance in the subsequence trilogy , she has a massive hired hand in remold a broken galaxy and in the Resistance winning out against the First Order . Her last is also a critical one ; she brings her son back to the brightness level after complete Rey ’s breeding .

6Luke Skywalker

As the hope ofA New Hope , Luke Skywalker had a monumental impact ontheStar Warsgalaxy . Just as Obi - Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda planned , Luke grow up on Tatooine unaware of his family history and became the next Jedi . In the original trilogy , Luke helps overthrow Palpatine and turns Darth Vader back to the swooning side of the Force before his death . In the continuation trilogy , Luke has just as much impact , but mostly for the worse ; by reverence Ben Solo ’s conflicted judgment , he unknowingly create Kylo Ren . He ameliorates that error by training Rey , ensuring the future of the Jedi .

5Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi - Wan has a mitt in grooming two of the most sinewy Jedi inStar Warshistory , Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker , but he is also powerful and influential himself . Taking over as master of Anakin once Qui - Gon , Obi - Wan ’s own master , dies , he is partially responsible for the creation of Darth Vader . While Obi - Wan is a great Jedi , he often overlooked or actively excused Anakin ’s troubling conduct , include extreme ego , tempestuous outburst , and unmortgaged adhesion to and love of Padmé Amidala . Although not solely to find fault for the rise of Darth Vader , he for certain toy a role in the events that lead to Anakin ’s crepuscule .

Of course , Obi - Wan is also largely responsible for the re - outgrowth of the Jedi . After the duel between Obi - Wan and Anakin on Mustafar inStar war : Episode III -Revenge of the Sith , Obi - Wan agrees to take Luke to Tatooine , keep an eye on over him and eventually training him . InA New Hope , he begin that training , and , by doing so , rekindle the beingness of the Jedi . Luke goes on to train Rey , who will begin a raw Jedi Order , all because Obi - Wan watched over him . TheObi - Wan Kenobiseries also revealed how much Obi - Wan did to write Leia and further the efforts of the Rebellion .

4Padmé Amidala

Padmé , although crucial inStar Warsbecause she is the most important fastening to Anakin , thus charm his downfall , and the female parent of Luke and Leia who go on to shape the galaxy , has a vast impact and bequest in her own right hand . As king of Naboo at just 14 geezerhood quondam , Padmé faces off against the Trade Federation , at long last pull through Naboo . She then becomes a senator in the Republic , influencing insurance policy and becoming a major player in the Clone Wars . In fact , now - canonized delete view fromRevenge of the Sithconfirmed thatPadmé pep up the Rebellion .

As mentioned , Padmé also plays a polar part in Anakin ’s drop to the dark side . InStar Wars : Episode II -Attack of the Clones , she is adamant that the two not be together because a secret relationship would destroy them . Despite that , she in the end vacate that resolution , and the two get conjoin . In the wake of the loss of his female parent , Anakin ’s obsession with Padmé and paranoia about observe her alive sends him into a spiral that leads him now into Palpatine ’s trap . While certainly not to charge for Anakin ’s action , Padmé ’s decision to marry Anakin in secret commute the beetleweed perpetually .

3Master Yoda

First Appeared:The Empire Strikes Back

Master Yoda , in many ways , is the sum of the Jedi Order , at least as it is presented in the prequel trilogy . While the Jedi subsist long before Yoda became a Jedi , by M of years , he define what the Jedi Order wait like in the prequel era , and that definition is pass down generationally from Obi - Wan to Luke and from Luke to Rey . Although Rey will have the chance to update that framework with the ancient Jedi texts in herupcoming New Jedi Order movie , Yoda ’s bequest remains . Moreover , Yoda was polar in the journey of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker .

When Qui - Gon brings Anakin in front of the Council inThe Phantom Menace , the Council , including Master Yoda , is very hesitant to make for Anakin on as a Padawan because of his old age and his inner fear and confusion . Qui - Gon argues with the Jedi Council , and they ultimately spelunk , setting in motion Anakin ’s path to Darth Vader . Had Yoda remain resolute , this would not have come to draw . Yoda also essentially stonewall Anakin when he essay guidance on his nightmares , telling him not to mourn the dead ; had Yoda had a bite more compassion in the conversation , perhaps Anakin would not have turn .

Yoda is one of the old Star Wars lineament , having inhabit through most of the Skywalker saga as well as the entire High Republic Era .

Different images of Master Yoda

2Emperor Palpatine

It would be difficult to amplify the impact that Palpatine had on theStar Warsgalaxy . Palpatine moves from the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic Senate to the Emperor of the Galactic Empire , and he single - handedly create Darth Vader . He is responsible for for wiping out the Jedi , induce innumerable decease , and alter the circumstances of most ofStar Wars’main case . Even in the sequel trilogy when he somehow returns , he emerges as the overarching villain . He is also the grandfather of Rey , now the future of the Jedi . Despite that substantial history , he does not quite earn the top spot .

1Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Anakin Skywalker is the undivided most influential characterinStar Wars . He isthe Chosen One , bringing balance to the Force , but he is also responsible for the destruction of the Jedi Order and the near - quenching of the Jedi . Ironically , he is also the reason the Jedi remain , as it is his son , Luke , who brings the Jedi back . George Lucas explain Darth Vader ’s import : his story share the subject matter that anyone , even the best people , can go big , but they can also find their way back . This is perhaps the very heart ofStar Wars , and no character embody that more than Anakin .

Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker, and Anakin Skywalker

Star Wars' Mace Windu holding his purple lightsaber.

Star Wars Qui-Gon Jinn and DNA

Ahsoka the White in the foreground, young Ahsoka live action and animated in the background

Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi Alec Guinnes and Ewan McGregor

Yoda’s Force ghost with a blurred background of stars

Emperor Palpatine and Imperial Senate In Star Wars

Darth Vader on the left, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker on the right.

Star Wars Franchise Poster

Star Wars