Yoda wasn’t the only member of his species in Star Wars; there was also Yaddle, a Jedi from the prequels with ties to both Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen’s Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker, but disappeared in the later part of the trilogy. Yoda and Yaddle’s Star Wars species has been a mystery since the diminutive alien first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back. Notably, George Lucas has jokingly said that Yoda could be the illicit love child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. This changed with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, which introduced Yaddle, a female of Yoda’s species. But what happened to Yaddle after The Phantom Menace.
In reality, Lucas’ muppet reference isn’t that far from the truth. Yaddle was a repurposed test puppet for Yoda himself, but in breaking such a hard-fast Star Wars rule, was immediately intriguing and thus given her own story arc. Despite some character expansion in both the Expanded Universe – now called Legends – and wider canon, Yaddle disappeared by Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and was never seen again. In fact, there are no mentions of Yaddle in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, or any other Disney Star Wars project.
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When it comes to Yaddle Star Wars seems to have entirely forgotten about the character, which is a pity because what happened to Yaddle after Phantom Menace is crucial to the history of the Jedi. Where is Yaddle in Star Wars‘ massive galaxy, what happened to her, and is there a chance she could show up again? Here’s everything audiences need to know about Jedi Master Yaddle.
What Happened To Yaddle?
In Legends, Yaddle sacrifices herself to save millions while on a mission alongside Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker. This happens in the novel “Jedi Quest: The Shadow Trap,” which, like the rest of Legends, is not considered canon. However, as the franchise has previously adapted Expanded Universe elements into Star Wars canon, which has helped fix past errors, Yaddle’s deeds may still factor into Disney’s Star Wars stories. In “The Shadow Trap,” the three Jedi attempt to end a cycle of violence on the lawless world of Mawan but are unable to prevent the release of a bioweapon. Using her great control over the Force, Yaddle absorbs the bioweapon, dying instantly. In the new Disney canon, however, Yaddle’s fate is unknown. After supposedly retiring following the Battle of Naboo, she’s never been seen again.
Who Is Yaddle?
The Star Wars Character Encyclopaedia reveals that Yaddle was born around 509 years before the Battle of Yavin, and was brought to the Jedi Temple at some point in her life. She had a long and distinguished career as a Jedi Master, serving on the Council alongside at least one of her old Padawans. Yaddle withdrew from active service shortly after Qui-Gon’s death, replaced by Jedi Master Shaak Ti.
Jedi Master Yaddle: Morichro And Force Powers Explained
Where is Yaddle in Star Wars‘ ranking of the most powerful Jedi? Yaddle’s Force powers were never truly explored in the movies where she appeared, but apart from being just as good as any Jedi Master with a lightsaber, Yaddle is one of the few known Force users to master the forbidden art of Morichro. This ancient Jedi art can rapidly slow down an opponent’s bodily functions, even to the point of death, making it closer to Sith disciplines with the Force. However, as Yaddle shows Anakin and Obi-Wan with her sacrifice on Mawan, even the darkest Force powers cannot corrupt a truly dedicated Jedi Master – similar to how Mace Windu’s Vaapad lightsaber form allows him to channel the dark side’s temptation for the greater good. No Jedi is more powerful than Luke Skywalker or Yoda, but at half of Yoda’s age, Yaddle comes pretty close because of her unique mastery of the Force.
Yaddle was also unexpectedly mentioned in the Jedi: Fallen Order game, which hinted she may have gone into hiding and survived the Emperor’s Purge. That seems doubtful, however, given Darth Vader believed she was dead. In Charles Soule’s Darth Vader series, the Dark Lord of the Sith experienced visions of Jedi Masters from the past, including Yaddle, and insisted they were all dead. That may well mean that Vader himself was ultimately the one who cut Yaddle down.
Is Yaddle In Obi-Wan Kenobi?
Star Wars‘ Yaddle does not appear in Disney’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and Yaddle doesn’t even get mentioned by the Obi-Wan Kenobi cast, which is a disservice not just to her but to the entire history of Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker. At its core, Obi-Wan Kenobi is about the importance of never straying from the path of the Jedi, no matter the odds. Obi-Wan only overcomes self-doubt and becomes the Jedi Master of lore after encountering Leia and the Path, as these experiences give him something bigger than himself to fight for once again. While Obi-Wan has the chance to kill Darth Vader, he allows his former Padawan to live, as the two agree that Anakin is already long dead. However, the reality is that Obi-Wan sees through Vader’s facade and hasn’t given up hope that Anakin can still be redeemed – which Luke later proves in Return of the Jedi. It doesn’t entirely make sense for Obi-Wan to retain his faith in Anakin, who has succumbed so deeply to the dark side – unless Obi-Wan and Anakin witnessed Yaddle’s self-sacrifice to save millions on Mawan.
Even just a mention of Yaddle could have given some much-needed context as to why Obi-Wan allowed the dangerous Sith Lord to live when killing Vader would’ve saved thousands or even millions of lives. Despite how Anakin turned to the Dark Side, the events in “Jedi Quest: The Shadow Trap” would have allowed Obi-Wan to realize that there’s still hope for Anakin. Yaddle’s Star Wars return would’ve been an appropriate nod during Obi-Wan and Vader’s final duel or Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s Qui-Gon Jinn Force Ghost cameo, greatly rewarding those who followed Legends. That said, perhaps such a momentous finale was better focused on the two Force-users, and there are a number of other ways for Disney to continue Yaddle’s story.
Star Wars still has one active member of Yaddle’s species in its ongoing canon storylines: Grogu from The Mandalorian, whose connection to the Force and Luke Skywalker could soon see him crossing paths with Yaddle. If Jedi Master Yaddle returns as a Force Ghost, this could confirm her selfless deeds on Mawan as part of Star Wars canon – a practical lesson for anyone who aspires to become a Jedi at Luke’s new academy. Yaddle didn’t appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi, but exploring what happened to Yaddle after Phantom Menace could make Disney’s future Star Wars series and movies all the more compelling. If Disney can make room for the Grand Inquisitor to return, Yaddle, who is an even more important character in the wider canon, also deserves a place in the new Star Wars.
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- Star Wars 9 / Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)Release date: Dec 20, 2019
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