Jedi or Mandalorian: Will Grogu Choose The Lightsaber Or The Armor?

Warning! SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 6.

The Book of Boba Fett had a significant Star Wars return with Grogu making an appearance, but now Baby Yoda has a tough decision to make between Jedi or Mandalorian. Disney+’s The Book of Boba Fett tells the story of Temuera Morrison’s infamous Star Wars bounty hunter and his quest to become the new crime lord on Tatooine. However, the series took a detour in episode 5, bringing back Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), who turns his beskar spear into Grogu-sized Mandalorian armor. Though Din Djarin plans to fight for Boba Fett in his war against the Pykes for Tatooine, Mando decides first to take his N-1 starfighter to Grogu’s training facility and deliver the beskar armor to keep Grogu/Baby Yoda safe.

Grogu finally returns to Star Wars in The Book of Boba Fett episode 6. The episode gives an inside look at Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) training the little character, and Grogu progresses quickly. Skywalker even comments to Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) that Grogu seems to be “remembering” his former training more than anything. However, the Mandalorian inadvertently complicates things. Not wanting to distract Grogu from his training, Mando leaves the armor with Ahsoka Tano to give to Grogu, but the gift causes issues. Skywalker offers Grogu Yoda’s (Frank Oz) old lightsaber and Mando’s Grogu-sized armor at the end of the episode. “You may choose only one,” Skywalker says.

Grogu appears to struggle with the decision between Jedi or Mandalorian. To harness the true power of the Force, Grogu would have to continue his training with Luke Skywalker. However, the young Jedi-in-training already has a strong bond with the Mandalorian and even reaches out for Mando’s ship as it leaves the planet. So, of course, there’s a strong case that Grogu should be allowed to become both a Mandalorian and a Jedi. But if the character has to choose, it appears there’s a clear answer.

Will Grogu Choose The Jedi Lightsaber?

There’s a strong case that Grogu’s Star Wars destiny leads him to choose the Jedi. During The Mandalorian season 2, Din Djarin’s primary goal is to get Grogu to his own people again to receive training and harness the Force. During this mission, Grogu essentially already chooses the path of the Jedi. In season 2, episode 5, Ahsoka Tano tells Mando that taking Grogu to an ancient temple on Tython will allow the little creature to choose his own path. At the temple, Grogu reaches out through the Force to the Jedi, and Luke Skywalker eventually responds.

The internet dubbed Grogu as Baby Yoda for a reason. Ahsoka Tano tells Mando that she’s only known one other creature like Grogu, and that was the former green Jedi Master. Grogu gives Disney and Lucasfilm the chance to bring a Yoda-like figure back to Star Wars, and Yoda’s Jedi history was a significant part of the character. Having Luke Skywalker train Grogu is a role reversal from Yoda training Luke, and Star Wars doesn’t appear keen to give that up so quickly.

Will Grogu Choose The Mandalorian Armor?

There are several signs that Grogu will follow the way of the Mandalorian. Grogu has formed a strong bond with Din Djarin over two seasons of The Mandalorian. He even wants Mando’s permission before heading off to train with Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian season 2 finale. During the episode, Din Djarin promises Grogu they will see each other again, and Star Wars will fulfill that promise. The Book of Boba Fett has already hinted at Din Djarin and Grogu teaming up again with the Mandalorian building a new ship with a special seat for Grogu.

Luke Skywalker may have also subtly persuaded Grogu to choose the Mandalorian armor. After Skywalker tells Grogu to choose between the Mandalorian armor and the Jedi lightsaber, he makes a point of saying that Jedi training takes years, and Grogu may never see the Mandalorian again if he chooses that path. “A short time for you is a lifetime for someone else,” Skywalker says. The Jedi says the line right before asking Grogu which path he chooses, making a solid case for Baby Yoda to go back on the road with Din Djarin.

Grogu Should Be Allowed To Be A Mandalorian Jedi

Star Wars already set a precedent for Mandalorians becoming powerful Jedi. Tarre Vizsla was a Force-sensitive character in the Star Wars universe, and he became the first Mandalorian inducted into the Jedi Order. According to legends, Tarre Vizsla created the Darksaber, which appears in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. With the weapon being an essential part of Star Wars‘ Disney+ series, it seems Mandalorian Jedi are already an important part of the universe, and Luke Skywalker should perhaps go through a refresher on Jedi history.

By making Grogu choose between Mandalorian or Jedi, Luke Skywalker is also hypocritical. The Jedi Master claims Grogu can’t have attachments, but Skywalker already has a solid connection to Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and all his other friends from the original trilogy. Additionally, Darth Vader’s (voiced by James Earl Jones) love for his family is what ultimately helps him break out of the Dark Side. Finally, Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi once said, “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” So Luke Skywalker’s request to make Grogu choose doesn’t make sense.

If Grogu Has To Choose, It Will Be Mandalorian

Star Wars isn’t giving up Grogu anytime soon. Thanks to Grogu’s friendship with Din Djarin, The Mandalorian launched Disney+’s Star Wars series to unprecedented popularity. And with future seasons of The Mandalorian on the way, the series won’t continue sans its most famous and cuddliest character. In all likelihood, the new season of The Mandalorian will feature Grogu sitting right behind Din Djarin in his N-1 starfighter.

Besides the hints that Grogu will join with Din Djarin, Star Wars may have already spoiled the character’s choice in the Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren comic book. The four-part canon story includes Kylo Ren’s dark backstory and information on the Knights of Ren. Kylo Ren recalls training at Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Academy in the comic, saying he was the first student. Since Luke Skywalker tells Grogu that he would be his first student in The Book of Boba Fett episode 6, it appears the Jedi path may not be in Baby Yoda’s Star Warsfuture.

The Book of Boba Fett finale releases Wednesday, February 9th, 2022, on Disney+.

About The Author

Bill Bradley
(524 Articles Published)

Bill is an experienced reporter who’s covered entertainment and fandom since 2014. He’s done everything from unearthing the discarded Game of Thrones pilot script in a library in Texas to finding out why Steve left Blue’s Clues. He also enjoys eating Taco Bell and drinking chocolate milk.

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