The Phantom Menace began the Prequel Trilogy and a brand new Star Wars period. The following era of followers packed into the film theaters to fall in love with brand-new characters.
Previous heroes had been explored, displaying the early days of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Acquainted worlds like Tatooine held nostalgia in opposition to the backdrop of recent places like Coruscant. Like each Star Wars film, The Phantom Menace created new aliens for the franchise. It was not a small quantity both. Over 40 new aliens had been launched to Star Wars, and listed here are 21 of the preferred ones nonetheless used as we speak.
1 – Zabrak
The second Darth Maul kicked within the proverbial door for among the best lightsaber battles within the franchise, audiences had been launched to the horned humanoids that had been the Zabraks. The movie additionally launched Iridonian Zabraks with Jedi Grasp Eeth Koth. Koth and Dathomirian Zabraks like Maul would get fleshed out extra in sequence like The Clone Wars.
2 – Gungan
Jar Jar Binks modified cinematic historical past by being the primary computer-generated character in a live-action movie. He additionally helped change Star Wars lore with the introduction of the Gungans. Whereas Jar Jar was the main target of many episodes of The Clone Wars, the indigenous natives of Naboo had been distinguished through the Excessive Republic Period and reintroduced within the novel Gentle of the Jedi.
3 – Neimoidian
As one of many foremost villains of The Phantom Menace, the Commerce Federation was made up of Neimoidians like their chief Viceroy Nute Gunray. These aliens are recognized for being dangerous guys all through Star Wars media and have by no means actually had rap. Maybe at some point, there shall be a Neimoidian hero.
4 – Aleena
The podracing scene was stuffed with many new species, particularly within the deleted scenes and prolonged reduce, which launched all of the racers. Podracer Ratts Tyerell introduced the Aleena into the galaxy, and so they’ve been a favourite species for Star Wars Animation. They’ve appeared in The Clone Wars and The Dangerous Batch, however Star Wars Resistance has probably the most display screen time. Grevel was an Aleena dwelling on the refueling station, the Colossus, who had a knack for inflicting hassle.
5 – Toydarian
Watto is by far the best-known Toydarian within the franchise because the proprietor of Anakin Skywalker and his mom, Shmi, when enslaved. Not all Toydarians had been slimy junk sellers, as seen in The Clone Wars. King Katuunko was a robust chief who honored his guarantees with the Jedi Order and Republic.
6 – Dug
Anakin’s podracing rival, Sebulba, was the proper mustache-twirling villain to convey Dugs into Star Wars. Whereas they’ve been introduced as artful or conniving, there have been good-natured Dugs too. Within the Excessive Republic Period, Tabakan Pak was a Jedi Grasp whose Padawan Qort was one of many foremost characters of The Excessive Republic Adventures comics.
7 – Anx
The Anx species have been much more prevalent within the Prolonged Universe materials than the present Disney canon. That mentioned, they’re making extra of a present within the Excessive Republic Period. Xo Lahru was an Anx Jedi Grasp who served on the Excessive Council through the ongoing combat with the villainous Nihil.
8 – Palliduvan
Whereas Palliduvans have been round since The Phantom Menace, it might take 20 years earlier than their species was named in Star Wars Resistance. Bounty hunter Aurra Sing has been the principle onscreen Palliduvan, and she or he’s been fairly busy within the franchise because the mentor to Boba Fett and serving to to run crime organizations.
9 – Quermian
For a while, Quermians had been regulated to being extra obscure background characters. When Assault of the Clones was launched, the species was typically in contrast and confused with the Kaminoans. Due to a sequence of sketches from Robotic Rooster, Quermians jumped into the highlight with their best-known member, Yarael Poof.
10 – Tholothian
Tholothians have been one of many staple alien species since The Phantom Menace. Adi Gallia has been probably the most seen member, featured all through the Prequel Trilogy and The Clone Wars. When contemplating making a derivative sequence for The Clone Wars, the Jedi youngling Katooni would have been a foremost character. Indeera Stokes and Ty Yorrick turned fan favorites through the Excessive Republic Period.
11 – Thisspiasian
George Lucas and Lucasfilm all the time love pulling from mythology, and somebody will need to have been a fan of Nagas after they created the Thisspiasian. These aliens have not been in live-action a lot as a result of bringing large snake folks to life might be a logistical nightmare. They are typically a favourite alien in Star Wars Animation and comics.
12 – Lannik
Jedi Grasp Even Piell is by far probably the most well-known Lannik within the franchise as a result of he is been the principle one on display screen. Beginning as a Excessive Council Member in The Phantom Menace, the cantankerous, no-nonsense Jedi was featured within the glorious Citadel Arc of The Clone Wars. Just a few different Lannik have popped up throughout the novels, however Even stays their most distinguished member.
13 – Iktotchi
Jedi Grasp Saesee Tiin is likely to be the face of his species, the Iktotchi, being featured all through the Prequels and The Clone Wars, however he was the primary of many Iktotchi to come back. One other fascinating member was Ferren Barr, an antagonist in Charles Soule’s comedian run Darth Vader, who virtually succeeded in killing the Sith Lord on the backside of the ocean. Throughout Star Wars Resistance’s run, Ax Tagrin barged into the sequence as a late menace within the present.
14 – Toong
Toongs had been made for animation. Whereas the podracer Ben Quadinaros first introduced the aliens into live-action, the species’ cartoonish design, with their various, shiny shade schemes, is ideal for animation. Weirdly sufficient, they’ve solely been in a single episode of The Clone Wars, the place comic Josh Brener voices a villainous dock employee.
15 – Cerean
With followers and in-universe characters noting this characteristic, the Cerean species are recognized for his or her recognizable pointy heads. Ki-Adi-Mundi is probably the most distinguished member, although extra Cerean have begun to pop up in novels just like the Excessive Republic Period and all through comics like Physician Aphra.
16 – Kel Dor
The endurance and fixed use of Kel Dor characters might be thanks to at least one explicit fan: Dave Filoni, the showrunner of The Mandalorian. Jedi Grasp Plo Koon is Filoni’s favourite Star Wars character, and he even cosplayed Koon through the premiere of Revenge of the Sith. Filoni would additionally voice a Kel Dor in Star Wars Resistance, one of many Ace Pilots named Bo Keevil.
17 – Bardottan
The award for probably the most underused alien species with probably the most potential for fascinating storytelling most likely goes to the Bardottans. This species was extremely Drive Delicate, however they despised the Jedi Order. They accused the Jedi of being baby kidnappers and forbade any Bardottan kids from becoming a member of the Jedi. Whereas the Legends materials has extra narrative concerning the Bardottans, the present canon is comparatively sparse with tales.
18 – Chagrian
From heroes to villains, Chagrians aren’t going anyplace anytime quickly in Star Wars. One of many foremost baddies within the Prequels and Unique Trilogy is Mas Amedda, the Grand Vizier for Emperor Palpatine. Whereas an informal fan may not know his title, Amedda is a continuing presence within the movies and is definitely recognizable.
Because the launch of the Excessive Republic, followers have adored the Jedi healer Torban “Buckets of Blood” Buck, the lovable, kick-butt trainer for the younger protagonists of The Excessive Republic Adventures comics. You may ask why a personality with that title is in a children’ comedian. Properly, Torban heals folks with buckets of blood, in fact!
19 – Koorivar
Whereas they had been used all through Legends novels, comics, and Genndy Tartakovsky’s Star Wars: Clone Wars, Koorivars have been scarce on display screen within the present canon. One recurring facet character within the Excessive Republic may assist in their resurgence. Norel Quo is the first aide to Chancellor Lina Soh, and he’s made a number of e book and comedian appearances.
20 – Asogian
Transferring into extra of the honorable mentions portion of this checklist, the Asogian species have to be famous as a result of they’re E.T. ‘s species. They had been crafted as homage to George Lucas’ good good friend Steven Spielberg’s movie, E.T. the Further-Terrestrial. Asogians are uncommon in Star Wars, however it’s a enjoyable Easter egg in The Phantom Menace.
21 – Diathim
“Are you an angel?” is taken into account one of many iconic strains from the movie. Nevertheless, the angels Anakin mused about had been a species within the galaxy. Nicknamed “angels,” the Diathim of Iego had been thought-about probably the most stunning folks within the galaxy. They had been secretive folks, which made legends about them develop amongst star pilots.