7 Star Wars High Republic Characters Who Are Criminally Underrated

The Star Wars: The High Republic series has launched a lot of new and interesting characters in its books, comics, and audio dramas. While characters like Avar Kriss and Marchion Ro have become popular, many other compelling characters haven’t gotten as much attention. These often-overlooked heroes and villains played a vital role in the fight for the Republic’s future, each offering a unique perspective on the unfolding story.

Whether they’re clever leaders, characters facing hardship, or seemingly ordinary people, these individuals deserve more appreciation for their impact on the latest and most thrilling chapter of the Star Wars story.

1. Marda Ro

Marda Ro’s life was a heartbreaking journey from a naive young woman to a dangerous extremist. She founded the Nihil, and as the grandmother of Marchion Ro, her growing disappointment with the Jedi Order fueled the creation of what became a terrorist organization. Initially a member of the Path of the Open Hand-a group that believed the Force should be unrestricted and that the Jedi were stifling it-Marda Ro masked a fervent, underlying fanaticism with kindness, ultimately leading her down a destructive path.

Marda’s unwavering faith in the Path and its leader, the Mother, ultimately led her to extremism. She couldn’t think for herself and blindly accepted the cult’s beliefs. A personal loss then pushed her over the edge. When her first love, Jedi Padawan Kevmo Zink, was killed by a creature that preyed on Force-users, she became convinced that the Force was inherently evil. This tragedy drove her to create a group that would eventually bring terror to the galaxy, establishing her as a key figure behind the era’s biggest danger.

2. Yana Ro

Yana Ro was both resourceful and ruthless. Her life was closely connected to that of her cousin, Marda. While Marda deeply believed in the Mother’s teachings, Yana didn’t share those beliefs and remained with the group only because of her loyalty to Marda and Marda’s partner, Kor. Yana was a pragmatist who would do whatever it took to survive, and she was exceptionally skilled at it – she was the sole survivor of a deadly trap set by the Mother.

As a critic, I found Yana to be a truly compelling character. She’s central to the Path of the Open Hand, and importantly, she’s one of the few voices willing to question Marda’s increasingly radical beliefs. Yana isn’t blindly devoted like Marda; she provides a much-needed, realistic counterpoint. What drives her isn’t ideology, but a deeply personal desire to protect the only two people she cares for – Marda and Kor. Ultimately, Yana’s story isn’t about grand philosophies, it’s about survival, and it offers a fascinating, down-to-earth look at how the Path changed and eventually became the Nihil.

3. Gella Nattai

Gella Nattai is a Jedi Knight central to the long-running conflict between the planets Eiram and E’ronoh. She repeatedly uses her talent for diplomacy, trying to end the war by safeguarding a prince from Eiram and a princess from E’ronoh who are promised to each other in marriage. Though dedicated to bringing peace, she struggles with the immense suffering the war has caused to ordinary people.

Gella’s story is deeply connected to Axel Greylark, the Chancellor’s troubled son. Though Axel starts as a spy working against peace, Gella profoundly impacts him, leading him toward making amends. Gella represents the suffering caused by the war and consistently chooses kindness and empathy, even when facing great danger.

4. Chancellor Greylark

Kyong Greylark, the Supreme Chancellor, is a skilled politician navigating a difficult situation: leading the Republic during a new era of space exploration while also raising a family. Her demanding career created distance between her and her son, Axel, contributing to his personal struggles.

Kyong faces tough choices as a leader, always prioritizing what’s best for the Republic. However, becoming a strong leader means sacrificing time and attention with her son. When her son, Axel, gets into trouble, she feels obligated to ensure he’s held accountable, fearing any leniency would make her appear biased as Chancellor. In the end, Kyong comes to the realization that her son, Axel, is more important to her than her position leading the Republic.

5. Creighton Sun

Master Creighton Sun was a highly respected Jedi Master and a calm, thoughtful voice on the Jedi Council, listened to by many beyond the Jedi Order. As a historian with a profound knowledge of the Force, people turned to him for guidance during difficult times, especially during the peace negotiations between Eiram and E’ronoh. He played a crucial role in successfully arranging the marriage of the heirs from these warring planets, even when the wedding ceremony was threatened by violence.

As a huge *Star Wars* fan, I’ve always been impressed by Sun. He’s not just a powerful Jedi, but a real diplomat – he actually *talked* the opposing sides into a truce at the Battle of Jedah, which is incredible! And he was absolutely vital in the final showdown against the Path on Dalna in *Star Wars: Cataclysm*. What I really appreciate is his calm and thoughtful approach; he’s a quiet leader, but everyone respects him, and he’s a core part of what makes the Jedi so strong during the High Republic era.

6. Kevmo Zink

I’ve been learning about Kevmo Zink, and his story is just heartbreaking. He was a young Jedi Padawan, full of hope, and he met Marda Ro on Danla. They really connected, but they had such different views on the Force. Kevmo truly believed the Jedi used it for good, to help people and keep the Republic safe. Marda, though, felt *any* use of the Force was wrong and would lead to disaster. It’s so tragic because Kevmo used his abilities to save her, her friends, and even some babies from drowning, but she still saw it as a terrible mistake – a sin, even. It’s like his good deed was the thing that ultimately set everything wrong in motion, eventually leading to the rise of the Nihil. It’s a really poignant story.

When Kevmo was killed by a newly-formed Leveler – one of the mysterious Nameless – Marda watched him slowly turn to stone. Surprisingly, she didn’t mourn him as a lost love. Instead, she believed his death was a result of his reckless use of the Force. This experience pushed her toward extremism and ultimately led her to create the Nihil.

7. Rooper Nitani

Rooper Nitani is a young Jedi apprentice learning from Master Silandra Sho. She plays a key role in the stories *Quest for Planet X* and *Quest for the Hidden City*, where her adventurous spirit and curiosity are prominent. In *Quest for the Hidden City*, Rooper assists her master on a dangerous mission, demonstrating her skill – a testament to Silandra’s high expectations. Meanwhile, in *Quest for Planet X*, Rooper is left to study independently while Silandra is away on Jedah. This time alone allows Rooper to trust the Force and make her own choices, leading her into a galaxy-spanning adventure.

Her experiences offer a close-up, personal look at what life was like during that time. She’s a hopeful and inspiring character, representing the optimism of the Jedi before things went wrong. Rooper’s story emphasizes the power of belief and determination, demonstrating that even small deeds can significantly change the galaxy.

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2025-09-25 02:11