Since The Mandalorian was released in 2019 to Disney Plus subscribers, and an internet full of streamers and thieves – cough – many have been left wondering what the origins of Baby Yoda are, and if he is, in fact, the legendary Jedi master Yoda himself.
In this blog, we explain what you need to know!
Is Baby Yoda Yoda from Star Wars?
No, Baby Yoda is not actual Yoda, the old Jedi master you remember from the original trilogy, the Star Wars prequels and the unsettling puppetry from The Last Jedi.
Yoda dies – or at least becomes one with the force – in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. The Mandalorian is set five years after the fall of the Empire, which means Master Yoda has been gone for a little while now, and could not possibly be The Child.
Is Baby Yoda Yoda Reborn?
No. Baby Yoda is stated as already being 50 years old. Despite appearances, at this point in the Star Wars saga he’s older than Luke Skywalker, and was born around 45 years before Yoda died.
Baby Yoda was actually born around the same time as Anakin, which gives rise to some theories that the two are connected, especially given that Anakin was a child of the force, and that Baby Yoda clearly has an affinity for it as well.
But we’ll save that for another blog!
The Nail in the Baby Yoda is Yoda Coffin
Any further arguments that Baby Yoda could actually be Jedi master Yoda have been laid to rest by Jon Favreau, the creator of The Mandalorian. Favreau has stated that Baby Yoda is definitely not Yoda. He said that Baby Yoda cannot be Yoda:
Because in the timeline, this takes place after Return of the Jedi. The fans of the original trilogy will remember that Yoda not only passes away but actually disappears. So Yoda exists as a Force Ghost. But this Baby Yoda character is called Baby Yoda by most people because there’s no name for the Yoda species. So I think the easiest, shortest, most hashtagable way to identify that character, which is identified as in the episode known as ‘The Child,’ is Baby Yoda.
Is Baby Yoda Related to Yoda?
This is a question that has a little more weight to it. The answer is: maybe.
Creator Jon Favreau was a bit more cagey in response to this. He wouldn’t say Baby Yoda is related to Yoda, but wouldn’t say he isn’t either. Clearly, they are the same species, and clearly, they are a very rare or at least well hidden race. The fact that both have impressive force powers and appear in the same part of the galaxy could be a massive coincidence, or it could suggest they share more than just the same pointy ears.
Whatever answers lie ahead, we’ll be sure to get more as The Mandalorian Season 2 launches later this year.
While Baby Yoda may not be actual Yoda, that doesn’t make him any less of a lovable Disney creation. If you’ve fallen in love with the character, be sure to check out our suggestions for the best Baby Yoda merch!
