As Star Wars grows, so does its diversity. As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to a close, we'd like to celebrate just some of the ways that Asian and Pacific Islanders have defined the galaxy that we know and love.
Especially with the recent spotlight in The Book of Boba Fett, we can see representation in some fearsome bounty hunters turned respectable crime lords through Boba Fett (and his father Jango Fett), as well as Ming-Na Wen's Fennec Shand. These characters are iconic and beloved, and getting to see them in action (especially side-by-side) is something really special.
And of course, we can find Asian and Pacific Islander representation among some of our favorite heroes of the Republic, the Rebellion and the Resistance. From the army of clone troopers that we know and love, some of whom went on to oppose the Empire's tyrranny, to Mandalorian Sabine Wren and her family, to Rogue One's martyrs in Bodhi Rook, Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus, these heroes were invaluable in toppling the Empire. As we move on, we of course also get heroes of the Resistance fighting against the First Order, like sisters Paige and Rose Tico.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the cultural influence on Star Wars itself. Star Wars draws inspiration for design from all across the globe, but we see elements of East Asian cultures all over, especially in things like Jedi robes and the dress of Naboo royalty. The Jedi code itself evokes influence from East Asian cultures, and the films and stories draw a lot from samurai films, such as ones created by Akira Kurosawa. This influence has never been a secret, and we got to see it really come to the forefront in the recent (and soon to return) Star Wars Visions series as well as the Ronin novel.