2. Ahsoka Tano

Anakin Skywalker’s padawan quickly grew from annoying sidekick to one of the biggest fan-favorite Star Wars characters of the franchise. Fan adoration stems in good part from Ashley Eckstein’s portrayal of the character. Ahsoka is also another product of Dave Filoni’s imagination. (Notice a trend with this list?) The young Togrutta learned from the best Jedi in Anakin, Obi Wan, Plo Koon and Yoda. Some would say she even surpassed them in wisdom. Conversely to them, she had the strength to acknowledge the faults of the Jedi Order and leave it before its downfall. She’d return to the Rebellion, and eventually face her former master one last time. Rebels confirmed Ahsoka’s survival. Hopefully we’ve not seen the last of her.

1. Thrawn

Thrawn: Treason

There were few characters of the old Expanded Universe more beloved that Grand Admiral Thrawn. Recognizing the character’s allure, Disney and Lucasfilm brought the character back into canon in Rebels. The Chis strategist didn’t disappoint in animated form, but it is in his creator’s written works that Thrawn really comes to life. Timothy Zahn has now penned two, new Thrawn novels to give us insight into the character we’ve never had before. Thrawn is one of the most complex and captivating of all Star Wars characters. We’ll learn what happens when his loyalty is tested in the upcoming novel Thrawn: Treason, due next year.

There are obviously so many more, compelling Star Wars characters than just these. Who would you included this list?