The latest episode of The Mandalorian was one of the most important instalments of the hit Disney Plus show to date. Not only did it feature the live-action debut of Ahsoka Tano, but it also finally revealed the key details of Baby Yoda’s backstory. The headline is that we now know his real name is Grogu, something which fans are struggling to adjust to. But his origins are also fascinating as they link the character into the Prequel Trilogy.
In “Chapter 13,” Ahsoka connects with The Child through the Force and tells Mando about Baby Yoda’s past. He was raised in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and trained by various different masters over his time there. 30 years ago, he was rescued by some unknown protector when the Empire rose to power. And while it’s not explicitly stated, folks are able to fill in the blanks. The Child’s protector saved him from being murdered, along with the rest of the younglings, by Anakin Skywalker.
That’s a pretty dark revelation, but this twist has been quickly turned into a meme by Star Wars fans who are imagining Baby Yod- er, Grogu’s reaction to witnessing the deaths of the other young Jedi-in-training. And here are some of the best reactions to this unexpected connection to Episode III, including one that hides The Child in Revenge of the Sith.
Wow, can't believe I missed Baby Yoda hiding from Anakin this whole time!#TheMandalorian #Grogu pic.twitter.com/R0digO4z5T
— Harri Elmer (@HarriElmer) November 27, 2020
Grogu when Anakin came for the Younglings #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/VNTQNfsC0P
— Melissa 🤶🏻 (@mrsmelissa99) November 28, 2020
(MANDO SPOILERS)
Anakin Skywalker: *murdering all the younglings*#Grogu: pic.twitter.com/3xTjKFagvi
— Kamino Saber Dart (@KaySabe) November 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/Themeparkboi/status/1332511349897900032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/king_katuunko/status/1332457385894563841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Sors Bandeam: Master Skywalker, there are too many of them! What are we going to do?
Grogu: #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/lGFOxyM4Am
— The Last AirBENder (@BenChiTownKid98) November 28, 2020
#Mandalorian #BabyYoda
Grogu when he sees Anakin roll up to the Jedi Temple ready to ice him and his classmates: pic.twitter.com/vMnVS39Mpc— Coronapocalypse N😷W (@coronapocaIypse) November 28, 2020
Grogu when Anakin came into the Jedi Temple and slaughtered the younglins #TheMandalorian #StarWars #ashokatano pic.twitter.com/gXmTQmhg6d
— 🧍♂️ (@leefitzgeraldd) November 27, 2020
Anakin: *enters the temple*
Grogu:#TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/PLbom9Rly5
— Ashley Kötturinn 🐈🐾🌻 (@truestorydesu) November 28, 2020
Baby Yoda when Anakin came to the Jedi Temple to kill the foundlings… #Grogu #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/9TggTj0DKt
— Aaron Carter Bates, Esq. (@acarterbates) November 27, 2020
To be fair to the little guy, he didn’t abandon the other younglings but was saved by his mystery protector, so folks should really be wondering why this person only chose to rescue one of them. Presumably, this is because it was a “Superman is sent away from Krypton” sort of scenario and they only had time to save one kid. And this unknown Jedi must’ve been particularly attached to Grogu or knew that he was the most powerful of the younglings.
No doubt we’ll find out more about Baby Yoda’s origins and who rescued him from Darth Vader’s murderous rampage as The Mandalorian continues, so be sure to stay tuned.