Summary
From the Jedi and Sith to countless mercenaries and bounty hunters, theStar Warsfranchise boasts a large range of well-written and popular characters. SinceA New Hopein 1977, the franchise has featured a large presence of strong female characters, from Princess Leia and Mon Mothma in the original trilogy, to the main character Rey in the sequel trilogy.
However, there are some underratedStar Warsheroines, both from the main canon and Legends continuity. Even iftheir appearances are brief or little known, these overlooked female characters stand out for having an impact on others. Showcasing a lot of skill and authority, they deserve to be more memorable and appreciated.
A Capable And Kind Monarch
First Appearance:Star Wars: Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones
Afterthe iconic Queen Amidala, but before the Clone Wars’ Queen Neeyutnee, there was a lesser-known monarch, seen inAttack of the Clones.Though only in a single scene, this Queen, Jamillia, proves herself a dedicated and caring monarch. She genuinely believes Padme’s concerns that war is imminent, despite Governor Sio Bibble claiming that idea is “unthinkable.” Jamillia shows she has faith in both the Republic and her senator’s negotiation skills, and encourages her to make peace with the Separatists.
Jamillia’s inspirational line “the day we stop believing democracy can work, is the day we lose it” deserves to be more memorable. The queen really cares about and prioritizes her senator’s safety, and thus proves she is a strong monarch of Naboo.
Used Her Skills To Get Past Jedi Security
First Appearance:Star Wars: The Clone WarsS2 E1"Holocron Heist"
Cato is a similar character to Zam Wesell, a Clawdite bounty hunter and assassin who can take any humanoid form. However, Cato succeeded where Zam failed, using her changeling powers to even fool high-ranking Jedi like Jocasta Nu. She was hired by the ruthless Cad Bane to help infiltrate the Jedi Temple and steal a Holocron. Cato was the inside agent, taking the form of Jedi Ord Enisence, and managed to get into the Jedi Archives. Even Jocasta and Ahsoka were fooled by the clever use of her abilities.
Thanks to Cato, Bane was able to retrieve the Holocron. When she was eventually discovered by Ahsoka, Cato, now in Jocasta Nu’s form, fought with Nu’s lightsaber, holding her own for a good while. Though the Jedi captured her, Cato managed to eventually escape. Cato proved herself a vital part of any secretive mission. Nothing is known of her whereabouts after the Clone Wars, rendering her a forgotten character.
Instrumental During Many Rescue Missions
First Appearance:Death In The Catacombs - Star Wars Insider 79
Master Jyl Somtay appears in a handful of short stories and comics set in the Clone Wars. With a sense of humor, she was a close friend of Anakin for many years, even participating in starfighter practice with him. InThe Starcrusher Trap,she rescues Anakin and Obi-Wanfrom a Separatist factory on an asteroid and is selected to join the assault team to destroy the Starcrusher. Jyl tries to befriend Ahsoka, who at first rejects her, but Jyl earns her trust throughout the story. She proves to be another older female Jedi Master who gently instructs and relates to the Padawan, just as Aayla Secura and Luminara Unduli previously did. Jyl’s skills and cooperation with Ahsoka help the team find their way off the Starcher and destroy it for good.
After a diplomatic mission to Geonosis, in the comicJedi MasqueradeJyl protects a senator from an assassination attempt by the deadly bounty hunter Aurra Sing. After capturing her, Jyl puts herself in a risky situation, disguising herself as Aurra Sing to find out more about why the assassination was attempted. This unconventional plan succeeded, and the bounty hunter was captured. Jyl undertakes the same risky, unconventional practices as her friend Anakin often does. Sharing a similar personality to him, Jyl also proves herself noble and selfless. It’s unclear what happened to her after the events of Order 66.
A Ruthless Character Who Doesn’t Feature In The TV Series
Though Shu Mai makes a brief appearance in bothAttack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sith, her first appearance was in the novelThe Approaching Storm. The events of this novel are referenced at the beginning ofAttack of the Clones. Working behind the scenes, Shu Mai was entrusted by Dooku to manipulate events on the planet Ansion, a strategically vital planet for the Republic. Shu Mai influences Ansion’s senators, and even gets a Hutt to attempt to killthe Jedi sent there to negotiate. Obi-Wan, Anakin, Luminara, and Barriss find themselves in a risky situation, but when Barriss heals and befriends two Ansionians, the Separatists' plans are eventually foiled.
Shu Mai stands out as a ruthless individual, who, through her hard work (and merciless tactics), was able to rise through the ranks and become the President of the Commerce Guild. As such, she is the longest-serving female representative on Dooku’s high council. Though she was a key Separatist leader, she doesn’t feature in either the 2D or 3DClone WarsTV series. However, her determined spirit and aggressive personality should be more memorable.
A Mercenary Who Harbors A Kind Heart
First Appearance:Star Wars: The Clone Wars(video game)
Bera is a smuggler and mercenary, who first appeared in the 2002 video gameStar Wars: The Clone Wars. After being hired by Separatist leader Count Dooku, Bera traveled to the remote junk planet of Raxus Prime. It was there she discovered the Force Harvester: a deviceof the ancient Sith. However, Bera faced betrayal from Dooku and was imprisoned. It wasn’t until she met Anakin Skywalker, a fellow prisoner of Dooku, that the two could work together to escape.
Aside from her shady dealings, Bera was a resourceful and confident woman who also had a lot of compassion for other life forms. She pleaded with Anakin to free the Wookiees and not just themselves from Dooku’s prison. It was thanks to Bera that Anakin was able to tell the Jedi about Dooku’s plans, and thus put an end to them. Whereas fellow mercenary Aurra Sing may be remembered for her line “a girl’s gotta make a living,” these words were actually said first by Bera.
A Resourceful And Skilled Fighter
First Appearance:Star Wars: The Mandalorian"Chapter 4: Sanctuary"
Hailing from a peaceful village, Omera was a young widow with a daughter, Winta. After her village is attacked by marauders, Omera risks her life to protect her daughter, hiding neck-deep in a pond under a basket. After Cara Dune and the Mandalorian agree to protect her village, Omera opens her home to him, willingly providing all he needs, and develops an attachment to him. She’s able to get through to him, and he opens up to her about his past. Omera is also firm, standing her ground when Dune tries to convince the villagers to leave. She’s also the only one of the villagers who has skill with a blaster, and the Mandalorian is impressed with her degree of ability.
After assisting in the fight against the marauders, Omera tries to convince the Mandalorian to stay with her and settle in the village, something Cara Dune suggests after witnessing her feelings for him. She even tries to remove his helmet. Instead, the Mandalorianentrusts Grogu to her care. Due to their possible romance, and how the Mandalorian settles down at the end of Season 3, it seems there is still a place for this underrated heroine in the series.
Jango Fett’s Dependable Ally
First Appearance:Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
An underrated heroine, Rozatta was one of Jango Fett’s closest friends. She always looked out for him and assisted in his bounty-hunting career. However, she wanted more for him: to give up this dangerous life and settle down. She cared for his safety and encouraged him not to take up Dooku’s offer: to capture the Bando Gora leader, with the reward of five million credits. Though Jango ignored her pleas, she continued to support him.
Sadly, Rozatta is attacked by Jango’s rival, Montross. Her emotional last words, telling Jango to “find something besides the money… You deserve more” come just before her Outland Station blows up. She manages to reveal where the Bando Gora leader is, thus Jango couldn’t have completed the mission without her aid,though she gave her life for it. After Jango was successful, he became the clone template but decided to honor Rozatta’s wishes for him and raise one clone as his son, Boba Fett.
Rozatta has faded into the background, especially as both Jango and his associate, Zam Wesell, die inAttack of the Clones, so there are no characters left to honor her legacy.
