‘Star Wars Resistance’ Is The Best Animated Series And Here’s Why
When Star Wars Rebels finished back in 2018, many wondered just what would replace it. The answer would come in the show Star Wars Resistance. Set before The Force Awakens, the story took place on a platform in the Outer Rim called the Colossus. Here we would follow Kazuda Xiono as he was assigned by Poe Dameron to check out the platform and see why it might be important to the First Order. During his adventure he met a wide array of people from Jarek Yeager, Tam Ryvora, and Torra Doza. Though it only lasted for two seasons, Resistance created a series that was quite unique both in story and stylized animation. It has to be the best animated Star Wars series thus far, and here is why.
The Setting
One of the unique things about Resistance is that, unlike Bad Batch, Rebels, or Clone Wars, it was the first Star Wars story to focus on one place, a space station known as the Colossus. There was no planet hopping, no adventuring, just a single location. Because of this, it allowed for the show to create a unique mini-world within the wider Star Wars universe. By doing this we could really develop this world, the locations within, and the people. This made the audience feel attached to the space station and the events that occurred here. Sometimes, when traveling from place to place, it is hard for the audience to connect with the people and the planet. On the other hand, seeing the same location day in and day out over and over again makes for better investment in a location. We get to learn about its culture, its people and why it is important to our heroes.
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The Characters
Resistance had the most interesting and unique cast of characters. Some might say they were a bit quirky. Kazuda Xiona aka. Kaz to his friends was a unique Star Wars protagonist. Many would consider him just a clumsy silly cartoon character. However he was essentially a classic fish out of water story. Kaz, at his core, was a pilot. He knew how to fly in space. When it came to the ground, and more importantly being a spy, he was a bit over his head. In addition, he came from a wealthy background. His father was a senator from Hosnian Prime, which had been his home. This created a great tragedy that shook his life at the core when the First Order destroyed the planet.
Another interesting character is Tam Ryvora. A local mechanic who dreamed of becoming a racer and a pilot of her own ship, she became a friend of Kaz at the start of the series. However, she always felt underappreciated and out of the loop with Kaz and his spy mission. When the First Order arrived at the platform, she actually started sympathizing with them. She did not see them as the rising tide of evil. She just saw a force trying to bring some peace to the galaxy. It was remarkable to see someone who we consider one of the good guys have natural pro-First Order views. Eventually, at the end of season 1, she would join the First Order after feeling unwanted by her friends and family. After becoming a pilot for the First Order did she finally learn the true sinister nature of the organization.
Other characters, such as Torra and Ace Squadron Captain Doza, were all wonderful figures with interesting arcs. Captain Doza’s balancing act between keeping his people safe and fighting against the First Order tyranny showed great depth in characterization. All of them were worthy members of the Resistance.
The Story
Star Wars Resistance was our first real in-depth look at what life was like before and during the sequel trilogy era. We saw a galaxy unaware of the coming storm that was about to befall them. Kaz being from Hosnian Prime was one of the most unique aspects of this story. To see someone who actually had a connection to the planet and mourned its destruction was both tragic and fascinating. Watching how a genuinely good person at heart like Tam fell for evil ideals showed how the population at large could easily believe in the rhetoric of an oppressive government.
Resistance was also a story about individuals in a community coming together to defend their home against the oppression of the First Order. At the same time, the characters were dealing with themes of security, collaboration, privilege, and feelings of neglect. At first glance, Resistance seemed like a silly children’s cartoon. However, its depth and mature themes truly represented the heart of what Star Wars was all about.
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