Martial Arts In The Star Wars Galaxy, Explained (2024)

Audiences are used to seeing conflict come to a resolution via war and combat in the Star Wars galaxy. A great deal of focus has been placed on the weaponry that the heroes and villains of this universe utilize. Military strategy, lightsaber work, blaster fire, world-destroying Death Stars; there are numerous examples of how these skirmishes have been fought via fantastical means.

Interestingly, how a character fights says a lot about who they are. Some Star Wars personalities rely on their own physical attributes to win a battle, tapping into martial arts that might not utilize a lightsaber or blaster at all. The upcoming release of The Acolyte has opened the fandom's eyes to the use of martial arts in the galaxy far, far away, with some believing that this is the first time that these combat techniques have been deployed. In truth, martial arts have always been a part of the franchise.

Martial Arts Are a Huge Part Of Star Wars Combat

The Fictional Universe Has Introduced Its Own Unique Styles

• Zavat, Asth-korr & K'thri are just a few examples.

Switch on Tales of the Empire, and fans will find Morgan Elsbeth and Rukh tapping into ancient martial arts moves as they fight for respect and dominance. Trawl through The Clone Wars and discover the unique techniques of the Jedi Order, when they are disarmed and outmatched. Go back to Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, and witness Luke Skywalker's tremendous kicking abilities on board Jabba's barge. Martial arts have always been a part of Star Wars, and there are even in-universe styles that have helped to forge the combat on screen, in video games, and on the page. Interestingly, the Star Wars Legends timeline has explored these alternative moves and combinations in much finer detail than the current canon continuity, but that isn't to say that the styles featured in those prior stories aren't still relevant. It makes sense, after all, that battles may be fought on many planes and that a warrior may lose their weapon and thus must be trained in defending themselves by any means necessary.

The Jedi Order, for instance, has taken great pride in teaching its students a cavalcade of styles to best protect them in the field. Perhaps Rey's new Jedi Order movie will feature some of those lessons as the next generation is prepared for new threats that may emerge. Specific factions and peoples have their own martial arts styles to contend with, creating variety across the galaxy much as there are different styles on Earth. Black Sun enforcers have their own type of hand-to-hand combat, for example, while Echani is a part of the standard curriculum for Stormtroopers and Imperial Officers. Some, such as the elite guardians that protect specific Force-related locations of significance, dedicate their lives to studying styles such as Zama-shiwo. For those who live their lives by these combat styles, there's a layer of spirituality and focus that hones the mind as well as the body. Those who practice some of these Zama-shiwo techniques may even find that their other movements are crisper, and they become more in touch with the limitations and strengths of their physical form. Even Force-users can learn a great deal about themselves by studying these styles.

These Characters Have Mastered Their Styles

Some Characters Prefer to Rely on Their Skills Rather Than Their Lightsabers

• Teräs Käsi was widely practiced in the Jedi Order.

Both in the canon and Legends timeline, there are certain characters who are well-known for their mastery of martial arts. Jyn Erso is just as talented with a truncheon as she is with a blaster. Obi-Wan Kenobi has gotten into many physical scraps when his lightsaber is unavailable to him. But, there are specific characters who almost solely rely on these combat methods when faced with a conflict. Chirrut Îmwe is a notable inclusion, with the guardian focusing on the Force to see his way through the battlefield, taking down the enemy with a staff and his incredible skills. The warrior used Zama-shiwo as part of his training, helping to enhance his connection with the Force. The criminal Qi'ra, a major player in the shady underworld of the Star Wars galaxy, was taught how to use Teräs Käsi, especially if she was stripped of her weapons upon entering an important meeting. The style originated in the Legends universe and was specifically designed to fight back against Force-users. There are of course many forgotten Star Wars shows, books, or video games that continue to expand the roster of combat-focused characters in Star Wars, which are well-worth revisiting to learn more about the variety of styles.

The droid PROXY, for instance, who was introduced in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, was tasked with testing Galen Marek, attempting to kill him on multiple occasions. Although he could stand toe-to-toe with Starkiller in Lightsaber battles, PROXY had also been programmed with a series of combat modules based on other characters from the Star Wars universe. The droid thus picked up numerous martial arts styles by copying those notorious fighters, creating a combination of techniques that demonstrate the strength of bringing these alternate schools of thought together. Star Wars continues to expand on its lore with weapons like the Darksaber or a Beskar Spear, which are vital tools in any warrior's arsenal. But there are characters who are summed up by the martial arts they use. Whether it's the mental strength of Chirrut Îmwe, the preparation of Qi'ra, or the adaptability of PROXY, styles and character traits intersect in a beautiful collaboration of storytelling.

The Acolyte Brings Martial Arts Back Into the Mainstream

The Matrix Inspired the Fight Sequences

• Some of the styles in The Acolyte have been dubbed 'Force-Fu.'

The Acolyte is the latest show to enter the Star Wars galaxy and seems to be set for a three-season run at the very least. It has been well-documented that the series will be incorporating martial arts elements, inspired by The Matrix among other science fiction and action films. Marital arts might have always been a feature of Star Wars storytelling, but it has never been as front and center as what The Acolyte promises. The new Disney+ series will thus be bringing some of those previously mentioned techniques into the mainstream to bring variety to the action sequences and show more of Star Wars lore during The High Republic era. Intriguingly, The High Republic has already brought some combat styles into the canon continuity, adapting the famed Shon-Ju from the Legends timeline as part of the Shadows of Starlight comic miniseries. There's no telling what other martial arts techniques will be reintroduced or invented for The Acolyte but it's an exciting time for those that pay attention to this niche area of the world.

What will really set The Acolyte apart is its exploration of the Jedi Order in great detail and how it ultimately fell to the Empire. The High Republic is supposed to be the height of the Jedi, and it seems that there will be an opportunity to focus more on how the Order functions and how Younglings and Padawans progress through their journeys. The dedication and strength that can be forged from studying a martial art is likely to be a key component in their development, so it may well be that these combat styles play hugely into the lives of the Jedi as The Acolyte moves forward with its new approach to the ancient Order. The Disney+ series is ultimately set to bring back martial arts to mainstream Star Wars, allowing new fans and veterans alike to discover the sheer depth of this area of the galaxy. It may not be a part of the franchise that is discussed very often, yet it seems to play into the lives of many notable heroes and villains, even forming their identities and ideologies. From the aggressive styles of the Sith to the defensive skills of the Jedi, martial arts tap into the core themes of the franchise itself.

The Acolyte

Action

Adventure

Mystery

A Star Wars series that takes viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.

Release Date

June 4, 2024

Cast

Lee Jung-jae , Jodie Turner-Smith , Amandla Stenberg , Rebecca Henderson

Main Genre

Science Fiction

Seasons

1

Franchise

Star Wars

Creator

Leslye Headland

Number of Episodes

8