We’re already halfway through (four episodes into) The Mandalorian, and the one thing unifying Star Wars fans all over the world is the introduction of the adorable Baby Yoda (for lack of a better name). This mysterious child is perhaps the most intriguing piece of lore in the franchise since, well, forever.

Let’s discuss what we do know (and don’t) about the cute little critter. Beware, for spoilers lie ahead.

Who Is Baby Yoda?

In the first episode, the titular Mandalorian is tasked with killing or retrieving an unknown package, which turned out to be a child who’s the same species as the legendary Master Yoda. Over the course of four episodes, he experienced several changes of heart and grew to care for Baby Yoda.

Let’s make one thing clear first, though I’m sure many are already aware of this fact. The Mandalorian‘s Baby Yoda is not the infant version of the Master Yoda we all know and love.

The name of Master Yoda’s species has never been officially named by George Lucas or anyone at Lucasfilm, and the only other canonical character from the same species was Master Yaddle, a member of the Jedi Council who briefly appeared in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.

All we know about Baby Yoda at this point is that the remnants of the Empire want him for some reason and that other parties are paying bounty hunters to kill him instead. We also know he is 50 years old (Yoda’s species age differently) and already exhibits considerable Force powers, as evident from him lifting a massive Mudhorn and saving the Mandalorian in Episode 2: Chapter 2: The Child.

Born In The Same Year As Anakin Skywalker, Chosen One Theory

If Baby Yoda is indeed 50 years old, he would have been born in 41 BBY. BBY is the Star Wars‘ equivalent of the real world’s BC (Before Christ) or AD (Anno Domini). It stands for Before Battle Of Yavin (BBY). The Battle Of Yavin took place at the end of Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope, which resulted in the destruction of first Death Star.

For context, the events of the Mandalorian takes place in 9 ABY (After Battle Of Yavin).

Anakin Skywalker was also born in 41 BBY. The biggest question on everyone’s mind is what if Master Qui-Gon Jinn discovered the wrong Chosen One? According to the canonical novel Master & Apprentice, the Chosen One prophecy states:

“A Chosen One shall come, born of no father, and through him will ultimate balance in the Force be restored.”

We still don’t know who Baby Yoda’s parents are, or even if he has a father, so it’s possible that he could actually be the true Chosen One. At least, that’s what the theories are saying, though it’s all still too much of a stretch and illogical, considering how the entire franchise has revolved around the Skywalkers.

Why would they make a U-turn and make someone else the Chosen One?

Is Baby Yoda Related To Master Yoda?

As I mentioned above, Baby Yoda is not Master Yoda as an infant. However, speculations are rife that Baby Yoda could somehow be the offspring of Master Yoda and Master Yaddle. There are several reasons why this doesn’t make sense at all.

Firstly, it’s a convenient theory, the purpose of which is obviously to shoehorn the two only other members of the species, Yoda and Yaddle, in an effort to connect them to Baby Yoda. Secondly, and most importantly, one of the Jedi Order’s rules is that the Jedi are not allowed to have sexual relationships and marry, so it would be unthinkable to suggest that one of the greatest Jedi who ever lived would violate one of their tenets.

Is Baby Yoda a clone of Master Yoda?

When the Mandalorian went back and forcibly took back Baby Yoda from The Client (played by Werner Herzog) and the Imperials in Episode 3: Chapter 3: The Sin, there was a scientist involved, a doctor named Dr. Pershing (played by Omid Abtahi). What’s interesting here is that Dr. Pershing is a Kaminoan, which is proven from him wearing a Kaminoan patch.

The Kaminoans are a race or group of scientists from the planet Kamino, last seen in Star Wars Episode 2 Attack Of The Clones. They were best known for their cloning technology, and they were responsible for building the Clone army used by the Galactic Republic in the Clone Wars against the Separatists.

This lends a bit of credibility to the possibility that Baby Yoda could be a clone of Master Yoda, and that’s also why the Imperials want him. Maybe the Emperor wants Baby Yoda to either act as his new apprentice, extract the secrets of long life or immortality from him or whatever else.

Keep Watching

With four episodes left in the first season of The Mandalorian, there’s still a chance that all these questions and more would be answered by the end of it all. Let’s hope that Baby Yoda is more than simply a plot device, and will actually be an important new addition to Star Wars lore as a whole.

In the meantime, check out my review of the first episode of The Mandalorian here, or head on over here to discover The Mandalorian‘s real name as revealed by Pedro Pascal himself. Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for more Star Wars stuff in the future!