Who is Embo? The coolest new character in The Mandalorian and Grogu is an incredible Star Wars deep cut

One of the key things that director Jon Favreau stressed about The Mandalorian and Grogu is that he wanted the movie to be an “understandable enough standalone experience.” To sum up, you don’t need to have watched, read or listened to anything else to enjoy the first Star Wars film since 2019. However, as with every new Star Wars media out there, if you have done your homework — aka, consumed an unholy amount of Star Wars — there are plenty of recognizable faces that show up in Favreau’s new film.

[Ed. note: Minor spoilers ahead for the plot of The Mandalorian and Grogu.]

You have Rotta the Hutt from nobody’s favorite Star Wars movie, The Clone Wars; Zeb from Rebels; and our personal favorite glup shitto reveal of the entire movie, Embo, who first appeared in the animated series The Clone Wars. Embo is a total badass in The Mandalorian and Grogu, but if you’re wondering who this assassin samurai is and where he came from, well, you’ve come to the right place.

Who is Embo in The Mandalorian and Grogu?

There are several bad guys that Din Djarin and his ward Grogu have to deal with throughout the events of The Mandalorian and Grogu. The coolest, however, is Embo. Not only is he an alien bounty hunter who looks like he came straight out of a samurai film, but he also has a lethal, panther-like creature as a companion, an anooba named Marrok.

After Din and Grogu refuse to give up Rotta the Hutt to the Hutt Twins, who plan to kill Jabba’s rightful heir and claim the throne for themselves, the Twins refuse to take that slight lying down. To get back at the Mando, the Hutts hire Embo to capture the Mandalorian from his homestead on Nevarro. He succeeds in kidnapping Din, but Grogu manages to escape.

After delivering Din to the Hutt Twins, Embo shows up again later to help track down Mando and Grogu once they escape into the surrounding swamp. And in the final showdown, he turns on his employers, risking his life to save Din and Grogu.

Embo’s motivations and allegiance are driven by who offers him the most credits, which is why he’s collaborated with the Republic, the Empire, and the New Republic at different times over the years. Even so it was established in the comic book Star Wars Adventures, that by 9 ABY, Embo had put down his bowcaster to become a farmer on Felucia — making his appearance as a bounty hunter in The Mandalorian and Grogu (set sometime between 11 and 12 ABY) rather surprising.

However, if you’re a new fan who wants more Embo, you’re in luck. There are several pieces of material to help you find Embo outside of his appearances in The Mandalorian and Grogu.

What is Embo’s first appearance in Star Wars?

Image: Lucasfilm

Embo’s ability to kidnap Din won’t be too surprising for avid Star Wars fans who are familiar with his skill and expertise from previous material the bounty hunter has appeared in. Embo’s first appearance was during The Clone Wars season 2 episode “Bounty Hunters,” where he and three other bounty hunters teamed up with Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano to defend local farmers from a band of pirates. His anooba, Marrok, was unveiled in the season 4 episode “Bounty” and has been at Embo’s side ever since.

Despite speaking little, Embo left a clear impression on Lucasfilm and fans, going on to make several more appearances in The Clone Wars and Rebels, as well as starring in spin-off material such as Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch and Aftermath: Empire’s End.

What happens to Embo after The Mandalorian and Grogu?

Image: Lucasfilm

Embo’s appearance in The Mandalorian and Grogu might have been short-lived, but by the time of 34 ABY and as established in Star Wars Adventures: Flight of the Falcon, Embo is still very much alive and kicking on the planet of Felucia.

With such a long stretch between Embo’s appearance in The Mandalorian and Grogu, there’s plenty of room to catch up on Embo and his adventures. Whether Lucasfilm will do that remains to be seen, but after solidifying his spot as one of the coolest bounty hunters in Star Wars, maybe a spinoff is in the works.