Human (Star Wars)

Humans are a race in the fictional Star Wars universe. They are the most numerous and dominant species, with apparently millions of major and minor colonies galaxywide.

By the time hyperdrive was invented, humans were already present on a few scattered worlds throughout the galaxy; according to the New Essential Chronology, the humans of Coruscant managed to send out a number of 'sleeper ships' between the fall of the Rakatan Infinite Empire and the invention of the hyperdrive.

Star Wars humans are mostly biologically identical to real-life humans, the exception to this being the presence of midi-chlorians (microscopic life-forms that communicate with the Force) residing in their cells.

Some human characters include Anakin and Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Padmé Amidala, Han Solo, Qui-Gon Jinn, Mara Jade, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Emperor Palpatine, Kyle Katarn, Jan Ors and Leia Organa.

Dramatic Role

The presence of ordinary humans in the story is important dramatically and the first movie establishes their vulnerability and weakness. Luke Skywalker's introduction early in the first movie was rewritten to establish this.

Digital treatment

As the series moved to the use of CGI, the digital representation of humans provided a challenge, since authentic simulation of humans is more difficult than for unknown aliens.

Origin

In the Star Wars mythology, the human homeworld, according to the New Essential Chronology, is generally believed to be Coruscant. However, there is actually no real consensus on the issue; according to releases from the official Starwars.com site, the ancient human homeworld has simply been lost to history, and no one is entirely sure what planet it is: several of the older known human-inhabited planets have competed over the claim, and apparently bloody wars have actually been fought over the matter without any actual results. For all anyone knows, none of the currently inhabited planets of the galaxy are the human homeworld; it could have been abandoned long ago, and Coruscant and other planets like it could just be colonies that forgot their origin.

It is never indicated that any of these worlds have any connection with Earth, which is never seen or referred to in any Star Wars film or novel, except the spinoff Ewok films, which are not considered canon. Because Star Wars takes place "a long time ago in a galaxy far far away," Earth most likely doesn't even exist in the Star Wars universe.

Star Wars humans live on many different worlds throughout the galaxy, with many populations living alongside other extraterrestrials on other worlds, or together with several other species—something which is most common either on the cosmopolitan worlds at the core, or on the frontier at the Outer Rim of the galaxy, such as on Tatooine.

Other mostly human worlds include Corellia, Alderaan, Dantooine and Naboo, although the latter is also home to an indigenous species, the Gungans.

Near-humans

Several species in the Star Wars universe appear to be very closely related to humans, as they share many physical traits. These are described as being "near human" and are said to have descended from humans that evolved along distinct lines on other worlds.

Chiss

Main article: Chiss

The Chiss, a race that dwells in the Unknown Regions, are a humanoid people that have pale blue skin, black hair, and red reflective or fluorescent eyes. In all other aspects they are normal humans: they bleed red blood, and the cloning tanks used to clone human Imperial stormtroopers also worked on Chiss physiology.

Grand Admiral Thrawn is the most famous Chiss.

Mandalorian

Main article: Mandalorian

The Mandalorians who dwelt on Mandalore were a warrior, honor-bound race of humanoids. They look exactly like humans, although having grayish skin. They have extremely potent regenerative abilities, and can see just as well in low-light and no-light settings as in regular light. Most Mandalorians are culturally predisposed to be aggressive and competitive, as none of it is genetic. The leader of the Mandalorians is called the Mandalore.

Famous Mandalorians include Canderous Ordo, Jango Fett and Boba Fett.

Miraluka

Miraluka appear to be fully human except for the fact that all Miraluka are born blind; they compensate for this by seeing through the Force.

Jerec and Visas Marr were both Miraluka.

Mirialan

The Mirialan are almost the same as humans but have purer eye colors, skin coloring not seen in normal humans, and often have tattoos covering their faces. The tattoos are likely to be a cultural phenomenon, however.

Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and her padawan, Barriss Offee are both Mirialans.

Vultan

Vultans were native to the planet Vulta. They were physically similar to Humans except for their pale olive skin, and a mass of fleshy cartilage folds, ridges, and strands covering the top and back of their heads. These ridges were said to be able to protect the head of the Vultan against most forms of injury. Other features they have include: two toed feet, ridged structures on the upper torso, subtle spinal ridges on their arms, legs, and back, webbed fingers and toes, and, sometimes, white eyes, lacking pupils and irises. Famous members include the Jedi Oss Willum, and Zona Luka.

Zeltron

The Zeltron are near humans and bear a similar appearance, save for their pink to red toned skins, which may or may not be a result of their sun's highly radioactive rays. They are a highly sexual race, and are famous for their many sculptures and paintings on the subject. They also have made great strides in the field of holograms and are responsible for the ones used at Hologram Fun World.

Others

Other near-human races mentioned in various books and comics include the Theelin, the Arkanian, the Chev, the Omwati, the Ubese, the Kiffar, the Teevan, the vampirelike Anzati assassins, the Echani, the Balosars, the shapeshifting Shi'ido, and Pau'ans . All these are mostly human in appearance, but have a few distinct defining characteristics.

The Duros, Bith, and Quermians are the only other species in the Star Wars galaxy known to have a genetically distinct separate sub-species that arose from natural evolution (the Neimoidians, y'bith, and Xexto, respectively).