Grand Admiral Thrawnhas been positioned as the next bigStar Warsvillain in the New Republic Era. Having just made his return to the known galaxy following the events of 2023’sAhsoka, Thrawn was one of the most dangerous Imperial officers who will likely attempt to bring about an Imperial resurgence in the years before the sequel trilogy. However, his background and history is fascinating, and there are several exciting things you might not know about Thrawn.
Created by author Timothy Zahn for his trilogy of novels published in the early 90s, Thrawn was an Imperial warlord in the originalStar Warstimeline now known as non-canon Legends, a brilliant strategist who posed a major threat in the aftermath of theBattle of Endor. However, a canonical version of Thrawn first debuted in the animated seriesStar Wars Rebelsduring its third season in 2016, and he has since appeared in multipleStar Warsprojects and canonical books by Zahn.With that in mind, here are 12 things you might not have known aboutStar Wars’Grand Admiral Thrawn.
12The Grand Admiral’s Full Name & Why He’s Called “Thrawn”
His True Chiss Name Is Much Longer
Outside his own race, the Chiss, the Grand Admiral simply goes by “Thrawn”.This is because Thrawn is much easier to pronounce compared to his full name, which is “Mitth’raw’nuruodo”. To that end, “Thrawn” is what’s known by the Chiss as Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s “core name”. Likewise, Thrawn also had older names before he joined the military of the Chiss Ascendancy, having been born with the name Kivu’raw’nuru with the core name Vurawn.
11Thrawn’s First Exile Was Completely Faked
A Secret Mission To Seek Allies
With the Chiss Ascendancy located in the parts of the galaxy referred to as the Unknown Regions, Thrawn’s mission to seek potential allies against the rival Grysk Hegemony and more powerful forces was kept hidden.Instead, Thrawn was publically “exiled”, so as not to arouse the suspicions of the Chiss leadership and their isolationism, as he looked for support outside his own people. This is what put him into contact with Palpatine’s Empire, pretending to have been living as an exile, while covertly hoping to study and see if the Imperials could be turned into allies.
His Knowledge Of The Unknown Regions
Having gained an audience with the Emperor, Palpatine quickly took note of Thrawn’s impressive intellect, believing that his strategic mind could be of great use to his Empire. This is one reason why Thrawn was allowed to join the Imperial Navy as a means of proving himself and his loyalty to Palpatine in the hopes of one day uniting the Chiss and Empire as allies. However,Palpatine also valued Thrawn’s knowledge of the Unknown Regions, having been fascinated with the largely unexplored sector and its planets such as theSith world of Exegol, and potential threats to his Empire like those threatening the Chiss.
9Thrawn Was Never Really Loyal To The Empire
A Split Allegiance Between Palpatine and the Chiss
In the years that followed his first audience with Palpatine, Thrawn did everything to prove his loyalty to Palpatine, hence his quick rise through the ranks and eventual promotion to Grand Admiral. However,Thrawn’s loyalty to the Empire had its limits when it came to his own people. While this did generate some tension between Thrawn and Palpatine, it was never explored further asThrawn was legitimately exiled by the Jedi Ezra Bridger to the extragalactic world of Perideajust before the events of the Galactic Civil War, while Palpatine met his demise at its end years before Thrawn returned.
8Thrawn Disagreed With The Death Star’s Construction
He Saw It As A Major Military Weakness
Grand Admiral Thrawn was also not a big fan of the Death Star, believing that it represented too much singular firepower and therefore was at greater risk of becoming a target. Instead, Thrawn was more in favor of a more flexible navy with a variety of different ships,including those like the TIE Defender designed by Morgan Elsbeth. While more expensive to produce than traditional TIES, the Defender had greater consideration and protections for its pilot, something Thrawn knew was critical for the Empire’s long-term health and sustainability.
7Palpatine Considered Thrawn The One Person Who Could’ve Saved The Empire
His Tactical Brilliance Was A Major Asset
While they may have clashed over where Thrawn’s loyalties truly lay,Palpatine knew that the Grand Admiral was a major asset, one who could help ensure that the Empire could last and be improved given his talents as a brilliant tactician and strategist. After all, there’s a reason why theImperial Shadow Council left in the wake of Palpatine’s demiseis eagerly awaiting Thrawn’s return in the years after the end of the Galactic Civil War, believing that he’ll bring about a resurgence of their military and wipe out the New Republic that replaced the Imperial government.
6He May Be A Strategist, But Thrawn Is Skilled At Hand-To-Hand
A Highly Trained Warrior
Thrawn’s brilliant intellect is not his only weapon. He’s also a highly-skilled warrior and trained in hand-to-hand combat. This was most prominently shown inStar WarsRebelswhere it was revealed that Thrawn routinely trains against two Darktroopers at the same time aboardhis custom Star Destroyer known asThe Chimaera, the flagship of the Seventh Fleet (and the same ship seen inAhsoka).
5Grand Admiral Thrawn Has One Major Weakness
Politics Are A Problem
Grand Admiral Thrawn is a villain who prepares and plans for as many outcomes and eventualities as possible.However, Thrawn does struggle when it comes to politics. For all his intellect and gifts regarding military strategy and tactics, he does fall short of the social acumen or patience for the interpersonal dynamics needed to successfully operate in the political arena.
As a result, Thrawn’s strategies and decisions can often be viewed as cold and jarring. His lack of personal ambition compared to other Imperial leaders can also cause him to be vulnerable among those who are likely more power-hungry. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see what happens when and if he takes charge of the Imperial Shadow Council in futureStar Warsprojects.
4Thrawn Knows Darth Vader’s True Identity (& It’s Why He Feared Ahsoka)
A History With Anakin Skywalker
Before his faked exile that led to his recruitment into the Empire, Thrawn once went on a scouting mission into the better known parts of the galaxy during the Clone Wars era.It was here that Thrawn met Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight who was trying to find and rescue his secret wife, Padmé Amidala. Joining forces,Anakin and Thrawn came to respect one another as gifted warriors, and Thrawn invoking Anakin’s name was a big reason why he was granted an audience with Emperor Palpatine years later.
This past alliance with Anakin Skywalker is also why Thrawn knew to fear and respect Ahsoka Tano decades later during his attempt to escape Peridea and return to the known galaxy. As seen in his live-action debut in 2023’sAhsoka, Thrawn was surprised to learn who Ahsoka’s master was given their history. However, it did help him outmaneuver Tano, while also allowing him to get inside the former Jedi’s head in the finale.
3Thrawn Owns The Holy Grail (Yes, THAT Holy Grail)
An Awesome Indiana Jones Easter Egg
As confirmed inStar Wars Rebels, Grand Admiral Thrawn holds a variety of artifacts and art pieces from various cultures. This is due to his belief that defeating an enemy requires that enemy to be truly known. This includes their culture, history, and art, which Thrawn then uses to devise his stratagems. However,Thrawn’s office once held a familiar looking chalice: the Holy Grail fromIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While subtle, it truly is one of the best Easter eggs inspired by Lucasfilm’s other major franchise.
