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Bundel, Ani (November 27, 2019). "This 'Mandalorian' Theory About Baby Yoda Is So Important". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020 . Retrieved February 12, 2020. In " Chapter 20: The Foundling", Grogu trains with fellow foundling Ragnar Vizsla (Wesley Kimmel) until Ragnar is captured by a large winged Raptor. While the Mandalorian, Bo-Katan, and Ragnar's father Paz (Jon Favreau) leave to rescue him, Grogu joins the Armorer at the Forge, where she teaches him Mandalorian culture and forges him a beskar rondel. The Forge triggers more of Grogu's memories of the Great Jedi Purge, revealing that he escaped Coruscant with the help of Jedi Master Kelleran Beq ( Ahmed Best) and sympathetic members of the Naboo Armed Forces. Colbert, Stephen M. (November 22, 2019). "The Mandalorian: What The Empire Wanted With Baby Yoda". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020 . Retrieved January 28, 2020. Vulture writer Madison Malone Kircher described Grogu as an example of a character so popular that his fame nearly eclipsed that of his own franchise, comparing him to Baby Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. [63] The Guardian writer Zach Vasquez noted past Star Wars works had featured young characters that have not resonated as strongly as Grogu, so he credited his success with the character's designers and special effects. [4] Likewise, Robyn Bahr of The Hollywood Reporter said the positive response to Grogu, along with that of the show The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, demonstrate that audiences still desire puppetry, animatronics, and practical effects rather than only CGI. Bahr wrote: "If Baby Yoda were entirely 3D animation, he wouldn't have become an icon the minute we laid our eyes on him." [64] a b Alexander, Julia (December 6, 2019). "Baby Yoda is key to the Disney+ takeover". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019 . Retrieved December 9, 2019.a b c d Singer, Matt (December 13, 2019). " 'The Mandalorian' Is A Good Show About How Hard It Is to Be a Single Parent". ScreenCrush. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020 . Retrieved February 29, 2020. a b c Gallagher, Caitlin (December 13, 2019). "Baby Yoda's Force Power On 'The Mandalorian' Is Still Growing". Bustle. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020 . Retrieved March 3, 2020. Grogu was conceived by Jon Favreau, the creator and showrunner of The Mandalorian. [10] Upon learning that Lucasfilm had been sold to the Walt Disney Company in 2012, Favreau began imagining working on a Star Wars project, and was particularly interested in exploring the events after the original Star Wars trilogy. [5] He conceived Grogu based upon a desire to explore the mystery around Yoda and his species, [10] and an interest in presenting a character from Yoda's species at the beginning of his journey, in contrast to Yoda ending his own journey in Return of the Jedi (1983). [5] Favreau believed part of the appeal of Yoda was that George Lucas deliberately kept his origins and details about the species mysterious, and Favreau believed that sense of mystery would extend to Grogu: "I think that's why people are so curious about this little one of the same species." [10] [74]

a b Abdulbaki, Mae (January 6, 2020). " 'Mandalorian' Season 2 theory links Baby Yoda to a Dark side icon". Inverse. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020 . Retrieved March 1, 2020. a b c Giardina, Carolyn (January 29, 2020). " 'Star Wars' Sound Editors on Using Elephant Screams for Battles and Creating Baby Yoda's Voice". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020 . Retrieved February 26, 2020. a b c d e del Barco, Mandalit (December 5, 2019). "You'll Have to Wait for Official Baby Yoda Toys". NPR. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019 . Retrieved December 11, 2019. a b c d e f g h i Vasquez, Zach (December 3, 2019). "Big deal, he is: how Baby Yoda became 2019's biggest new character". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019 . Retrieved December 9, 2019. Bonnie, Burton (December 15, 2019). "Baby Yoda threatens Baby Groot on SNL". CNET. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019 . Retrieved January 2, 2020.a b Hedash, Kara (December 19, 2019). "Wait... Is Baby Yoda Tempted By The Dark Side?". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020 . Retrieved March 1, 2020. a b c Britt, Ryan (December 5, 2019). " Mandalorian Showrunner Confirms Baby Yoda is Not Actually Yoda". Fatherly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019 . Retrieved December 9, 2019. a b Breznican, Anthony (November 12, 2019). " The Mandalorian Episode One: Easter Eggs and That Final Reveal, Explained". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on November 14, 2019 . Retrieved February 26, 2020. a b Kain, Erik (December 27, 2019). "Star Wars 'The Mandalorian' Episode 8 Recap And Review: A Terrific Season Finale". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019 . Retrieved January 18, 2020. a b Carras, Christi (January 17, 2020). "Jon Favreau shares photo of George Lucas cradling Baby Yoda. No caption needed". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020 . Retrieved February 27, 2020.