Q&A: Is Star Wars Rebel worth watching?

Summary

In this Q&A session, we discuss the potential worth of Star Wars Rebel — a new animated series set before Episode IV A New Hope. We explore the history of previous animated entries in the Star Wars saga and examine what works and what doesn’t. Ultimately, we try to determine if Star Wars Rebel follows the rules of successful animated productions in the franchise, concluding with a call for suggestions on what part of Star Wars history we’d like to see adapted in animated form.

Introduction
The History of Animated Star Wars
The Rules of Successful Animated Star Wars
The Potential of Star Wars Rebel
Conclusion

Introduction

Star Wars Rebel is the latest addition to the Star Wars universe, and some fans might be hesitant to get their hopes up. After all, there have been both good and bad examples of animated productions in the franchise’s history. In this Q&A, we’ll explore the potential of Star Wars Rebel and try to determine whether it’s worth watching.

The History of Animated Star Wars

Before we dive into Star Wars Rebel, let’s take a quick tour through the history of animated Star Wars. In 1978, the Star Wars Holiday Special featured an animated sequence that, while not great, did introduce the character of Boba Fett to the franchise. In the mid-80s, two Saturday morning cartoons — Star Wars Droids and Star Wars Ewoks — failed to deliver anything particularly noteworthy, despite being made by the same studio behind Care Bears. In the early 2000s, Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars cartoon brought some light side goodness to the franchise with its action-packed, minimal dialogue shorts. However, the same cannot be said for the fully CG Clone Wars series that followed, which had overly-long story arcs and forgettable characters. And let’s not forget about the ridiculous LEGO Star Wars shorts or the classic Robot Chicken and Phineas and Ferb specials.

The Rules of Successful Animated Star Wars

Based on the history, what are the rules for a successful animated Star Wars production? Firstly, lots of action is key, while over-emphasis on story can be detrimental. Similarly, cuteness overload is something best avoided. A lighthearted, less serious tone appears to be successful. So if these factors are prioritized, an animated Star Wars production should be a hit.

The Potential of Star Wars Rebel

So, does Star Wars Rebel tick these boxes? Set before Episode IV A New Hope, the new series seems to be trying to get back to the franchise’s roots, and boasts an intriguing cast of characters that includes a “cowboy Jedi,” alien, and droid based on Ralph McQuarrie’s original concept art. If the series focuses more on action than story, avoids excessive cuteness, and maintains a lighthearted tone, it has the potential to be a worthy addition to the Star Wars franchise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the worthiness of Star Wars Rebel is up for debate. It has the potential to succeed, but it must follow certain rules in order to do so. As for what other parts of Star Wars history would be suitable for an animated series, we’re open to suggestions!