How Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Carries on One of Yoda’s Most Important Lessons

“Size matters not,” Yoda informs a humbled Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and that timeless message has carried on through the decades to now reach Grogu in the thrilling The Mandalorian and Grogu, in theaters now. It’s most evident in the Clan of Two’s latest film adventure, inspiring audience members of all ages and sizes as they watch Grogu save the day — time and time again.

“He's not just a character who has to be rescued. Now he's side-by-side as a Mandalorian apprentice with his dad,” director Jon Favreau said in a recent interview with StarWars.com.

Whether he’s squeezing through a tight space to open a door from the other side or climbing inside a massive droid to take it down like only he can, Grogu knows how to use his size to his advantage. We never doubt that he can make a difference. Neither do the gaggle of delightful Anzellans, who are even smaller than Grogu is. Working as a team and flying in on their tiny ship, the small crew does not hesitate to rescue Din Djarin and Minch from Nal Hutta. In fact, they use their size to their advantage, to avoid being noticed by an entire legion of droids, as well as reaching places no one else can so they can stage a (mostly) successful rescue.

While Master Yoda uses his unequaled tenacity to fight forces of evil and oppression, for Grogu, the fight in The Mandalorian and Grogu is much more personal. The fate of the entire galaxy isn’t at stake, but Grogu’s whole world is. He’ll do anything he can for the Mandalorian, and when it’s Grogu’s turn to take care of him he proves once again that little guys can make a big difference.

It’s a lesson the Mandalorian has learned firsthand over the experiences he’s had with his foundling. What warning does Din Djarin shout to Rotta the Hutt as creatures attack in the Pit on Shakari?

“Watch out for the little one!”

He should have listened.

Luke Skywalker struggling with levitating a swampy X-wing with the Force probably isn’t the only student Master Yoda shared this wisdom with. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode “Bounty Hunters,” Padawan Ahsoka Tano tells the diminutive Seripas, “You don’t have to look tough to be tough.” (Coincidentally, bounty hunter Embo from The Mandalorian and Grogu also makes his first appearance in the same Season 2 story.) Could Grogu have learned the same lesson directly from Master Yoda during their time together at the Coruscant Jedi Temple? He’ll never tell.

But what is for sure is that Grogu puts Yoda’s lesson into practice time and time again, never hesitating to act when he’s needed, and continuing the Jedi Master’s legacy of fearlessness when he and the Mandalorian set out to go wherever the galaxy takes them.

Good luck, small traveler.

Kelly Knox is the author of Marvel Crafts, Star Wars Dad Jokes and Star Wars Dad Jokes Strike Back, and the upcoming Star Wars: The Phantom Menace – A Visual Archive. Her puns are always intended.