Star Wars' Newest Young Hero Isn't Just Cuter Than Baby Yoda, He's Also Kinder

Star Wars’ newest kid alien in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is not only cuter than Baby Yoda – yes, it’s true – but he’s also exactly what the galaxy needs right now. Star Wars has always excelled at creating cute creatures and aliens. Baby Yoda, otherwise known as Grogu, is probably the most famous example, especially because of his relationship with the Mandalorian Din Djarin, but other small creatures, like the Porgs, Loth-cats, and Puffer Pigs certainly rank up there too.

Now, however, Skeleton Crew has brought us another adorable alien species to make us smile. Though Neel may look like he’s related to everyone’s favorite organ player, Max Rebo, it’s been confirmed that Neel is another species entirely, though we don’t know exactly what species that is yet. Nevertheless, Neel is undeniably adorable, and his personality matches his appearance perfectly – even more so than Grogu.

Neel's Compassion Shows He's What The Galaxy Really Needs

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Where Grogu’s cuteness hides a fiercely protective, mischievous, and sometimes even violent character – he’s sort of like the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Baby Groot, in that respect – Neel’s delightful appearance is just a reflection of who he is on the inside. He’s thoughtful, kind, loyal, and most of all, compassionate, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Skeleton Crew episode 4, “Can’t Say I Remember No At Attin.”

Neel’s delightful appearance is just a reflection of who he is on the inside. He’s thoughtful, kind, loyal, and most of all, compassionate.

In the episode, the kids land on another secret planet, though this one is decidedly less pleasant than theirs. Finding themselves embroiled in a civil war, Neel’s heart breaks at the violence around him and the suffering that it’s causing. When the civilian camp offers him food, he freely gives his portion to two hungry kids. It’s a rare act of compassion on this war-torn planet, and Neel’s new friend, Hayna, is understandably surprised and moved by it.

Star Wars' New Hero Is Everything I Could've Ever Wanted

Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann

This is not to say that something is wrong with Grogu; quite the contrary, his true nature is entirely understandable given everything he went through. But considering his love of food, do you think Grogu would be willing to give his portion up so easily? Of course, there are plenty of other compassionate and kind characters in the Star Wars universe. There’s the Jedi, Rose Tico, Finn, Leia, and many others. What makes Neel special compared to the rest is his lack of a traumatic backstory.

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As far as we know, Neel hasn’t experienced any horrors that would make him more sympathetic towards others. He isn’t being guided by a millennia-old ideology, either. Neel is compassionate because that’s quite simply who he is. There’s no motive, no reasoning. He saw that some kids were hungry and decided he didn’t need the food as much as they did. In a galaxy ravaged by war and darkness, that kind of innate kindness is exceedingly rare, and it has made Neel my favorite character in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

New episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew premiere Tuesdays exclusively on Disney+.

Skeleton Crew Release Date Schedule Episode Director Release Date Episode 4 "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin" The Daniels December 17 Episode 5 Jake Schreier December 24 Episode 6 Bryce Dallas Howard December 31 Episode 7 Lee Isaac Chung January 7 Episode 8 Jon Watts January 14