Hera Syndulla is widely considered the best driver in the world Star Wars galaxy, and she is one of the Rebellion’s most important players. Hera Syndulla was originally introduced in the animated series Star Wars Rebels. She was co-leader of the Ghost Crew, alongside her (romantic) partner, Jedi and Order 66 survivor Kanan Jarrus. Along with the Lasat warrior Garazeb Orrelios, the Mandalorian Sabine Wren, the Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger, and Hera’s trusty but violent droid Chopper, they became a major rebel cell – known as the Specters – helping worlds and communities in need and, eventually, freeing the planet Lothal. from the clutches of the Empire.
Hera wasn’t just the leader of the Ghost Crew, she was also their pilot. His ship was the Ghosta modified VCX-100 light freighter that served as a mobile base for the Specters. The ship was well equipped for a freighter, with rear and forward laser cannons, a 360-degree dorsal laser cannon turret, and a shuttlecraft (originally the Ghost, later the Phantom II). THE Ghost served Hera and her crew well during the Galactic Civil War, and helped her rise through the ranks of the Rebellion as she built a new life for herself and her family.
Hera Syndulla is the daughter of Ryloth’s greatest freedom fighter
Rebellion is in Hera Syndulla’s blood. Before becoming leader of the Ghost Crew, Hera was the daughter of Cham Syndulla, Ryloth’s most prominent and fearsome Twi’lek freedom fighter. Cham worked with the Jedi during the Clone Wars and redirected his efforts against the Empire when Palpatine rose to power in the wake of Order 66 (although this took some convincing). Although Hera’s relationship with her father was strained, they cared for each other. All Cham did was protect his daughter after her mother’s death, even if he didn’t always do it right.
Hera’s fight against the Empire began at a young age
Hera’s fight against the Empire didn’t begin when she was an adult. As revealed in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Hera began her rebellion when she was still a child. Aided by Chopper, Omega and the rest of Clone Force 99, Hera rescues her parents from the Empire by infiltrating and destroying one of their refinery bases on Ryloth. This was also the beginning of her obsession with flying – Omega showed her her and her brothers’ ship, and Hera fell in love with space exploration, piloting a small ship for the first time to save Chopper from the Empire’s greed.
Although Hera’s first flight was complicated, to say the least, it was effective. Hera’s affinity for piloting was apparent. She was destined to have her own ship someday.
Hera met Kanan Jarrus during a fight
Years later, while working as an undercover agent for Senator Bail Organa, Hera Syndulla meets Order 66 survivor Kanan Jarrus, and their lives change forever. In the novel by John Jackson Miller Star Wars: A New DawnHera and Kanan repeatedly rescue each other, slowly but surely uncovering an Imperial mining conspiracy overseen by the dastardly Count Vidian. Although they were initially reluctant to trust each other, Kanan and Hera began a partnership, which would blossom in the following years. At this point, Hera already owned the Ghost and was an incredible pilot – Kanan, a solid pilot himself, was surprised by her skill.
She eventually joins forces with Bail Organa’s secret agent, Fulcrum. As Star Wars Rebels later revealed, Fulcrum was Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Before Hera and Kanan could do greater things in the galaxy, however, they needed a crew.
Hera and Kanan formed the Phoenix rebel cell over time
After the events of A new dawnHera and Kanan eventually form the Phoenix Rebel Cell. The first to join Hera, Kanan and Chopper were Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren. Each of them had good reason to hate the Empire. Both Zeb and Sabine’s people were murdered and enslaved by the Empire, and Sabine was also trying to atone for her past mistakes. Together they formed a formidable crew, although a lack of resources meant they were stuck doing odd jobs and transporting cargo, helping people as much as they could with their rather limited power.
Soon after, the Ghost Crew got a job on Lothal, and the rest is history. There, they met Ezra Bridger, a young Force-sensitive boy who lived on the streets, gleefully wreaking havoc and stealing from the Empire. After Ezra accepted Kanan’s offer to mentor and became his Padawan, the Ghost Crew’s reach and influence grew. They saved a group of Wookiee prisoners, destroyed an extremely powerful kyber crystal the Empire had acquired, stole TIE fighters, exposed a corrupt senator, and more.
Eventually, Hera and the Ghost Crew discovered that they were part of a Rebel network much larger than they could have ever imagined. Hera was officially given command of the Phoenix fleet and, together with those closest to her, made a real difference in the fight against the Empire. Ultimately, the Ghost Crew and their allies overthrew even one of the Empire’s most fearsome and revered strategists – Grand Admiral Thrawn. After Kanan Jarrus’ death, Ezra Bridger sacrificed his future to free Lothal from the Empire’s clutches, and Hera Syndulla ensured that Lothal remained free after Ezra’s disappearance.
Hera became a general in the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic
Hera was briefly mentioned in Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyhis ship appearing during the Battle of Scarif. As revealed in the Star Wars Rebels In the epilogue, Hera Syndulla also fought in the Battle of Endor, a pivotal event that marked the beginning of the end of the Empire’s reign in the galaxy. Hera’s heroism and leadership during the Galactic Civil War earned her the rank of General, originally for the Rebel Alliance and later for the New Republic. At some point after the liberation of Lothal, Hera also gave birth to her and Kanan’s son, Jacen Syndulla..
Hera’s heroism and leadership during the Galactic Civil War earned her the rank of General, originally for the Rebel Alliance and later for the New Republic.
In Ahsokawhich takes place approximately 11 ABY (11 years after the Battle of Yavin, when the first Death Star was destroyed), Hera is still a devoted General, consulted by the New Republic leadership about the possibility of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return and the threat from the Imperial Remnant. She’s not afraid to go against the grain, like she used to. When Ahsoka and Sabine need help finding Ezra Bridger (and Grand Admiral Thrawn), Hera is happy to help them and takes Jacen and Chopper for a ride.
The New Republic’s fight against the Imperial Remnant has just begun. Now that Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned, the galaxy is once again in danger. Although Sabine and Ahsoka are trapped, Ezra Bridger at least managed to return home, and along with Zeb, the remaining members of the Ghost Crew, led by Hera Syndullathey will almost certainly become important players during the New Republic era.