Summary
- Star Wars’ High Republic era introduces the dangerous Nihil, wielding rare technology and powerful creatures, even feared by the Jedi Order.
- The Nihil made their television debut in the preschool-aged show Young Jedi Adventures, though the full danger of the marauders was obviously not shown.
- Led by Marchion Ro, the Nihil possess Path Engines for hyperspace traversal and control the Nameless, predators that feed on Force-sensitives.
Star Wars has finally brought the High Republic’s most dangerous villains to the screen. Known as the Nihil, this group of marauders operating centuries before The Phantom Menace wielded a dark combination of both rare technology and devastatingly powerful creatures, becoming a true threat to the entire galaxy, even to the Jedi Order. Now, the Nihil have made their first-ever television debut, albeit in a somewhat surprising show.
As seen in the hit kids’ show Young Jedi Adventures on Disney+, the High Republic-set series just featured members of the Nihil in the episode “An Adventure With Master Yoda”. Starring its classic trio with Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, and Nubs, the three younglings were joined by Jedi Master Yoda and their pilot friend Nash as they pursued two marauders who were attempting to steal two Jedi starfighters known as Vectors. As featured on their clothes and ship, the red storm symbol of the Nihil is clearly featured during the space chase:
While Yoda and his students ultimately get the ships back from the Nihil marauders who subsequently fled, the true scope and danger of the Nihil were obviously not shown in this animated series considering its preschool-aged demographic.
The Nihil Are The Most Dangerous Villains Of The High Republic Era
Even The Jedi Order Feared Them
Led by Marchion Ro who’s referred to as the Eye of the Storm, the Nihil are an organized coalition of marauders whose great strength lies in their Path Engines, rare pieces of technology allowing traversal through hyperspace with deadly speed and accuracy. Furthermore, they also had command over the Nameless, ancient predators who fed on Force-sensitives such as the Jedi, paralyzing them with hallucinogenic fear while feeding upon their life force until they were nothing more than stone husks. As such, the Nihil was able to bring down the Jedi’s orbital station known as Starlight Beacon, killing several members and instilling great fear within the entire Order.
Although Young Jedi Adventures appears to be canonical with the great of the High Republic Era, the series has been dated and set in the early days of its first phase. This means that the Jedi have yet to realize the full extent of the threat the Nihil poses (explaining why Yoda took younglings to pursue the marauders in this episode). At any rate, Star Wars’ youngest fans shouldn’t have to worry about seeing all the Nihil is capable of in Young Jedi Adventures. However, the Nihil cameo is certainly an exciting Eater egg for older Star Wars fans who may be watching along with them.
All episodes of Young Jedi Adventures season 1 are streaming now on Disney+
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Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures
- Release Date:
- 2023-05-04
- Cast:
- Jamaal Avery Jr., Emma Berman, Juliet Donenfeld, Dee Bradley Baker, Jonathan Lipow, Piotr Michael
- Genres:
- Family, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Seasons:
- 1
- Story By:
- Michael Olson, Shellie Kvilvang, Lamont Magee, Josh Rimes, James Waugh, Casey Lowe
- Writers:
- Michael Olson, Shellie Kvilvang, Lamont Magee, Josh Rimes, James Waugh, Casey Lowe
- Network:
- Disney Junior
- Streaming Service:
- Disney+
- Franchise(s):
- Star Wars
- Directors:
- Elliot M. Bour, Anthony Bell, Shellie Kvilvang
- Showrunner:
- Michael Olson
