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This is the way. But what is the way of the Mandalorians, exactly? What connects these fearsome warriors and bounty hunters? Are the Mandalorians a part of a race or religion? Thanks to some flashbacks from season 1, viewers learned a little bit more about this part of the Star Wars universe. Here’s what we know about these characters from the Disney+ original series.

This article contains major spoilers from the first season of The Mandalorian. Read at your own risk!

A general view of atmosphere at the premiere of Lucasfilm's first-ever, live-action series, "The Mandalorian"
A general view of atmosphere at the premiere of Lucasfilm’s first-ever, live-action series, “The Mandalorian” | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

How did the main character of the Disney+ series become a Mandalorian?

Our narrator may keep to himself most of the time. Thanks to flashbacks and little blurbs here and there, viewers learned more about how this Mandalorian became one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy.

We learn that when he was little, his parents were killed by the Empire. He was found by another Mandalorian and taken in as a “youngling.” From there, he learned to fight and followed “the way” of the Mandalorians. Eventually, he earned his signet, crafted through his experience taking care of the Child. 

Not much is known about the Mandalorian’s time from being a youngling to where viewers meet him in Disney’s story. Still, his nurturing, paternal side is pretty evident in the first season through his relationship with the internet’s favorite green 50-year-old, “Baby Yoda.”

What, exactly, is a Mandalorian? 

The Mandalorians aren’t really a religion, but they’re not affiliated with any government, either. Viewers learned that the Mandalorians are bounty hunters and trained fighters. Part of learning “the way” of the Mandalorian is following rules. The most important being that they never reveal their true identity or take their helmet off.

We know that a majority of their Beskar, a material used to make their armor and some weapons, was taken. As a result, this group generally only travels above ground one at a time. There was, of course, an exception to this rule when the Mandalorian needed to protect the Child. Most of the Mandalorians emerged to fight, later scattering to random parts of the galaxy.

One website reports that at one time, these crusaders were a race

Back during the days of the prequels, the Mandalorians had their own land and planet. CBR states that “originating from the planet Mandalore, this warrior race sought out work as both bounty hunters and mercenaries.”

“They were known to ride Mythosaurs, which, if their new canon nature aligns with the Legends canon, were the dominant species on Mandalore until the early Mandalorian warriors mounted them,” the article continues. 

This comes into play with our protagonist when Kuiil asks the Mandalorian to ride the Blurrg. Although this bounty hunter was a foundling, and it takes him a few tries, he eventually mounts the animal.

Not much is known about the future adventures of the Mandalorian and the Child, nicknamed “Baby Yoda” by fans online. The Mandalorian season 2 premieres on Disney+ during Fall 2020. Until then, the first season of this original series is available on the streaming platform. 

To learn more about Disney’s subscription service, visit their website. 

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