- "I'm one with the Force; the Force is with me."
- ―Chirrut Îmwe
Chirrut Îmwe was a blind human born on the moon Jedha in 52 BBY. He used a uneti-wood staff and handmade lightbow. One of the Guardians of the Whills, an order of spiritual warrior-monks, he was active during the days of the Galactic Empire and worked as an itinerant preacher in Jedha City. Alongside his close friend, partner, and protector, Baze Malbus, he went to Eadu with Cassian Andor, Baze Malbus, K-2SO, Jyn Erso, and other members. Îmwe became part of a volunteer group of Rebels tasked with stealing the plans of the first Death Star. Îmwe died during the Battle of Scarif in 0 BBY after assisting Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor in breaking into the Imperial archives.
Contents
Biography[edit | edit source]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Born in 52 BBY, Chirrut Îmwe lived on the moon Jedha where he became a member of the Guardians of the Whills alongside his longtime friend Baze Malbus.[2] In 0 BBY, Îmwe's voice was heard by Padawan Ezra Bridger in a place that existed between time and space.[4]
Age of the Empire[edit | edit source]
As a Guardian[edit | edit source]
- "There are other way to see than just with eyes."
- ―Îmwe to Hondo
One night, Îmwe responded to a disturbance in the tunnels. He confronted the individuals Dok-Ondar and Hondo Ohnaka after the latter's protege had been killed and they stole a kyber crystal statue. Îmwe dueled Ohnaka, but Dok-Ondar told him that they were there to take the statue for clues to his parents' murder. Îmwe relented and let them escape.[5]
Joining Saw's Partisans[edit | edit source]
- "Don't mistake his lack of eyesight for a lack of vision."
- ―Baze Malbus
Shortly after Saw Gerrera arrived on Jedha, Chirrut and Baze were approached by Beezer Fortuna, one of Saw's top men. They agreed to join on the condition that the orphanage that their friends ran would get any and all supplies they needed. The partisans greatly underestimated Chirrut's abilities, leaving him out of many missions, until Chirrut proved to them he was of value. As Saw's attacks increased, the Empire began to hurt the citizens of Jedha more. This resulted in more orphans, which meant they needed more supplies, Chirrut and Baze knew that they could not let the orphans remain here, so they struck a deal with the partisans to steal an Imperial Sentinel ship. However, as they put their plan into motion, Beezer and two other partisans betrayed Chirrut and Baze, attempting the steal the ship for themselves to use it as a giant explosive against the Imperial Star Destroyer that hovered above the city. Chirrut managed to convince Beezer that their movement would gain no more traction if word got out that Saw prevented the escape of the orphans. Ceding to Chirrut's rationale, Beezer surrendered the ship to them. This ended their relationship with Saw, however, leaving them on very bad terms.[3]
Meeting Jyn Erso[edit | edit source]
- "The strongest stars have hearts of kyber."
- ―Chirrut to Jyn Erso during their first meeting on Jedha.
Nineteen years after Sheev Palpatine turned the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire, Îmwe was outside preaching of the Force when he met Jyn Erso. He asked her if she knew what Kyber crystals were after sensing she had one on her necklace; she told him that they were what powered a Jedi's lightsaber. She then left with Captain Cassian Andor.[2]
Joining the Rebellion[edit | edit source]
- "Are you kidding me? I'm blind!"
- ―Chirrut Îmwe, after being blindfolded by Saw Gerrera's insurgents

Chirrut Îmwe on Jedha.
Later on, during a skirmish that took place in Jedha City, Îmwe helped free Andor, Erso and the droid K-2SO from a group of stormtroopers. Using his highly trained hearing to determine the positions of the approaching troopers, he attacked them with his staff, knocking them all down in quick succession. Then Malbus shot and killed stormtrooper reinforcements approaching from behind Îmwe. After learning why Erso and Andor were there, a group of Saw Gerrera's insurgents came and placed sacks on all their heads, to which Îmwe remarked with annoyance because he was already blind and could not see where they were taking him anyway.[2]

Chirrut Îmwe in Saw's hideout.
They were taken to Gerrera's hideout and placed into a cell. In the cell Îmwe repeated the phrase, "I am one with the Force. The Force is with me." Malbus didn't believe that Îmwe's praying would work to open the cell door. Îmwe asked Andor if he had been in any other cells before to which Andor told him it was his first one. He told him there was more than one type of cell and that he sensed that Andor carried his around with him everywhere he went. Îmwe then sensed that there was someone in the cell beside them. It turned out to be the Ex-Imperial Pilot Bodhi Rook. They eventually made their escape as the Jedha City was attacked by the Empire's superweapon, the Death Star. Îmwe made his escape with the others aboard the U-wing.[2]
Mission to Eadu[edit | edit source]

Îmwe with Malbus on Eadu.
While on board the U-Wing, Îmwe questioned Malbus about the holy city to which he told him that it had been completely destroyed. Jyn told Andor about the weakness that her father had placed in the Death Star and the group made their way to Eadu. Once on the planet, Andor and Rook went out to scout the refinery. After asking Baze if Andor looked like a killer, Baze told him that he looked like a friend. Erso questioned this and Îmwe told her that the Force flows darkly around a creature that is about to kill. Fearing that Andor was going to kill her father she went out in search of him. Moments prior to Erso's departure, K-2SO recalled that Andor's weapon was set in its sniper configuration, supporting Erso's fear that Andor was planning to kill her father. Îmwe later followed Erso. Baze soon followed. Baze and Îmwe stopped at a ridge to get a good look at things. Once the Rebel fighters arrived, Îmwe used his lightbow to take down a TIE Fighter which crashed into a turbo laser tower. Soon after Baze and Îmwe made their way to the shuttle that K-2SO had stolen and made their way to Yavin 4.[2]
Battle of Scarif[edit | edit source]
- "Chirrut! Don't go! Don't go!"
"It's okay...it's okay. Look for the Force...and you will always find me."
"The Force is with me...and I am one with the Force." - ―Chirrut's dying exchange with Baze.

Chirrut Îmwe firing at Imperials during the Battle of Scarif.
After the Alliance Council had told Jyn Erso that they could not afford to send the Rebel Fleet to Scarif, Îmwe was among those who chose to fight with her. Once they arrived on the planet, Îmwe and Malbus were put in charge of an assault team that would set charges to lure out the stormtroopers. After taking out several troopers, they made their way to the entrance to the complex. Îmwe and Malbus held the line with other Rebels until All Terrain Armored Cargo Transports arrived at their position. Îmwe and the others ran for shelter. Making their way towards the beach the rebels cut down stormtroopers and coastal defender stormtroopers and watched as a UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft crashed on the shore. A TIE/rp Reaper attack lander carrying six of Orson Callan Krennic's death troopers arrived on the beach, and the elite imperial soldiers proceeded to attack the remaining rebels. After learning that the master switch needed to be flipped for the Rebels to receive the Death Star plans, he made his way out onto the battle field to activate the switch, continuing to repeat the chant, "I am one with the Force. The Force is with me." Managing to not be hit by any blaster bolts, Chirrut activated the switch just as a fuel container was hit by a death trooper's blaster bolt and an explosion occurred, sending him flying backwards. Malbus, seeing his friend injured ran onto the battlefield to help, firing at every trooper. Îmwe soon died in his friend's arms, but told Malbus not to grieve: if Malbus looked to the Force, he would always be able to find him.[2]
Personality and traits[edit | edit source]

Îmwe was a devout believer in the Force.
- "I fear nothing. For all is as the Force wills it."
- ―Chirrut Îmwe
Chirrut Îmwe was a blind human male, with pale blue eyes, black hair and tan skin. Although he lacked Force abilities,[6][3] Îmwe was a strong believer in it and the Jedi way,[7] carrying a simple staff[8] and traditional lightbow bowcaster,[9] contrasting greatly with his partner's more pragmatic personality. His devotion to spirituality helped him overcome his blindness and become a formidable warrior.[7] Îmwe's Zama-shiwo skills were said to have given him supernatural powers that would alter his heart and oxygen intake.[10] Îmwe always kept the cause of his blindness a close secret.[11]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

Concept art of Chirrut Îmwe (left) alongside Baze Malbus
Chirrut Îmwe is portrayed by Donnie Yen in the Star Wars stand-alone film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Director Gareth Edwards allowed Yen to flesh out the character as he saw fit. One of the traits that Yen created for his character was Îmwe's blindness.[12]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
Non-canon appearances[edit | edit source]
- LEGO Star Wars Movie Short: Star Wars: Rogue One As Told By LEGO
Sources[edit | edit source]
Star Wars Rogue One (Set: 75152 Imperial Assault Hovertank)
"Launch Pad"—Star Wars Insider 169
- Star Wars: Galactic Atlas
- Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- Art of Coloring: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: Rogue One: Rebel Dossier
- Star Wars: Rogue One: Ultimate Sticker Encyclopedia
Star Wars: Rogue One (Card: Chirrut Îmwe) (backup link)
- Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, Updated and Expanded
Star Wars Helmet Collection 38 (Databank A-Z: Baze Malbus–Darth Maul)
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition
- Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, New Edition
The Rebellion | Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures Fun Facts on the official Star Wars Kids YouTube channel (backup link)
- Star Wars: How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks and Other Galactic Survival Skills (Picture only)
- Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: Baze Malbus - 2020 Base Series)
Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: Chirrut Îmwe - 2020 Base Series)
Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: Killi Gimm - 2020 Base Series)
"Shattered" Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
"The Imperial Troops" – Star Wars Encyclopedia
Baze Malbus in the Databank (backup link)
Chirrut Îmwe in the Databank (backup link)
Chirrut Îmwe's Lightbow in the Databank (backup link)
Chirrut Îmwe's Staff in the Databank (backup link)
The Force in the Databank (backup link) (Picture only)
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Guardians of the Whills
- ↑
Star Wars Rebels – "A World Between Worlds"
- ↑ Galaxy's Edge 3
- ↑
Chirrut Îmwe in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 'Rogue One': Exclusive Details on All the New 'Star Wars' Characters. Entertainment Weekly (2016-06-22). Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved on June 23, 2016.
- ↑
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑
NEW Star Wars Launch Bay Rogue One Additions & Changes Update on the The Dani Diaries YouTube channel (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, Updated and Expanded
- ↑ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - The Official Collector's Edition
- ↑ Fahlman, Ty (2016-11-02). Inspired Man: Donnie Yen. Jetset Magazine. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved on December 19, 2016.
External links[edit | edit source]
New Rogue One Characters Revealed, LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures | The Star Wars Show on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Official Teaser Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
- 'Rogue One': Exclusive Details on All the New 'Star Wars' Characters (Slide 4 of 10) (backup link) (First identified as Chirrut Îmwe)
15 Things We Learned from the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer 2 on StarWars.com (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Together" TV Spot on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Hope" TV Spot on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Featurette on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Jyn & Cassian" Extended TV Spot on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Trust" on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Breath" TV Spot on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Worth It" TV Spot (:30) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One Press Conference at Lucasfilm – Liveblog on StarWars.com (backup link)
Everything We Know About Rogue One So Far on StarWars.com (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Prevail" TV Spot (:30) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "10 Days" on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Chance" TV Spot (:30) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Saga-Spanning All-Ages Star Wars Books – Exclusive Preview on StarWars.com (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Official Chinese Trailer on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
StarWars.com's Holiday Gift Guide 2016 on StarWars.com (backup link)
Fully Operational Fandom: Fans Make Rogue Plans to See Rogue One on StarWars.com (backup link)
11 Highlights from Star Wars Insider #170 – Out Now! on StarWars.com (backup link)
10 Highlights from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: The Official Collector's Edition Magazine – Out Now! on StarWars.com (backup link)
Announcing StarWarsAuthentics.com: The New Destination For Authentic Star Wars Photos And Autographs on StarWars.com (backup link)
Quiz: Are You More Jyn Erso Or Orson Krennic? on StarWars.com (backup link)
Star Wars: Best of 2016 on StarWars.com (backup link)
Quiz: Can You Guess the Rogue One Character? on StarWars.com (backup link)
15 Rogue One Quotes To Use In Everyday Life on StarWars.com (backup link)
Star Wars Pinball: Rogue One Table Talk With Zen Studios' Zoltan Vari on StarWars.com (backup link)