Unlike Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels introduced fans to entirely new protagonists in the form of the Ghost crew. Led by Captain Hera Syndulla, the rag-tag Specter rebel cell includes runaway Mandalorian Sabine Wren; Order 66 survivor and Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus; a young rebel-turned-Padawan Ezra Bridger; Hera’s cantankerous astromech Chopper; and, last but certainly not least, the Lasat rebel Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios.
When Ezra meets Zeb, the young rebel asks him, “You some kind of hairless Wookie?” While that sounds like an incredibly naive remark to make about the Lasat warrior, it’s actually a kind of Star Wars in-joke. Strong, tall, and imposing, the species’ appearance is based on Ralph McQuarrie’s early concept art for Chewbacca. And while Rebels marks the first Canon appearance of the Lasat, Zeb also happens to be one of the last of his kind in the Star Wars universe. So, who are the Lasat, and what happened to them?
Where Are The Lasat From?
The Lasat originate from Wild Space, an uncharted region beyond the Outer Rim, on the planet Lira San. However, the Lasat later settled on Lasan, a less-isolated Outer Rim world. Much like the Wookies they take their inspiration from, the purple-and-gray-furred Lasats are known for their impressive strength and height. They also have incredible agility and a cat-like ability to jump high and move more quietly than, say, humans.
In fact, Lasat have a lot of physical advantages. With prehensile toes, they can scale structures with ease, while their sizable ears and eyes grant them superior senses. Zeb exemplifies the most common attributes of a Lasat, though he’s also a more accomplished fighter than most of his kin. Formerly a member of the Lasan High Honor Guard, Zeb is both a highly skilled and intelligent warrior. Like other members of the Honor Guard, he uses a Bo-rifle, a signature Lasat weapon.
Were There Lasat Jedi?
While some peoples in the Star Wars universe think of their warrior ways as a religion, the Lasat believe in something beyond their own strength — the Ashla, or spirit of the galaxy. Sound familiar? Well, the Ashla and the Force are one and the same. In fact, spiritual leaders of the Lasat, as well as Bo-rifle wielders, are able to channel the Force. But are there any Lasat Jedi, or is their relationship with the Force, or Ashla, something different?
As players of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order know, Jaro Tapal is a Force-sensitive Lasat and Jedi Master during the Clone Wars. As a Jedi, Jaro held the rank of general in the Grand Army of the Republic, though he was one of the few Lasat to participate in the conflict between the Republic and Separatist armies. A mentor to the player character, Cal Kestis, Jaro is a Jedi through and through, valuing persistence and the ability to rise above one’s fears. Despite Jaro’s impressive lightsaber skills, telepathic abilities, and Lasat strength, he’s overpowered by his clone trooper battalion during Order 66.
Why Were The Lasat Killed By The Empire?
Jaro Tapal wasn’t the only Lasat to suffer at the hands of the (newly formed) Empire. As fans of Star Wars Rebels know, the Lasat were driven to the brink of extinction. From what Zeb tells Ezra Bridger, it's clear that the Lasat High Honor Guard, royal family, and thousands of others were massacred by Imperial forces, leaving Lasan barren. While some Lasat survived the genocide, the Empire destroyed their culture and Outer Rim homeworld.
Is Zeb The Last Lasat?
In the second season of Star Wars Rebels, the episode “Legends of the Lasat” delves into whether Zeb is the last Lasat. Spoiler alert: Zeb is not the last Lasat — though he’s just as surprised to discover this information. In the episode, the Ghost crew are tasked with rescuing two refugees from the Empire, and are shocked to see that the refugees in question are Lasat — Gron, who served under Zeb in the Honor Guard; and Chava the Wise, an elder Lasat.
Chava explains that they are on a quest to find Lira San, the original homeworld of the Lasat that’s described in one of their prophecies. While Chava doesn’t know the location of Lira San (Wild Space is, as the name suggests, uncharted), she explains that the key to finding the planet is to partake in a ritual. That ritual involves three people: a warrior, a child, and a fool. A disbelieving Zeb has no interest in prophecies, nor can he allow himself to believe that there’s a chance for his people.
As Zeb explains to Ezra, he’s wracked with guilt over what happened; as the captain of the Honor Guard, he feels that he failed his people. The ever-hopeful Ezra convinces Zeb that he can still protect his people by helping Chava find Lira San. Using Zeb’s Bo-rifle and Chava’s staff — both of which can channel the Force — the group discovers a way to the uncharted planet. Beyond the Outer Rim, the Ghost runs into some dangerous phenomena. But, with Chava’s encouragement, Zeb takes the destiny of the Lasat into his own hands and pilots the Ghost through the prophesied obstacles.
When the Ghost crew and the Lasat reach Lira San, Zeb brings his kin down to the surface of the planet. According to Zeb, Lira San is inhabited by millions of Lasat. Hopefully these Lasat play a more central role in future Star Wars projects. More recently, Zeb cropped up in cameo form in Season 3 of The Mandalorian, and is expected to appear in Ahsoka alongside other former members of the Ghost crew.