Order 66: Survivors & Victims

Order 66, the notorious one. Fans of Star Wars recognize it as the start of the Great Jedi Purge, the conclusion of the Clone Wars, the rise of the Galactic Empire, and the end of the Jedi Order. Numerous Jedi, including Padawan's, Younglings, Jedi Masters, and Jedi Knights, perished in Order 66. However, what really was Order 66? Who were the survivors of Order 66? We'll explore some of the most prominent Jedi who survived Order 66 and provide answers to these and other queries.

What Is Order 66?

Order 66, which ordered the execution of all Jedi for betraying the Galactic Republic, was issued to all clone troopers in the Grand Army of the Republic in the Star Wars universe. Only Chancellor Sheev Palpatine (posing as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious) and his accomplice Count Dooku knew the whole purpose of Order 66, which was a total secret. It marked the start of the "Great Jedi Purge," which aimed to eradicate the Jedi Order and establish the Sith's rule.

Dooku had the cloners on Kamino implant a behavioral modification biochip in each clone so that they could activate what they called "Clone Protocol 66" with a voice command and create Order 66.

The Kaminoans thought this was merely a backup plan to deal with renegade Jedi in an emergency. But once multiple Jedi Masters (at Mace Windu's request) planned to arrest him after discovering that he was a Sith Lord, Palpatine was able to frame the Jedi for treason in the public's eyes. The clone troopers' biochip was activated when Palpatine said, "Execute Order 66," which resulted in their loss of free thought and only intense devotion to Palpatine and a desire to kill the "traitorous" Jedi. There are a few documented Order 66 survivors in Star Wars canon, despite their general success.

Although the TV show The Clone Wars provides a great deal of background and context, the first Order 66 scenario is featured in Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith. In the Clone Wars timeline, it was discovered that Order 66 had been activated too soon because of a broken chip in the clone soldier "Tup," who subsequently murdered Jedi Master Templar. Order 66's conspiracy was almost discovered by Tup's friend and fellow clone "Fives," but Palpatine set Fives up, and the Coruscant Guard killed him before he could convince Anakin Skywalker and Clone Captain Rex of its existence.

What Jedi Survived Order 66?

As previously stated, several of the most significant figures in Star Wars mythology were among the Order 66 survivors. The following Jedi are confirmed to have survived Order 66 in the current canon. However, this is by no means a complete list:

  • Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Jedi Master Yoda
  • Ahsoka Tano
  • Padawan Caleb Dume (later known as Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus)
  • Padawan Cal Kestis
  • Padawan Reva Sevander (later known as The Third Sister)
  • The Grand Inquisitor (a Jedi Temple Guard)
  • The Seventh Sister
  • The Fifth Brother
  • Jedi Master Luminara Unduli
  • Jedi Master Jocasta Nu
  • Jedi Master Kirak Infil’a
  • Jedi Master Coleman Kcaj
  • Jedi Master Taron Malicos
  • Jedi Master Quinlan Vos
  • Jedi Master Uvell
  • Jedi Knight Cere Junda
  • Padawan Ferren Barr
  • Padawan Trilla Suduri (later The Second Sister)
  • Naq Med
  • Zubain Ankonori
  • Nuhj
  • Masana Tide
  • Mususiel
  • Ka-Moon Kholi
  • Chandra
  • Selrahc Eluos
  • Grogu

Although this may seem like a lot, remember that Order 66 resulted in the deaths of thousands of Jedi. There will always be a relatively small number, even if more are found to have survived. Additionally, when we talk about Order 66 survivors, we are according to canon. A distinct list of Jedi who survived Order 66 was found in Legends, albeit some, like Yoda and Obi-Wan, were clearly the same.

The Top 10 Jedi Who Survived Order 66

All of the Order 66 survivors have tales to share, but some are unquestionably significant to the canon of Star Wars. The top ten Jedi who made it through Order 66 are listed below:

1. Obi-Wan Kenobi

Shortly after defeating General Grievous, clone troopers who had recently received Order 66 targeted Obi-Wan Kenobi, who by this time had become a Jedi Master and was seated on the Jedi Council. The clones believed he died as he fell into the water after he was shot off a variety while perched on a bluff.

However, Obi-Wan, being the outstanding Jedi that he was, managed to get away. He spoke with Master Yoda in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant with Bail Organa's assistance, and he sent a warning to every Jedi who had survived Order 66 up to that point, telling them not to visit Coruscant. Sadly, a lot of people had already fallen.

Obi-Wan fled to Tatooine, where he would live in exile, hiding from The Inquisitorius and keeping watch over Vader's son, Luke Skywalker, while the galaxy awaited the arrival of A New Hope. After engaging Anakin Skywalker (who had transformed into Darth Vader) in combat on Must-afar and abandoning him for dead after gaining the upper hand, Obi-Wan engaged Anakin Skywalker (who had transformed into Darth Vader) in combat on Must-afar and abandoned him for dead after gaining the upper hand.

2. Yoda

You should never judge him by his size. One of the most significant Order 66 survivors is Jedi Master Yoda. Order 66 was carried out during the Clone Wars while assisting the Wookiees on Kashyyyk. Fortunately, Yoda was able to eliminate the clones after spotting their impending shot to the rear.

Before fleeing, he assisted Obi-Wan in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Before Luke (from Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back) visited him and trained him to become a Jedi Knight, he lived in solitary exile on the marshy planet Dagobah.

3. Ahsoka Tano (and Maul)

One of the most significant characters to have survived Order 66 is Ahsoka Tano, who is perhaps one of Star Wars' most interesting characters (particularly outside of the movies). Ahsoka and the 332nd Division boarded a Republic starship to Coruscant after aiding Bo-Katan Kryze and the Mandalorian resistance during the Siege of Mandalore. They were carrying Maul, the rebellious Sith lord who had overthrown the Mandalorian Republic and been taken into custody by Republic forces. Order 66 was implemented at this very time, and Ahsoka found herself evading blaster shots from Clone Commander Rex, her dear friend. Both Ahsoka and the prisoner Maul were technically not Jedi, but that didn't stop the clone troopers from targeting them.

In an attempt to divert the clones' attention, Ahsoka released Maul from captivity as mayhem broke out across the ship. Ahsoka managed to capture Rex and take the inhibitor chip out of his head as Maul battled the clone soldiers. Even as their starship started to disintegrate and descend to the surface of a nearby moon, the remaining clones kept searching for Ahsoka. The remainder of the 332nd tragically died in the crash, while Ahsoka and Rex survived, and Maul boarded a shuttle and fled.

Ahsoka and Rex pretended to be dead and fled after burying the deceased. We reencounter Ahsoka in The Mandalorian, and the Ahsoka TV spinoff will soon tell more of her journey.

4. Kanan Jarrus (Caleb Dume)

The Padawan Upon the implementation of Order 66, Caleb Dume was on a mission with his master, Depa Billaba, and Clone Force 99 (also known as "The Bad Batch" – more on them later). Depa Billaba's efforts, Hunter from The Bad Batch's inventive lies, and the subsequent intervention of the rehabilitated clone "Grey" allowed Caleb to escape.

In Star Wars: Rebels, we encounter him after he transforms into Kanan Jarrus, a Jedi Knight in his own right, who assists in igniting the Rebellion while teaching a young Ezra Bridger the Force's ways.

5. The Grand Inquisitor

The Grand Inquisitor was a Jedi Temple Guard during Order 66, as shown in Star Wars: Rebels, and shortly made a live-action appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi. His frustration with the Jedi Order led him to succumb to the Dark Side and become the leader of the Inquisitorius, the organization the Empire assigned to carry out the Great Jedi Purge and exterminate any Jedi who survived Order 66.

6. The Seventh Sister

The remaining Inquisitorius members, including the Seventh Sister, who was not given a name, were likewise Jedi who had succumbed to the Dark Side after surviving Order 66. In Star Wars: Rebels, The Seventh Sister, another enemy, played a pivotal role in executing The Grand Inquisitor's commands, especially in pursuing Ahsoka Tano.

7. The Fifth Brother

The Fifth Brother was another unnamed fallen Jedi who lived through Order 66. The renowned Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother earned their places on this list because of the threat they posed to Star Wars: Rebels, but there are other significant Inquisitorius members as well, such as the Second Sister Trilla Suduri from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

8. Cal Kestis

The main character of Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal Kestis, was a Padawan who managed to escape because of the sacrifice made by his master, Jaro Topal. He is rescued from the Inquisitors by Cere Junda, a fellow Order 66 survivor and Trilla Suduri's old master.

9. Luminara Unduli

Jedi Master Luminara Unduli survives Order 66, but the Grand Inquisitor captures her and tortures and kills her. However, in order to entice other Order 66 survivors, the Empire created reports that she was still alive (and preserved her bones).

10. Jocasta Nu

One of the Jedi who survived Order 66 was the modest librarian of the archives in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. She was able to hide and intended to use her knowledge to train a new Jedi Order, but she was discovered and killed by Darth Vader and the Grand Inquisitor.

Who Fell During Order 66?

Order 66 resulted in the execution of thousands of Jedi. Although it would be hard to list them all, notable Jedi Council members, including Ki-Adi-Mundi, Plo Koon, and Shaak Ti, are among the fatalities. For the most part, the Great Jedi Purge was successful.

The galaxy itself may have been the biggest casualty of Order 66. The Republic collapsed, and the Sith-controlled Empire was able to seize power (to thunderous applause) and impose a repressive government since the Jedi Council—despite its many flaws—was no longer present to maintain peace. Palpatine achieved Order 66's ultimate objective of restoring Sith rule by consolidating his power and establishing himself as Emperor of the new Galactic Empire through wartime schemes.

Did Any Younglings Survive Order 66?

Indeed, some Younglings—including an unidentified Rodian from Jedi: Fallen Order—are known to have survived Order 66. The most well-known Youngling survivor is Grogu, also known as "The Child." However, many Younglings lost their lives in Order 66, many of them at the hands of Anakin Skywalker, who by then had transformed into Darth Vader.

Were There Any Clones That Disobeyed Order 66?

With the exception of the clone known as "Crosshair," the clones of Clone Force 99 ("The Bad Batch") were able to defy Order 66 due to genetic defects that caused their biochips to malfunction or have less of an impact. Captain Rex was another clone who defied; once Ahsoka Tano removed his biochip, he joined the Rebel Alliance.

What Happened to the Clones After Order 66?

The first wave of Imperial stormtroopers were the clone troopers who survived the conflict, which ended soon after Order 66 was carried out. They imposed the Emperor's will on the newly formed Galactic Empire and put an end to any challenge to his authority. Because of their biochips, these clones lost most of their autonomy and free will and became utterly submissive.

The manufacture of clones on Kamino eventually came to a halt, and recruits and conscripts in the Imperial Military gradually replaced the clones. Eventually, several clones rediscovered their identity and felt remorse for their deeds, especially "Grey," who gave his life to save Captain Rex and Caleb Dume.