In Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn is a Jedi Knight. These guardians of peace and justice in the Republic are perceptive and courageous. They're trained to use the Force, a mystical energy field that binds the galaxy. Jedi Knights like Qui-Gon use the virtuous light side of the Force, while others dabble in the Force's dark side.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is Qui-Gon's apprentice in Episode I, but later films see him grow into a full-fledged Jedi Master. Like other Jedi, Obi-Wan is skilled with his lightsaber, a sword-like energy beam used as a weapon. When the Republic falls, Obi-Wan retreats to the desert planet of Tatooine to await a return of the Jedi.

Sheev Palpatine is the overarching antagonist in the first six Star Wars movies. We meet him as a senator from the planet Naboo in Episode I. We quickly learn that he is also Darth Sidious, a Sith lord powerful in the dark side of the Force. Keeping his true identity hidden, Palpatine schemes to make himself Emperor of the galaxy.

Queen Padme Amidala is the protective leader of her home planet Naboo. She personifies the Republic's fight for democracy against the threat of Sith imperial rule. But she becomes entangled in a forbidden relationship that leads to the galaxy's darkest days. At the cost of her own life, Padme gives birth to twins Luke and Leia, who bring new hope against tyranny.

After a chance meeting with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in Episode I, Jar Jar Binks joins their adventure. His character can be described any number of ways — bungling, comical, loyal — but most Star Wars fans would probably opt for "divisive." Jar Jar makes fewer appearances in subsequent episodes, but young fans still laugh at his clumsy antics.

The robot R2-D2 comes to the rescue at least once per movie, whether he's fixing a damaged starship, carrying secret messages, or launching a hidden lightsaber. The brave little droid communicates through electronic beeps that, if they don't exactly express complete thoughts, always convey emotion. R2's barrel-shaped frame hides more tools than a Swiss Army knife.

Darth Sidious's apprentice, Darth Maul, boasts a menacing appearance and a signature double-bladed lightsaber. His climactic duel with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in Episode I is often cited as a highlight — perhaps the highlight — of Episodes I-III. Maul strikes Qui-Gon with a fatal blow, and then receives a grievous wound of his own from Obi-Wan.

We are introduced to Anakin Skywalker as a boy in Episode I. Qui-Gon senses that he is the "chosen one" meant to bring balance to the Force. Other Jedi Knights are dubious, detecting fear in Anakin and sensing in him a threat to the Jedi Order. At his death, Qui-Gon asks Obi-Wan to train Anakin to become a Jedi.

C-3PO is a droid programmed for etiquette and protocol, and he's fluent in more than six million languages. Though built by Anakin for domestic duties, C-3PO is caught up in Anakin's adventures and soon travels across the galaxy alongside R2-D2. He may be timid, but C-3PO always comes through for his friends.

In Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Anakin Skywalker is Obi-Wan's teenage apprentice. Though supremely gifted, Anakin is unsure about remaining a Jedi — a doubt encouraged by devious Palpatine. Anakin and Padme fall in love, and their forbidden romance provides emotional impetus for Anakin's turn to the dark side of the Force and his reawakening as Darth Sidious's new apprentice, Darth Vader.

Bounty hunter Jango Fett is introduced in Episode II as the greatest hired gun in the galaxy, which is why he's contracted to become the "pattern" for an army of clone troopers secretly loyal to the Sith. Jango doesn't survive Episode II. In Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, his clones execute an order to destroy the Jedi.

Yoda is wise, wizened, and the most powerful Jedi of all. But, like Obi-Wan, he blames himself for Anakin's fall to the dark side. After failing to defeat the Emperor and save the Jedi, Yoda exiles himself on the remote and swampy planet Dagobah. He's later found there by Anakin's son, Luke Skywalker, who becomes Yoda's final pupil.

Gravely injured following a climactic duel with Obi-Wan in Episode III, Anakin is retrieved by Emperor Palpatine and fitted with a menacing bionic suit and helmet that sustain his life functions. With his flowing cape, flashing chest plate, and ominous respirator-assisted breathing, Darth Vader is one of cinema's iconic villains. Ultimately, he is redeemed by sacrificing himself to stop the Emperor.

Leia Organa appears early in Episode IV: A New Hope. She possesses the diplomatic skill of her mother, Padme, and the Force sensitivity of her father, Anakin. Leia rises to become one of the Rebel Alliance's greatest leaders. We watch her smuggle plans for the Emperor's doomsday-machine Death Star and then organize its destruction.

Leia seeks help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. No longer an idealistic young Jedi, Obi-Wan lives in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Leia doesn't realize that, years ago, he and Yoda hid Leia away from her birth father, Anakin Skywalker. She also doesn't realize that she has a twin brother, Luke, whom Obi-Wan has watched from afar.

Han Solo agrees only to serve as a sort of galactic taxi driver for Obi-War and Luke — and for a hefty fee at that. But he ends up nearly sacrificing himself for the Rebel cause. Han has one of the most satisfying character arcs in the Star Wars saga, going from selfish to selfless in the space of three episodes.

While we briefly glimpsed Chewbacca on his home world of Kashyyyk in Episode III, he plays a much larger role in Episodes IV-VI as Han Solo's sidekick. Despite his Sasquatch-like physique, "Chewie" is a skilled and tech-savvy co-pilot of Han's starship Millenium Falcon. Chewbacca's guttural growl — words in his native language — is a signature Star Wars sound.

Boba Fett, son of Jango Fett, appeared as a boy in Episode II. But by Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, he's grown into the archetypical ruthless bounty hunter. Boba tracks down Han Solo, who's in debt to a dangerous gangster. Han is captured, but he gets his revenge on Boba in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

These furry inhabitants of the forest moon of Endor help the Rebels defeat the Empire in Episode VI. Whether you see them as allegorical figures symbolizing the power of a noble cause over high technology, or merely as cloying teddy bears designed to move merchandise, Ewoks remain indelible figures in the Star Wars universe.