Why is everyone going crazy for Baby Yoda?

The Mandalorian made its debut in November and all anyone can talk about is how great the show is Baby Yoda. Baby Yoda is HUGE right now.

The character WHO IS NOT YODA, but is instead a new character for the Star Wars Universe, has a massive following. So, why is everyone going crazy for Baby Yoda?

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He’s cute

Let’s address the most obvious thing – Baby Yoda is cute. Very, very cute.

The character is arguably one of the most adorable aliens to appear in the Star Wars universe, bypassing the Jawas, Ewoks, R2-D2, BB-8, heck even Yoda, as the cutest. And people like cute.

Plus, his relationship with the Mandalorian has helped to humanise the bounty hunter. Seeing the two of them together – with Mando acting as a father figure – has made them become the ultimate paring.

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He’s a puppet

Nowadays, when fantasy characters are brought to the big/small screen, they are often given life via the use of computer-generated imagery. As such, while we as an audience can fall in love with the character, there is sometimes a disconnect with the material because we know it only exists in a computer.

Baby Yoda bucks the trend, as the majority of his appearances in The Mandalorian involve puppetry. OK, so we know puppets aren’t living things, but they are at least tangible and that means to us they feel more real – making Baby Yoda feel more real in the process.

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Baby Yoda is a meme

Even if you have not watched a single episode of The Mandalorian, chances are (if you follow any form of social media) you will have seen a Baby Yoda meme. Or hundreds of Baby Yoda memes.

The character has transcended the popularity of the show to become a meme in his own right, with people sharing Baby Yoda memes even if they have no interest in Star Wars – like these!

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And as a meme, Baby Yoda can be shared all over the world, including in territories where The Mandalorian is not currently available.

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Baby Yoda merchandise is not available just yet

And finally, what makes a popular character even more popular? The inability to buy merchandise connected to said character.

If you want Baby Yoda merchandise (dolls, toys, etc) then you are currently having to wait until 2020, as Lucasfilm/Disney has not produced any major collectables yet. The desire to keep the character a secret, plus an underestimate on how popular Baby Yoda would be, has resulted in a shortfall of products.

And that rarely happens – especially when it comes to Star Wars.

There has only been one time when Star Wars fans were clamouring for products and there simply wasn’t any available, and that was around the time of release of the very first movie back in 1977. Lucasfilm/Fox didn’t know how much of a hit they had on their hands, so simply didn’t put any major products on the market.

Since 1978 – when the first Star Wars toys started appearing on shelves – there has been a steady stream of products, especially when a new film or TV show has been released. Yet while there are a few Mandalorian toys on shelves, there simply isn’t any Baby Yoda toys.

No toys has helped hype this character even more. After all, people want what they can’t (currently) have.

The hype is real.

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So, are you obsessed with Baby Yoda? Do you need help with your Baby Yoda meme addiction?

*Raises hand*

Yeah, me too. Maybe we can form some kind of support group. A support group that shares endless Baby Yoda memes.

Read more:

• The Mandalorian has changed everything
• What is the best order to watch the Star Wars movies?
• What is The Mandalorian? …and other questions