Star Wars: KOTORis widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, and the news that the anticipated remake is likely on hold indefinitely was met with dismay by many fans. It’s been 21 years sinceStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicwas released, and a remake with updated graphics, a smoother combat system, and expanded content would be welcomed by a modern gaming audience.
This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
One of thebiggest draws toKOTORis the story and its colorful cast of characters. Although Revan and Bastila would become the standout characters that would become icons of the Old Republic era, most of the companions on the Ebon Hawk were all interesting with potential for expansion in a potential remake. One companion who is often overlooked is Juhani, who not only served a major role in the game, but was effectively a trailblazer for LGBT representation in Star Wars. She wasn’t half-baked, she wasn’t there for representation’s sake, and she reflected the best of the overall Star Wars and LGBT community at a time where that was more than needed.
Juhani Excels as a Companion From Star Wars: KOTOR
Juhani’s Backstory
Juhani is a Cathar, a race of cat-like aliens renowned for their bravery and competence in battle. She grew up in the slums of the planet Taris and lived a childhood of crushing poverty and personal tragedy. Inspired by a visiting group of Jedi, she found her way off-world and became a Jedi Knight. During theevents ofStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, she can join the player on their journey and serves as a guiding influence.
She Speaks to the Themes of Revan
Juhani shows many personal struggles regarding her chosen path as a Jedi: she briefly falls to the Dark Side, she spends a lot of time trying to reconcile the horrors of her past, and her character brings a connection to the Cathar, who the player learns the Mandalorians committed genocide against. As a Jedi, she represents several centralStar Warsthemes, but real-world ones too, and communicates them to the player, including class, racism, and the atrocities committed during the Mandalorian Wars. Her belonging to the Cathar links to thepivotal moment Revan chose to go to waryears before when they learned of the Mandalorian genocide against the Cathar. In many ways, Juhani is a living reminder of the reasons Revan defied the Jedi Council and went to war.
Star Wars: KOTOR Set a New Path for BioWare in 2003
Juhani was a Trailblazer
BioWare was one of the first developers to include LGBT charactersin the early 2000s, with many games before then simply being implied, not outright stated, or much smaller in scope. Juhani was the one who started it all for BioWare and for Star Wars. In 2003, Juhani was not only the first lesbian inStar Wars, but the first gay character overall thanks to BioWare. Juhani’s romance wouldn’t go anywhere beyond a confession to a female Revan, though it is implied she and Belaya were loves. This alone was groundbreaking and would pave the way for characters like Leliana, Zevran, Dorian Pavus, Cortez, and The Iron Bull years later.
Expand Her Presence in a Remake
Aremake ofStar Wars: KOTOR, if it ever surfaces, can’t neglect Juhani. She’s a character who took that first step and quietly changed game characters and writing, even as she was overlooked in the years sinceStar Wars: KOTORwas released. Juhani deserves a full romance with a female protagonist and more content overall, with whatever developer tackling it having a lot of room to work with. This would also be a great chance forStar Warsto introduce more of the Cathar, a personal connection to the consequences of the Mandalorian Wars, and an exploration into the Cathar people as a whole.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
WHERE TO PLAY
Choose Your Path.It is four thousand years before the Galactic Empire and hundreds of Jedi Knights have fallen in battle against the ruthless Sith. You are the last hope of the Jedi Order. Can you master the awesome power of the Force on your quest to save the Republic? Or will you fall to the lure of the dark side? Hero or villain, saviour or conqueror… you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy!A brand new Star Wars role-playing experience with unique characters, creatures, vehicles and planets.Learn to use the Force with over 40 different powers and build your own lightsaber.Adventure through some of the most popular Star Wars locations, including Tatooine and the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk.Choose your party from nine customisable characters, including Twi’leks, droids and Wookiees.Travel to eight enormous worlds in your own starship, the Ebon Hawk.
