The Mandalorian and Grogu explained: who are they, where did they come from and what is their story?
The Mandalorian and Grogu are now among the most beloved duos in the Star Wars universe. One is a taciturn bounty hunter in beskar armor. The other is a tiny, Force-sensitive foundling who many fans still refer to as "Baby Yoda." Together, Din Djarin and Grogu form the famous Clan of Two: a father-and-son story wrapped in bounty hunting,
In this blog, we explain everything clearly: who The Mandalorian is, who Grogu is, how they meet, what their story is by series and film.
Who is The Mandalorian?
The Mandalorian is actually called Din Djarin. He is not a native Mandalorian of Mandalore, but a foundling: a child who was rescued and taken in by Mandalorian warriors. As a young boy, Din Djarin was rescued during an attack on his home world, after which he was raised according to the Way of Mandalore. This explains why his helmet, his creed and his loyalty are so important to him.
Din Djarin belongs to the Children of the Watch, a strict Mandalorian group that sticks to old rules. One of those rules is not to remove his helmet in front of others. Therefore, The Mandalorian's helmet is much more than just a recognizable piece of armor. It is a symbol of identity, discipline and honor.
His armor is made of beskar, the rare Mandalorian metal famous for its tremendous strength. In the series, beskar is used not only for protection, but also as a cultural symbol. For Mandalorians, armor is heritage, status, family history and survival all in one.
KenJo tip: Would you like the look of Din Djarin? Then check out the Mandalorian helmet and the Beskar plate. The helmet is a wearable replica inspired by Din Djarin, while the Beskar plate is a decorative collectible for display and collectors.
Who is Grogu?
Grogu is the little green character who was massively called "Baby Yoda" by fans in 2019. Officially, then, his name is Grogu. He is not a young Yoda, but another member of the same rare species. Interestingly, Grogu is about 50 years old, but still acts like a child.
His background makes him extra important. Grogu grew up in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and received training from several Jedi Masters. During Order 66, the attack that nearly wiped out the Jedi, Grogu was rescued by Kelleran Beq. He was then kept hidden, surviving the rise of the Empire.
Grogu is Force-sensitive. He can use the Force to move objects, calm creatures, protect himself and help Din Djarin in battles. Yet he is not a traditional Jedi. Instead, his story revolves around choosing between two worlds: the Jedi way of training and distance, and the Mandalorian way of family, protection and foundlings.
The complete timeline explained of The Mandalorian and Grogu
1. The Clone Wars period: Grogu, Order 66 and the origins of Mandalorian lore
Chronologically, Grogu's story begins before The Mandalorian. Grogu grows up in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. During Order 66, he is rescued by Kelleran Beq, a Jedi who manages to get him out of the Temple while clone troopers attack the Jedi. This event is not shown until later in The Mandalorian season 3, but is set around the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire.
The history of Mandalore and the Darksaber also begins long before Din Djarin. The Darksaber was created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian admitted to the Jedi Order. Later, the black lightsaber symbol was associated with the leadership of Mandalore. In The Clone Wars, we see the Darksaber with Pre Vizsla and later with Maul, among others.
KenJo tip: If you want more in-depth information about the Darksaber, check out our blog post: Everything you need to know about the Star Wars Darksaber.
2. Star Wars Rebels: the Darksaber returns
For Din and Grogu's story, Star Wars Rebels is especially important because of the Darksaber and Mandalore's political history. Sabine Wren finds the Darksaber, trains with it and eventually gives the weapon to Bo-Katan Kryze, who wants to unify Mandalore.
This may seem like a side story, but it is essential to understanding why Bo-Katan is so important later in The Mandalorian. When Din Djarin wins the Darksaber, he inadvertently gains a claim to leadership that he really does not seek at all.
3. The Mandalorian season 1: Din Djarin finds Grogu
The Mandalorian season 1 is set after the fall of the Empire, in the time of the New Republic. A lone Mandalorian travels through the lawless galaxy with his foundling Grogu.
In season 1, Din Djarin works as a bounty hunter. His life revolves around missions, credits and survival. When he finds Grogu, his mission changes. Grogu turns out to be not just any kid, but a Force-sensitive foundling that Imperial remnants are very interested in.
Din rescues Grogu, flees with him and comes into conflict with Moff Gideon. In the season 1 finale, we see that Gideon possesses the Darksaber. This is a big moment for fans, as it connects the series directly to Mandalorian history from The Clone Wars and Rebels.
4. The Mandalorian season 2: Ahsoka, Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker and the Darksaber
In The Mandalorian season 2, Din Djarin searches for other Mandalorians and for Jedi who can help Grogu. Among others, he meets Bo-Katan Kryze, Boba Fett and Ahsoka Tano.
Ahsoka is able to communicate with Grogu through the Force and reveals his real name: Grogu. She refuses to train him herself, sensing his strong attachment to Din. She does point Din to Tython, where Grogu can contact other Jedi through a seeing stone.
There, Grogu is captured by Moff Gideon and his Dark Troopers. Din gathers allies to rescue him. In the finale, Din defeats Moff Gideon with a beskar spear and wins the Darksaber. This is important because, according to Mandalorian tradition, the Darksaber is ideally won in battle. However, Din does not want to be ruler of Mandalore. He only wants to save Grogu.
Then Luke Skywalker appears. He takes Grogu with him to train him as a Jedi. Din takes off his helmet to say goodbye, an emotional moment that shows how much he has come to love Grogu.
KenJo tip: Want to learn more about Luke Skywalker's lightsabers? Then check out our blog post about it: Everything you need to know about Luke Skywalker's lightsabers.
5. The Book of Boba Fett: Grogu chooses between Yoda's lightsaber and beskar armor
Many fans miss this volume, but The Book of Boba Fett is crucial to the story of The Mandalorian and Grogu. In the episodes surrounding Din Djarin, we see what happens after Grogu's farewell.
Din has the Darksaber, but struggles with it. He has his beskar spear transformed into a small chainmail shirt for Grogu. Then he visits Luke's new Jedi Temple, where Grogu trains. Luke eventually gives Grogu a choice: continue as a Jedi and accept Yoda's lightsaber, or return to Din and choose the Mandalorian beskar armor. Grogu chooses the beskar chainmail, returns to Din and chooses the Mandalorian path.
KenJo tip: Want a saber to match Yoda or Grogu cosplay? Then check out the Teacher lightsaber. Important to know: Grogu is offered Yoda's lightsaber, but thus does not use it. He opts for Din Djarin's beskar armor and returns to the Mandalorian path. The Teacher is therefore of particular interest to Yoda fans, Grogu cosplay and collectors.
6. The Mandalorian season 3: Mandalore, Bo-Katan and Din Grogu
In The Mandalorian season 3, Din and Grogu are together again. Din has been disowned for taking off his helmet. To restore himself within his creed, he must go to Mandalore and bathe in the Living Waters.
Season 3 revolves heavily around Mandalorian identity. What does it mean to be Mandalorian? Is it bloodline, planet, armor, creed or choice? Din, Grogu, Bo-Katan and the Armorer reveal different answers.
Bo-Katan plays an increasing role. She sees the Mythosaur, regains significance within Mandalorian culture and eventually becomes the leader who can reunite Mandalore. The Darksaber reappears with Bo-Katan, but during the battle against Moff Gideon, the weapon is sacrificed. The finale is a battle in which Din, Grogu and Bo-Katan can only defeat Moff Gideon together, even if it means sacrificing the Darksaber.
At the end, Din officially adopts Djarin Grogu. From then on, he is called Din Grogu. He is no longer just a child to be protected, but Din's son and Mandalorian apprentice.
KenJo tip: For fans who like the Mandalorian style, but prefer an original KenJo design, the Torro lightsaber is of interest. The Torro is an exclusive KenJo design inspired by Mandalorian helmet and armor, with brushed steel finish, black accents, emitter windows and a balance well suited for spinning and dueling.
7. The Mandalorian and Grogu movie: the latest adventure set in 2026
The film The Mandalorian and Grogu was released on May 22, 2026, bringing Din Djarin and Grogu to the big screen. The story is set after the fall of the Empire, at a time when Imperial warlords are still scattered throughout the galaxy. The New Republic enlists Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu to help against this threat.
The film shows that Grogu is no longer protected alone. Grogu is now side-by-side with Din as a Mandalorian apprentice and with more skills than before. He can climb, swim, use the Force and actively participate in the mission. Grogu has had training from Luke Skywalker understands the Force better than in the first seasons.
In the story, Din and Grogu are sent on a mission around Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba the Hutt. The film also brings back characters and elements from broader Star Wars lore, such as Embo, the Anzellans and the Hutt family. We follow Din and Grogu as they must find Rotta, after which their choice to let him go leads to Din's capture by Embo and a rescue in which Grogu is given a larger heroic role.
Colonel Ward of the New Republic also plays a role. She is a New Republic leader who uses Din and Grogu to track down Imperial remnants.
Important for the timeline: the film builds directly on the status at the end of season 3. Din Djarin is now the adoptive father of Din Grogu, Grogu is his apprentice and together they work in a galaxy where the New Republic is far from having cleared out all Imperial threats.
The Darksaber explained: where does The Dark One appear in the timeline?
The Darksaber is one of the most iconic weapons in Star Wars. It is a unique black lightsaber with a white-lit edge and is considered a symbol of leadership for Mandalorians. The Darksaber appears in: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
The main Darksaber moments are:
- In The Clone Wars, the Darksaber is used by Pre Vizsla and later by Maul.
- In Star Wars Rebels, Sabine Wren finds the Darksaber and eventually gives it to Bo-Katan Kryze.
- In The Mandalorian season 1, Moff Gideon appears with the Darksaber.
- In The Mandalorian season 2, Din Djarin wins the Darksaber from Moff Gideon.
- In The Book of Boba Fett, we see Din training with the Darksaber and wrestling with it.
- In The Mandalorian season 3, the Darksaber rejoins Bo-Katan and the weapon is sacrificed in the battle against Gideon.
KenJo tip: The KenJo Dark One Revisited is inspired by this legendary black saber. KenJo describes The Dark One as part of the Legendary category, with a black/dark gray hilt, flat blade and a design to match Mandalorian, Din Djarin, Pre Vizsla, Sabine Wren and Bo-Katan Kryze cosplay.
Mandalorian collectibles and sabers at KenJo Sabers
Want to make your love for The Mandalorian, Grogu and Mandalorian lore tangible? Then check out one of these products:
Dark One Revisited
For fans of the Darksaber, Bo-Katan, Pre Vizsla, Sabine Wren, Moff Gideon and Din Djarin.
Watch: Dark One Revisited
Mandalorian helmet
For cosplay, display, photo shoots and collectors who want the Din Djarin look.
View: Mandalorian helmet
Beskar plate
For collectors looking for a subtle but recognizable Mandalorian display piece.
View: Beskar plate
Torro
An original KenJo design inspired by Mandalorian helmet and armor. Not linked to any specific movie or series, but ideal for fans of the Mandalorian look.
View: torro lightsaber
Teacher
For Yoda fans and Grogu cosplay, with the important caveat that Grogu doesn't choose Yoda's lightsaber in the end.
View: Teacher lightsaber
Conclusion: The Mandalorian and Grogu are at the heart of the modern Star Wars-era
The Mandalorian and Grogu are popular because their story combines everything that makes Star Wars strong: mystery, family, freedom of choice, the Force, Mandalorian culture, bounty hunters, dangerous Imperial remnants and iconic items such as beskar armor and the Darksaber.
Din Djarin starts as a lone bounty hunter. Grogu begins as a target. Together, they become family. And with The Mandalorian and Grogu, their adventure has become bigger than ever: not only as series heroes, but now as a cinematic duo in the modern Star Wars timeline.
