WARNING! This article contains spoilers for Jedi Knights #3A galaxy far, far away just got a little bit bigger, and a lot more colossal. A new comic series has officially introduced a species of truly massive creatures, giving them a name that resonates with fans of classic cinema. This exciting development in the Star Wars universe subtly nods to a beloved genre.

Issue #3 of Jedi Knights, written by Marc Guggenheim with art by Madibek Musabekov, unveils behemoth dinosaur-like monsters with scaly hides and immense teeth to the wider Star Wars canon.

Towering over landscapes and even a Jedi ship, these creatures demanded a name that conveyed their immense scale and terrifying power, and received one: kaijura. The name kaijura is influenced by “kaiju,” which are large beasts usually seen in the genre of Japanese monster films, such as Godzilla.

These Colossal Monsters Are Strong Enough To Beat Two Jedi

Jedi Knights; Written By Marc Guggenheim With Art By Madibek Musabekov

The introduction of the kaijura to the Star Wars comics universe adds a compelling new layer of both fear and awe into the possible experiences for Jedi across the galaxy. The first two Jedi who encounter the kaijura are Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, in Jedi Knights #3. While coming in to land on an uncharted to rescue Bail Organa, a kaijura breaks through the treeline and snatches their ship right out of orbit, sending both Jedi pummeling to the ground.

Their immense size is only one of the kaijura’s many features that make them such terrifying monsters. They also have at least four eyes, long talons, and a massive maw. The kaijura is so dangerous that it forces Qui-Gon to use his intrinsic connection to the Force to have any hope of escaping the planet safely. If a Jedi has to draw on the furthest corners of the Force to combat the kaijura, then it stands to reason that other sentient life forces stand little chance.

The Name Itself Serves as a Clever Homage To A Popular Film Genre

Japanese Culture Has Long Since Inspired Star Wars

The deliberate choice of “kaijura” as the name for these gigantic creatures is a delightful Easter egg for film aficionados and those familiar with Japanese cinema. By directly referencing kaiju for a monster that would most likely be classified as such in Japanese monster films, Jedi Knights #3 clearly acknowledges other genres that significantly shape pop culture in the same way Star Wars has, creating a fun intertextual moment for observant fans. The reference to kaiju is even more appropriate given the fact that George Lucas was deeply inspired by filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa, when creating the original trilogy.

The introduction of the kaijura is more than just the addition of a big monster; it's a thoughtful incorporation of a cinematic legacy into the ongoing Star Wars saga.

Similarly, Dave Filoni, the current chief creative officer of Lucasfilm and the creative force behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, also drew heavily from Japanese culture, most notably in the design and character arc of Ahsoka Tano, further cementing this tradition of acknowledging and integrating global artistic influences within the Star Wars universe. This cross-cultural inspiration laid the early groundwork for embracing diverse story traditions. The introduction of the kaijura is more than just the addition of a big monster; it's a thoughtful incorporation of a cinematic legacy into the ongoing Star Wars saga.

Jedi Knights is available now.