WARNING! This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: Jedi Knights #3.The expansive Star Wars galaxy is filled with fantastical and unique creatures, one such being the terrifying krayt dragon. Native to the harsh desert planet of Tatooine, these colossal beasts are undisputed predators, inspiring fear and respect among the planet’s inhabitants. However, a new Star Wars comic introduces an animal that overshadows even the fearsome krayt dragon.

Star Wars: Jedi Knights #3, written by Marc Guggenheim with art by Madibek Musabekov, takes place before the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and shows one of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s missions to an uncharted planet.

Tasked with rescuing Bail Organa from a crash landing on the unfamiliar planet, Qui-Gon warns his padawan, Obi-Wan, to stay alert, as the dangers of a never-before-explored region could prove to be troublesome. As if hearing his warnings, a massive beast leaps from its hiding place and attacks their ship, proving Qui-Gon’s worries to be spot on.

Introducing The Kaijura: An Animal Fearsome Enough To Nearly Destroy Two Jedi

Star Wars: Jedi Knights #2, Written By Marc Guggenheim With Art By Madibek Musabekov

Through Obi-Wan’s report to the Jedi Council, the mysterious and massive creature is identified as a kaijura; an animal native to the planet upon which Bail Organa crashed. The kaijura towers over the treetops with a long neck, almost akin to a brachiosaurus. Its mammoth head and jaws appear to be armored, allowing it to easily pluck Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan’s ship out of the air and crush it. Obi-Wan’s report notes that the monster destroyed their aircraft, while the comic shows Qui-Gon free-falling as a result of the animal attack.

Making the kaijura even more fearsome is its four eyes and sharp talons that make quick work of finishing off the remainder of the ship. Making the situation worse for Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon is the kaijura’s piercing cry that reverberates like a sonic pulse through the forest, knocking the Jedi to the ground in an instant. If not for Qui-Gon’s mastery of the Force, the kaijura would have destroyed Bail Organa’s ship as well, leaving the beloved characters to a terrible fate.

Kaijura Vs. Krayt Dragon. How Do They Compare To One Another?

The Krayt Dragon Pales In Comparison To The Kaijura

The first glimpse of a krayt dragon came in A New Hope, where its massive skeletal remains were seen in the Dune Sea. However, it was not until The Mandalorian that audiences witnessed the creature in its full, terrifying glory. The encounter between Din Djarin and a greater krayt dragon showcased its sheer scale and power, so much so that even a Mandalorian and fledgling Jedi struggled to defeat it. However, it is hard to imagine even Din Djarin triumphing over a kaijura.

The existence of a creature like the kaijura on an uncharted planet suggests that the galaxy holds even greater, more awe-inspiring, and terrifying life forms beyond the familiar boundaries.

While the krayt dragon is a symbol of formidable power, the kaijura trumps the krayt dragon in size, ability, and fear factor. The kaijura’s scale alone positions it as a creature capable of feats beyond the krayt dragon’s known capabilities. The sheer mass implied by the kaijura’s ability to effortlessly destroy a space shuttle suggests a level of physical dominance that shifts the power hierarchy of Star Wars creatures, placing the kaijura in a new, colossal tier.

For decades, the krayt dragon has embodied the ultimate threat, particularly on a harsh world like Tatooine. However, the existence of a creature like the kaijura on an uncharted planet suggests that the galaxy holds even greater, more awe-inspiring, and terrifying life forms beyond the familiar boundaries. While the krayt dragon remains an iconic and dangerous predator within Star Wars lore, the kaijura’s debut broadens the scope of potential threats and challenges, hinting at the vast and unknown dangers that lie beyond the explored regions.

Star Wars: Jedi Knights is available now.