One such remarkable Wookiee is Gungi, an intriguing character introduced in the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Unlike his peers, Gungi stands out due to his Force sensitivity, embarking on a journey to become a Jedi. Although George Lucas, the mastermind behind “Star Wars,” initially hesitated to include Wookiee Jedi, several have eventually been woven into the narrative tapestry over time. While Gungi hasn’t yet transitioned from animation to the silver screen, his story — from acquiring his kyber crystal to surviving the infamous Order 66 — highlights his resilience and determination.

Gungi’s journey in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” begins as a promising Jedi trainee. Excelling among his peers, he earns the chance to travel to the icy realm of Ilum alongside Yoda and Ahsoka Tano. This expedition, part of a rite known as the Gathering, requires each young Jedi to discover a kyber crystal that resonates with them inside a sacred cave. For Gungi, this task demands patience, as his green kyber crystal is encased on a frosty islet, requiring him to await the freezing of the surrounding waters to safely retrieve it.

After the dramatic save, their ship meets its demise during their escape attempt from Florrum, resulting in their capture by Hondo Ohnaka. However, the tables turn when General Grievous launches an attack, prompting an unexpected alliance between the young Padawans and the pirate, united in their shared quest for survival against Grievous’s threat.

The Great Jedi Purge, initiated by Darth Sidious through Order 66, marked a dark chapter in Jedi history. This mass extermination targeted Jedi across the galaxy, as the Sith, under the guise of the newly formed Galactic Empire, sought to obliterate all traces of the Jedi Order over a 16-year period following the Clone Wars. By branding Jedi as traitors, the Sith rationalized their lethal campaign, aiming to prevent any resurgence capable of challenging their dominance.

Despite saving Ahsoka, their ship is destroyed when they try to get away from Florrum, and they’re taken captive by Hondo Ohnaka. While the pirate clearly aims to keep them, General Grievous attacks, giving the young Padawans a chance to escape by joining forces with the pirate in a common goal: surviving Grievous.

The Great Jedi Purge, starting with the enactment of Order 66, is the mass genocide of Jedi orchestrated by Darth Sidious during his reign over the Galactic Empire. Over the span of 16 years after the Clone Wars, the Sith methodically exterminated Jedi and anything connected to the Jedi Order. The intent was to effectively kill off all Jedi, trying to prevent them from having the population numbers to rise up against the Sith. Order 66 was how the Sith justified their actions; the order would deem Jedi traitors, with death as their punishment.

Gungi was a young Jedi at the time of the Great Purge, but he managed to survive. It isn’t clear exactly how he escaped the Sith other than that he hid for a long time, though where isn’t known. At one point, he is captured by the criminal cartel known as the Vanguard Axis, who meant to sell him to the highest bidder because he’s a Wookiee. Omega, a female clone of Jango Fett, breaks him out and helps him escape aboard the Clone Force 99 ship in “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.”

After Omega and Clone Force 99 help Gungi get away from the Vanguard Axis, they take him back to Kashyyyk, his forested home planet. However, Imperial Forces currently control it, which means they not only have to be sneaky about landing on the planet, but they have to avoid patrols that could recapture the wanted Jedi fugitive. As they head to his village, Gungi shows his skills outside of fighting with a lightsaber, using the Force to communicate with some native arachnids known as netcasters, convincing the creatures that he and the group mean them no harm. 

Though they find Gungi’s home in ruins, destroyed by a fire, he meets another Wookiee. He’s then guided to a different village, led by the Wookiee elder Yanna. Gungi settles with them, helping the village fight against the reptilian Trandoshans trying to exploit the land for natural resources under Imperial rule. The Wookiees set a trap for the bounty hunters, who are en route because they know there’s a Jedi sniffing around; the Trandoshans are defeated with the help of the netcasters from before. This battle helps Gungi realize he wants to stay in the village, aiding in the effort to protect Kashyyyk from the Imperial Forces, and giving the Wookiee a home after going into hiding during the Great Purge.