Mandalorian or Jedi: Grogu’s Choice In The Boba Fett Finale Explained

Grogu chooses the Mandalorian over the Jedi and Luke Skywalker in The Book of Boba Fett finale, and here’s why. Having departed with Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian season 2 finale, it had been expected that Grogu was set on the long path to becoming a Jedi, perhaps even to join the ill-fated ranks of the students massacred by Kylo Ren. However, Grogu was apart from Din Djarin for a little over a year to audiences’ eyes, and perhaps not even that long in-universe, with The Book of Boba Fett episode 7 bringing them back together following on from the Child making a big decision about his future.

The Book of Boba Fett episode 6 saw Grogu training with Luke, who had some controversial teaching methods for his Padawan. At the end of that installment, Luke, sensing the deep emotional attachments that remained within Grogu, gave his pupil a choice: the Mandalorian chainmail armor that Din had made for him by the Armorer, and with that a return to Mando and a reversal of the season 2 finale, or to pick up Yoda’s lightsaber and fully commit to becoming a Jedi. Although viewers don’t get to see the choice being made, The Book of Boba Fett finale quickly confirms that Grogu picked the Mandalorian.

Grogu’s decision to pick the Mandalorian over the Jedi will have major ramifications for his future, and that of Star Wars’ Disney+ TV shows. For Luke himself, it likely means he will once again be without a student until he eventually begins training Ben Solo in 15 ABY (around five years after these events), though may still continue building his new Jedi Temple regardless. But bigger is the impact on The Mandalorian season 3 and the futures of Din Djarin and Grogu.

Why Grogu Chooses The Mandalorian Over The Jedi

Even prior to The Book of Boba Fett episode 7, the show had hinted that Grogu’s future was with the Mandalorian, not the Jedi. After all, why introduce Din Djarin into things – a useful ally for Boba Fett, but not one of extreme necessity to the show’s main narrative – unless it was also setting up the reunion with Grogu. Although it happening so quickly may be a surprise, that Din went to see Grogu and even took him some Mandalorian armor was a clear sign of his deep affection for and bond with Grogu, and that Star Wars wasn’t prepared to wait for too long before getting the pair of them back together. From an out-of-universe perspective, then having Din and Grogu together does make sense from Disney’s point-of-view, since they are the heart of The Mandalorian, its flagship show.

For Grogu himself, his choice of the Mandalorian over the Jedi is also understandable. Din was the person who rescued him, who has looked after him and served as a father to him after he spent so long feeling lost and alone; that forges a bond that may well be unbreakable. To ask someone to give that up, let alone a child, is an incredible ask. Luke noted that he sometimes thought Grogu’s heart wasn’t really in the Jedi training, and his decision makes that more apparent: Grogu’s heart lies with the Mandalorian. They are a family, there is a huge amount of trust and loyalty between them, and ultimately that’s what matters the most. Grogu may have become a great Jedi, and it was right that he got to explore that part of him, but that is his past; the Mandalorian is his present and future.

Why Grogu Choosing Mandalorian Over Jedi Was The Right Choice

There is sure to be some debate over whether Grogu choosing the Mandalorian over the Jedi and Luke Skywalker was the right decision, not least given how quickly it has seemingly happened. It is a shame Grogu’s time with Luke and his Jedi training is over before it’s even really begun (to audiences, at least), as having a longer absence could have made the eventual payoff of the decision even stronger (it does make the heart grow fonder, after all). Similarly, having Din look to reunite with Grogu, only for him to choose to be with Luke and continue on as a Jedi, would have been a heartbreaking decision and a potentially powerful one, even though it may have meant Grogu ended up being massacred by Kylo Ren.

Still, seeing Grogu and the Mandalorian together again should make it clear that he did make the right choice. There’s a special connection between them, and a sense that, for now at least, they belong with one another and can continue helping each other to grow. There is obviously a great appeal in watching Grogu with Din, and the sight of him Force leaping his way into the Mandalorian’s arms could and should warm the coldest of hearts. Watching Grogu continue to develop in the ways of the Force, watch how he continues to change Din, and watch how he himself grows as a person as he gets older and how he embeds into Mandalorian culture, leaves plenty of compelling and unique storytelling avenues (there have been lots of Jedi training stories, but not so many about Mandalorian foundlings). Drill down to the very core of Star Wars and it’s a saga about family, so it’s fitting Grogu chooses to be with his, even if the execution could’ve been better.

Grogu Can Still Be A Mandalorian Jedi

Just because Grogu chooses the Mandalorian does not completely rule out him becoming a Jedi as well. He may not be finishing his formal training with Luke Skywalker, but then Luke himself abandoned his training initially. That isn’t to say Grogu will ever return to Luke, and he may not become a Jedi in the truest or strictest sense by learning from a Master, but The Book of Boba Fett‘s finale does make it clear that he is continuing to test and develop his Force powers. He is only getting stronger in the Force, and that should continue throughout his Star Wars journey. It wouldn’t be too surprising either to see Grogu eventually wield a lightsaber, whether that’s becoming the next owner of the Darksaber or getting his own blade, and combined with his Mandalorian armor becoming an at least unofficial Mandalorian Jedi. He is a Mandalorian at heart, but his connection to the Force can’t be denied, and Star Wars should continue to find ways of showing both sides of him.