i’m naming my next dog grogu

Let’s talk about the power of cute.

Star Wars as a brand have harnessed that power. Many magazines from Time, to Collider, to Business Insider, to Vulture all have lists of the cutest creatures on Star Wars. Most of those lists are topped by Grogu aka The Child aka Baby Yoda. Grogu is one of the cutest things I have ever seen in my life. I am for sure naming my next dog, Grogu; you heard it here first!

I’d now like to offer a hot take: what is the point of Grogu? Is it to soften our hero, Din Djarin? To make him a father and give him a family? Is it to bring other characters back into the Star Wars fold like Ashoka?

I’d like to argue that Grogu serves as the answer for both of those reasons, but also one more… to sell plushies. Disney made that baby so cute to sell us more toys. Disney is making millions of dollars on Grogu toys and licensing, and that’s so smart! And good for them!! I don’t fault their business decision here.

Think about it. Grogu could have easily just been a human kid. Or more anthropomorphic in general. But instead, Grogu is the best parts of a baby and a puppy. They made him soooo cute on purpose, and it’s to positively affect the bottom line.

Do you agree? Do you think they did it hedge their bets on how well a Star Wars series would do? (If the show doesn’t sell but this cute character will kinda thing)

Or am I completely off base? Is Grogu exactly how he is purposeful to the story?

I genuinely want to know what you think. Let me know below!