Highlights
- Kit Fisto, an amphibious Nautolan Jedi Master, played a significant role in The Clone Wars animated series and various comic and book series.
- Fisto rose quickly through the Jedi Order, proving his skills with both the lightsaber and the Force, eventually becoming a member of the Jedi Council.
- Fisto participated in notable battles such as the Battle of Geonosis and the Mission to Hissrich, but ultimately fell to Darth Sidious while attempting to bring him to justice.
Much of the Republic era of Star Wars is told within the animated series, The Clone Wars. In the series, many of the minor Jedi characters seen in the live-action prequel trilogy are further explored. The Jedi were at the center of the Clone Wars, serving as army generals and peacekeepers fighting off Count Dooku and his Separatist army.
One of the Jedi that served a more significant role in The Clone Wars was the amphibious Nautolan Jedi Master Kit Fisto. Kit only appeared in the latter two Star Wars prequel films (Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith), but had a far greater presence in both The Clone Wars and various comic and book series.
Kit was an extremely powerful and noble Jedi, serving with the likes of other respected Jedi Masters such as Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi. As did most of the Jedi within the events of Revenge of the Sith, Fisto eventually fell, but not after fighting for justice and the will of the Force.
How Did Kit Fisto Become a Member of the Jedi Council?
Fisto was born on the planet Glee Anselm. The Force-sensitive warrior was an amphibious alien known as a Nautolan, and so his lightsaber and Force skills were often utilized for both battles fought on land and in water. Fisto's Force sensitivity comes from a strong bloodline, most notably his uncle Neaed Fisto, who was the head of the Sälãi Käsi religious order.
It is unknown who Kit's Jedi Master was, but Fisto rose to be one of the members of the Jedi Order rather quickly, constantly proving his skills with both the blade and in the Force. Upon becoming a Jedi Master, Fisto sought to become a Jedi Consular. This was a branch of the Jedi Order led by the Council of Reconciliation, which focused on the diplomatic aspect of the Galactic Republic. As such, they would rarely resort to using their lightsabers. Instead, they chose to study the Force and its virtually infinite capabilities.
Fisto also served as Master to two different Padawans, Bant Eerin and Nahdar Vebb. After the fall of Jedi Master Coleman Trebor during the First Battle of Geonosis, however, Kit was appointed to the Jedi Council. This was a position he didn't necessarily want, but gratefully accepted. His promotion occurred at the same time the Clone Wars began, and he soon would be sent off on missions in which he helped liberate people of the galaxy and fight Separatist leaders.
What Were Kit Fisto's Greatest Missions?
Perhaps Fisto's most notable battle was one of the earlier ones too: the Battle of Geonosis. Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, as well as Senator Padmé Amidala, had been taken captive. Following their capture, a large group of Jedi, led by Master Mace Windu, traveled to the desert planet Geonosis to free the prisoners. Fisto fought valiantly alongside his fellow Jedi, but was soon cornered by Dooku and his droids. Soon after, though, Grand Master Yoda arrived with the newly established Republic clone army and the true battle ensued, serving as the beginning of the Clone Wars. The battle would lead to Fisto's promotion to the Jedi Council.
The Mission to Hissrich was also an important mission for Fisto. He and other Jedi — under the leadership of Mace Windu — traveled to the jungle planet Hissrich to investigate the Separatist presence on the planet. They were immediately met by contending battle droids who stood little chance against the powerful warriors. The team of Jedi furthered their investigation, leading to Fisto attempting to aid native refugees to safety. However, he was ultimately only able to save a small portion of them. The Jedi eventually defeated the stationed droids and managed to free the planet from Separatist control.
Fisto's most iconic lightsaber duel came when the Nautolan was joined by his former Padawan, Nahdar Vebb, in a mission to track down the corrupt Viceroy Nute Gunray as he attempted an escape from the Republic's captivity. After arriving at a planet in the Vassek system, Kit, Nahdar, and a group of clones searched for the fugitive. Before finding him, however, they discovered they had stumbled upon the feared droid general Grievous' lair. After a battle, Nahdar and the clones were slain, leaving Fisto alone trying to flee the planet. But he was met by Grievous, and the two dueled each other. Fisto showed off his exceptional skills, at one point severing one of the general's hands, and wielding the saber it held. Ultimately, Fisto was outnumbered, but managed to escape on his Starfighter back to Coruscant.
What Happened to Kit Fisto?
Fisto served honorably throughout the Clone Wars, often fighting alongside great Jedi Masters, and was responsible for freeing many people around the galaxy. However, his skills were no match for the ever powerful Sith lord, Darth Sidious. After it was revealed that Chancellor Palpatine was indeed the Sith lord the Jedi had been searching for, Mace Windu recruited Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin to arrest the dark lord and bring him to justice.
However, Sidious moved with astonishing speed, quickly defeating both Kolar and Tiin. Windu and Fisto stood strong against Sidious, with Fisto fighting with great defensive skills as Windu prepared the offensive against the powerful Sith lord. Ultimately, Sidious killed Fisto with a single strike (mortally wounding his stomach in the film, and decapitating him in other renditions of the duel). Fisto fell serving the Jedi Order, but he was a brilliant Jedi warrior in Star Wars. Much of both the Republic and the Rebellion's success wouldn't have been possible without his service.