Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker gets an absolutely adorable new character: Babu Frik

Star Wars
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has just fulfilled its cuteness quota. Introducing Babu Frik, a new addition to Episode 9, and one that will probably feature prominently on Funko-filled shelves across the land due to its distinctive look and oh-so-adorable face. Look at the little guy!

As revealed on The Star Wars Show, Babu Frik is a “tiny droidsmith working among the Spice Runners of Kajimi,” which confirms the Frikster is more than just there to look sweet; he’s presumably handy in the Resistance’s fight against the First Order, too.

The planet of Kajimi is one of Rise of Skywalker’s new destinations. The Star Wars Wiki describes it as a “snow-dusted planet” where Keri Russell’s mysterious Zorii Bliss once made her home.

StarWars.com has revealed even more about the fantastically fuzzy mechanic: Babu Frik can “can reprogram or modify virtually any droid — regardless of the security measures protecting its systems.” Could that explain C-3PO’s worryingly red eyes in the recent round of D23 footage?

More than anything, though, it’s refreshing to see the weird and wonderful creatures in a galaxy far, far away once again come to the fore, especially one that ranks high on the Star Wars Huggable Scale that I totally just invented (joint top with Jawas; Jar-Jar is dead last).

It’s also a nice reminder that Star Wars is not all about Skywalkers and Sith – sometimes you get a Babu Frik-shaped surprise that just about makes your day.

Rise of Skywalker isn't the end. Here are all the new Star Wars movies coming your way in the next few years.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Latest in Star Wars Movies
The Rise of Skywalker
Despite those retirement reports, Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy is "very involved" in the Rey Star Wars movie, according to Daisy Ridley
Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
After 26 years, a secret Star Wars reference to George Lucas has been uncovered: "We got a new Phantom Menace Easter Egg before GTA 6"
Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace
"Wise mentor" or "awful Jedi"? Star Wars fans are debating if Qui-Gon Jinn is to blame for Anakin's turn to the dark side
Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Longlegs director pitches horrifying Star Wars movie with Darth Vader, and we want it to happen
Werner Herzog in The Mandalorian
Star Wars fans are sharing their favorite unbelievable canon cameos – and some of them are seriously deep-cut
Kathleen Kennedy standing with a bunch of Stormtroopers
Star Wars' Kathleen Kennedy debunks retirement reports, as she shares plans for the future of Lucasfilm: "I will die making movies"
Latest in News
Overwatch 2
My hopes for an Overwatch anime or Diablo horror movie are going strong as Blizzard president points out "we are Blizzard Entertainment, and not simply Blizzard Games"
The New Thunderbolts leaping into action
Marvel's New Thunderbolts* comic steals the MCU's asterisk, and the reason why is just as big of a mystery
Pokemon Go players brace for the worst as Niantic is sold off for $3.5 billion: "This game is entering its death knell"
Stamp PSP
A 16-year-old pitch for a newly discovered first-party PSP game has me mourning the death of PlayStation's Japan Studio all over again
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"