Ba'ken

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This article is non-canon within the canon continuity. This article covers a subject from a Star Wars: Visions story that Lucasfilm declared is set in an alternate history within a reimagined galaxy.

Ba'ken was an alien active on the planet Zenarita. At some point during the Galactic Empire's Occupation of Zenarita, he provided thrusters for the human Chita's starship, and later a job that got her in trouble with the Empire. When Ba'ken considered the situation on Zenarita to be dicey, he deactivated Chita's ship's systems until she paid double of what they originally agreed upon.

Chita eventually confronted Ba'ken in a cantina and demanded an explanation. The alien stated his terms and told the outraged human that he would reactivate her ship as soon as he received his payment. The Cerean former Jedi Gleenu overheard the exchange and offered to pay off Chita's debt as long as she could perform a job for the Cerean. Gleenu and Chita made the deal and Chita's ship had its systems reactivated.

Biography

Ba'ken was active on the planet Zenarita during the Galactic Empire's occupation of the world. At some point during the Imperial Era, Ba'ken provided refurbished thrusters to the human Chita and charged a high price for installing them into her ship, which she paid.^[1] He^[2] also gave Chita a job that got her in trouble with the Galactic Empire. After the situation on Zenarita grew more tense, Ba'ken locked Chita out of her starship's system.^[1]

After realizing her systems were unresponsive, Chita confronted the alien in a cantina on Zenarita. Ba'ken sat alone in a booth with a cup, which he took a sip from as Chita slammed her hands on his table. She demanded that Ba'ken reactivate her ship, and he affirmed he'd be happy to do so if Chita paid double for the thrusters, claiming the previous charge was the old price for parts and labor. Infuriated, Chita claimed the original price was already a rip-off and was appalled he was asking for more. Ba'ken stated the prices went up as the situation was "dicey" under the Empire. Chita exclaimed that his explanation was "Bantha dung" and Ba'ken told her to complain to the Empire instead. Chita being speechless, Ba'ken teased her potential trouble with the Empire, to which she replied was his fault. Ba'ken acted clueless and claimed he didn't do anything wrong as he took another sip from his drink.^[1]

Outraged, Chita reached for her blaster pistol, but before she could act, a guard droid quickly raised its own blaster to the side of her head. Chita surrendered to the droid and Ba'ken remained calm, informing the human that he had not sold her out to the Empire and stated if she brought him the money that he'd enable her ship's systems, suggesting she hurried and that it was only a matter of time before the Empire found her. Disgruntled, Chita left the cantina with her arms crossed. After overhearing the argument, the Cerean former Jedi Gleenu followed Chita out of the Cantina and offered to pay Ba'ken's price upfront if she could do a job for her. Chita accepted the deal Gleenu was later informed when the systems were unlocked.^[1]

Personality and traits

Ba'ken was a stout alien with grey and light skin with a brown beard and yellow eyes. He was a relaxed and sarcastic individual. He denied any involvement with Chita's job that got her in trouble with the Empire, stating whatever the case was, that he did nothing wrong. He considered himself a nice guy and respected Chita's skills. He accepted Chita's debt being paid off by Gleenu.^[1]

Skills and abilities

The alien was capable of providing labor and parts to individuals capable of paying for the services. He also had the ability to revoke said services if he considered the payment to be outdated or invalid.^[1]

Equipment

Ba'ken wore a grey hat and smock over layered grey shorts and tan pants. His clothes contained multiple pockets holding a variety of tools and devices. He wore a belt with satchels and pockets. While in the cantina he drank from a cup.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Ba'ken appeared in "The Smuggler", a non-canon short film released as part of the third volume of the Star Wars: Visions series, produced by Studio Trigger and released on Disney+ on October 29, 2025. The alien was voiced by Jiro Saito in the original Japanese version and by Adam Sietz in the English dub.^[1] In concept art by Tadashi Hiramatsu,^[3] the character's name was spelled as "Bakken."^[4]

Concept art gallery

"The Smuggler"

Storyboards

Concept art

Digital renderings

In-progress artwork

Concept art

Character lineup by Tadashi Hiramatsu^[5]

Concept art by Tadashi Hiramatsu^[3]

Appearances

• Star Wars: Visions — "The Smuggler" (First appearance)

Sources

• Star Wars Celebration - DAY 3 Replay on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (livestream no longer available)
• Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 First Look and Spinoff Announced – Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 on StarWars.com (backup link)
• 日本語オリジナル版＜本予告＞が全世界解禁！『スター・ウォーズ：ビジョンズ』Volume3 on Disney's official Japanese website (September 26, 2026) (backup link)
• "The Smuggler" Episode Guide | Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Star Wars: Visions Filmmaker Focus THE SMUGGLER on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)

Notes and references

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