To date, Lucasfilm Animation's latest animated series The Bad Batch has continued the tradition of using one Star Wars story to provide context for another.
In the series fourth episode, bounty hunter Fennec Shand was in pursuit of Clone Force 99's new member Omega.
But even though Hunter and the crew were unfamiliar with Fennec Shand, the same can't be said for Star Wars fans as she appeared in both seasons of The Mandalorian and is set to appear in The Book of Boba Fett this December.
However, The Bad Batch isn't only interested in drawing connections to the newer Star Wars stories. In fact, the series just featured a dangerous creature that original trilogy fans are sure to be familiar with.
THE BAD BATCH MEET JABBA THE HUTT'S RANCOR
In the fifth episode of The Bad Batch titled "Rampage," Clone Force 99 is tasked with rescuing a "kid" named Muchi in exchange for intelligence on Fennec Shand.
But during the mission, the clones are surprised to learn that Muchi is actually an adolescent female rancor owned by Jabba the Hutt.
Star Wars fans were first introduced to rancors in Return of the Jedi when Luke Skywalker was dropped into a rancor pit at Jabba's Palace and killed the creature by crushing it with a gate.
However, Muchi's appearance in this animated series just may be the first time Star Wars fans have seen junior-sized rancors in action.
DID LUKE SKYWALKER KILL MUCHI?
A trailer for The Bad Batch revealed that rancors would have a presence at some point in the series, but it was a bit of a surprise they would also be connected to Jabba.
In fact, according to the 2016 Star Wars novel Aftermath: Life Debt, the rancor Luke Skywalker killed was actually a male rancor named Pateesa.
The problem is that what's written in Star Wars canon novels isn't always accurately reflected in other Star Wars projects. Therefore, it's possible Lucasfilm intended to retcon Aftermath: Life Debt to imply that Muchi is the rancor Luke squared off with.
But if not, this episode of The Bad Batch confirms that Jabba the Hutt is certainly invested in dangerous creatures whether they be rancors or sarlaac pits!
