Star Wars Rebels tops Maul when it comes to the best lightsabers

Ask a Star Wars fan their favorite weapon, and there’s a 98% chance they choose the lightsaber. Lightsabers — laser swords powered by a Force-filled kyber crystal — have enamored Star Wars fans since they first appeared in 1977. And, like everything that has a passionate fanbase, the different types of lightsabers have as many fans as there are characters in Star Wars. Red, blue, gold, green — fans love to talk about lightsabers.

There have been incredible variations of lightsabers, such as the lightwhip, which is exactly what it sounds like. However, as cool as these new lightsabers are, when it comes to the rule of cool, most think of how Darth Maul blew minds when he first appeared in 1999’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace with a double-bladed red lightsaber.

To that, I say: sure, Maul’s lightsaber is pretty amazing, but [Yoda voice] there is another. I am, of course, talking about Ezra Bridger’s infamous lightsaber-blaster hybrid, first seen in Star Wars: Rebels, season 1, episode 10, "Path of the Jedi."

What makes a lightsaber “cool” is all a matter of taste, but here’s my most objective assessment: While the appearance of the lightsaber certainly plays a part, I’d argue the most significant features about what makes a lightsaber cool are (1) the character who wields it and (2) how that lightsaber plays a part in the character’s journey. Sure, the darksaber is a legendary weapon, but it’s gone through so many different hands at this point — and even rode coach in The Mandalorian, which already knocks off SO many cool points in my view — that the blade has lost all sense of mystique. Worse, the darksaber isn’t capable of having a personal connection or identity to its wielder in the same way a lightsaber does, because unlike the lightsaber, the darksaber isn't created or shaped by the one who wields it.

The same cannot be said for Ezra’s gunsaber. Our initial introduction to Ezra quickly shows that his creativity and mechanical tinkering enabled him to evade the Empire on his home planet, Lothal, for years. After being recruited by the Ghost crew (Kanan, Hera, Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper) and taken under the wing of Kanan Jarrus, an Order 66 survivor, Ezra builds a lightsaber that fits him. While other Jedi had their components provided, the oppressive conditions under the Empire force Ezra to scavenge and improvise his own parts.

However, now feeling connected with his new family, the Ghost crew, Ezra reaches out to them for assistance in building his gunsaber. It isn’t just a weapon but a symbol that directly reflects Ezra’s connection and commitment to his crew and their mission to fight the Empire.

One of the coolest things about the gunsaber’s design is that it fits the era in which it was made. Rebels is set a few short years before A New Hope, when the Empire has the galaxy in a firm grip. Most of the Jedi were wiped out by Order 66, so carrying a lightsaber is asking for trouble. With Ezra’s gunsaber, however, the design is far more boxy, looking more like a blaster at a distance and, up close, a lot like the start of a Kingdom Hearts keyblade. This design grants Ezra anonymity and an advantage against stormtroopers, pirates, and Force users alike. Sure, it’s not as flashy as Kylo Ren’s crossguard blade or the sabercane, but the gunsaber perfectly suits what’s useful to Ezra during the era of rebellion, which makes it a million times more impressive.

Yet for me, the number one reason why Ezra’s lightsaber is massively appealing is the modification it has on its hilt. When Ezra removes the handguard of the lightsaber, he’s able to use what’s left to fire stun blasts at his enemies. One downside of lightsabers is that, while attractive, they're usually lethal. (There are exceptions: Sabine Wren in Ahsoka and Maul in The Phantom Menace.) If you're severed or impaled by one, it's typically game over. However, with Ezra’s modification, the gunsaber is able to deal with enemies without killing them — which says a lot about Ezra’s own feelings towards violence. After all, he’s only a young boy during the events of Rebels.

The gunsaber, unfortunately, had a short life. The blade was destroyed in a duel with Darth Vader during Rebels’ season 2 two-part finale. Like most people who tangle with the Sith Lord, Ezra is forever changed by the encounter. In season 3, he uses a more traditional lightsaber that reflects his increased experience with both the Force and his Jedi teachings under Kanan. He also cuts his hair, which, like his destroyed lightsaber, symbolizes the challenges that have forced him to grow up far more quickly than anyone his age is expected to.

Ezra’s gunsaber may have been gone too soon and might not be as visually striking as other blades, but it perfectly encapsulates the youthful beginnings of his journey — which is why it remains close to my heart.