If you’ve been tuning into the latest Disney+ series, The Acolyte, you’ve probably encountered the show’s newest standout character—we’re talking about Pip, a highly versatile and cute droid who’s quickly won over audiences. The Acolyte takes place in the final days of the High Republic era, and Pip’s introduction offers a refreshing, lighthearted touch to this mystery-thriller.
In The Acolyte, we meet Osha (Amandla Stenberg), a former Padawan who parted ways with the Jedi Order to become a “meknek”—a term for freelance starship technicians. Joining her is Pip, who fits snugly into a pocket-sized holster on Osha.
A Droid Unlike Any Other
Described by series creator Leslye Headland as “a cross between a Swiss Army knife and an iPhone,” Pip stands out among other droids in the Star Wars universe due to his adaptability and multiple forms. In fact, Pip is built to handle various tasks from welding to extinguishing fires to even working as a walkie-talkie.
Leslye Headland Talks Inspiration
When questioned about her inspiration for character design, Leslye Headland noted, The biggest inspiration for me was Kreia/Darth Traya in Knights of the Old Republic II, a character that when I first encountered her playing the game, I was really blown away by her characterization as well as the journey that she took the protagonist through. It felt like a type of character that I would be interested in building
. Although she was referring to characters, this attention to detailed personalities can be seen reflected in Pip’s design and role within the series.
Pip’s Wholesome Yet Complex Functionality
Pip may be adorable and small, but he is also incredibly useful. From saving lives to aiding Osha in tight situations, Pip proves again and again why he’s indispensable. For instance, he assists Osha by unlocking prison doors and transmitting important information using his built-in tools. Sure, he can’t handle excessive stimuli like bells or flashing lights
, but his diverse abilities more than make up for these limitations.
A Look Ahead
With only two episodes released so far, fans are eagerly anticipating further displays of Pip’s capabilities. While some might wonder what else this droid could do—maybe stream music or even act as a GPS—we’ll have to wait for new episodes premiering each Tuesday.
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