In a cathartic union of fan service and plot justice, the Darksaber fell on Din Djarin’s hands after winning it in a fair combat. This iconic weapon has seen better days and has been tossed around by the Galactic Empire and the Sith’s dirty hands during the Clone Wars. Now that it was finally back to its rightful Mandalorian owners, why is the Darksaber heavy for Din?
The Mandalorian briefly touched upon this overwhelming obstacle for Din Djarin since the Darksaber’s mystical inexplicable weight increase rendered the black lightsaber nearly useless in his hands. That’s why we’d love to explain to you why is the darksaber heavy for Din Djarin, and also why it’s better in someone else’s hands.
The Darksaber’s journey
The Darksaber’s journey into live-action Star Wars was heralded in The Mandalorian, where it became the focal point of intrigue and conflict. Din Djarin, the enigmatic Mandalorian bounty hunter, came into possession of this legendary weapon after defeating Moff Gideon in single combat. Yet, wielding it wasn’t as straightforward as it may have seemed.
In The Book of Boba Fett, we can also see Din Djarin return with the Darksaber in hand, but something perplexing happened—the weapon got heavier with every swing.
The Armorer, a knowledgeable Mandalorian, chides him, suggesting that he’s “fighting” the Darksaber rather than embracing its true essence. But this isn’t the whole story.
Understanding the mysterious weight gain
Star Wars Rebels explained it better. In the episode titled “Trials of the Darksaber,” Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian, received training in wielding this enigmatic weapon from Kanan Jarrus, a former Jedi Knight.
As Sabine ignited the Darksaber for the first time, she was taken aback by its unexpected weightiness.
Jarrus offered a profound explanation, in his own words, “Energy constantly flows through the crystal. You’re not fighting with a simple blade as much as you are directing a current of power. Your thoughts, your actions, they become energy. They flow through the crystal as well, and become a part of the blade.”
In essence, the Darksaber is more than just a physical weapon; it’s a conduit for the wielder’s inner thoughts and emotions. That makes it more difficult to wield compared to any other lightsaber.
Emotional baggage added to the weight
Din Djarin, the stoic and resilient Mandalorian, is no stranger to inner turmoil.
His journey has been rife with emotional highs and lows, from parting ways with Grogu to discovering the dark origins of his particular Mandalorian sect. This emotional baggage, combined with his lack of experience in lightsaber combat, played a pivotal role in the Darksaber’s perceived heaviness.
Just as Jarrus explained, the Darksaber becomes heavier when wielded by those who struggle to control their thoughts and emotions. Din Djarin, grappling with a multitude of conflicting feelings, inadvertently channeled his inner conflict into the blade. This not only made the Darksaber physically heavier but also made it more challenging for him to wield effectively.
The Darksaber wasn’t meant for Din Djarin
There could have been hope for Din Djarin and others who grappled with the Darksaber’s weight. Sabine Wren’s journey in Star Wars Rebels served as an example. As she trained and confronted her fears and anger, she forged a connection with the Darksaber, ultimately making it feel lighter in her hands.
For Din Djarin to unlock the full potential of the Darksaber and become a true master of this iconic weapon, he needed to embark on a similar path. He needed to confront his inner demons, channel his emotions in a disciplined manner, and establish a profound connection with the Darksaber.
Only then will the blade lose its phantom weight, allowing him to wield it with the grace and power it deserves. However, by Season 3 of The Mandalorian, Din ultimately never got to undertake this kind of development.
Even after his reunion with Grogu (Baby Yoda), Din was not exactly too keen on ruling Mandalore and for leadership roles since he’s naturally a loner.
That’s why more adamant Mandalorians such as Bo-Katan Kryze managed to inherit, use, and wield the Darksaber effortlessly. After all, Bo-Katan’s original goal and intent was to find the Darksaber and reclaim and reunite Mandalore.
And so, the Darksaber eventually found its way into a more royally qualified and willing owner, Bo-Katan by season 3 of The Mandalorian. She inherited the black lightsaber in a fair succession.
The Darksaber is the burden of leadership made manifest
The weight of the Darksaber extends beyond its physical heft. In the Star Wars universe, the Darksaber symbolizes more than just a powerful weapon; it signifies leadership and the true ruler of Mandalore. This added burden of responsibility can further contribute to the perceived heaviness of the blade.
As Din Djarin grappled with newfound leadership and the expectations that came with it, the Darksaber’s weight became not only a physical challenge but also a symbol of his evolving role within Mandalorian society.
However, Din was content with just spending time with Grogu in peace by the end of The Mandalorian season 3.
Now, the burden of the Darksaber and leadership of the Mandalorians fell on Bo-Katan’s lap and she was more than eager to assume such a responsibility for her whole faction.
Well, that’s the lore explanation. One of our takes is that Pedro Pascal might have gotten too expensive for Disney to keep around in a voiced lead role for The Mandalorian (since HBO paid him $600,000 per episode for The Last of Us), so it’s back to the old Bo-Katan plot for them. She’s a more bonafide Mandalorian anyway.
