Star Wars is going through a state of transition. For twenty years, an Expanded Universe of novels, comics, and games have supplemented the films and TV shows to create an incredibly deep and detailed Star Wars universe. Soon after Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm, however, they wiped the canon slate clean, saying they would no longer adhere to the stories of the Expanded Universe in order to have the greatest creative freedom with their new Star Wars films starting with The Force Awakens.
But with the new films, so comes new books, comics, and games in a new continuity to replace the old one. So, what is canon and what isn’t anymore? After twenty years, are these the same characters and planets we’ve always known and loved? Is it even the same universe? Well, in our new column Canon Catch-Up, we’re here to answer those questions and set the record straight.
Today, we’re discussing the Anoat System.
So, what’s the deal with the Anoat System in the current continuity?
The Anoat system is a solar system located between the Hoth and Bespin systems, all of which are located in the Anoat sector. During the Clone Wars, the Anoat system was considered by Obi-Wan Kenobi as a travel route for a Republic Fleet on their way to counter a Separatist attack on the Saleucami system.
During the Galactic Civil War following the Battle of Hoth, Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Chewbacca passed through the Anoat system when traveling to Bespin when fleeing the Empire.
After the Battle of Endor, the Anoat system was quarantined by the Empire’s regional governor, forcing the Rebels to mount a resistance movement to take back the sector.
What about the Anoat System in the Expanded Universe?
In the Expanded Universe, the Anoat system is in the same location, but that area is located along the Ison Corridor: a small hyperspace trade route that branched out from the Corellian Trade Spine and into the Outer Rim. The Anoat system holds three habitable bush harsh worlds: Anoat, Deyer (the homeworld of future Jedi Knight Kyp Durron), and Gentes, which is the homeworld of the Ugnaughts and once home to an ancient Sith academy.
During the Clone Wars, General Grevious invaded Gentes and the planet fell under Separatist control. However, by the time of the Galactic Civil War all three planets were uninhabited due to toxic waste. Rebel mercenary and future Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn ventured to the Anoat City on Anoat to extract an Imperial weapons designer, Moff Rebus, and had to contend with the planet’s toxic conditions.
At some point around the time the New Republic retook Coruscant and reestablished the Galactic senate, the planet Anoat had been repopulated and had representation in the new legislative body.
What does the Expanded Universe tell us about the Anoat System in the new continuity?
The Anoat system hasn’t been defined as the same toxic area in the new continuity that is has in the old expanded universe. With the advent of Star Wars Uprising putting the area in the spotlight, there needs to be a reason why it’s so important to reclaim for the Rebellion. It’s very possible its tactical significance may lie in its position in supply lines along the Ison Corridor.
However, Uprising may show us that the Anoat sector has undiscovered resources in the new continuity that both sides in the Galactic Civil War will want to harvest.
While we’re waiting for more post-Return of the Jedi information, check out our previous entry of Canon Catch-Up about the history of stormtroopers.
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