matril | A Thousand Stars: Episode I, Part 4

Amid this mechanized invasion we find our two Jedi heroes, who are no doubt led by the Force to an encounter with the planet's other sentient race, the Gungans. It's rather common in sci-fi to characterize an entire world's population with a single reductive trait, and I can't quite fault that, knowing how complex worldbuilding can be. Still it makes the characterization of Naboo quite engaging. Two entirely separate, distinct species rule the planet, and their distinctness is illustrated best by the striking visuals. We saw the nature-esque architecture of the Naboo (and isn't it human-centric that we call the planet by their name, hmm?). Now let's take a look at Otoh Gunga.

Our first glimpse is all the more evocative for the way it rises slowly above the ocean ridge. At first you might wonder if it's just some kind of phosphorescent marine life.

And then we get a full, vast view of the astonishing cityscape.

Like nothing humans have or ever could build. An underwater metropolis that seems as much a part of nature as Theed, but rather than rock and waterfalls and greenery, it resembles an ocean-dwelling creature like a jellyfish. So marvelously other-worldly and bizarre and beautiful. This is the essence of Star Wars worldbuilding.

Next, a bird, a plane? It's...not Superman, that's for sure....