Mace Windu

Mace Windu's birth occurred on the planet Haruun Kal in the year 72 BBY. Similar to the majority of infants originating from Haruun Kal, Windu underwent an inoculation, resulting in a small scar on his person. His inherent connection to the Force led to his enrollment in the Jedi Order. This monastic order of protectors, dedicated to the defense of the Galactic Republic and renowned as the guardians of peace and justice within the galaxy, provided him with the opportunity to master the Jedi arts. Windu never found Grand Master Yoda's humor agreeable. As a youngling, he was instructed to embrace the Force and "let go".

As a Jedi youngling, Windu embarked on a mission to construct his own lightsaber after acquiring a kyber crystal with an amethyst hue. Initially, his efforts proved futile, causing Windu to question his capacity to successfully complete this specific rite within Jedi training. Observing Windu's predicament, Professor Huyang concluded that the youngling lacked both the patience and the necessary comprehension to finalize his lightsaber. The droid instructor advised Windu to regulate his emotions. According to Huyang, the key was that a lightsaber's components never required "building." One of Windu's instructors was T'ra Saa, with whom the young Windu practiced and learned. The first instance of Windu defeating one of his instructors occurred with Saa, who, though surprised, respected his skill, creating a cherished memory for the developing Jedi.

Following his initial trials as a youngling, Windu achieved the rank of Padawan by becoming the apprentice of Jedi Master Cyslin Myr. During Windu's apprenticeship in 60 BBY, a man by the name of Drooz had established himself in a Jedi outreach temple on the planet Mathas. With the local population grappling with the Niffin plague, Drooz convinced the inhabitants that he was a Jedi prophet capable of healing the sick and dying in exchange for their faith and obedience. Upon receiving reports of Drooz's actions, the Order dispatched Myr on a mission to evaluate and apprehend him. Simultaneously, Myr aimed to instruct Windu on how to channel his frustrations into a suitable emotion, thus bringing him to Mathas.

En route to the temple, Windu observed the people's plight and contemplated how the Jedi could alleviate their suffering. He also condemned Drooz as a heretic and charlatan who twisted the Jedi doctrine to exploit the people's misery. At that juncture, his Master cautioned him to suppress his hostile sentiments, having noticed how the mere thought of Drooz exploiting the Jedi's teachings to prey on others frustrated Windu. They entered the temple and encountered Drooz with a group of Force devotees, one of whom pleaded with him to heal her child, who was dying despite her numerous prayers and offerings.

Drooz's followers rallied to his defense when the Jedi openly confronted him. Capitalizing on the distraction they created, he attempted to flee from the temple but was pursued by Windu. Despite Drooz's Gamorrean bodyguards being defeated by the Padawan, Drooz managed to wound Windu's left arm with his blaster pistol. He taunted Windu and ridiculed the Jedi's ways, scoffing at their dedication to peace, as he believed they should leverage their power to amass wealth through the faith of millions. Employing the Force to immobilize Drooz, Windu disarmed him and vowed that he would never harm anyone else. However, Myr intervened by instructing Windu to lower his lightsaber. While she understood her apprentice's frustrations, Myr believed that Drooz's punishment should be determined in a court of law.

Windu eventually continued his training under Yoda's guidance and was promoted to Jedi Knight, undertaking various assignments throughout the galaxy. At some point during his service to the Jedi Order, Windu, acknowledging an internal darkness within himself, developed the Vaapad form of lightsaber combat to channel that darkness for more positive outcomes. He also initiated lessons on letting go and trusting in the Force.

In a specific mission, Windu was tasked with investigating Mattis Coto, the warden of the Devshi prison complex, due to suspicions of his involvement in the illegal trade of skeleton keys. These suspicions arose following the capture of convicts in Kevan 8, where a prisoner claimed to have received a skeleton key from Coto. Windu successfully infiltrated the prison complex as a guard, apprehended Mattis, and avoided capture, escaping from the facility. Pursuing the case further, Windu tracked a group of droids programmed to deliver skeleton keys to clients off-planet. Utilizing his formidable abilities and lightsaber, Windu employed a mind trick to enlist the assistance of an impromptu skiff pilot. Through his skill and the pilot's aid, Windu managed to disable the droids and recover the stolen skeleton keys.

Following his previous mission, Windu returned to the Jedi Temple to report his successful completion to Master Yoda. During this meeting, Master Yoda, along with Gara, assigned Windu his next task: retrieving the coxium ultra formula from a smuggler named Azita Cruuz. It was revealed that Azita had offered the formula to the Jedi Order and other criminal organizations in exchange for Republic credits and safe passage off-world from Ro Mira. Windu discovered that the formula, if acquired by the wrong individuals, could grant criminal elements a significant advantage, as coxium ultra had the potential to increase sublight engines by 120% without consequences. To accomplish his mission, Windu disguised himself and adopted a low-profile approach while tracking Azita. Eventually, Windu located Azita and pursued her, ultimately intervening and rescuing her from corrupt local authorities.

During their attempt to escape off-world, Windu learned about Azita's background. She had encountered a client who knew of Doctor Bishop's work, which involved refining the coxium formula by relocating to Ro Mira, a planet known for its blue fire lava that enhances coxium results. Azita assisted the scientist in developing the formula but also administered a drug obtained on Coruscant to induce temporary sleep and erase his memory of the past six months. While Windu considers Azita's actions morally questionable, she argues that circumstances often force people into actions against their will, drawing a parallel to Windu's own path as a Jedi and questioning whether he willingly chose it. Their discussion is interrupted by the presence of bore worms, creatures resistant to lightsabers. Windu relies on the Force to neutralize them, a decision that Azita criticizes. Windu explains that he spared the bore worms because they were acting as animals without malicious intent, comparing the purpose of a lightsaber to that of a shield. He also responds to Azita's earlier question about his service to the Jedi Order, admitting that while he did not consciously volunteer, he has not dwelled on the alternative life he might have had, considering it futile and potentially dangerous. Windu believes that his current path is where he is meant to be. Azita, still unsure about whom she will sell the formula to, becomes more open to the idea of selling it to someone from their shared homeworld of Haruun Kal, deducing their common background based on the inoculation scars they both bear from their time as toddlers on Haruun Kal. As the pair continues their escape, with Azita unsure if she can fully trust Windu, they find themselves pursued by members of the Shroud.

After deciphering an encrypted message from Depa Billaba, Windu rescued Billaba and Sar Labooda from pirates, employing his lightsaber in combat during the rescue. He brought both sisters to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and trained Billaba in the Jedi arts until she became a Jedi Knight. As a Jedi Master, he continued to teach about letting go and trusting in the Force, as he had done as a Jedi Knight. By 40 BBY, Billaba was serving on the High Council alongside her former Master.

Later, he became a Jedi Master and secured a position on the Jedi High Council, the governing body of the Jedi Order, sometime between 50 BBY and 42 BBY. This appointment was a result of the mission on Raxus Secundus, where Jedi Master Katri was killed. The High Council tasked Windu and Dooku with retrieving Katri's remains. Dissatisfied with Senator Larik's account of the ambush that killed Katri, Dooku sought to conduct his own investigation. However, Windu insisted that they adhere to their mandate and follow the High Council's instructions. He also reminded Dooku that neither of them were members of the High Council and, therefore, lacked the authority to interfere in political conflicts without the approval of their Council or the Galactic Senate. Although Dooku considered Windu a friend, he found his colleague's strict adherence to Jedi protocol both "inspiring and maddening."

Windu and Dooku met with Senator Larik in Raxulon. While Windu was prepared to complete the mission by retrieving Katri's body, Dooku requested to visit the site of her death. The senator was hesitant until one of his security guards, Semage, agreed to escort the Jedi. Windu grew wary of the Raxians, suspecting deceit, and suggested informing the High Council before taking action. However, Dooku was determined to uncover the truth about Katri's demise, disregarding Windu's advice to adhere to protocol. Upon investigating the area where Katri died, the Jedi concluded that the evidence contradicted the Raxians' account. Realizing that she had been shot from behind, Dooku surmised that Katri was betrayed by the Raxians she trusted. Windu attempted to de-escalate the situation when Dooku activated his lightsaber, demanding the truth. In a panic, Senator Larik confessed that his own guards had murdered Katri and attempted to reach the Jedi, but was fatally shot by one of his officers. A skirmish ensued between the Jedi and the Raxians; the Jedi Masters collaborated to destroy the Raxians' droid support before neutralizing the guards. Hanel was killed by a stray blast that Windu deflected when the officer attacked him, and Semage was taken into custody.

Semage accused the Jedi of protecting the interests of a corrupt Senate. As such, he chose to kill Katri rather than inform her of Larik's corruption, whom he sought to use for Raxus's benefit. Windu contested the officer's opinion, stating that Katri, as a Jedi, would have listened to Semage. Windu and Dooku later attended the funeral of Katri at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Learning that Katri's seat on the High Council would be offered to Windu, Dooku grew suspicious of his friend. Windu insisted he was as surprised as Dooku was about his elevation to the High Council's ranks. Furthermore, Windu reminded Dooku that they had both received their orders from the High Council, and it was Dooku who pursued a course of action that resulted in the death of a Republic senator. Nevertheless, Windu assured Dooku that he would speak on his behalf to the High Council.

Widely regarded as the Jedi Order's greatest champion, Windu strived to uphold the Jedi's ancient traditions as the Republic declined due to galactic unrest and political corruption. As one of the Order's most distinctive members, Windu crafted a unique lightsaber. In addition to its specially designed handgrip and electrum finish, signifying his status as a High Council member, it emitted an amethyst plasma blade, making it one of the most recognizable Jedi weapons. At some point, he also became the elected leader of the Council, serving alongside Yoda as Master of the Order.

In 41 BBY, Windu was among the councilors who listened to Padawan Junda's account of her actions while she and Master Cordova attempted to resolve a dispute on Nameel between Dupei monks and Trandoshans. The monks admitted to provoking the Trandoshans by stealing their credits, but the Trandoshans provoked her into self-defense. Although Cordova pointed out that rash and impulsive actions can be beneficial, Windu agreed but emphasized the Council's measured approach and ruled that the Council considered the incident complicated. He then assigned them their next task, tasking Cordova and Junda with collaborating with the Daa Corporation to uncover an ancient temple, given Cordova's expertise in ancient cultures.

Windu later arrived when the dispute between the Daa Corporation and the Flyari escalated into a civil conflict, prompting intervention by the Republic alongside Jedi Masters Luminara, Maslo-Scaff, and Odu. Reunited with Junda, the Jedi helped quell the situation, ending the conflict by exposing the Daa Corporation's corruption for resolution in Republic courts and the Flyari agreeing to establish a new joint government. Due to Junda's heroic actions, she was promoted to Jedi Knight, with the Knighting Ceremony performed by Windu himself.

In 34 BBY, the Jedi Order dispatched Mace Windu, along with other Jedi, on a mission to the Outer Rim world of Oosalon in response to the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Guattako's army. He intentionally allowed himself to be captured and taken to Guattako to discover the location of the warlord's base of operations, concealed within 80,000 kilometers of cavernous tunnels. Windu, upon learning that Guattako's operation relied on using orphans and kidnapped children as soldiers, attempted to persuade the child Quia to renounce the insurgents and their war against the government of Oosalon.

Windu denounced Guattako as a terrorist and kidnapper who depended on the Hutt Clan for financial support. With Windu's lightsaber disassembled, Guattako was confident in his ability to detain the Jedi Master, whom he intended to execute, believing that Windu's death would inspire others to join his fledgling group. By the time he realized that Windu had planned his capture, the Jedi had reassembled his lightsaber through the Force. He also revealed that he had used the Force to help his fellow Jedi locate the insurgents' camp.

Windu successfully defended himself against Quia and the other insurgents before engaging Guattako in single combat. During the battle, Guattako was fatally shot by one of the abducted children who wished to return home. By then, the other Jedi arrived at Windu's location. With the Jedi's assistance, the remaining insurgents were taken into custody by the security forces of Oosalon. Although the Jedi had succeeded in rescuing twenty-six abducted schoolchildren, Windu had also hoped to save Quia and the child soldiers who were already indoctrinated into Guattako's cause. However, Yoda stated that the Jedi could not interfere in the planet's local affairs and that Quia would be sent to prison for her role in Guattako's terrorist campaign. Windu accepted the outcome but lamented his inability to help Quia.

Before the Clone Wars by about a decade, Windu, only hours after a Council meeting, discovered Yoda by himself within a modest garden at the Jedi Temple. He brushed off Yoda's jest about a potentially embarrassing question he couldn't ask publicly, and instead inquired if the Grand Master had sensed something he hadn't shared with them. Yoda countered that he was sensing the absence of something, which perplexed Windu, leading to a discussion about the concepts of "nothing" versus "something." Windu, deciding the Force would enlighten him eventually, chose to trust Yoda's intuition and departed after a silent pause lasting several minutes.

Subsequently, the Trade Federation imposed a blockade on the planet Naboo. Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum requested the Jedi Council dispatch Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, as emissaries to resolve the conflict. Upon their return from the unsuccessful assignment, the Council learned of a much greater danger: the resurgence of the Jedi's ancient adversaries, the Sith.

However, neither Mace Windu nor Ki-Adi-Mundi were particularly convinced that the Jedi Order's old enemy could have returned, and even less so without the Jedi Council being aware. Nevertheless, Windu assured them that the Order would dedicate its full resources to validate Jinn's claims, specifically the identity of the dark warrior who attacked him on Tatooine. It was at that point that Jinn revealed another significant discovery he had made during his mission. Prior to his departure from Tatooine and subsequent return to Coruscant, Jinn encountered Anakin Skywalker. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, the slave Shmi Skywalker had given birth to a son who was exceptionally powerful with the Force; because of Anakin's inherent potential and the circumstances surrounding his birth, Jinn believed Anakin could have been conceived by the midi-chlorians.

Windu recognized that Jinn was alluding to the Jedi prophecy of the Chosen One—the individual destined to restore balance to the Force by eliminating the Sith. Despite Skywalker's unusually high midi-chlorian count in his cells, Windu remained skeptical of Jinn's assertions. Nevertheless, he agreed to meet the boy in the Council's chamber to assess his Force abilities. The Council was impressed by Skywalker's innate Force talent, but they also detected his emotional attachment to his mother and a significant amount of fear within him. Consequently, they rejected Jinn's request to train him in the Jedi arts. Windu personally believed that Skywalker was too old to fully commit to the Jedi Code and the Force without being hindered by his emotional connections. However, despite his reservations about Jinn's claim, he tasked him and his apprentice with investigating the identity of the dark warrior, believing that the election of a new Supreme Chancellor would draw him out and provide a crucial clue to the "mystery of the Sith."

Following Jinn's death during the Battle of Naboo, the Council reversed its decision, entrusting Skywalker's training to the newly-appointed Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. Windu, however, remained doubtful of Skywalker's capacity for Jedi commitment, and his barely concealed mistrust would strain their relationship as Skywalker progressed through the Jedi ranks. During the funeral of Qui-Gon Jinn, which the Naboo delayed until the Jedi Council arrived, Yoda and Windu came to the realization that Jinn had been correct: the Sith had indeed survived and endured over the last millennium. Yoda quoted the Rule of Two, an ancient Sith doctrine limiting their numbers to two Sith Lords—a master and an apprentice—prompting Windu to contemplate which of the two Kenobi had defeated. After Jinn's body had turned to ash, Windu and the other Council members left the funeral. Afterward, he attended the victory celebration on Naboo along with Yoda, several members of the Jedi Council, and the newly-elected Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine.

During Anakin Skywalker's initial three years as Kenobi's apprentice, his training garnered attention from his peers, Padawans, Jedi Masters, and Chancellor Palpatine. Palpatine took particular interest in lightsaber combat, while Windu focused more on the training droid that Skywalker sparred with, which mimicked Darth Maul's appearance and fighting style. Neither Windu nor Kenobi expected Skywalker to duel against a representation of Maul, but the display impressed Palpatine.

However, Kenobi had to intervene when Skywalker used the Force to seize the lightsabers of two nearby apprentices who had mocked him for being a "slave to his emotions." Windu viewed the incident as evidence of Skywalker's complexity as a Jedi, given his late entry into the Order compared to his contemporaries. After noting the difficulty of Skywalker's training for Kenobi, Windu respectfully declined the chancellor's offer to assist in guiding the young Jedi. Palpatine argued that the Jedi, being under the Senate's jurisdiction, were ultimately accountable to the Senate's chancellor. Considering Palpatine's reasoning, Windu agreed to send Skywalker to speak with him.

As the Clone Wars approached, the High Council felt confident that Skywalker was ready for his first independent mission. By this time, Windu considered him a highly skilled Jedi, but Kenobi worried that his Padawan's abilities had led to arrogance and much to learn. Yoda agreed with Kenobi but also believed that Skywalker was not alone in this. In his assessment, other Jedi had grown overconfident in their skills as well. At this, Windu told Kenobi to keep the prophecy in mind, for if Skywalker was indeed the Chosen One then only he could bring the Force back into a state of balance.

In 26 BBY, Windu participated in a test of Kenobi and Skywalker's master-apprentice relationship, collaborating with Yoda and Jedi Master Bant Eerin to simulate the Grandmaster's kidnapping.

During the decade following the Battle of Naboo, the Galactic Republic faced an existential crisis as numerous star systems and powerful corporations threatened to withdraw from the long-standing democratic union. Chancellor Palpatine assured the Jedi Council that his office was pursuing a peaceful resolution with the Separatists and would not allow secession to fracture the millennium-old Republic. Despite the chancellor's assurances, Mace Windu cautioned him about the Republic's vulnerability, noting that the Jedi Order lacked the necessary personnel to defend the entire Republic in the event of war. Furthermore, the Order was primarily a peacekeeping force, not an army.

As the Galactic Senate debated the proposed Military Creation Act, Senator Padmé Amidala narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. In a meeting with the chancellor, she revealed to Windu and Yoda her suspicion that Count Dooku was involved in the attack. Although Dooku had abandoned his Jedi status before leading the Separatist movement, Windu found it hard to believe that even a former Jedi would plot to assassinate the Naboo senator—or anyone else. Nevertheless, Windu heeded Yoda and Palpatine's warning about the grave danger to Amidala's life, regardless of Dooku's direct involvement. Consequently, he dispatched Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to serve as temporary bodyguards for the senator. Following the death of Amidala's would-be assassin, Zam Wesell, Windu and the Council instructed Kenobi to track Wesell's accomplice who had evaded capture. They also ordered Skywalker to accompany Amidala to her home planet of Naboo in case of another assassination attempt against her.

As the Separatist Crisis intensified, Windu agreed with Yoda's assessment that the dark side of the Force was responsible for the turmoil undermining galactic peace and stability. They were particularly disturbed to learn that Kenobi's investigation had led him to the planet Kamino, where he discovered the existence of a secret army comprising hundreds of thousands of clone troopers, with millions more in development. Prime Minister Lama Su, the leader of the Kaminoan cloners, revealed that the army was created for the Galactic Republic. He also claimed that the project's commissioner was the late Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, whom he believed to be alive and a leading member of the Jedi Council until Kenobi corrected him.

Kenobi traced the source of the clone army, the bounty hunter Jango Fett, to the planet Geonosis, where he reported another discovery to Windu and Yoda, both of whom witnessed his transmission in the Chancellor's office. Dooku and the Separatist Council had no intention of negotiating a peaceful resolution with the Republic; they were simply buying time to build a massive army of battle droids for the sole purpose of waging war on the Republic. After the Senate voted to grant Chancellor Palpatine emergency wartime powers, which he promptly used to authorize the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic, Windu led a Jedi assault team to Geonosis to rescue Kenobi, while Yoda moved to take command of the clone troopers on Kamino.

Windu and the Jedi thwarted the execution of Kenobi, as well as Skywalker and Amidala, who had traveled to Geonosis to assist Kenobi but were quickly confronted by an overwhelming force of battle droids. The Jedi fought valiantly, destroying numerous battle droids, but also suffered significant casualties. During the battle, Windu swiftly killed Jango Fett with relative ease, decapitating the bounty hunter as Boba Fett—a clone whom Jango considered his son—watched in horror. Overwhelmed by the droids' superior numbers, the Jedi were cornered in the center of the Geonosian Petranaki Arena. Dooku demanded that the Jedi surrender to Separatist custody, but Windu refused to allow himself and his allies to be taken as prisoners of war. Moments later, the arrival of Yoda and the clone army turned the tide, enabling the Jedi survivors to escape the arena.

Following the arena skirmish, the First Battle of Geonosis officially began as thousands of clone troopers engaged the battle droids on the battlefield. The remaining members of Windu's assault team also joined the fray, taking command of the clones who were trained to serve the Jedi with unwavering loyalty. Clone Commander Ponds and five special commando units reported directly to Windu, accompanying the legendary Jedi champion to the front lines. Windu kept Ponds by his side throughout the battle. Under the Jedi's leadership, the clone army forced the Separatists into a full retreat, abandoning Geonosis to Republic occupation. Windu returned to the capital, pleased with the Republic's victory in the first battle but also saddened by the failure to capture Dooku. By this point, Windu had accepted that he was wrong about Dooku's character; his former friend had turned to the dark side, becoming an enemy of both the Order and the Republic.

The formation of the Confederacy of Independent Systems shattered a thousand years of peace that had defined the Jedi Order's role in the galaxy. To preserve and defend the Galactic Republic, Windu and his fellow Jedi formally assumed command of the clone army as generals and commanders. He also learned from Kenobi about Dooku's claim that a mysterious Sith Lord named Darth Sidious controlled hundreds of senators, but Yoda believed that the Council had no reason to trust the word of a fallen Jedi. Nevertheless, Windu recommended that the Council keep a close watch on the Senate, having never trusted the highly corrupt government to begin with. As the clone troopers and their Jedi leaders prepared for war, Yoda expressed his sorrow to Windu and Kenobi, declaring that the shroud of darkness had descended upon the galaxy, now consumed by the Clone Wars, the first galactic-scale conflict since the Republic's inception.

During the war, Windu primarily remained stationed on Coruscant. However, he occasionally left the planet for special missions.

Even in the early stages of the Clone Wars, the High Council recognized the gravity of their situation. With the Separatist army establishing numerous strongholds throughout the Outer Rim, Windu feared that it was only a matter of time before they advanced further, annexing more star systems and ultimately reaching the galactic capital of Coruscant. To determine the purpose of the Separatist presence on the planet Hissrich, the Council assigned the task to Windu. However, due to the mission's covert nature and the Republic's stretched resources, they could not provide him with a squadron of clone troopers. Therefore, Windu assembled a covert team of Jedi, including himself, Kit Fisto for his lightsaber skills, Prosset Dibs for his valuable insights and strong intuition with the Force, and Rissa Mano for her engineering skills and aptitude for battle.

Following the council meeting, Yoda sensed Windu's unease and offered his assistance. Windu revealed his doubts following the deaths of numerous Jedi on Geonosis. Yoda reassured him that the Force would always guide them on the right path and urged him not to succumb to these thoughts. Before departing, Windu promised that he would not fail him.

During transit, Mano informed Windu that her ship was heavily modified for stealth and speed, for which Windu expressed his gratitude. Fisto remarked that he looked forward to working on this mission, but Dibs responded cynically, stating that war was no place for a Jedi. Mace countered that they were Knights, and this was precisely what they were meant to be doing. Subsequently, Windu informed the team of the planet's undocumented nature and cautioned them to be wary of fauna and battle droids. Mace also mentioned the planet's near-constant darkness and how it would aid their covert mission. When the alarm for exiting hyperspace sounded, Windu ordered them to change into their mission attire to help regulate body temperature.

Windu instructed them to use the plants as cover as they approached the nearest droid outpost. Dibs apologized for his previous outburst on the ship and explained it as foresight of the teachings of their order being tested. Windu responded by saying sometimes combat is necessary and that war can breed confusion.

They soon encountered a small patrol group consisting of a few B1 Battle droids and an Octupara droid. They quickly eliminated the patrol, but were soon surrounded by the indigenous people on all sides. Unbeknownst to the strike team, a droid officer observed the skirmish and reported it to AD-W4, a mercenary droid hired by General Grievous to oversee the Separatist occupation of Hissrich.

After encountering members of Hissrich's indigenous population, Windu and Fisto followed them into a system of caverns, and although they could not understand the aliens' language, Windu sensed that they were not hostile to the Jedi. The aliens led Windu and his team to their subterranean dwellings, at which point the Separatists attacked the Jedi after tracking their position to the alien settlement.

Windu ordered the other Jedi to protect the civilians while he fended off a group of droidekas and Single Trooper Aerial Platforms. After dispatching the droids, he was confronted by AD-W4, who engaged the Jedi Master in single combat. As they fought, both combatants criticized their opponent's motivations; Windu regarded the droid's greed as a sign of depravity, whereas AD-W4 viewed the Jedi's beliefs—particularly their commitment to peace—as foolish. During the fighting, the Jedi realized that the droids were mining the planet for its energy resources, the amount of which could turn the war in the Separatists' favor. Ultimately, a cave-in separated the team in half, with Windu and Mano on the surface, while Fisto and Dibs were trapped below.

Together, Windu and Mano defeated the droids on the surface and succeeded in destroying one of the Separatist harvesters. Afterward, they returned to their ship to regroup with Fisto and Dibs. At that point, Windu had determined that his team could not end the Separatist operation one skirmish at a time, and therefore wanted to locate the enemy's command center to bring the conflict on Hissrich to a swift and decisive conclusion.

The Jedi's mission on Hissrich was disrupted by a conflict between two of its members. Dibs confronted Windu shortly after returning to the Westwind with Fisto; his doubts about their military role and the loss of multiple natives had caused him to lose faith in the Order and the High Council. Shouting at his fellow Jedi Master, Dibs made several accusations against both Windu and the Council, ranging from callousness towards collateral damage to distorting the Jedi doctrine. He then physically assaulted Windu, prompting the High Council member to reprimand Dibs for attacking his general.

Although Windu sympathized with Dibs' frustrations, he refused to entertain his claims, dismissing them as "bold accusations" and "grand inquisitions." Dibs interpreted this as mockery and ignited his lightsaber, intending to take Windu's life. Realizing that Dibs would not back down, Windu declared that he had failed in his responsibility to keep Dibs on the Jedi path. He then accepted Dibs' challenge by igniting his own lightsaber. Yet even as they fought, Windu pleaded with Dibs to cease his attack, reminding him that they were essentially brothers in the sense that they were both chosen to walk the path of the Jedi. Despite Dibs' resolve to kill Windu, he was ultimately disarmed and defeated by the Jedi champion.

The ordeal reminded Windu of his mission on Mathas years before the Clone Wars, where he was tempted to take the life of the false prophet Drooz. Recalling his past experience with deciding another person's fate, Windu decided to arrest Dibs and leave his punishment to the will of the High Council. After securing Dibs on the Westwind, the remaining Jedi proceeded to bring their mission to an end by attacking AD-W4's headquarters. Although his own faith was tested during the duel, Dibs' accusations ultimately strengthened Windu's resolve and his belief that the Jedi Order existed to protect people from the malevolence of the dark side.

While Fisto created a distraction by confronting the battle droids, his comrades executed their respective parts of the mission, with Mano infiltrating a Separatist supply ship and Windu challenging AD-W4 to single combat. As they fought, the droid mercenary attempted to provoke Windu by accusing him of hypocrisy and secretly enjoying his newfound authority as a general in the Grand Army of the Republic. Although it briefly overpowered the Jedi Master, Windu ultimately prevailed, using both his Force powers and lightsaber to defeat AD-W4. He also rejected its claims against him, asserting that his virtues were influenced by altruism and the concept of right versus wrong. AD-W4 was confident that its mission was a success despite the Jedi's efforts to prevent the Separatists from gaining a valuable energy source that could fuel their war effort against the Republic. However, Windu had anticipated the supply ship's purpose and instructed Mano to destroy it; the young Jedi Knight succeeded in her task—destroying the ship along with its flora samples—and moved to assist Fisto against the remaining droids in accordance with Windu's orders. Having failed in its mission, AD-W4 attempted to escape by disconnecting its head from its disabled body. The effort was futile as Windu used the Force to cause the head to explode, destroying AD-W4 and ending the Separatist operation on Hissrich.

Upon returning to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Windu provided the High Council with a report on the success of his team's mission. The leaders of the Jedi Order decided to dispatch a force of clone troopers to Hissrich to eliminate the remaining droids and provide aid to the planet's indigenous population. In addition to their plans for replanting and reconstruction on Hissrich, Yoda announced that they would study samples of the flora to learn more about its properties. The next item on their agenda was the trial of Prosset Dibs, who remained under arrest for his conduct during the Hissrich operation. Dibs, who had turned against his team and attacked Windu—a Jedi Master and a general in the Republic military—stood before the leaders of the Jedi Order accused of heresy and insubordination. He was ultimately found guilty on both charges, including treason, but although Dibs expected to be put to death, Windu implored his colleagues to be merciful.

Dibs's discontent resonated with Windu, who himself felt uneasy about the Jedi's growing role in the military. Windu did not think Dibs should be blamed for his feelings of anger and confusion, considering them understandable reactions to the realities of war. Therefore, he felt the Jedi had an obligation to assist those within the Order who had lost their way. Despite Dibs's continued skepticism of Windu's sincerity, Windu requested that the prisoner be granted probation, assigning him to work within the Jedi Archives in the hope that he would reconsider his views. After the trial concluded, Windu confided in Mano his hope for a reconciliation between Dibs and the Council, sensing that the Order would require the strength of every Jedi as they faced what he believed would be their most challenging period—a prolonged war filled with trials and tribulations. While he continued to desire a swift resolution to the conflict, Windu acknowledged that it was not currently feasible. He believed that the Jedi Order's best course of action was to maintain their faith in the Force and defend not only the citizens of the Republic but also all the inhabitants of the galaxy.

As a high-ranking member of the Jedi Council, Windu oversaw the Republic's war efforts from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, frequently consulting with Grand Master Yoda and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine on matters of strategic importance and diplomatic relations. However, he also occasionally participated in active combat, leading clone troopers and Jedi on various military campaigns with Commander Ponds serving as his second-in-command. Windu's battlefield accomplishments served to reinforce his reputation as a formidable warrior and a champion of the Jedi Order. He assumed command of both the 187th Battalion and the distinguished 187th Legion.

Early in the war, Rotta, the young Huttlet son of Jabba Desilijic Tiure, was kidnapped by Separatist forces, who aimed to undermine the Jedi Knights' reputation and prevent a potential alliance between the Republic and the Hutt Clan. Following Rotta's abduction, Jabba sent out a widespread distress signal seeking assistance in rescuing his son. Although Palpatine quickly sought to leverage this situation to the Republic's advantage, Windu urged caution, suspecting that there was more to the Huttlet's kidnapping than initially met the eye. He also informed the chancellor that Republic forces were already strained due to the actions of the Separatist general Grievous, making it difficult to allocate a significant number of Jedi to the rescue mission. Given Palpatine's insistence that the Republic clone army needed to secure safe passage through the Outer Rim Hyperspace routes within Hutt Space, Windu ultimately agreed to assign the mission to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, as they were available after having liberated the planet Christophsis from Separatist control.

Shortly thereafter, Windu received information from Advanced Recon Force Scout Troopers indicating that Rotta had been tracked to an old monastery on the planet Teth. Given the monastery's strong defenses, Windu instructed the troopers to remain in position and await the arrival of Republic reinforcements. He then redirected three of Admiral Wurtz's cruisers to support the rescue operation. Despite Count Dooku's efforts to forge an alliance between the Confederacy and the Hutt Clan, Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, successfully rescued Rotta from captivity. The Separatists were defeated on Teth, and Jabba learned of Dooku's conspiracy, which subsequently allowed the Republic to secure passage through the Hyperspace lanes within Hutt territory.

Following the Separatist invasion of the planet Ryloth, Jedi generals Windu, Kenobi, and Yoda requested that Senator Bail Organa negotiate with King Katuunko of Toydaria, hoping to secure his planet's support as a staging ground for delivering relief supplies to the Twi'lek people. General Windu personally oversaw the campaign aimed at reclaiming the Twi'lek homeworld. In response to the Republic's impending counterattack, Wat Tambor, the foreman of the Techno Union and Separatist emir of Ryloth, ordered the Confederacy navy to establish a blockade around the planet. Consequently, Windu tasked Skywalker and Tano with the responsibility of breaking through the blockade to create a path for the rest of the Republic invasion force. After overcoming some challenges, the Master and Padawan succeeded in their mission, enabling Windu and Kenobi to begin landing their ground forces on Ryloth.

To gain a secure position on Ryloth, Windu directed Kenobi to lead a detachment from the 212th Attack Battalion on a mission aimed at securing the landing zone near the city of Nabat. However, on Tambor's orders, Separatist battle droids used the local Twi'lek population as human shields to protect their proton cannons. Despite the threat that these cannons posed to the Republic Navy, Windu informed Kenobi that rescuing the hostages was the top priority. Following the success of Kenobi's mission, Windu and his forces landed on Ryloth's surface and proceeded with the final phase of the campaign: the liberation of the planet's capital city, Lessu.

The liberation of Ryloth progressed, but the advance toward the capital was fraught with danger. After suffering casualties and damage to his All Terrain Tactical Enforcers, Windu decided to seek assistance from Cham Syndulla, the leader of the local resistance against the Separatist occupation. Syndulla hesitated to align his cause with the Republic, fearing that Ryloth would simply replace one oppressive force with another. However, the suffering of his people motivated him to communicate with Ryloth's senator, Orn Free Taa. While Windu had long held a distaste for politics, he was nonetheless a skilled diplomat. His abilities as a mediator enabled him to guide the corpulent politician and the freedom fighter toward a compromise: Taa pledged that the clone army would withdraw from Ryloth once the remaining Separatists had been driven out. In return, Syndulla promised not to exploit his popularity to seize power from Ryloth's democratically elected senator.

The combined forces of Republic clone troopers and Twi'lek freedom fighters laid siege to Lessu, which Tambor was in the process of evacuating, though not without seizing much of Ryloth's wealth. The attack on the capital was jointly led by Syndulla and Windu, until the latter diverted from the main battle to prevent Tambor's escape. As a result of the emir's delayed departure, Tambor was stranded on Ryloth, allowing Windu to capture him at lightsaber-point. Several Separatist bombers made a desperate attempt to bombard the capital, but their efforts failed when Skywalker and Tano intercepted and destroyed the enemy starfighters in their respective Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptors.

With Lessu liberated and the Skakoan emir captured, the campaign concluded in victory for both the Republic and Ryloth. Many Twi'leks gathered in the capital to celebrate their newfound freedom as clone troopers and freedom fighters marched through the city in a triumphant parade. General Windu and Commander Ponds were in attendance, as were Syndulla and Senator Taa.

At some point following the Ryloth campaign, Windu found himself stationed on Ryloth. It was during this assignment that he rescued Neesha Tor, a Twi'lek orphan who was treated poorly. Utilizing the Force, he ensured her safety after she fell from a cliff.

Following the Confederate victory on the planet Felucia, Windu and the Jedi Council expressed their disapproval of Tano's failure to immediately follow orders to withdraw from the battle. As a form of discipline, they temporarily reassigned her to serve as a guard within the Jedi Archives of the Temple. When Tano inquired about the duration of her guard duty, Windu responded coldly by extending her punishment. Shortly thereafter, Windu and Yoda discovered that the Temple had been infiltrated by thieves; unbeknownst to the Jedi, Darth Sidious had hired the bounty hunter Cad Bane to steal one of the Order's holocrons. As Kenobi and Skywalker pursued the intruders, Bane sacrificed his droid, Todo 360, by deploying it to the communication center as a bomb. Before the droid could detonate, Windu used the Force push ability to propel Todo into the ventilation system, where it subsequently exploded. This diversion aided Bane in his escape from the Temple with a holocron. However, Tano managed to capture his partner, Cato Parasitti, who revealed to Windu and the other Jedi that Bane's next target was Bolla Ropal, the guardian of the Kyber memory crystal. Windu realized the true motive behind the theft: the stolen holocron could be used to access the data contained within the crystal, which included the identities and locations of all known Force-sensitive children in the galaxy. With the Jedi Order's future at risk, the Council dispatched Kenobi to hunt down Bane, while Skywalker and Tano traveled to the Devaron system to locate Ropal.

Skywalker and Tano were unsuccessful in preventing Bane from stealing the crystal. Knowing that the bounty hunter's next objective was to kidnap the Force-sensitive children, the Jedi shifted their strategy to meditation. Windu, Yoda, Kenobi, and Skywalker delved into the Force, seeking to identify the children who were in immediate danger from Bane. The Force guided the Jedi to the planets Rodia and Naboo. Kenobi was unable to prevent the abduction of the Rodian infant Wee Dunn, but the Gungan child Roo-Roo Page was saved, and Bane was apprehended by Skywalker and Tano. Windu personally conducted Bane's interrogation, although he initially made no progress, sensing that the mercenary's fear of his client outweighed his fear of the Jedi Order. At Tano's suggestion, Windu, Kenobi, and Skywalker simultaneously used the mind trick technique on Bane. Despite the risk of permanently damaging Bane's mind, the Jedi felt they had no other option but to force his compliance for the sake of the Order's future. The experience proved too overwhelming for Bane, who eventually yielded to the Jedi's demands.

Bane guided Windu, Kenobi, and Clone Commander CC-2224 to Black Stall Station, where the holocron was being held. The Jedi inadvertently activated the station's defense turrets, enabling Bane to flee the space station in an escape pod while Windu and Kenobi defended themselves. Ultimately, both Jedi Masters survived the trap and escaped with the holocron just before the station was destroyed. Simultaneously, Skywalker and Tano tracked the missing infants to the planet Mustafar and successfully rescued them all, preventing them from being used in the schemes of the Dark Lord of the Sith.

When the Separatists launched an invasion of Malastare, the homeworld of the Dug species, Windu once again took to the battlefield, leading Republic forces alongside Commander Ponds and General Skywalker. The Republic's goals extended beyond preventing the Separatist conquest of Malastare; they also sought to secure access to Malastarian fuel. Doge Nakha Urus, the leader of Malastare, agreed to sign a trade treaty with the Republic, provided that Windu's forces first drove the Separatists off Malastarian soil. However, the Republic soon found itself significantly outnumbered when confronting the Separatist invasion force in open combat.

Despite this disadvantage, the Republic had a contingency plan: the electro-proton bomb, developed by Republic scientist Doctor Sionver Boll, was designed to neutralize a specific target: Separatist battle droids. The doctor assured Windu and Chancellor Palpatine, who communicated with Republic forces via hologram, that the bomb posed no threat to organic-based units, such as clone troopers and the Malastarian Dugs. The Chancellor approved the plan, but it did little to alleviate Windu's concerns. Although the Jedi Master suggested seeking an alternative solution, Palpatine and Urus authorized the bomb's use. Upon detonation, the immediate blast incinerated the droids closest to the explosion. The subsequent EMP radiation discharge caused the remaining droids to shut down, along with all machinery within proximity of the blast.

While the experimental bomb successfully neutralized the entire Separatist invasion force in a single strike, the surface began to collapse as a result of the explosion, creating a massive sinkhole that originated at ground zero and expanded in all directions. A rescue operation was launched to search for the Republic troops who had fallen into the sinkhole. After losing contact with the rescue party, Windu and Ponds led a team to determine the fate of the survivors. Their investigation ultimately led them to the discovery of the Zillo Beast, an ancient creature native to Malastare that the Dug population had long believed to be extinct. Awakened by the bomb, the beast pursued Windu and his troops, including Ponds, Trapper, and Hawkeye, until Skywalker created a diversion by performing aerial maneuvers around it in his Jedi starfighter.

After escaping from the sinkhole, Windu regrouped with Skywalker and Urus to devise a strategy to neutralize the Zillo Beast. The Malastarian doge insisted that the creature (which he considered a "dangerous bloodthirsty monster") should be destroyed, a plan that Palpatine supported to ensure the Dugs' cooperation with the Republic's need for Malastare's fuel. However, Windu strongly objected on the grounds of Jedi morality. Given the possibility that the beast was the last of its kind, the Jedi Master was determined to preserve its life. His respect for life clashed with Urus's insistence on exterminating the creature. Urus proceeded with his plan upon discovering the harmful effects of Malastarian gas on the Zillo Beast, prompting Windu to intervene in defense of the creature's life by threatening the doge with his lightsaber.

The situation was eventually resolved when a group of Republic RX-200 Falchion-class assault tanks focused their fire on the Zillo Beast, incapacitating it. The Dugs believed that the beast was dead, but the stun cannons had merely rendered it unconscious, long enough for Republic forces to transport it to Coruscant for scientific research. Although the Dug Council formally ratified Malastare's treaty with the Republic, Windu made no effort to hide his disapproval of Palpatine's decision to bring the dangerous beast to the galactic capital, a move that the Jedi Master considered foolish.

Windu accompanied the sedated Zillo Beast back to Coruscant. As the clone army transported the beast to the Republic Science and Technical Center, Windu reiterated his disapproval of Palpatine's decision to move such a dangerous creature to the capital. However, it was clear to him that the Chancellor would disregard the Jedi Master's counsel on this matter. Palpatine argued that the research conducted on the Zillo Beast would benefit the Republic's war efforts, but his reassurance did little to ease Windu's concerns about Coruscant's safety. At Kenobi's suggestion, the Jedi turned to Senator Padmé Amidala, hoping that she would have more success in reasoning with the Chancellor.

Shortly after its arrival, the Zillo Beast escaped from its confinement and began to wreak havoc throughout the galactic capital's cityscape. Windu and the other Jedi mobilized Republic forces to prevent the beast from causing further damage and casualties on Coruscant. Palpatine, who had ordered the beast's destruction, was caught in its path while attempting to evacuate the Senate Office Building. Consequently, Windu and the Jedi focused their efforts on saving the Chancellor's life, which ultimately led to the death of the Zillo Beast when Palpatine ordered the Republic gunships to fire Malastarian gas bombs at it.

During the Clone Wars, Senator Rush Clovis of the planet Scipio became a suspected traitor to the Republic. However, due to a lack of evidence, Windu and the Jedi Council instructed Skywalker to recruit Senator Amidala as a spy, believing that their past relationship would enable the Naboo politician to gain the alleged traitor's trust. Ultimately, the Council's suspicions about Clovis proved correct, as Amidala uncovered evidence that her colleague had secretly collaborated with the Separatists on behalf of the InterGalactic Banking Clan while pretending to be a Republic loyalist.

From the early weeks of the Clone War, Windu personally oversaw the defense of Dantooine against enemy forces seeking to seize control of the planet from the Republic. The Jedi Master's forces successfully prevented Dantooine from falling into enemy hands but also suffered significant casualties in the process. After the battle, Windu sent a distress signal, which Ki-Adi-Mundi received shortly after the Republic's reconquest of Geonosis, informing the Jedi of his victory while simultaneously requesting medical supplies for his injured soldiers.

Windu, along with Commander Ponds and Lightning Squadron, were dispatched to investigate a communication disruption on Ridlay. Upon arrival, they discovered an abandoned village with only one inhabitant, Agon. He claimed that ghosts were approaching. Windu and the squadron then joined the villagers in their shelter. According to the villagers, the ghosts appear every fifty years during Ridlay's eclipse for a celebration. However, the ghosts had driven them from their homes. Windu suspected that there was more to the ghosts' behavior and asked Agon to lead him to the Ascension Well. Windu and the squadron realized that the ghosts were in conflict due to the presence of Separatist forces led by Dooku.

Windu engaged Dooku in combat until Dooku used the Force push ability against him. Dooku withdrew from the fight and ordered his battle droids to eliminate Windu and his forces. Windu instructed Ponds and Lightning Squadron to retreat while he dealt with the droids. Windu then rescued Agon from a ghost and was able to cleanse their minds of Dooku's influence. Windu and Agon observed as the ghosts returned to normal and departed as the eclipse concluded.

As the conflict deepened, Boba Fett schemed to murder Windu, seeking retribution for the demise of Jango Fett, his father and the original clone. With the assistance of bounty hunters Aurra Sing, Bossk, and Castas, Fett managed to infiltrate a group of clone cadets during a tour of the Venator-class Star Destroyer Endurance, which was under Windu's command. Initially, Boba's plan was to eliminate Windu by planting an explosive within his personal quarters. However, Windu was unexpectedly called away just seconds before the bomb detonated, resulting in the death of a clone trooper instead. As the crew of the Endurance initiated a search for the would-be assassin, the renegade clone altered his strategy, choosing to sabotage the Star Destroyer's reactor core. This act caused the starship to plummet onto the surface of Vanqor. After Windu and Skywalker escaped the doomed vessel, they searched for survivors and discovered an escape pod containing the cadets, but Fett was missing. Sing had rescued him in Slave I before the Jedi arrived.

Following the destruction of the Endurance, Windu and Skywalker journeyed to the crash site with hopes of discovering survivors, including Admiral Kilian and CT-411, who chose to remain with the ship as it crashed. During the search operation, Windu criticized Skywalker for fostering individuality within his droid, the astromech unit R2-D2. Soon after, the Jedi generals came across several deceased clones, finding evidence that they had survived the initial crash only to be executed shortly thereafter. On the bridge, Skywalker noticed a Mandalorian helmet amidst the wreckage. This discovery triggered Windu's memory of both Jango and Boba Fett, leading him to the realization that Boba was the one who had attempted to assassinate him. Although Windu could not prevent Skywalker from activating the bomb inside the helmet, he managed to save the younger Jedi's life by using the Force to pull him away from the impending explosion. However, the blast caused further damage to the bridge, leaving both men trapped and injured beneath a substantial pile of debris. Unable to free themselves, Skywalker instructed R2-D2 to communicate their situation to the Jedi Temple. Conversely, Windu expressed skepticism about the droid's ability to succeed.

While trapped and awaiting rescue, Windu began to contemplate his actions during the Battle of Geonosis, specifically his victory over Jango Fett and how Boba had witnessed his father's death at Windu's hand. Eventually, Skywalker's droid returned with a rescue team, which included Plo Koon, Ahsoka Tano, and the clone troopers of Wolfpack. They successfully saved both Jedi moments before the complete collapse of the Endurance bridge. Before departing for Coruscant, Windu commended R2-D2 for saving his life, much to Skywalker's surprise.

Upon their return to the Republic capital, Windu and Skywalker recuperated at the Jedi Temple, where they initially disagreed on how to proceed following Fett's assassination attempt. Skywalker advocated for the Jedi to pursue the rogue clone and bring him to justice, but Windu was content to let the matter rest, preferring not to engage in a personal vendetta like Fett. However, a transmission from Aurra Sing, revealing that she had taken hostages from the Endurance, altered Windu's perspective. Witnessing Sing's execution of CT-411, Windu resolved to confront Fett and his associates. Due to his injuries, he delegated the task to Koon and Tano. Their mission proved successful, leading to Fett's capture and the liberation of the remaining hostages. On Coruscant, Windu personally confronted Fett, who expressed regret for his actions aboard the Endurance but refused to forgive the Jedi for Jango's death. Consequently, Windu sent the unrepentant clone to prison.

After Fett's apprehension, Windu was present at the funeral for the Rodian senator Onaconda Farr, who had been murdered by his personal aide, Lolo Purs.

Later in the war, the Jedi Council received a holorecording documenting the Devaron massacre. Windu and Kenobi analyzed the footage, which featured the Zabrak warrior Savage Opress, initially mistaken by Kenobi for Darth Maul. Windu corrected his colleague, clarifying that the Zabrak in the recording was not the Sith Lord he had battled on Naboo. He further clarified that both the Zabrak and Maul were Dathomirians originating from Dathomir, not Iridonia as they had previously believed in Maul's case.

When the Council received intelligence suggesting that bounty hunter Moralo Eval was plotting to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine, despite being held at the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center, Windu, Yoda, and Kenobi devised a scheme for Kenobi to infiltrate Eval's operation by impersonating the bounty hunter Rako Hardeen. Windu orchestrated Skywalker to arrest Kenobi, posing as Hardeen, and have him imprisoned. Subsequently, they received information that Cad Bane was planning to liberate Eval. Following Eval, Bane, and Kenobi's escape from the detention center, Windu and Yoda rescinded the bounty on them to ensure their continued journey to Serenno, where Count Dooku awaited their arrival.

While Kenobi maintained his Hardeen persona, Windu accompanied the Supreme Chancellor to his home planet of Naboo for the Festival of Light. During the ceremony, the bounty hunters executed their plan, deactivating the ray shield and abducting Palpatine. However, due to Kenobi's intervention, Windu and Skywalker were able to capture Bane and Eval before they could escape with their prisoner.

Following a terrorist explosion in a hangar at the Jedi Temple, the Council summoned Skywalker and his apprentice back to Coruscant. After briefing them on the situation, Windu and Yoda assigned them to oversee the Jedi Order's internal investigation. They also suspected that the attack was perpetrated by a rogue Jedi. Given that neither Skywalker nor Tano were present during the bombing, Windu and the Grand Master considered them above suspicion and therefore suitable for the task. Throughout the investigation, Skywalker and Tano reported directly to Windu, who emphasized the urgency of resolving the case due to growing rumors within the Senate that the military police might become involved. With the arrest of Letta Turmond, Windu and Yoda concluded that the radical Coruscanti was the primary culprit in the Temple hangar bombing. While there was no immediate indication of Jedi involvement, the incident fueled anti-Jedi sentiment among the Republic's populace, a development that concerned Windu.

After Turmond's arrest, Windu attended a funeral ceremony to commemorate the six Jedi Knights who perished in the hangar explosion. Shortly thereafter, Skywalker's Padawan became a suspect in the bombing after Turmond was Force-choked to death in her presence. Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin contacted the Council, asserting that Tano had not only murdered Turmond but also several clone troopers during her escape from the Republic Center for Military Operations. The Council sought to apprehend the fugitive Padawan, although Windu was apprehensive about Yoda's decision to task Skywalker with pursuing his own apprentice, believing that his emotional connection to Tano would complicate the mission.

The pursuit of Tano resulted in her capture and subsequent confinement within the Jedi Temple. As the Council deliberated on her fate, Tarkin contacted them on behalf of the Senate, urging the Jedi leadership to expel Tano and surrender her to military custody. Windu was troubled by the Council's options, which included standing by Tano, as Kenobi advocated, or removing her from the Order, as the Senate demanded. Ultimately, Windu sided with Tarkin, arguing that refusing to submit Tano for trial could be construed as defiance of the Senate. At Yoda's direction, the young Padawan was brought to the Chamber of Judgment, where five Council members, including Windu, reviewed the charges against her and requested her plea. Tano maintained her innocence, insisting that the Council was being deceived, but unable to identify the true perpetrator, Windu announced the Council's decision to revoke Tano's Jedi status and hand her over to the Republic's military custody.

Following her expulsion, Windu attended Tano's military trial alongside other Council members. Before the verdict could be announced, however, Skywalker interrupted, revealing the true culprit, Barriss Offee, who confessed to the crimes Tano had been accused of and bitterly accused the Jedi of being responsible for the Clone War.

As a result of this revelation, Windu and the Council sought to make amends with Tano. In addition to a personal apology from Skywalker, Plo Koon conveyed the Council's sincerest apologies. Saesee Tiin, Mundi, and Windu all viewed Tano's ordeal as a "great trial" in her training, asserting that she had emerged a greater Jedi than she would have been otherwise. Although Windu and his colleagues were prepared to reinstate her into the Order with a promotion to Jedi Knight, Tano felt betrayed and declined the offer, choosing instead to leave the Temple to seek a new path.

Windu later accompanied Representative Jar Jar Binks to assist the Bardottan Queen Julia in locating the missing Dagoyan Masters. However, the Queen and the Bardottans did not welcome Windu's presence due to a long-standing distrust of the Jedi by the Dagoyans. Windu also sensed an imbalance in the Force on Bardotta. Nevertheless, when the queen disappeared, Windu aided the Bardottans and Binks in their search within the catacombs of the Frangawl Cult. When Binks vanished, Windu tracked him down and rescued him from being sacrificed. However, the Frangawl cult leader escaped with the queen off-world. Binks assured the Bahk-tov Council that they would locate the queen before the prophecy was fulfilled.

Windu learned from Binks that the Frangawl cult was extracting the living force from the Dagoyan masters and storing it in a sphere, surmising that they intended to do the same to Queen Julia. Windu then sensed the orb on Zardossa Stix, where he located her in a city market square. Windu battled several cultists and saved Binks from capture, stunning one Gundark and killing another. He interrogated the Gundarks' trainer, who informed them that the mysterious "Great Mother" would deal with him. Windu and Binks utilized an eopie and a dalgo to aid in their search, traveling to the Zardossan temple. However, they were confronted by stone guardians, whom Windu defeated. He then confronted the Great Mother, who revealed herself to be the Nightsister Mother Talzin. With Binks' assistance, Windu prevented Talzin from absorbing the sphere's power and witnessed her disappearance.

Responding to a cryptic distress signal, Plo Koon discovered a crashed Jedi shuttle and recovered Sifo-Dyas' lightsaber from the wreckage, surprising the High Council. Sifo-Dyas' lightsaber had been missing since his death a decade before the Clone Wars. Skywalker and Kenobi were dispatched to investigate, uncovering that Sifo-Dyas had been murdered by Pyke criminals rather than the native Felucians he had been sent to negotiate with, as the Council had previously believed. Furthermore, they discovered that the Pykes were acting under orders from Count Dooku. A confrontation between Dooku and the Jedi on the Oba Diah moon led the Order to the revelation that Dooku was the enigmatic Tyranus who had hired Jango Fett as the clone template, thus making him responsible for the creation of the clone army.

The High Council now understood that the Sith were involved in the development of the clone troopers. However, they struggled to comprehend why their adversaries would provide them with the means to defend the Republic. Windu cautioned that such a revelation could easily erode public confidence in the Jedi, the Republic, and the war effort. Consequently, the conspiracy was classified as confidential. Yoda instructed his colleagues to not disclose their discovery to anyone, including Chancellor Palpatine. He also dismissed any concerns regarding the clone troopers, citing their valiant service and loyalty to the Jedi. Windu remained uncertain about Yoda's decision, but the Grand Master assured him that it was the only viable option available to the Jedi Order under the circumstances.

Shortly thereafter, Yoda began to exhibit unusual behavior, becoming noticeably preoccupied and pensive during meetings. This surprised and worried Windu, who sensed significant inner turmoil within Yoda. He expressed his concerns to Obi-Wan Kenobi in a private discussion, and they decided to monitor their old friend more closely. Later, a clearly uncertain Yoda revealed that he had communicated with the deceased Qui-Gon Jinn. However, the collective knowledge of the Jedi regarding the Force suggested that retaining one's individuality after death was impossible, leading to reactions ranging from concern to skepticism and suspicion within the Council. Despite meditating with Yoda for an entire day, they were unable to sense anything. Following the unsuccessful meditation, Ki-Adi-Mundi suggested that Yoda might be experiencing a deception orchestrated by the Sith. Kenobi refused to believe that Yoda could be susceptible to such manipulation, but Windu countered that, despite his wisdom and age, Yoda was not immune to the corruption of the dark side. The ancient Jedi master concurred and submitted himself for medical examination.

Windu, Kenobi, and Mundi were informed by Rig Nema that Yoda was in perfect mental health, despite approaching his nine hundredth year. Mundi, particularly skeptical of Yoda's claims, suggested that the Dark Lord of the Sith could be exploiting Yoda's connection to Dooku to manipulate him, but Kenobi vehemently rejected the notion, emphasizing that they had all been apprenticed to Yoda at some point. Before the discussion could continue, Nema proposed a deprivation ritual for Yoda to reach the source of the voice. During the procedure, Kenobi, Skywalker, Mundi, and Plo Koon observed the diminutive Jedi. Yoda managed to hear Jinn's instruction to travel to the Dagobah system before Kenobi noticed his vital signs were dangerously low and halted the test.

When Windu inquired about the procedure, Kenobi informed him that Yoda was certain he had contacted the dead. Mundi asserted that Yoda's claim was impossible and reiterated his suspicion that Yoda was under attack by the Sith. More concerned than ever, Windu ordered temple guards to monitor all of Yoda's movements. However, the diminutive Jedi Master soon managed to escape with Skywalker's assistance and R2-D2's companionship, embarking on a journey that would lead him to the mysterious world of Dagobah as well as the ancient Sith homeworld of Moraband. Immediately after Yoda's escape, a furious Windu confronted Skywalker, but the younger Jedi retorted that, for once, none of the events had been his idea. Upon arriving on Dagobah, Yoda was guided to the Cave of Evil by the disembodied voice of Jinn. The cave was saturated with the dark side, causing Yoda to experience clouded visions of the deaths of Windu and other members of the Jedi Order, followed by the ascent of the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

Upon Yoda's return to Coruscant, Windu and Kenobi greeted him, and Windu stated that the High Council was eager to hear Yoda's report, but the old Jedi master claimed that there was little to discuss. When Windu asked if his journey had provided him with insight on how to win the war, Yoda told them that he was no longer certain that the Jedi could win the Clone Wars but that, through hope and perseverance, the Jedi would ultimately triumph over the Sith.

After witnessing a devastating Separatist attack on Mahranee, and the slaughter of numerous Mahran refugees, Mace Windu implored the Jedi Council to consider his proposition to assassinate Count Dooku. Initially, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda opposed this course of action, fearing that such measures could lead them closer to the dark side. However, Windu countered their argument by reminding them of Dooku's pivotal role in the Separatist war effort. He also cautioned that unless the Jedi adapted, the war and its devastating consequences for the galaxy could continue indefinitely. Anakin Skywalker, invited by Kenobi to the Council meeting, concurred with Windu.

Windu and Skywalker also highlighted the escalating number of civilian casualties in the war, emphasizing that many more lives would be lost as long as the conflict persisted. After considering Windu's arguments, including his emphasis on the Jedi Order's responsibility to protect the innocent, the Republic, and its citizens, the Council sanctioned the plan. At Kenobi's suggestion, they assigned the mission to Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, given his expertise in covert operations. Vos, in turn, recruited Dooku's former apprentice, Asajj Ventress. However, after becoming romantically involved, Ventress persuaded Vos to train in the ways of the dark side to defeat Dooku.

The mission ultimately failed, as Dooku defeated both Force-sensitive assassins, leading to Vos' capture on Raxus Secundus. When Ventress reported directly to the Jedi Council, Windu greeted her with an arrest warrant but was persuaded by Kenobi and Yoda to hear her account of the mission. He was particularly displeased to learn that Ventress had exposed Vos to the dark side, but the former Separatist retorted by reminding Windu that he and the Council had assigned Vos the mission in the first place. When the Council decided to rescue Vos, Windu became exasperated by their decision to send Ventress on the mission but reluctantly agreed to follow Yoda's plan.

Although the rescue mission was successful, Windu and the Council soon grew suspicious of Vos' allegiance. After definitively concluding that Vos had secretly joined Dooku, and considering the potential repercussions of the fall of a Jedi Master of Vos' stature, Windu suggested that the Council consider the possibility of executing him as punishment for treason. Most of the Council supported this idea, given the Order's history with other Jedi who had turned to the dark side, such as Barriss Offee, Pong Krell, and especially Dooku. However, Kenobi persuaded them to grant Vos the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the Jedi and the Republic by making another attempt on the Count's life. In the event that Vos failed to assassinate Dooku, Kenobi and Skywalker were under orders from Windu to execute Vos.

Following the second battle of Christophsis, the Council reconvened to discuss the fate of Quinlan Vos, who had renounced the dark side after Ventress seemingly died while defending him from Dooku. At the same time, Windu spoke highly of Ventress, commending her decision to sacrifice her life for another. Kenobi, however, felt that he and the Council did not fully comprehend the true depths of her sacrifice. Despite their disagreement on the use of assassination, as well as the circumstances surrounding Vos' temporary turn to the dark side, the Council agreed to give him the chance to regain their trust by atoning for his actions.

In the wake of a battle between the Separatist forces and the Shadow Collective, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine informed Master Windu about sightings of Count Dooku and Darth Maul in the vicinity of Ord Mantell. Acting on this intelligence provided by the Chancellor, Windu spearheaded a contingent of clone troopers, accompanied by fellow Jedi Generals Kenobi, Tiplee, and Aayla Secura, and journeyed to the site of the conflict. Their objective was to bring the Clone Wars to a swift conclusion by apprehending both Sith Lords. After a thorough investigation of the area, the Jedi discovered the helmet belonging to a Mandalorian super commando, which led Windu to conclude that the alliance between Prime Minister Almec's government and the criminal syndicate remained active. Subsequently, the Jedi tracked Maul to Vizsla Keep 09 and launched a full-scale assault on the Mandalorian stronghold. During the engagement, Windu and Secura engaged Maul in a lightsaber duel, while Dooku clashed with Kenobi and Tiplee, the latter of whom was ultimately killed by the rogue Jedi Master.

Despite their best efforts, both Sith Lords managed to escape from the outpost, aided by Maul's Mandalorian commandos. Following the engagement, Windu reported back to the Chancellor, expressing his suspicion that Dooku and Maul were, in fact, master and apprentice. This theory led him to believe that Dooku might be the elusive second Sith Lord that the Jedi Order had been searching for since the events of the Naboo crisis.

As the war progressed, Windu commanded the 187th Battalion, working alongside Skywalker and the 501st Legion, in a campaign to liberate the planet Anaxes, which was under attack by the Separatist Admiral Trench. Despite weeks of intense fighting, the Separatists had gained a significant advantage. At the Republic's command center, Windu met with Skywalker after the droid forces had overrun their primary production facility, indicating an impending defeat. Legion Captain Rex of the 501st and Commander Cody of the 212th Attack Battalion arrived, and Rex shared his hypothesis that the droids had somehow acquired his tactical strategies. Windu authorized them to lead a small team of clone troopers on a covert mission behind enemy lines, infiltrating the Cyber Center to gather intelligence.

Unbeknownst to Windu and Skywalker, Rex also suspected, fearing they would dismiss it as madness, that ARC trooper CT-1409, known as "Echo," presumed dead during the Battle of Lola Sayu, was still alive. This suspicion stemmed from the fact that the strategies employed by both the Republic and the Separatists mirrored battle plans Rex had developed in collaboration with Echo. Ultimately, Rex's intuition proved correct, and Echo was rescued from Skako Minor. Subsequently, Windu briefed Kenobi, Skywalker, Rex, and Jesse on his plan to reclaim the Separatist assembly complex via an aerial assault. However, Echo proposed an alternate strategy: to be escorted by the Bad Batch into Trench's new comm vault located on a dreadnought in the planet's orbit. There, he would interface with the Separatist network to feed them false strategic movements. Windu, alongside Kenobi, led the assault, supported by the 501st Legion, the 91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps, and the 212th Attack Battalion. The battle concluded with the Republic securing all other fronts. As Trench initiated a countdown for an explosion that could devastate much of Anaxes, Windu played a crucial role in deactivating the bomb, thus saving the planet. Following the victory, Windu commended Rex, Clone Force 99, and Echo for their contributions during the battle. However, Echo and the commandos departed before the Republic's medal ceremony.

Windu maintained constant vigilance over Billaba's recovery process, following her devastating defeat at the Battle of Haruun Kal. When she finally emerged from the bacta tank, Windu playfully scolded her for "being glib" and shared his concerns with Yoda regarding her mental well-being, suggesting a comprehensive fitness evaluation. Windu, in conjunction with Kenobi, oversaw the initiate trials of Caleb Dume, Tai Uzuma, and Sammo Quid, as well as Billaba's assessments. Windu congratulated her on her successful performance, as the Jedi Council welcomed her back into the Order.

Shortly thereafter, Windu and Kenobi arrived to provide assistance to Billaba and Dume in the aftermath of an attack on the Jedi Temple. He also assigned Billaba and her battalion a new mission to Mygeeto.

In the wake of the Battle of Coruscant, Windu grew increasingly uneasy with Chancellor Palpatine's decision to appoint Anakin Skywalker as his personal representative on the Jedi High Council. While the Council reluctantly complied with the Chancellor's request, hoping to utilize the young Jedi as an informant against him, Windu cautioned his fellow Jedi that it was a perilous move to associate Skywalker so closely with Palpatine. Skywalker reacted with indignation to the Council's decision to deny him the rank of Jedi Master, but Windu swiftly corrected him. Around this time, the Council began to doubt Palpatine's willingness to relinquish his wartime powers. Consequently, Windu conceded that the Chancellor would need to be removed from power by force, and further stipulated that the Council would need to assume control of the Senate in order to maintain stability during the transition. Shortly thereafter, Ahsoka Tano, accompanied by the recently promoted Commander Rex, reported the successful capture of Maul during the Siege of Mandalore. Tano requested to speak with Skywalker, but was denied due to Skywalker's assignment with the Chancellor. Upon learning that Kenobi had located and engaged General Grievous, Tano expressed her belief that the war might soon be over, but Windu cautioned that the war's conclusion hinged on Palpatine. When Tano inquired as to his meaning, Windu declined to elaborate further with a citizen, stating that it was a matter for the High Council. Tano acknowledged her understanding, and Windu offered Tano a final nod before terminating the transmission.

Following the death of General Grievous during the Battle of Utapau, Windu resolved to restore the Senate to its pre-Clone Wars status. However, Skywalker then revealed to Windu that Sheev Palpatine was, in reality, Darth Sidious, the mastermind behind the war and the second Sith Lord that the Jedi had been seeking since the Naboo crisis. Realizing the Jedi had been deceived and knowing that the future of the Jedi Order was in grave danger, Windu and three other Jedi Masters—Agen Kolar, Tiin, and Fisto—rushed to Palpatine's office and attempted to arrest the Supreme Chancellor. Their confrontation escalated into a fierce lightsaber duel in which Sidious swiftly dispatched the latter three Jedi Masters.

Despite the loss of his comrades, Windu continued to fight and ultimately gained the upper hand in the duel, disarming the Sith Lord in the process. Skywalker, who had followed Windu despite being ordered to remain in the Temple, pleaded with the Jedi Master to spare the Chancellor's life, believing Sidious possessed the power to save Padmé Amidala from certain death. Windu, whose initial intention was to bring the Chancellor to justice, concluded that Sidious was too dangerous to be left alive given his control over the Senate and the courts. However, before Windu could deliver the fatal blow, Skywalker betrayed him by severing his right hand, allowing Sidious to unleash a torrent of Force lightning that sent the Jedi Order's most esteemed champion plummeting to his demise.

While Skywalker was horrified over causing Windu's death, he realized that there was no turning back, which caused him to embrace the dark side and become Sidious' apprentice, thus betraying the Jedi. Capitalizing on Windu's attempt on his life, Sidious branded the Jedi as traitors. After ordering Skywalker, who had become the Sith Lord Darth Vader, to lead the attack on the Jedi Temple, eliminate the Separatist leaders, and deactivate the battle droids, Sidious brainwashed the majority of the clone troopers into turning against the Jedi by issuing Order 66. This event ultimately led to the downfall and near annihilation of the Jedi Order.

Not long after the Battle of Fortress Vader, Vader entered a portal created by Darth Momin with the aim of resurrecting his deceased wife, Padmé Amidala. While navigating through a series of visions, he encountered Windu, along with numerous other Jedi, their lightsabers drawn and ready for battle. However, Vader shattered all of the illusions, severing Windu's hand before slashing his throat, all while the words "Let the past die" echoed through his mind.

The name of Mace Windu was subsequently vilified by the adherents of the Galactic Empire. Imperial history books taught that Windu was the ringleader of a "criminal organization" that interfered with a legitimate execution on Geonosis, thereby triggering the Clone Wars. Nevertheless, Windu's reputation was not entirely sullied by Imperial propaganda. During the Imperial Era, the people of Ryloth continued to revere his heroic actions in the Battle of Lessu, immortalizing his name, alongside that of Cham Syndulla, through songs commemorating their victory.

Windu was also remembered by Obi-Wan Kenobi, his colleague on the High Council, who ascended to the Cosmic Force as a Force spirit during the Galactic Civil War. His final apprentice, Luke Skywalker, strove to become a Jedi Knight, but risked a confrontation with Darth Vader—unaware at the time of his familial connection as the Dark Lord's son—before his Jedi training was complete. Skywalker's decision prompted Kenobi to question whether the young Jedi apprentice was their last hope, and he heard Windu's voice, along with those of other Jedi who had fallen with the Order, in response to his query.

With the collapse of the Empire and the rise of the New Republic, Luke Skywalker spearheaded an effort to restore the Jedi Order. His research uncovered a wealth of information about the Order's history, as well as the lives of prominent Jedi Masters, including Windu. Skywalker learned of Windu's reputation as a highly respected Jedi Master who served on the Jedi High Council during the Order's final years. He also learned about Windu's unwavering commitment to the Order and his military service to the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars.

Skywalker held Windu in high regard due to his adherence to Jedi doctrine, referring to him as a true champion of the Jedi Order's principles. In his book, The Secrets of the Jedi, Skywalker acknowledged Windu as a valiant general who fought for the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also aware that Windu harbored a distrust of politicians and was therefore concerned about the Order's intertwined relationship with the Galactic Senate. Skywalker believed that Windu's suspicions were ultimately vindicated by Darth Sidious' ascension to power as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. He learned that Windu had led a group of Jedi Masters in an attempt to arrest Sidious, and that Anakin Skywalker had intervened by siding with the chancellor. Luke considered Sidious to be corrupt and Anakin's intervention to be an act of betrayal. Skywalker believed that Windu could have defeated the Dark Lord of the Sith had his father not turned against the Jedi.

In 35 ABY, during the Battle of Exegol, Rey heard Windu's voice among the voices of other legendary Jedi of the past. With their support and the assistance of Anakin Skywalker's grandson, Ben Solo, Rey vanquished her grandfather, the resurrected Darth Sidious. She accomplished this by wielding Leia Organa's lightsaber and Luke Skywalker's lightsaber to deflect Sidious' Force lightning back upon him, disintegrating the Emperor's cloned body.

Mace Windu was a human male characterized by brown eyes, dark skin, a robust physique, and a height of 1.92 meters. His head was completely bald; however, in his youth, Windu possessed black hair and a braid that signified his status as a Padawan.

Mace Windu dedicated his life to the Jedi Order from his early days as a Padawan learner. However, during his formative years, he struggled to control the frustrations he felt toward anything that contradicted the ideals of the Jedi, which Windu held in high regard. While his feelings were not inherently wrong, according to his mentor, Jedi Master Cyslin Myr, she believed that her apprentice needed to channel his hostility into a positive force. During their mission on Mathas, he found Drooz's use of religion offensive, having observed how the false prophet exploited his followers' faith. Faith was a beautiful concept to a spiritual young man like Windu, and he could not tolerate Drooz's heretical actions.

Even as a youngling, Windu never appreciated Yoda's humor, which prompted the Grand Master to continue making jokes, often teasing the younger Jedi. Although he struggled to control his animosity toward heretics and con artists, Windu demonstrated empathy for others, particularly the natives of Mathas who suffered from the effects of the Niffin plague. He saw them as innocents but was also perplexed by their refusal to recognize Drooz as a charlatan rather than a prophet. While pursuing Drooz, who mocked Windu by disparaging the Jedi Order, the young Jedi nearly took Drooz's life, believing he deserved to be punished for using the Jedi's own belief system to prey on those who expressed faith in the Force.

As a Jedi Master, Mace Windu was both disciplined and steadfast, as well as unwaveringly committed to the doctrine of the Jedi Order. A shrewd and experienced member of the High Council, Windu sought to safeguard the Order from the corruption and turmoil within the Galactic Republic. Although he firmly believed in the Jedi's role as servants of the Republic, the relationship between the Order and the Senate made him uncomfortable. Known for his stern demeanor, Windu held corrupt politicians and rebellious Jedi in low regard. He had little patience for the failures of the Senate and was disdainful of Jedi who disobeyed the will of the High Council. Obi-Wan Kenobi noted that Windu had a habit of scowling at everyone. Holding the Jedi teachings as sacrosanct, Windu was suspicious of anyone he perceived to be a threat to the traditions of the Order. He often debated the "maverick" Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn, but neither of them enjoyed such discussions.

A staunch traditionalist in many ways, Windu was long regarded as the great champion of the Jedi Order. His commitment to the Order's ancient traditions often put him at odds with less orthodox Jedi, such as Qui-Gon Jinn and especially Anakin Skywalker. All the same, Windu's reputation as a traditionalist was somewhat challenged by the fact he created the Vaapad form of lightsaber combat, doing so out of a recognition that an internal darkness existed within himself; through Vaapad, he reasoned, he could channel that darkness to positive ends. In the days before the Naboo Crisis, when he thought Yoda was hiding something, he went straight to talk to the Grand Master, who waited for Windu to "crack" by not speaking. During their discussion, the two found they disagreed on whether "something" and "nothing" were opposites; Windu, feeling they were indeed opposites, was sure of himself, while Yoda did not like to presume the unknown. Windu also did not enjoy the exposure that came when one of his questions was turned back at him. Despite finding Yoda's behaviors distracting, he always respected Yoda's judgement and knew to follow his training, deciding the Force would educate him about the issue when the time came.

In their initial encounter, Windu was unimpressed with Skywalker. He was not only skeptical of Skywalker's status as the Chosen One but also felt that he was too old to fully commit himself to the ways of the Jedi. Despite his reservations, however, Windu came to respect Skywalker even in his early days as a Padawan and came to regard Skywalker as an exceptionally skilled, yet tempestuous, Jedi. They maintained a cordial relationship during the Clone Wars and often bantered with each other on a first-name basis when working together.

While he respected Skywalker's abilities, he still considered the young Jedi Knight to be overly emotional. As a result, by the end of the Clone Wars, Windu began to doubt that Skywalker was the Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force. He harbored serious reservations about Skywalker's appointment to the High Council at the insistence of Chancellor Palpatine, believing it was too risky to have Skywalker spying on Palpatine. Kenobi sometimes felt Windu had a special frown reserved just for Skywalker.

Windu's reservations were overshadowed by the start of the Clone Wars. In the early stages of the conflict, Windu grappled with feelings of uncertainty regarding the Jedi's new role as warriors, as well as remorse for the Jedi who perished during the Battle of Geonosis. In his moments of doubt, he sought wisdom and guidance from Yoda. The ancient Grand Master advised his fellow Councilor to maintain faith in the will of the Force and to not question his role in the Order, for in Yoda's eyes, Windu was a wise and capable leader. During a mission on Hissrich, Windu's faith was further tested by his interactions with the Jedi Prosset Dibs, who harbored his own reservations about the Order's involvement in the conflict.

While Dibs grew increasingly doubtful, believing the Jedi did not belong on the battlefield, Windu became more certain that—as Jedi Knights—they had a duty to protect the innocent and restore peace to the galaxy. Dibs ultimately accused the Jedi Order of abandoning their traditions, causing Windu to reaffirm his conviction that it was not wrong to fight for the ideals he believed in. Windu felt that the Jedi never desired to fight in a war, but circumstances compelled them to become a sword instead of a shield for the Republic.

Windu viewed Skywalker's apprentice, Padawan Ahsoka Tano, as another rebellious Jedi. When Tano was framed for treason, Windu supported the High Council's decision to revoke her status as a Jedi and turn her over to the Republic for a military tribunal. While their verdict pained him, Windu concurred with Tarkin's position on the matter—an internal Jedi trial would appear biased, and to protect Tano would be to defy the wishes of the Senate. He therefore felt that submitting Tano for trial was the only feasible option available to the Council. After her innocence was proven, however, Windu joined his colleagues in offering to welcome Tano back into the Order, proclaiming her a greater Jedi because of her ordeal, which he observed as the great trial in her path to Jedi Knighthood. Tano declined to return, a decision that surprised Windu and the Council.

Despite his commitment to the ancient traditions of the Order, the Clone Wars forced Windu to reevaluate some of his beliefs and preconceptions, prompting his fellow Jedi to take actions that were previously considered unthinkable. He adhered to the Order's strict code throughout the Clone Wars but also began to consider its potential shortcomings. Prior to the Battle of Geonosis, Windu did not believe it was in the nature of a Jedi—even a former one such as Count Dooku—to commit assassination. The onset of the Clone Wars led Windu to realize that his old friend was more than a "political idealist"; Dooku had embraced the dark side as an enemy of the Order and the Republic he had once served. As the death toll mounted after nearly three years of continuous warfare, Windu proposed assassinating Dooku in the hope of preventing further civilian casualties. Although his colleague, Obi-Wan Kenobi, argued that assassination was against the Jedi Code, Windu pointed out that it was also against the Jedi way to allow innocent people to suffer needlessly.

As the war progressed, Windu was compelled to engage in politics. Although he disliked the system, he proved to be a capable diplomat during the Ryloth campaign, successfully mediating a truce between two rivals, Senator Orn Free Taa and Cham Syndulla. However, his efforts to find a diplomatic solution were less successful on Anaxes. Upon encountering a regiment of battle droids, he offered to have them reprogrammed in exchange for their unconditional surrender, citing his ability to destroy Separatist droids as a reason to avoid fighting him. Their response was to attack, forcing Windu and Kenobi to defend themselves. He also valued the lives of his soldiers, as evidenced by his use of the Force to save two clones from certain death, even while endangering himself in the process.

Despite how the conflict forced the Jedi into the roles of generals and warriors, Windu remained committed to the Jedi Code, considering moral foundations to be essential. When the Dugs of Malastare proposed to kill the Zillo Beast, Windu refused to support them, assuming that the beast was the last of its kind. He also chose not to seek retribution against Boba Fett after the latter attempted to assassinate him. Despite his disapproval of maverick Jedi and the avarice of the Senate, Windu was fiercely loyal to both the Republic and the Jedi Order, bravely risking his life for both institutions throughout the Clone Wars. Even as the Jedi became officers in the Grand Army of the Republic, Windu remained extremely protective of the Order's independence and jealously guarded its interests against external interference.

Though he was known for his serious nature, Windu showed great care for his fellow Jedi, the people of the Republic, and the clone troopers he commanded. His personal survival during the events on Geonosis brought him little joy; the galaxy had descended into war, and the Jedi—formerly the guardians of peace in the Republic—were now forced to become warriors and military commanders. Windu's empathy also extended to the lives of beings like the Zillo Beast, and he did everything he could to stop it from being killed because of tradition and fear.

Windu maintained a close working relationship with Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, often serving as an advisor to the Senate's leader throughout the Clone Wars. As time wore on, the Jedi warrior began to increasingly distrust Palpatine's motives. During the Zillo Beast's journey to Coruscant, Windu voiced strong objections to the chancellor's choice to bring the dangerous creature to the Republic's capital. Despite his caution towards Palpatine, Windu remained dedicated to his Jedi duty, which included ensuring the chancellor's safety. However, even this responsibility led to conflict between them; Palpatine argued that the security measures around him were unnecessary during his visit to Naboo, but Windu insisted on taking every possible step to protect the chancellor.

As the Clone Wars neared their end, Windu's faith in and respect for Palpatine had almost completely vanished. After Dooku's death, he questioned whether Palpatine would relinquish his wartime powers as he had previously promised. Simultaneously, Windu began to sense the dark side of the Force surrounding the chancellor. By this point, he was convinced that a plot was underway to destroy the Jedi Order. When Skywalker revealed that Palpatine was actually Darth Sidious, Windu resolved to take immediate and decisive action against the Sith Lord, understanding that the Jedi Order's future was at stake. Although his initial plan was to arrest Sidious, Windu came to the conclusion that seeking justice was impossible due to the chancellor's control over the system. Therefore, he decided to end Sidious' life before he could fully seize control of the Republic, despite Skywalker's protests that killing the Sith Lord—who was disarmed and appeared defeated—went against the Jedi Code. However, in focusing all his efforts on preventing the galaxy from falling under Sith rule, Windu failed to foresee Skywalker's intervention, which resulted in the downfall of the Jedi Order's great champion.

Windu was a highly esteemed Jedi Master, and his actions on the battlefields of the Clone Wars, his skill as a fighter, and his history as a Jedi earned him widespread recognition and made him a champion of the Jedi Order. Within the Jedi Order, he was considered second only to Jedi Grand Master Yoda in terms of reputation.

Having been taught by both Jedi Master Cyslin Myr as her apprentice and Yoda, Windu was an incredibly skilled lightsaber duelist, regarded as one of the best the Jedi Order had ever produced, a view even shared by enemies like the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

Most notably, he was one of the two masters (the other being Depa Billaba) of both versions of Form VII, having developed the Vaapad form as a way to manage and control his inner darkness and use it for good, while still adhering to the Jedi Code. In both its applications, the form had some similarities to aspects of Form I and could draw on his own passions and anger, but he never succumbed to them. It is characterized as an aggressive style that is both physically and mentally demanding. These combat techniques often bordered on dark side practices but were a unique fighting style that made him a superior combatant, capable of defeating multiple opponents. Throughout his life, he demonstrated his impressive abilities against formidable adversaries, including fellow Jedi Master Prosset Dibs, Mother Talzin of the Nightsisters, Dooku after he became a Sith Lord, and Darth Sidious, whose skills defeated 3 other fellow Jedi Masters. Windu was not only the only survivor of the initial attack but ultimately gained the advantage, disarmed, and nearly succeeded in killing the Sith Lord. Luke Skywalker believed that without Skywalker's interference, he would have killed the Sith Lord.

Windu was also highly skilled at deflecting incoming blaster fire with his lightsaber. During the Battle of Geonosis, Windu charged towards Jango Fett while simultaneously deflecting his shots, eventually disarming and decapitating the bounty hunter with a swift movement. Afterward, he continued to use his blaster deflection skills against a large number of battle droids, allowing him to survive long enough for Yoda and the clone army to arrive and turn the battle in the Republic's favor. Throughout the Clone Wars, Windu continued to rely on this defensive technique while leading Republic forces on the front lines, especially during the Ryloth campaign. In addition to blaster shots, Windu could use his lightsaber to block a Force lightning attack, which he could also redirect back to its source in a superconducting loop.

In addition to his impressive lightsaber skills, Windu was also considered almost unmatched in his Force abilities. Darth Sidious also considered Windu to possibly be the most powerful Force user in the Jedi Order during the early years of the Clone Wars.

As a Force user, his abilities included Force-enhanced reflexes and agility, the ability to see the future, and enhanced senses, although some aspects of his abilities (seeing the future and his senses) were partially diminished because the dark side had clouded him and the order, preventing him from seeing the future at will during his time as the elected Master of the Order. Towards the end of the Clone Wars, he was able to sense that the dark side of the Force was concentrated around Palpatine and that there was a plot to destroy the Jedi Order, but he could not uncover the Chancellor's dual identity as a Sith Lord. Windu was also skilled in rarer Force abilities such as battle meditation and was able to sense shatterpoints, crucial moments where actions could alter the future.

Windu was skilled in various forms of telekinesis, which he could use for both offense and defense. He could easily summon his lightsaber, as he demonstrated on Geonosis when he quickly retrieved his Jedi weapon using the Force before Fett could stop him. On Ryloth, he used the Force to telekinetically pull battle droids towards him, making them vulnerable to a fatal lightsaber attack. He was also powerful enough to levitate individuals, such as two clone troopers whose lives he saved by using the Force to prevent them from falling to their deaths. In addition to the offensive and defensive uses of the Force, Windu could use his connection to the Force to enhance his physical abilities, allowing him to perform acrobatics and land jumps from high places without getting hurt. He could use the Force to greatly enhance his speed, especially against battle droids.

Windu's Force abilities extended to mind control, a Jedi technique that allowed the user to exert significant influence over individuals with weak minds. However, against someone with greater willpower than the average person, Windu had to combine his efforts with Skywalker and Kenobi to force Cad Bane to cooperate. Although the initial attempt failed, their combined use of the "mind trick" technique caused Bane significant discomfort, nearly damaging his mind in the process. Windu was also skilled in rarer Force abilities such as battle meditation and was able to sense shatterpoints, crucial moments where actions could alter the future. Additionally, Windu had the ability to communicate with other Jedi through the Force, making it easier for them to find his location.

Windu was proficient in both armed and unarmed combat; he was able to incapacitate multiple Gamorreans unarmed in his youth and fend off two gundarks on his own for a time when deprived of his lightsaber, using both unarmed skills and strength. He was also skilled in using different weapons such as a spear and a baton, sometimes using these skills to avoid drawing attention as a Jedi. During his time as a Jedi Knight, Windu often took on special missions and had a versatile skillset, including being a skilled slicer, starfighter pilot, and being able to infiltrate highly secure facilities and go undercover. He was also a skilled actor and was taught to perform Rodian theater works of Harido Kavila by Alxa Kress, making him fluent in Rodese. These skills also allowed him to create convincing disguises that could fool fellow Jedi.

Although he personally disliked politics and was uncomfortable in a military role, Windu proved to be both a capable diplomat and a highly respected warrior in the Grand Army of the Republic, considered an elite military officer and the Jedi High Council's top battlefield general.

Mace Windu wore Jedi apparel that included a brown cloak with wide sleeves and a deep hood, along with an undertunic and a tan overtunic. His outfit also included a belt and pouches for common Jedi gear such as a commlink, grappling hooks, holoprojector, and a rebreather. During the Clone Wars, he instead wore a long-sleeved tanned undertunic with plastoid gauntlets bearing the Jedi Order insignia. As a Jedi Knight, when he performed assignments on colder worlds, he owned a white coat and goggles.

During his life as a Jedi, Windu built at least two lightsabers, both of which produced a purple-hued blade. His second lightsaber was crafted with the highest standards of precision, creating a superior weapon that reflected his mature abilities as a leader within the Jedi Order. The hilt of his lightsaber was polished in electrum and had golden highlights, indicating his status as a senior member of the Jedi High Council. The amethyst-colored blade served as a warning to enemies that the Jedi Order's greatest champion was ready to fight.

Samuel L. Jackson played Mace Windu in the prequel trilogy and returned to voice the character in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film. In the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series, his voice was provided by Terrence Carson, who had also played the role in various Legends animation and video games. Jackson reenacted scenes with the character in a March 2017 episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden.

The name "Mace Windu" appeared as early as 1973 in the initial 13-page document written by George Lucas that would become the basis for Star Wars. According to Concept Artist Iain McCaig, early artwork of Windu was based on the face of Industrial Light & Magic modeler Steve Aplin, before Samuel L. Jackson was cast.

Jackson asked George Lucas to give his character a purple lightsaber so he could spot himself in the Geonosis battle scene in Attack of the Clones. He argued that, since Windu was the second most powerful Jedi after Yoda, Windu should have a lightsaber color different from the usual red, blue, and green. As a reference to Jackson's iconic role in the film Pulp Fiction, the crew presented him with a lightsaber hilt engraved with "BMF," which stood for "bad motherfucker."

Following Lucasfilm's acquisition by The Walt Disney Company in 2012 and the announcement of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Jackson expressed interest in reprising his role in the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, suggesting he could return as a Force spirit given Windu's death in Revenge of the Sith. The actor further expressed his interest in playing Windu again in the Star Wars Anthology Series, insisting that the character may have survived. Jackson eventually reprised his role in a brief vocal cameo in the 2019 film Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker, the final film of the Skywalker saga.

Windu is voiced by Carson in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi and some non-canon media. He is the official "audio double" for the character.