Kanan Jarrus, born Caleb Dume, was a human Jedi Knight who survived Order 66 through the sacrifice of his master, Depa Billaba. In Kaller, he met smuggler Janus Kasmir, who taught him how to survive as a fugitive. Going underground, he abandoned Jedi teachings for a time, substituting his own lightsaber for a blaster.

Jarrus eventually ended up working as a pilot for a Moonblaze Polychemical frigate in the Gorse system, piloting the Moonblaze-72. After being caught between a rebel group composed of the Twi'lek pilot Hera Syndulla, the conspirator Skelly and the Sullustan Zaluna Myder; Kanan helped prevent Count Denetrius Vidian from destroying Cynda. During the conflict, Jarrus made the decision to accompany Syndulla in his VCX-100 light freighter named Ghost — which he would eventually command alongside Hera. Later, he developed a romantic relationship with Syndulla.

Although proud and often sarcastic, Jarrus was always willing to fight against the Galactic Empire. Five years before the Battle of Yavin, Jarrus met Ezra Bridger, a Force-sensitive fourteen-year-old boy whom he decided to teach the ways of the Jedi. After defeating the Grand Inquisitor in combat, Kanan and the rebels learned that they were part of a full-scale rebellion. Thus, Kanan and his companions joined the Phoenix Squad. During this time, Kanan struck up a friendship with the former Clone Captain Rex. While aiding the Rebel Network, Kanan and Ezra often clashed with inquisitors known as the Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister.

Later, Kanan and his apprentice accompanied Ahsoka Tano to the planet Malachor to learn more about the Sith. However, this decision cost them dearly, as Kanan was blinded by a lightsaber attack from the former Sith Lord Darth Maul while in a Sith Temple on the planet. After months in retirement, Kanan restored his connection to the Force and mended his deteriorating relationship with Ezra with the help of a mysterious being named Bendu, who represented the balance between the dark and light sides of the Force. Despite his blindness, Kanan would be able to see through the Force.

Kanan and the rebels would continue to fight against the Empire, who tasked the tactician known as Grand Admiral Thrawn with dealing with the rebellion. Also, Kanan and Ezra had to deal with Maul, who intended to destroy Obi-Wan Kenobi, the key to destroying the Sith. Regaining his confidence, Kanan also trained the rebellious Mandalorian Sabine Wren to wield the darksaber, in hopes of rallying the Mandalorians to the rebel cause. As the Rebel Alliance increased their efforts against the Empire, Kanan and the rebels returned to liberate Lothal, a planet with which they had a special connection.

In 0 BBY, Jarrus would perish during the rescue of Hera Syndulla, after Governor Arihnda Pryce ordered an AT-AT to open fire on the fuel depot they were in, sacrificing himself so that the other rebels could get away. After Jarrus's death, he became part of the Cosmic Force, becoming a huge wolf from Lothal named Dume. Later, Hera gave birth to her son, whom she named Jacen Syndulla.

In 35 ABY, thirty-five years after his death, the voices of Jarrus and many other great Jedi, including his friend Ahsoka Tano, were heard and encouraged the last surviving Jedi, the young hopeful Rey, to use her power. to destroy Darth Sidious, the returned Emperor and his grandfather, during the Battle of Exegol.