The events take place about five years after Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) and twenty-five years before Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015).
According to the old Star Wars Legends/Expanded Universe, Mandalorian culture takes fatherhood extremely seriously. In raising a son, the father plays a more dominant role than the mother; those without a biological child are encouraged to adopt a 'foundling.' Calling a Mandalorian a neglectful father is as great an insult as calling him a traitor or a coward. This may explain the strong bond between the protagonist and the Child, and why other Mandalorians support Din Djarin's protection of the Child.
The Mandalorian's phase-pulse blaster is based on Boba Fett's rifle in the 1978 The Star Wars Holiday Special.
Many episodes of The Mandalorian pay homage to early Japanese cinema, especially the Lone Wolf and Cub series, in which a samurai travels feudal Japan with a child at his side, and the film Seven Samurai (1954), in which a poor village asks experienced swordsmen for help in defending itself against bandits.
The patch on the sleeve of Doctor Pershing's uniform bears a symbol seen on Kamino in Episode II. This may indicate that the Empire's intentions toward the Child could be related to cloning, perhaps a desire to exploit his Force sensitivity.
Although popularly called 'Baby Yoda,' it is revealed in the first episode that the Child is actually 50 years old. That Yoda was 900 years old when he died confirms that their species ages far more slowly than other beings in the Star Wars universe. However, Yoda says in The Empire Strikes Back that he has trained Jedi for 800 years, which suggests the Child must grow considerably over the next 50 years.
Addressing most characters by their job or description (such as the Child, the Client, the Armorer, the Passenger) was inspired by the 1978 film The Driver.
Many alien species from the original trilogy appear in this series. The main character Kuiil (Nick Nolte) is an Ugnaught; this species was first introduced in The Empire Strikes Back. The Twi'lek, Trandoshan and Quarren species also return from Return of the Jedi.
The Mandalorian is the first live-action appearance of Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan Kryze from the animated Star Wars series.
The series is often called a 'space western' and was influenced by Sergio Leone's 'Dollars' trilogy. Cast member Brendan Wayne is the grandson of legendary actor John Wayne, known for his roles in western films.
Baby 'Yoda' is male and his name is Grogu.
The term 'Baby Yoda' is incorrect because the child is not a baby version of Jedi Master Yoda. The name of Yoda's species is unknown in the Star Wars universe.
Both The Mandalorian and the Thrawn Trilogy in Star Wars Legends take place in the New Republic era, five years after Return of the Jedi. In both continuities there are Imperial remnant stormtroopers, scout troopers, Luke Skywalker, an X-wing fighter, R2-D2, TIE fighters and a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle.
Cobb Vanth first appeared in Chuck Wendig's Star Wars: Aftermath trilogy.
The series also adapts the story of the western series The Rifleman. In the first episode, there is a subplot in which Lucas McCain tells a character (Denis Hopper) to look after his son if he does not survive; in the end Lucas survives and the character does not look after his son. Star Wars has adapted many literary media, such as Hidden Fortress, world war, racing and westerns.
The Mandalorian's gloves have blue arrows facing outward. Before joining the Star Wars universe, Dave Filoni worked on Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005); references to that series have been made before (for example, the arrow pattern on Appo's armor in Star Wars: The Clone Wars).
In the post-Return of the Jedi novel timeline in Star Wars Legends, Boba Fett is portrayed as an ally of the Empire. However, this is not the case in Season 2, Episode 14, 'The Tragedy,' and the final two episodes; Boba Fett helps the Mandalorian on his mission to rescue Grogu from Moff Gideon and the Empire.
The first appearance of graffiti in a live-action Star Wars production.
The Child was quickly dubbed 'Baby Yoda,' 'baby Yoda' or 'Yoddler' by fans. The Mandalorian, meanwhile, was called 'Daddalorian' or 'ManDADlorian' because of the Mandalorian's protective fatherhood over the child.