Star Wars has introduced its first transgender 'stormtrooper' in a move that has left fans of beloved sci-fi franchise divided. 

Named 'Sister', she is clad in armour painted in the blue and pink of the transgender flag, and was pictured for the first time in a new book released earlier this week. 

The dreadlock-sporting soldier first appeared in a reference in an earlier 2022 novel 'A Queen's Hope' before later being depicted in a piece of fan art.

Now her story and picture has been featured in Star Wars: The Secrets of the Clone Troopers - which added her to the franchise's official lore. 

But the new character's addition has left fans of the galaxy far, far away saga split,  with some branding it 'utterly insane gender cult worship' and 'moronic', while others raged it was a 'bat-s*** crazy p***take'.

'I remember when #StarWars used to be about space wizards, epic adventures, and lightsaber combat. Now it's... this,' fumed one person on X. 

Others appeared critical of Disney, owners of the franchise, for allowing the character to become canon, branding Star Wars 'woke garbage'.

Gaming news YouTuber The ArchCast was among those ridiculing the move, saying in a video: 'Finally, at long last the thing that all Star Wars fans have been begging for, clamouring for for years and years, have come true.

'What's that? Good story telling? A focus on Thrawn maybe, or the force, Jedi, the Emperor or any of that stuff? Oh no, no, no you silly, evil bigots you. I'm talking about the first transgender stormtrooper.'

Criticising the move, he added: 'There was no pushback whatsoever from Disney, nothing. Nothing at all. Again, "stunning and brave" - the most oppressed minority, truly is the one that gets its way every single time if asks for anything at all.' 

Another person on social media added: 'Wow, my friends and I were just talking about what could save this franchise aaaannnnddd this wasn't it.'