The highly anticipated trailer for Ahsoka made a grand entrance at Star Wars Celebration, shedding light on the thrilling adventures that await Rosario Dawson’s character on Disney+. As the malevolent Grand Admiral Thrawn makes his return, Ahsoka Tano rallies a team of allies, including familiar faces from Star Wars: Rebels. This includes Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Following in the footsteps of other successful Disney+ Star Wars series, Ahsoka draws inspiration from its animated predecessors.
This is especially fitting since showrunner Dave Filoni played a significant role in the development of both Rebels and its precursor, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The latter was the first instance we were introduced to the iconic Force wielder.
Let’s delve into the history of the former Jedi herself.
Ahsoka and The Clone Wars
Ahsoka Tano first graced the screen in the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars feature film (also available on Disney+). Ashley Eckstein was her voice actress. Assigned as the Jedi Padawan to Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter), their initial dynamic was less than enthusiastic. However, as they faced numerous battles throughout the Clone Wars, their bond grew stronger, causing the formation of affectionate nicknames of “Skyguy” and “Snips.”
Their connection suffered a severe blow when the Jedi Temple fell victim to a bombing. Ahsoka found herself accused of the crime. Forced to confront her master and the might of the Republic Army, she was arrested. Yet, Anakin discovered the true culprit to be Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee, disillusioned with the Jedi’s actions in the war.
Though the Jedi Order offered Ahsoka reinstatement, she declined. She was left feeling betrayed by their lack of faith in her. This marked a bittersweet conclusion to The Clone Wars, but the bitterness would escalate when the series was resurrected for its seventh and final season.
Ahsoka and the Taking of Mandalore
Ahsoka found solace in the lower levels of Coruscant. There, she befriended Trace and Rafa Martez (Brigette Kali and Elizabeth Rodriguez). Eventually, the Jedi was called back to aid in retaking the planet Mandalore from Darth Maul (Sam Witwer). Reuniting briefly with her master, Ahsoka led a combined force of clone troopers alongside Captain Rex (Dee Bradley Baker) and the Mandalorian Night Owls, including Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff).
During the ensuing duel, Ahsoka defeated Maul and captured him. However, her life took a dramatic turn when Order 66 was executed. This turned an entire ship of clones against her. With the help of Rex, who had the inhibitor chip removed, Ahsoka crashed the ship and buried her lightsabers, embarking on a new path.
Yet, the rising Empire soon drew her back into the fight. Bail Organa (Phil LaMarr) sought her assistance in aiding the Rebel Alliance. Ahsoka adopted the mantle of “Fulcrum” and provided crucial support. Eventually, her path intertwined with the Rebels crew, including Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and his apprentice, Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray).
Ahsoka, Malachor, and the World Between Worlds
Ahsoka played a pivotal role in training Ezra in the ways of the Force while continuing to battle the Empire. One particular encounter led her to reunite with Captain Rex and his surviving clones. Eventually, she traveled to the Sith planet Malachor V when Ezra got a message from Yoda. There, they found an ancient Sith superweapon and Maul. But the worst was yet to come.
Ahsoka learned that Anakin did not die during the execution of Order 66. Instead, he had become Darth Vader and was set on re-activating the superweapon. Ahsoka and Vader had a fierce battle that left him wounded and seemingly about to perish.
After that, Ezra discovered that a Jedi temple was beneath his home world and contained the “World Between Worlds.” Using the “World Between Worlds”, he was able to save his home world, but at a great cost. Ezra used the Force to transport himself to an unknown point in the galaxy. Now, in her own live-action series, Ahsoka is on a mission to find the lost Jedi.
Ahsoka and The Mandalorian
Ahsoka Tano’s travels brought her to another Mandalorian; Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal). Djarin intended for young Grogu, of the same species as Yoda, to be trained by Ahsoka, but she refused. Her reasoning was that she was no longer a Jedi. Still, she helped Djarin free the planet Corvus from its Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth. She then made her way to the Jedi Temple on Ossus and reunited with Djarin, Grogu, and Vader’s son, Luke Skywalker, who did take on the job of training Grogu. This is Ahsoka’s story up until now.
Ahsoka will be available to watch on August 23rd, 2023. It will be on Disney+
