The Mandalorian season 2 is coming out later this month, and Ahsoka Tano is rumored to be a part of it. Introduced in the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and later playing a huge role in the series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and a recurring role in Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka has become a fan favorite for many within the fandom. We’re breaking down her top 5 best moments.
5. Leading the Younglings to Survival
The Clone Wars: Season 3, Episode 22, “Wookie Hunt”
Our fifth favorite moment is when Ahsoka gets captured by Trandoshan hunters, and is taken to the planet Wasskah where several Jedi younglings have been captured for years. In order to survive, the younglings tell Ahsoka that they must hide, not fight. However, Ahsoka thinks otherwise. She uses her leadership skills and organizes the younglings to stand up against the hunters. They even team up with a very familiar face, who was also a prisoner: Chewbacca! In a game of cat and mouse with the Trandoshans, Ahsoka leads the younglings in an escape, saving their lives. Once back at the Jedi Temple, Ahsoka tells Anakin that his training helped her survive.
While this episode had a lot of action and cool moments, what really made it great was seeing how Ahsoka can step up, use her Jedi training and lead. This is a pivotal point for the audience because they see how much Ahsoka can do on her own and how strong she truly is.
4. Ahsoka reveals herself as Fulcrum
Rebels: Season 1, Episode 15, “Fire Across the Galaxy”
While this next moment is small, it’s our number four pick because of how important it is to the overall story. Up until this point, Star Wars Rebels touched on Fulcrum — an anonymous Rebellion operative that gave important information to the different Rebel cells, including the Ghost Crew, but we never knew who was behind the modulated voice. At the end of this episode, Kanan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla and the rest of the adored Rebels crew finally meet the person who has been helping them from behind the scenes — Ahsoka.
This moment was a huge turning point for not only the Rebellion as a whole, but also the viewer. After the events of the series finale of The Clone Wars, we were left wondering what happened to Ahsoka since she was never mentioned in the movies. This moment confirms that she was indeed an important part of the Rebellion that fought against the tyrannical Empire.
3. Leaving the Jedi Council
The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 20, “The Wrong Jedi”
Coming in at number three is easily one of the most heartbreaking moments within all the Star Wars series; Ahsoka leaving the Jedi Council. Disillusioned by the Jedi Council and the war itself, Bariss — another Jedi padawan — sets off a bomb in one of the Jedi temples and frames Ahsoka for the crime. The Togruta was labeled a traitor and terrorist for something she didn’t do. Ahsoka was able to escape from imprisonment and set off to clear her name. Even while everyone already made up their minds that she was guilty, Anakin never lost faith. Ahsoka was put up for trial and at the last minute, her master proved her innocence.
Although her name was cleared, Ahsoka couldn’t shake the fact that the Jedi Council didn’t trust her, prompting her to leave the only people she considered her family. While sad, this moment is so important, and paves the way for not only her future, but her master, Anakin’s as well.
2. Lightsaber duel with Maul during the Siege of Mandalore
The Clone Wars: Season 7, Episode 10, “The Phantom Apprentice”
Our number two favorite Ahsoka moment is a duel we did not know we needed. In The Clone Wars, Maul — who we previously thought died in The Phantom Menace — played a big role. During the Siege of Mandalore in hopes to free the Mandalorians from the former Sith apprentice’s rule, Ahsoka goes head-to-head with him in a beautiful duel. The cinematography in itself is spectacular. It feels like you’re watching a big budget film, not an animated show.
The movements during the duel were smooth and very similar to the fighting we see in the movies. In fact, Ray Park, the actor who played the live-action version of Maul, motion captured the scene. And the dialogue during the fight was impeccable, bringing emotion to the moment; from anger to confidence to a brief moment of shock from Ahsoka when Maul tells her the Emperor’s plans for her master. Overall, this moment showed us how skillful Ahsoka is with a lightsaber. We’ve seen her battle it out against enemies several times throughout the series, but her going head-to-head with the Dathomirian made it clear that Ahsoka is not one to mess with.
1. The Master versus The Apprentice
Rebels: Season 2, Episode 22, “Twilight of the Apprentice Part 2”
And finally, Ahsoka’s best moment is when she finally faces her old master, Anakin, who has turned to the darkside and is now known as the notorious Darth Vader. This is the moment we have been waiting for. The duel is intense and heartbreaking, making the viewer feel as if they are in the middle of it.
However, while the duel itself is an incredible viewing experience, the moment leading up to it is unmatched. After Darth Vader tells Ahsoka that he killed Anakin, Ahsoka says she will avenge her old master. In response, Vader says, “revenge is not the Jedi way.” Before she unsheathes her lightsabers, Ahsoka answers with “I am no Jedi.” That one line sent chills down our spines. It’s a nod to her heartbreaking story of leaving the Jedi Order in season 5 of The Clone Wars. The power in which she says it shows that she has moved on and is stronger because of it. Those four simple words also give off a similar feeling of the iconic “I am your father” line in The Empire Strikes Back. Ahsoka is standing up to someone she loves, and it’s an incredible moment that makes us proud to be a fan.
Ahsoka has so many noteworthy moments that we could go on and on about. It’s no wonder she’s become one of the most beloved characters in the franchise. If the rumors are true, we can’t wait to see the live-action version of her in the new season of The Mandalorian, which begins streaming on October 30 on Disney+.
