Ahsoka Tano's Journey

From Padawan to Galactic Savior

by Tobias Tarczynski on May 24, 2023

Ahsoka's journey began on her homeworld of Shili, where she was discovered by Jedi Master Plo Koon. She was subsequently raised in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and trained in the ways of the Force. At the age of 14, she was assigned to Anakin Skywalker during the Battle of Christophsis, marking the start of a pivotal relationship that shaped both characters. Ahsoka quickly became Anakin's Padawan, and despite Anakin's initial resistance, he accepted her as his student. This relationship allowed Anakin to grow as a leader, while Ahsoka gained a first-hand look at the front lines of the Clone Wars.

As Anakin's Padawan, Ahsoka participated in numerous battles and missions. Her involvement in these high-stake situations pushed her to grow faster than most Jedi of her age. This period saw Ahsoka learning harsh lessons of leadership during battles like the ones on Ryloth and Geonosis, and her diplomatic skills were tested during the peace negotiations between the Togruta and Talz on Orto Plutonia.

Her first true test came when she was captured by the Trandoshan hunters and taken to the moon Wasskah to be hunted for sport. Ahsoka managed to unite the other captured Jedi Younglings and not only survived but also led an uprising against the Trandoshans, developing her leadership skills and gaining confidence in her abilities.

Throughout The Clone Wars, Ahsoka's bond with her master Anakin was one of the series' defining elements. They had a relationship that was very much a sibling-like bond, filled with banter but also profound mutual respect and affection. Anakin's unconventional approach to the Jedi teachings also rubbed off on Ahsoka. This relationship helped humanize Anakin and showed a more personal side of the Jedi Order. Simultaneously, Ahsoka's viewpoint often provided an outsider's perspective on the war, the Jedi, and Anakin himself.

Aside from her relationship with Anakin, Ahsoka also interacted with various other characters within the Jedi Order. Ahsoka built a respectful relationship with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin's own master, who often acted as a stabilizing influence on both Anakin and Ahsoka. Her relationship with her discoverer, Plo Koon, was also significant, with the Kel Dor Jedi Master acting as a mentor and comforting figure in Ahsoka's life. Additionally, Ahsoka had several encounters with Jedi Grand Master Yoda, from whom she learned valuable lessons about the Force and life itself.

Despite her dedication to the Jedi Order, Ahsoka's path took a drastic turn after she was framed for the bombing of the Jedi Temple. Despite being innocent, she was expelled from the Jedi Order and put on trial by the Republic. Eventually, Anakin was able to find the real culprit, but the damage had been done. Ahsoka felt betrayed by the Jedi Order, and when offered the chance to return, she made the painful decision to refuse and walk away.

Life on the Run and the Birth of "Fulcrum"

Following her departure from the Jedi Order, Ahsoka tried to keep a low profile and moves from place to place, attempting to avoid attention and hide her Jedi past.

During her journey, Ahsoka finds herself on the farming moon Raada. There, she befriends a group of local farmers and begins living under the alias "Ashla." Unfortunately, the peaceful existence doesn't last long, as the Galactic Empire's grip tightens on Raada. Ahsoka takes a stand against the Empire, using her skills to organize a successful uprising and evacuation of Raada's people. It's here that she comes to the attention of Bail Organa, who recognizes her potential as an ally in the growing rebellion against the Empire.

Impressed by her strategic skills and leadership, Organa recruits Ahsoka as an intelligence operative. She assumes the codename "Fulcrum" and starts serving as a crucial link between various rebel cells across the galaxy, offering them information and guidance. This marks Ahsoka's transformation from a former Jedi Padawan into a key figure in the fight against the Empire.

Star Wars: Rebels and the Fight Against the Empire

Ahsoka's work as Fulcrum plays a pivotal role in Star Wars: Rebels. She provides the Ghost crew with valuable information and mission details to disrupt the Empire's operations, all while keeping her identity secret. Her true identity is revealed to the Ghost crew in the season one finale, marking her return to the forefront of the Star Wars saga.

Throughout Rebels, Ahsoka's maturity and wisdom are apparent. She plays a guiding role for the series' young Jedi, Ezra Bridger, offering him advice and insight, much as Anakin once did for her. A crucial narrative arc in Rebels is Ahsoka's confrontation with her former master, Anakin Skywalker, now the Sith Lord Darth Vader. Their duel on Malachor is one of the series' most emotionally charged moments. Ahsoka, refusing to leave Anakin again, is presumed dead in the aftermath, but her fate is later revealed to be much different.

The World Between Worlds and Ahsoka's Return

In the latter part of Rebels, Ezra Bridger discovers a place known as the World Between Worlds, a mystical plane that exists outside of time and space. He hears Ahsoka's voice and sees a portal showing her duel with Vader. In a crucial moment, he reaches into the portal and pulls her out, saving her from certain death.

After recovering, Ahsoka returns to the physical world, promising to find Ezra after he vanishes during the liberation of Lothal. She is seen again in the series epilogue, arriving to pick up Sabine Wren for their search for Ezra, who disappeared along with Thrawn when they were captured by the Purrgil, space-traveling creatures, during the Battle of Lothal.

The Mandalorian and Future Endeavors

Ahsoka's story continues in the live-action series The Mandalorian, where she is seen in search of the evil Grand Admiral Thrawn, presumably to locate the missing Ezra Bridger. Here, she wields her pair of white lightsabers with expertise, and in later episodes she guides Padawan Grogu to his true self.

The upcoming series Star Wars: Ahsoka is set to continue her journey. It is speculated that this show will delve deeper into her adventures following the original Rebels series, including her quest to find Thrawn and Ezra. While there is ample connection to the "Mandoverse" already, we can asume that her story will be even more intertwined with Mando, Grogu and the other Mandalorians in the future.

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