Ahsoka Tano is my favorite Star Wars character of all time. She is everything Disney wanted Rey to be during the new trilogy. Regardess, we’ll be seeing a lot more of Ahsoka moving forward across mediums. She is due to make her live-action debut during season two of The Mandalorian. To celebrate Ahsoka’s greatness, here are my top 10 most memorable moments of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: Rebels and The Clone Wars. Enjoy!
#10
Ahsoka Tano Confronts Obi-Wan Kenobi
Season 7, Episode 9
With General Grievous attacking Coruscant, Obi-Wan and Anakin are faced with the decision to help Ahsoka take down Maul or rescue Palpatine. Obi-Wan opts to rescue the Chancellor and Ahsoka finally confronts Obi-Wan while cementing herself as the leader she is destined to become. “This is why the people have lost faith in the Jedi,” says Ahsoka to Obi-Wan. Ahsoka has never been afraid to speak her mind and this was such an emotional moment for me. The old Jedi vs the new Jedi in one scene.
The focus of the Jedi and who they truly protect was a fascinating subplot of The Clone Wars since Trace and Rafa Martez were introduced during the second arc of season 7. Ahsoka becoming enraged that Obi-Wan would rather save Chancellor Palpatine than help Bo-Katan and the people of Mandalore was perfect. The Jedi Knights head to Coruscant but not before Anakin delivers one of the most emotional moments of season 7. He gives the dual-lightsabers to Ahsoka. I’m not crying, you are.
#9
Ahsoka’s Decision
Season 7, Episode 11
A small but large mystery from the season 7 centered on what Ahsoka wanted to tell Anakin Skywalker. Why didn’t Ahsoka tell Yoda about the Chancellor’s plan for Anakin Skywalker after being told during a previous episode from Darth Maul? Ahsoka’s distrust of the Jedi Council continued to take center stage and the consequences were immense. Beyond Order 66, I have to think that this will have clear consequences on Ahsoka’s character moving forward.
If Ahsoka told Yoda what she knows, how much of what transpired actually takes place? How much guilt will ravage Ahsoka Tano over this decision to not tell Yoda what she had learned from Darth Maul? If Mace Windu wasn’t such a prick towards her, would Ahsoka have told Yoda? I have so many questions as we continue to learn about Ahsoka as a Jedi but I have no doubt that this moment will be integral to the continued development of her character
#8
Ahsoka Saves Captain Rex
Season 7, Episode 11
Quick side: Darth Maul was ridiculous in this episode. Darth Maul taking heads and arms without a lightsaber was eerily similar to Darth Vader’s entrance in Rogue One. A pure adrenaline rush. In a season filled with memorable moments, Darth Maul (channeling his inner Magneto) using a piece of scrap metal to decapitate a pair of troopers only feeds his massive legend.
Back to this awesome Ahsoka Tano moment: The “I am one with the Force. The Force is with me” scene of Ahsoka and Captain Rex deserves a mention in my top 10 Ahsoka moments. First thoughts go straight to the blind warrior Chirrut from Rogue One which embodies heavy themes of hope. I found this scene extremely important. Not because of the dynamic between Rex and Ahsoka, but due to Ahsoka’s reluctance to call herself a Jedi through much of season 7. Her conflict with her own destiny is what makes her such an amazing character.
#7
Ahsoka Reunites with Anakin and Finally Gets Respect
Season 7, Episode 9
In the beginning of episode 9, Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan tell Obi-Wan and Anakin that they have a plan to capture the Sith Lord Darth Maul. Watching how eager Anakin was to take down Maul and his affection towards Ahsoka Tano was a fantastic memory. Bo-Katan tells the Jedi Knights that Darth Maul is on Mandalore and his presence has led to the suffering of her people. Obi-Wan insists to consult with the Jedi council with Bo-Katan.
This was the moment we have been waiting for. I don’t know much, but I do know that Dave Filoni knows character development. Watching Anakin and Ahsoka reunite was pure bliss. But my favorite moment here came from Anakin and Captain Rex honoring Ahsoka as Commander as well as an entire legion of clones to command. It’s been a long road for Ahsoka in terms of earning respect from her peers. Seeing Captain Rex and the 501st wearing Ahsoka’s helmet was emotional and beautiful. It also showcased the friendship between Ahsoka and Rex. A friendship that we’re going to see a lot more of moving forward. Just beautiful.
#6
The Lightsaber Drop
The Clone Wars Finale
During The Clone Wars finale, Rex and Ahsoka say their final goodbyes to their fallen comrades. Helmets sit on a pikes alongside Kevin Kiner’s incredible score. It’s a moment that deeply tugs the heartstrings and full of heartbreak and respect. Death echoes through the air as thousands and thousands of Jedi and clone troopers have perished across the galaxy. Ahsoka drops her lightsaber, which ultimately has only led her closer to death than peace and justice across the galaxy.
The next few minutes were incredibly emotional for me. We fast forward in time and see Darth Vader return to the crash site. Vader is very clearly looking for Ahsoka and retrieves the lightsaber she had left behind. Two thoughts immediately come to mind from this scene. One, it’s important to remember that the Galactic Empire would not have been possible without the clones. Two, I’ve talked and talked in these reviews and our Suit Up! podcasts about the similarities between Anakin and Captain Rex. This scene very clearly shows that Anakin was just as much of a pawn as the clone troopers during Order 66.
#5
Ahsoka vs the Inquisitors
Season 2, Episode 9
Ahsoka’s entrance in this scene with the chorus score in the background is spine tingling. Ahsoka reveals herself as a Jedi to the Inquisitors and an unbelievable lightsaber battle ensues while younglings, Ezra and Kanan Jarrus rush to safety. We see Ahsoka Tano’s fighting has become significantly more polished this time around. She easily takes down the Inquisitors and the confidence she has of herself is wildly impressive. At one point during the fight, she is seen nearly trolling the Inquisitors. What a moment.
#4
“Race you to the surface”
Season 7, Episode 9
Watching Ahsoka jump ship to ship with her white lightsabers with the beautiful John Williams score in the background was an unforgettable experience from The Clone Wars. It was a triumphant moment in animation. This was the moment I realized that we have fully moved on from Attack of the Clones. Everything about this scene just felt bigger and more significant than anything we’ve seen before it.
The John Williams score was a stark reminder that we’ve officially landed in Revenge of the Sith territory. The series has steadily moved forward. If you needed another reason why Ahsoka is the most badass character in the Star Wars-Verse, this moment delivered and then some. The moment Ahsoka lands on Mandalore with the ship exploding behind her was hands down one of the best moments of the season. It was as epic as it gets.
#3
Ahsoka Leaves the Jedi Order
Season 5, Episode 20
Ahsoka Tano exposing the Jedi Council for their failures is what makes her such a fascinating character. The moment Ahsoka walks away from Anakin and her life as a Jedi is so important to her as a character. Similar to Anakin while unfortunate for the Jedi Council, she refuses to follow blindly and is never afraid to speak her mind. What’s important about this scene is that Ahsoka is not only leaving the Jedi, she is walking away from the most important relationship she’s ever had: her master Anakin.
It’s wild to think about the implications of this very moment. Not just for Ahsoka moving forward, but also for what it meant for Anakin and his character arc and eventually evolving into Darth Vader. Would Anakin have become Vader if Ahsoka ever left the Jedi Council? Anakin losing his padawan was immense but it also represented so much for Ahsoka’s cementing her own personal independence and standing up for what she believes in. I’ll never forget this moment.
#2
The Master vs The Apprentice
Season 2, Episode 23
Similar to the relationship between Ahsoka and Anakin, this duel is both painful and beautiful as it gets. Not only is this scene the single greatest moment of the Star Wars: Rebels series, this was Dave Filoni putting the Star Wars-verse on a pedestal. I can’t possibly think of a better way to end an amazing season. The epic finale of Ahsoka vs Vader is my #2 best Ahsoka Tano moment.
Much like some of the best from The Clone Wars, the writing, the dialogue and the score all mesh so beautifully well. This was the moment when Ahsoka Tano learns that Anakin has turned into Darth Vader and it all hits us like an emotional upper cut to the face. The showdown in the temple on Malachor was very symbolic of who Ahsoka is. She is a protector to the truest sense. She is a Jedi of the people and the way she challenges Vader to protect Ezra is incredibly heroic.
Similar to our number one moment, the fight choreography is pitch perfect. Ahsoka Tano cements herself as worthy with her dual-white lightsabers and brimming of confidence. Despite Anakin being the chosen one, Ahsoka holds her own quite well in this scene. This moment is only strengthened by the fact that these two have learned so much from each other. Ahsoka’s realization that Vader is Anakin is absolutely gut wrenching and ranks in the same tier of “I am your father” from The Empire Strikes Back. It’s that good. If you haven’t seen it, then please do so now.
#1
The Duel
Season 7, Episode 10
Ahsoka and Maul’s fight scene, with the beautiful camera shots and drum score in the background, flat out gave me chills. “We could have destroyed Sidious” says Maul while fighting Ahsoka during an incredible action set piece. This scene solidified that the 4-part finale of The Clone Wars was one giant film rather than a TV series on Disney Plus. Even Maul’s fight choreography felt like it was ripped straight out of Episode One. In fact, Ray Parker, who played Maul in The Phantom Menace, returned to motion capture the fight sequence.
The pacing and the script all shined during this moment. So much emotion built up to this duel and rarely do Star Wars fans receive such satisfying end results. Ahsoka and Maul’s acting was also top notch here. I was honestly a bit shocked that Ahsoka was able to go toe-to-toe with Maul during this scene. Did Maul give Ahsoka everything he had? Was he just toying with her? I assume that the trauma of everything that went down over the previous years have clearly taken a toll on Maul’s fighting ability.
The duel we’ve all been waiting for…
Ahsoka Tano’s capture of Darth Maul is one of my favorite moments of Star Wars. It was thrilling, entertaining and the anticipation was immense. The payoff quite simply delivered. This was Ahsoka’s arrival as Jedi Master. “You don’t know what you’re doing. We’re all going to die” screams Darth Maul as he’s being captured. Ahsoka shows clear concern as she stares at the stars and the credits hit. All the feels.
