In 2008, the film Star Wars: The Clone Wars served as an introduction to the enduring animated series so many Star Wars fans have come to love. It also introduced Ahsoka Tano, a Padawan learner determined to prove herself, who was paired with the ever-reckless Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. Since her debut, Ahsoka has gone by many names — Little Soka, Snips, Ashla, and Fulcrum. No matter her moniker, Ahsoka has lived by a code: "In my life, when you find people who need your help, you help them — no matter what."
At first glance, Ahsoka’s core principle might seem like one the Jedi Order abides by. While there are similarities, Ahsoka has proved that she’s willing to put what’s right before what’s allowed by the Order. Even before her exile from the Jedi, Ahsoka proved she was more than just an obedient acolyte, which is likely why many fans have affectionately dubbed her a “Gray Jedi.” So, by Star Wars Canon standards, is Ahsoka a true Jedi — or has she created a new identity for herself?
What Is So Special About Ahsoka Tano?
Ahsoka Tano is the rare Star Wars character who didn’t originate in a mainline film, but still became a fan favorite. Part of the love for Ahsoka is that viewers watch her grow from green Padawan learner into a wise, rebel cell-building leader. Her authenticity and earnestness speak volumes about her nature, and why she resonates so much with audiences.
Not to mention, Ahsoka is also special because of her devotion to doing what’s right. In that way, she fits perfectly with the likes of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who don’t always abide by Jedi Order instructions if they feel strongly enough. Ahsoka’s resolve and love for her found family are admirable — and that’s what makes her expulsion from the Jedi Order so devastating.
Why Does Ahsoka Tano Leave The Jedi Order?
In Star Wars Rebels and The Mandalorian, Ahsoka is an independent operative, for the most part. The Force-sensitive outcast aids the Rebel Alliance, and even Din Djarin and Luke Skywalker, but remains a lone wolf. She doesn’t ascribe to the Jedi Order’s ways, nor does Ahsoka necessarily consider herself a Jedi — and for good reason.
As the end of the Clone Wars nears, Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee becomes disillusioned with the Jedi Order. She orchestrates a bombing that kills several Jedi, clones, and workers in the Temple on Coruscant. Alongside the secretly guilty Barriss, Ahsoka questions a suspect in the case. Barriss Force-chokes the incarcerated suspect, and frames Ahsoka. After Ahsoka’s lightsabers are planted next to the bodies of dead clone troopers, she flees into Coruscant’s underworld. Still convinced Barriss is her ally, Ahsoka follows her former friend's advice and heads to a warehouse full of supposed evidence. Of course, this is another setup, leading to Ahsoka’s arrest.
Although Obi-Wan believes the Jedi should decide Ahsoka’s fate internally, the Council agrees to expel Ahsoka from the Jedi Order and hand her over to the Republic for a military trial. Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin (later, Grand Moff Tarkin) prosecutes Ahsoka, who is defended by Senator Padmé Amidala. Behind the scenes, Anakin solves the case, and brings Barriss to the trial to confess.
The Council pardons Ahsoka, and offers her the chance to return to the order. But to make matters more frustrating, the Jedi Council decrees that the Force works in mysterious ways, considering Ahsoka’s ordeal to be a trial of faith. They claim the ordeal allowed her to prove herself worthy of the title of Jedi Knight. But Ahsoka’s trust in the Jedi Order is shaken. Though Anakin begs her to stay, Ahsoka rejects the offer, opting to find a sense of self apart from the Jedi. The events only deepen Anakin’s mounting frustration with the Jedi Council.
Why Are Ahsoka's Lightsabers White?
During most of The Clone Wars, Ahsoka wields two green lightsabers. After the ordeal with Barriss, Ahsoka leaves the Jedi life behind — and that includes her lightsabers. For Jedi, the Kyber-crystal weapons are like an extension of their bodies. They guard the weapons with their lives, not just because of their power, but because of their connection to the Force. Everything from the color of the blade to the make of its handle serve as indicators about a Jedi’s identity, personality, and approach.
When Anakin and Obi-Wan call upon Ahsoka’s help during the final moments of the Clone Wars, Anakin presents her with a gift: he’s held onto her lightsabers, and made some modifications. When Ahsoka ignites the pair of sabers, they glow blue. After Order 66, Ahsoka fakes her death, leaving her lightsabers behind on a burial site.
In Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka first ignites her lightsabers in the Season 1 finale. Fans who have read E.K. Johnston's Star Wars:Ahsoka novel will have some more insight into what motivated Ahsoka to make a new set of lightsabers, despite no longer following the Jedi way. According to Dave Filoni, one of the creators of Ahsoka’s character, the white lightsabers reflect a simple truth: Ahsoka is no longer affiliated with the Jedi.
Has Ahsoka Fought Darth Vader?
Ahsoka Tano fights Darth Vader in the Season 2 finale of Star Wars Rebels, “Twilight of the Apprentice.” At the episode’s start, Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus and his Padawan Ezra Bridger accompany Ahsoka to Malachor, a planet best known as the site of an ancient battle between the Sith and the Jedi Order.
While investigating the Sith temple, they come across the Jedi-Sith battlefield, several Jedi-hunting Imperial Inquisitors, and Maul. The latter is searching for a Sith holocron — an ancient device capable of storing knowledge. Even Darth Vader appears, bragging that he destroyed the weak Anakin Skywalker. When Ahsoka vows to avenge Anakin, Vader points out that it’s not the Jedi way. Luckily, Ahsoka isn't a Jedi.
Toward the end of their fight, Ahsoka disarms Vader and damages his helmet, revealing the scarred face of Anakin Skywalker. Devastated, Ahsoka promises to stay beside him, and help her former friend. Vader re-ignites his lightsaber and tells Ahsoka, “Then you will die.” The two continue their duel as the Sith temple crumbles around them.
Is Ahsoka Still Alive In The Rise Of Skywalker?
At the end of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, Rey channels the strength of powerful Jedi who came before her to destroy Palpatine. As she harnesses the Force against the Sith Lord, Rey hears the voices of those Jedi who came before her, from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to Kanan Jarrus and Jedi Master Yoda. Something that all of these Jedi have in common? They’re dead.
It was shocking for fans to hear Ahsoka Tano’s voice in the mix, only to realize this cameo might actually confirm her death. Thankfully, Dave Filoni has spoken on the matter, insisting that it doesn’t mean Ahsoka is dead. As Filoni rightly pointed out, Force-sensitives have communicated through the Force without being dead. Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa do so in the original trilogy, while Rey and Kylo Ren share a Force connection in the sequel films. Ahsoka and Luke can even communicate with Grogu through the Force in The Mandalorian.
So, is Ahsoka alive, and just an incredibly gifted Force-user? That’s a possibility, though there are some other explanations, too. The Force-linked World Between Worlds, first introduced in Rebels, is a plane that exists outside of time and space. It’s possible Rey’s big moment tapped into this Force plane, or that Ahsoka has some connection to it.
In one arc of Clone Wars, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan find themselves on Mortis, a fabled, ethereal realm that exists within the Force. There, they encounter the Mortis Family: the Daughter, who represents light; the Brother, the manifestation of the dark side; and the Father, who holds everything in balance. While the main thread centers on Anakin’s “chosen one” destiny, Ahsoka is imbued with the Daughter’s life force during this collection of episodes. Does this point to a more intense connection to the Force? For Star Wars fans who love Ahsoka, that’s certainly the hope.