Who Is Ahsoka Tano And Why She Could Be Getting Her Own Star Wars Series

If you’re even a casual follower of the Star Wars franchise, you might’ve come across the curious name of Ahsoka Tano.

This character didn’t appear in the movies, but yet those that watched her in the likes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels were absolutely thrilled when Disney confirmed that Daredevil star Rosario Dawson was cast as Tano for the upcoming second season of The Mandalorian on Disney+ (via SlashFilm).

So what’s the big deal about Ahsoka Tano?

Well, for starters, she was the Jedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars TV series in 2008. She would later on make appearances in Rebels in 2014. In both occasions, she was voiced by Ashley Eckstein, (who even lent her voice in a small cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) who etched her name into Star Wars fandom for being the voice of one of the most popular characters in the franchise’s small screen.

As for Ahsoka and Anakin, the duo actually butted heads at the start of the apprenticeship, but soon after developed an amicable relationship during the series. Anakin endearingly nicknamed her “Snips”, to which she accepted wholeheartedly. Also, despite Anakin teaching her to wield the lightsaber traditionally, Tano preferred to fight with an unorthodox reverse grip, and later on adopted Jar’Kai, a fighting style involving using dual lightsabers.

While Anakin was reckless, the Togrutan was a lot more level-headed especially when she matured from her headstrong teenage years. This balance made them a formidable team while fighting on the front lines during the Clone Wars.

However, before she could be fully accepted into the Jedi Order, Tano was framed for bombing part of the Jedi Temple, and was barred from the Order. Despite Anaking succeeding in ratting out the true culprit and clearing her name, Tano had already lost faith in the Jedi Order, and thus took on a very different path from what she and her former master imagined.

Years later, during the reign of the Galactic Empire (and after Anakin’s tragic transformation into Darth Vader), Ahsoka Tano went on to become “Fulcrum”, in Star Wars: Rebels, a spy for a Rebel intelligence network. While still utilising her Force and lightsaber skills for self-defence, Tano still rejected the Jedi Order’s teachings. Eventually, her path would cross with her former master’s once more, during which they fought to a standstill.

At the end of Rebels, Ahsoka Tano is seen embarking on a journey with Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian, in search of missing Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger, which sets the stage for many things, including The Mandalorian Season 2, and possibly Tano’s very own spinoff series..

While we’re not sure exactly what her involvement is in The Mandalorian Season 2, we imagine it could have something to do with her search for Bridger. Given how The Child is a key figure in the Disney+ series, it only makes sense for Tano, who shared a good relationship with Jedi Master Yoda back in The Clone Wars, to take an interest in The Child. Furthermore, Sabine Wren being a Mandalorian will no doubt leave fans curious about a possible appearance, given the main character of the series is, well, a Mando too.

And given how Tano is a gifted lightsaber and Force-wielding combatant, we can only guess the one to face Moff Gideon’s darksaber could be none other than her. But of course, it’s all just wishful thinking for now.

Ahsoka Tano’s influence in Star Wars is definitely felt, and for Dave Filoni (executive producer for The Clone Wars, Rebels and now The Mandalorian) to pull the strings to bring her to live-action, and possibly her very own show in the future, only means the sky’s the limit for this iconic Jedi Padawan.