Who is Ahsoka Tano? Star Wars icon finally leads Disney+ series

Played by actress Rosario Dawson, the outcast Jedi has her work cut out following her epic double bill launch, with the latest episode suggesting the evil Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) could make a return very soon indeed.

But for the uninitiated, who exactly is Ahsoka Tano? Read on for everything you need to know.

Who is Ahsoka Tano?

Before you ask: no, Ahsoka Tano isn’t human. Tano is instead a force-sensitive and fearless Togruta known for her strong morals (and awesome duel white lightsabers).

Although previously only appearing in animation, Ahsoka became one of the key figures in the acclaimed Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars.

But she didn’t exactly win over fans straight away. Starting out as Anakin Skywalker’s wilful young apprentice, many critics and viewers wrote her off as an annoying sidekick. However, through the seasons, Tano becomes a well-rounded and mature character, eventually becoming the protagonist of the show.

Over time, she also became a commander of the Republic army and fought the likes of General Grievous.

Despite all of these achievements, however, Tano eventually left the Jedi Order.

Her reasoning? Extremely understandable: she was maligned by her fellow Jedi after being framed for bombing a temple. Although her name was eventually cleared, her faith in the order was severely shaken.

Although outside the Jedi hierarchy, Tano continued to lead Republic forces – but was forced into hiding after the clone army turned on the Jedi in the last ever episodes of The Clone Wars.

This wasn’t the end of Tano, though. An older version of the character returned in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels, with the former Jedi now a key player in the resistance movement. Her role in this series was fairly limited, although viewers did get to see Tano battle Darth Vader (an encounter she narrowly escaped alive).

Tano survived the Galactic Civil War and she was last seen in Star Wars: Rebels teaming up with female Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren in a hunt to find missing Jedi Ezra Bridger.

Interestingly, for a period of time, Wren carried the Darksaber, a weapon later carried by Mandalorian big bad Moff Gideon. However, the weapon was later retrieved by Din Djarin and later returned to Bo-Katan Kryze.

Tano then made her live-action debut, portrayed by actress Rosario Dawson, in the series The Mandalorian in a chapter subtitled "The Jedi" when she encounters Djarin during her conflict with Lady Morgan Elsbeth who she wishes to use to track down Grand Admiral Thrawn.

This episode also sees Tano bond with baby Grogu and reveal his name to Djarin (and viewers) for the first time.

Ahsoka made a live-action return in The Book of Boba Fett episode 6 opposite Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as the pair set about training Grogu as a Jedi.

However, by the end of the episode, Grogu had decided that his love for Din Djarin mattered more than his plans for the Jedi knight.

In the episode, Tano convinced Djarin that his presence would hinder Grogu's training - but it actually helped hinder it altogether.

Tano did not appear in The Mandalorian season 3 but makes her return in the series Ahsoka.

What does Ahsoka The White mean?

Ahsoka episode 5 saw the long-awaited arrival of Ahsoka The White. At the end of Star Wars: Rebels, we saw the return of Ahsoka - looking mighty powerful in a white robe and staff - much like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, who Dave Filoni and Rosario Dawson have often compared Ahsoka's journey to.

However, at the start of Ahsoka, she's seen back in her grey garb, with fans wondering where the powerful figure had gone.

Well, after episode 5 saw her speaking with her old master Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) in the World Between Worlds and choosing to live, Ahsoka is somewhat reborn, with all of the baptism imagery occurring when she's lifted from the water.

She's then seen in her white get-up, presumably ushering in a new era for the Star Wars fan favourite.

Previously speaking about her connection to Gandalf's story, Dawson explained to EW: "In the animation, you saw her go to the white, but what I loved is the idea that there was even another level to her.

"Dave and I talked a lot about Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White — talking about that transition and how she's someone very capable and excellent and looked up to as a leader, but she still has levels of development to go."

What species is Ahsoka Tano?

Ahsoka is part of the Togruta species, characterised by their colourful skin and head tails. They originally came from the planet Shili but have since been found throughout the galaxy.

Is Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian?

Yes! Ahsoka Tano made her live-action debut in The Mandalorian, with actress Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Seven Pounds, Zombieland: Double Tap) taking on the role.

Fans were immediately delighted with Dawson's portrayal (taking over from Ashley Ackstein's vocal performance on TV), which saw the actor showing off Ahsoka's lightsaber skills as she teamed up with series hero Din Djarin.

Looking for information on the planet Corvus, Ahsoka meets Mando when he tries to get her help training his young ward, Baby Yoda. But while she's able to find out more about the Child (including his real name) Ahsoka is unwilling to train him, seeing his attachments, anger and fear as a reflection of her former master-turned Sith Lord Anakin (aka Darth Vader).

By the end of the episode, she's managed to find the information she wanted and sends Mando away on another quest to find Jedi help.

The character returned for a guest appearance in The Book of Boba Fett.

When could Ahsoka Tano be in The Mandalorian again?

Ahsoka Tano did not appear in The Mandalorian season 3 after her guest spot in The Book of Boba Fett.

However, Rosario Dawson did appear at the premiere of the series' third season.

Best Ahsoka Tano episodes

In live-action form, the best episodes prior to Ahsoka are her only other appearances:

• The Mandalorian - Chapter 13: The Jedi
• The Book of Boba Fett - Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger

The character also appeared throughout the animated series The Clone Wars, which aired its final episodes on Disney Plus earlier this year.

If you don't have time to watch all 133 episodes before binging Ahsoka, one shortcut would be skipping straight to the final four episodes of season seven, which comprise the last arc of the series.

The Clone Wars swan song was critically acclaimed and Tano plays the lead role, making them a strong choice for anyone wanting to know why she's so popular.

Alternatively, you could check out the second season of Star Wars: Rebels, where Tano appears as a series regular and faces off against her former master Darth Vader in the two-part finale: Twilight of the Apprentice.

She goes on to appear in a recurring role in future seasons and plays a pivotal role in the finale.

Read more:

• What time is Ahsoka out on Disney Plus?
• Ahsoka release schedule: When is episode 3 on Disney Plus?
• Meet the cast of Star Wars series Ahsoka on Disney Plus
• Who is Morgan Elsbeth in Ahsoka and what are the Nightsisters?
• When is Ahsoka set in the Star Wars timeline?
• Ahsoka dedicates first episode to late actor Ray Stevenson
• Who is David Tennant's Huyang in Ahsoka? Star Wars droid explained
• Ahsoka's Rosario Dawson features on Radio Times sci-fi special cover
• Who is Ezra Bridger? Star Wars: Rebels character returns in Ahsoka
• Ahsoka review: A slow but steady start for Rosario Dawson's Star Wars hero
• Ahsoka star Rosario Dawson on her Lord of the Rings inspiration
• What does Ray Stevenson play in Star Wars’ Ahsoka? Cast pay tribute
• Star Wars Rebels actor "wouldn't say no" to Ahsoka appearance
• Ahsoka sees Lars Mikkelsen return as iconic Star Wars villain

Ahsoka is available to stream on Disney Plus. Sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 for a year. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

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