Who is Ahsoka Tano? The former Jedi from Star Wars: Clone Wars and Rebels explained

Ahsoka Tano is a key part of Star Wars, beginning with her introduction in The Clone Wars movie and going all the way up to her Disney Plus solo show. That means there's a lot to catch up on if you're not well versed in The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels – but that's where we come in. We've got everything you need to know about Ahsoka Tano right here, and we're up to date with the Ahsoka show. Naturally, that means there are spoilers for her spin-off adventure ahead. 

We've got the lowdown on Ahsoka's bond with Anakin Skywalker, how she survived Order 66, and what she's been up to in live-action below, answering all your questions on the Togruta. For even more on the former Jedi, see our guides on what to watch before Ahsoka and everything you need to know about Star Wars Rebels. To get started on the animated shows in earnest, head to our roundup of how to watch The Clone Wars in order. 

Who is Ahsoka Tano?

Ahsoka Tano is a Togruta female, discovered at the age of three by Jedi Master Plo Koon amongst her people on the planet of Shili. The Force-sensitive child is nearly enslaved by a Jedi-imposter, but ends up joining the Jedi and is raised in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. You can see more of her childhood in Tales of the Jedi episode 1. 

At 14, Ahsoka is assigned to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker as his Padawan during The Clone Wars. Master Yoda believes that Anakin needs a Padawan to help him overcome his fear of losing loved ones, as she will inevitably go off on her own adventures after her training is complete. Sadly, Anakin never got to finish training Ahsoka – more on that in a moment. For what you need to know about the history between Anakin and Ahsoka, click through the link. 

Why isn't Ahsoka Tano a Jedi? 

Ahsoka may wield dual lightsabers, but she isn't technically a Jedi. After becoming increasingly frustrated with the Jedi Order and the way it was handling things on Coruscant and beyond, Ahsoka’s wrongfully accused of bombing the Jedi Temple. She’s put on trial, acquitted, and offered the title of Jedi Knight, but walks away from the Jedi Order as her faith is irreparably shaken by the Order's actions. Despite Anakin's protestations, Ahsoka turns her back on the Order and goes off to make a life on her own.

While travelling with sisters from Level 1313 on Coruscant, Ahsoka is approached by Mandalorian Bo-Katan Kryze, who asks her to help the planet take back control from Darth Maul. She agrees, and, together with Kryze, contacts Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skyawlker for help with Maul. Anakin gives Ahsoka her dual lightsabers back, but now in a new, blue hue – these dual lightsabers are important, as Ahsoka has a pair when we last see her in Star Wars Rebels, but they certainly aren't blue.

How does Ahsoka Tano survive Order 66?  

We learn how Ahsoka survives Order 66 in the final episode of the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (season 7 also explains where Ahsoka is in Revenge of the Sith). 

Ahsoka is aboard a ship transporting a captive Maul when Order 66 begins, so she releases Maul to keep the murderous clones chasing her busy, all as she attempts to figure out a way to escape. Naturally, Maul starts destroying the ship's hyperdrive, sending it falling out of space. Eventually, she lands safely on the planet below, and Ahsoka erects graves for all of her former comrades-in-arms. She leaves her lightsabers behind so that it looks like she also perished in the crash.

Where does Ahsoka Tano go after Order 66? 

We meet Ahsoka Tano again in Star Wars Rebels, but the canon novel titled "Ahsoka" fills in some of the gaps before her on-screen return. Ahsoka adopts a pseudonym, calling herself Ashla and hiding on the planet Thabeska working for a smuggling clan. She moves around quite a bit before she joins the rebellion, constantly fleeing Imperial troops. Tales of the Jedi episode 6 shows a snapshot of the former Jedi's life at this time. 

At some point, Ahsoka and Senator Leia Organa meet, and Ahsoka agrees to join the Rebellion, but won't take a commander position due to her experience during The Clone Wars. Ahsoka is sent to a planet to take on an Imperial agent who’s hunting down Jedi – this turns out to be the Sixth Brother, an Inquisitor, and the two engage in a brutal battle. Ahsoka wins, takes the kyber crystals from his lightsaber, and uses the Force to heal them of the dark side, turning them white.  

Ahsoka is first introduced to the Star Wars Rebels cast as "Fulcrum," which was her code name when working for Senator Organa and Senator Mon Mothma's rebel network. She works with them throughout Rebels, and at one point saves Ezra Bridger from Darth Vader by fighting him off herself. At one point, she significantly declares: "I am no Jedi." 

Ezra and the others assume Ahsoka died fighting Vader. However, a time-traveling Ezra pulls Ahsoka into a portal via the World Between Worlds, where the two are eventually separated as Ahsoka returns to her own time. 

We last see Ahsoka in Rebels in the epilogue, about to head off in search of Ezra with Sabine Wren. We don't know what the former Jedi got up to in the Star Wars original trilogy (yet). 

Come her live-action debut in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 5, Ahsoka is trying to find a certain General Admiral Thrawn. Yes, that's another character with deep Star Wars lore behind them – click through the link on his name for more. Ezra vanished into hyperspace with Thrawn in the Rebels finale after summoning some purrgil (hyperspace travelling whales, basically).

After her appearance in Mando, we next see Ahsoka in The Book of Boba Fett episode 6. She's hanging out with Luke Skywalker as he trains Baby Yoda, AKA Grogu. Having long been entangled in Skywalker matters, Ahsoka says that Luke reminds her of his father. And like that, it all comes full circle. Ahsoka also leaves to go off on another adventure, most likely to continue her mission to find Ezra and take down Thrawn.

What's happening in Ahsoka?

Ahsoka begins with Snips on a mission to find a star map leading to Thrawn (as well as Ezra Bridger). However, she's not the only one on the path to try and find the missing Grand Admiral, as Morgan Elsbeth and some new enemies are also hunting him down. Ahsoka is searching with the help of Sabine Wren, who's back as her apprentice, and Hera Syndulla, who is now a general. 

However, Ahsoka episode 4 throws a bit of a spanner into the works after the former Jedi gets pushed into the World Between Worlds after a brutal lightsaber fight with Baylan Skoll. But there's a familiar face waiting for her there... "Hello, Snips," Anakin is back!

Ahsoka ends up having quite the adventure in the World Between Worlds in Ahsoka episode 5, duelling both the light and dark sides of her former Master and even re-experiencing some key Clone Wars battles. She emerges in a symbolic, new outfit and is able to use the purrgil to get to Peridea. 

As the show continues, Ahsoka is reunited with Ezra at last. In the race to stop Thrawn, the trio (plus Huyang) fight off Night Troopers to gain access to Thrawn's Star Destroyer, and Ahsoka kills Morgan in a duel. Ultimately, though, only Ezra makes it onto the ship and gets home. That leaves Ahsoka and Sabine stranded in Peridea, but Ahsoka isn't too worried, believing they're where they're supposed to be. The show ends with the Force ghost of Anakin watching over his onetime Padawan and smiling. 

All episodes of Ahsoka are streaming on Disney Plus now. 

For more on what's coming next, be sure to check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows being released over the next few years.