The purrgil are proving themselves essential to the plot of Ahsoka. The space whales (that we were first introduced to in The Mandalorian season 3) are an key part of how Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger will likely be set to return in the Star Wars spin-off. But just how do they work? We take a deep dive into this below, discussing their past on screen in Dave Filoni’s animated show Star Wars Rebels as well as how they've been used so far in Ahsoka.
But before we go any further, it's important to note that we'll be getting into spoiler territory for all the Ahsoka episodes so far. So make sure you're up to date before scrolling on.
What are the purrgil in Ahsoka?
Basically, the purrgil are space whales, a semi-sentient species that live in deep space and can travel between star systems. They look pretty similar to whales too, with their bluish-purple bulbous heads and fins, although the tentacles more resemble an octopus.
In Star Wars mythos, the whales are best known for their ability to travel through hyperspace as they can create tunnels. If you’ve been paying attention in Ahsoka so far, it’s clear this will be very important in finding a certain Grand Admiral Thrawn…
Where have we seen the purrgil before?
The space whales had a very brief cameo in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 1 when Din Djarin and Grogu are traveling through hyperspace. As they travel, strange shapes are moving around them, which Grogu adorably tracks with his fingers, before one of them emerges and is clearly the shape of a purrgil.
Outside of live-action, they were first seen in the Star Wars: Rebels episode 'The Call' when the crew of the Ghost encounter them when they're stranded without fuel. However, they really became important in the show’s series finale after Ezra developed a bond with them strong enough that he could use them in the battle against Thrawn. A purrgil grabbed the Grand Admiral’s ship, jumping him to hyperspace and away from the battle. The issue was that Ezra was also aboard that ship.
Why are the purrgil important in Ahsoka?
The purrgil give Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren a glimmer of hope that Ezra may be alive when they're first introduced in episode 3. Sabine says she hasn’t seen these creatures since the day he disappeared. Then as Huyang explains, the Eye of Sion (which we now know is a hyperspace ring) could be able to make the jump to another galaxy, provided they had the right coordinates. And the way of getting them? You guessed it. "The Jedi archives speak of intergalactic hyperspace lanes between galaxies, which used to follow the migration paths of star whales named purrgil," Huyang explains.
Then at the end of Ahsoka episode 5, we see them in action as Ahsoka Tano hitches a ride on one of them in hopes it will lead her to where Sabine, Shin Hati and Baylan Skoll have disappeared to.
Ahsoka is currently dropping a new episode weekly on Disney Plus. For much more on the show, check out our guides on:
- Who is Jacen Syndulla?
- Explaining the mystical realm of the World Between Worlds
- The history between Anakin and Ahsoka explained
- Everything you need to know about Star Wars Rebels
- The Ahsoka end-credits clues explained
- The Nightsisters of Dathomir explained
- Who is Inquisitor Marrok in Ahsoka?
- Where have we seen Morgan Elsbeth before?
- What to watch before Ahsoka
- How to watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars in order
- The Ahsoka timeline explained
- The Ahsoka release schedule
