Jedi Ahsoka Tano may not be a household name. But her legacy endears throughout the entire Star Wars saga.
Before she appeared in Disney Plus’ hit TV series The Mandalorian, Ahsoka was a confidant and protege of Anakin Skywalker’s. Now, she has a dedicated TV series on the way too, called Star Wars: Ahsoka.
But who is Ahsoka Tano, and where does she hail from? Here’s everything you need to know about this powerful Jedi’s role across the galaxy.
Who is Ahsoka Tano?
Ahsoka Tano is a member of the Togruta species from the planet Shili. Their skin’s bright pigmentation and large cranial appendages, known as montrals, distinguish the Togruta from other species. Togruta are especially perceptive, as their montrals endow them with echolocation abilities. Those who are strong with the Force make for exceptional Jedi.
Aside from Ahsoka Tano, other notable Togruta include the Jedi Masters Shaak Ti and Jora Malli, as well as Supreme Chancellor Kirames Kaj.
Ahsoka made her debut appearance as Anakin Skywalker’s young apprentice in the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She is voiced by Ashley Eckstein. Ahsoka continued to be a central character over the course of the Clone Wars series’ seven-season run, with the most recent season streaming in 2020 on Disney Plus.
Ahsoka originally wielded a single, green lightsaber at the series’ outset before switching to dual blue sabers later on. By the end of the Clone Wars, Ahsoka leaves the Jedi Order and sets off on her own adventures separate from those of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Ahsoka also appears in Star Wars: Rebels, which chronicles the Rebel Alliance’s creation between the events of Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One.
In the second season of Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, now played by Rosario Dawson, made her live-action debut. As she assists Dinn Djarin and his foundling Grogu in their search for the Jedi, Ahsoka reveals she is looking for Grand Admiral Thrawn of the former Galactic Empire. This bit of information may hint at the narrative of the upcoming Ahsoka series on Disney Plus, which is set to debut in 2022.
Thrawn’s last sighting was in the finale of Rebels, as he disappeared into space with the young Jedi Ezra Bridger. After the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka and the Mandalorian Sabine Wren set out on a quest to find Thrawn and Bridger. Expect to learn more about their journey as more information is revealed on Star Wars: Ahsoka.