The upcoming Disney+ Ahsoka series is one of the most anticipated series of 2023. The character of Ahsoka Tano debuted in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film and eventually became one of the most important characters in the Star Wars universe. The animated character was voiced by Ashley Eckstein, and she also had a supporting role throughout the Rebels. Fans got to see live-action Ahsoka for the first time in the second season of The Mandalorian, and this highly beloved character is finally getting her own series.
However, to fully enjoy the series and its primary plot of Ahsoka searching for Ezra and Grand Admiral Thrawn, you have to be familiar with the storyline set in the popular animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. Since not everyone would want to watch all seven seasons (or 133 episodes!) of The Clone Wars, it is important to narrow down the most important episodes that you need to watch before Ahsoka premieres on August 23, 2023, on Disney+.
Cloak of Darkness (S01E09)
The early seasons of The Clone Wars hardly focused on Ahsoka's character development. They mainly served as the introduction of different characters and presented Ahsoka as an under confident and, to some extent, immature character. Nevertheless, the episode "Cloak of Darkness" was a turning point for Ahsoka as she learns to control her emotions and fight against the Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress and Jedi Master Luminara Unduli.
Storm Over Ryloth (S01E19)
While the Star Wars movies present Jedi as heroic characters, who must play the role of being peacekeepers in the galaxy far, far away, animated series like The Clone Wars have introduced many different shades and layers in Jedi characters. A prevalent theme in The Clone Wars is that Jedi have to be much more than just peacekeepers. Instead, they must become warriors to fight for the right cause.
This theme is deeply explored in "Storm Over Ryloth" when Ahsoka has to lead a squadron to defend Ryloth, but she loses most of her squadron due to her disobedience of Anakin's orders. This incident plays an integral role in the character development of Ahsoka as she gets to learn the importance of following a chain of command and that wars are not adventures, but they have serious consequences.
Weapons Factory (S02E06)
The Siege of Geonosis is an important arc of the second season of The Clone Wars, and "Weapons Factory" is the second installment of this arc. It primarily focuses on Ahsoka and her growing friendship with Luminara and her apprentice, Barriss Offee, while they penetrate a droid factory to destroy it. This is an important episode to watch because, in future episodes, some shocking revelations are made about Barriss, culminating the season two of the show.
Lightsaber Lost (S02E11)
"Lightsaber Lost" is primarily focused on Ahsoka as she tries to find a thief after her lightsaber is stolen in the Coruscant underworld. She gets help from an elder Jedi, Tera Sinube, to recover her stolen lightsaber. This is an important episode to watch because it depicts Ahsoka's growth as a Jedi and her close bond with her lightsaber.
Moreover, it is quite common for Star Wars to focus on Jedi younglings, but there are very few instances where stories about older Jedi, other than the main characters, are explored in detail. Many fans have also predicted that Tera Sinube can make an appearance in the upcoming Ahsoka series.
Assassin (S03E07)
A major reason why Ahsoka grew on the Star Wars fan base is that she is a multi-layered character with many different abilities and characteristics other than being Force-sensitive. In the episode "Assassin," Ahsoka volunteers to safeguard Senator Padmé Amidala when she's visiting Alderaan for a political mission. However, her judgment is clouded due to the recurring visions of the bounty hunter Aurra Sing killing the senator. The episode depicts Ahsoka going up against Aurra Sing, one of the most powerful female villains in Star Wars.
Altar of Mortis (S03E16)
The Mortis arc in season three of The Clone Wars is one of the most interesting plots in the entire series because it provides an opportunity for the audience to learn more about the Force. In "Altar of Mortis," Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, and Anakin get stranded on a planet where the Force is extremely strong, and only three powerful entities called the Father, Son, and Daughter live.
The Son is a purely evil entity, representing the dark side of the Force. He takes Ahsoka captive to try to turn Anakin to the dark side and overpower his Father and Daughter. Ahsoka ends up falling under the spell of the dark side and starts dueling with Anakin and Obi-Wan. This entire episode is entertaining to watch, especially because it foreshadows that Anakin and Ahsoka will also fight in the future, but in a very different situation. The Mortis gods also made a surprising comeback later in the Star Wars universe.
Padawan Lost (S03E21)
If you are a fan of unpredictable and dark twists in the Star Wars universe, then you are bound to love "Padawan Lost." This episode follows Ahsoka and three Jedi younglings being stranded on a planet and hunted by Trandoshans as a sport. One of the younglings is killed during the cat-and-mouse game, and Ahsoka has to take responsibility for the other two younglings. It plays an integral role in developing the leadership skills of Ahsoka, which we will definitely be seeing more of in the live-action series.
The episode also has a cameo of Plo Kloon, one of the most powerful Jedi masters, who first discovered Ahsoka when she was a child. Plo senses her distress due to the Force and launches a rescue mission to find her. This relationship of deep respect between Ahsoka and Plo Kloon is important for the fans to know because it takes a tragic turn later in the series.
Wookie Hunt (S03E22)
"Wookie Hunt" is the season three finale of The Clone Wars. It shows Ahsoka and her allies getting unexpected help from Chewbacca the Wookiee. They join forces to kill many Trandoshans and their leader and escape the planet. Other than being a highly entertaining episode, it is also important because it depicts Ahsoka's new friendship with Chewbacca.
A Friend in Need (S04E14)
"A Friend in Need" is an important episode to watch not just for the Ahsoka series but also for the entire "MandoVerse" because it features the debut of Bo Katan, one of the most integral Star Wars characters. Moreover, it also introduces various other characters and concepts, such as the Death Watch, which play important roles later in the series.
The audience also gets to dive deep into the personal side of Ahsoka in this episode, as it features her romance with the former Separatist Lux Bontero. Ahsoka helps Lux in his journey to find the people behind his mother's death, which eventually leads them into a confrontation with the Death Watch and Pre Vizsla.
The Jedi Who Knew Too Much (S05E18)
"The Jedi Who Knew Too Much" is part of the larger story arc that deals with the bombing of the Jedi Temple and Ahsoka getting the blame for it. In this episode, Ahsoka is even accused of murdering Letta Turmond, the primary suspect in the bombing, to cover her tracks. Admiral Tarkin detains her, and despite Anakin's attempts to prove her innocence, Ahsoka has to escape from the military prison and explore the Coruscant underworld to find who is actually responsible for the bombing.
It is a must-watch episode to understand the character development of Ahsoka and the growing discontentment between the Jedi and the Republic. Throughout the episode, Ahsoka also reflects on the role of the Jedi in the war and whether they are actually becoming tools of violence instead of being peacekeepers of the galaxy. This is an important hint about the future of Ahsoka as she leaves the Jedi Order to find her own path. The episode also has a cameo of David Tennant as Huyang, a droid meant to help young Jedi construct their lightsabers. Interestingly, Huyang has been confirmed to appear in the Ahsoka series.
The Wrong Jedi (S05E20)
The season five finale of The Clone Wars, "The Wrong Jedi," is one of the most-watched episodes of the entire series because it shows Ahsoka in a very different light. It was also the last episode of The Clone Wars to air on Cartoon Network, so it serves as a kind of send-off to the series. The episode features Ahsoka being put on a trial by Admiral Tarkin for bombing the Jedi Temple, while Ahsoka is trying to prove her innocence.
The episode takes a shocking turn when it is revealed that one of Ahsoka's closest friends was actually behind the bombing. Thankfully, Anakin manages to prove her announce, but disappointed by the whole ordeal, Ahsoka decides to leave the Jedi Order. This is certainly a must-watch episode before Ahsoka because it sheds light on Ahsoka's Jedi past and also her changing relationship with Anakin Skywalker.
Deal No Deal (S07E06)
After a whole season-long absence, Ahsoka finally comes back to the series. "Deal No Deal" is the second part of a larger arc that depicts Ahsoka's adventures in the Coruscant underworld. While this arc is not directly linked with the overall plot, this particular episode is an interesting one because it explores different facets of Ahsoka's character, particularly her strategic thinking when she deals with the Pykes and tries to deceive them.
This episode is also the first time after the season five finale that Ahsoka is shown to be expressing her resentment towards the Jedi Order and how they betrayed her by blaming her for the bombing of the Jedi Temple. It also dives deep into the increasing maturity level of Ahsoka and her sympathy toward the oppressed individuals.
The episode has a small scene that is parallel to a scene in Return of the Jedi. It involves Ahsoka flying past a Republic cruiser and Anakin sensing her through the Force, just like Darth Vader senses Luke Skywalker in the stolen shuttle. While such a scene might seem insignificant to a lot of people, it actually foreshadows the conflict that Ahsoka and Anakin develop in the future when Anakin turns to the Dark Side and become Darth Vader.
Shattered (S07E11)
"Shattered" revolves around Order 66, where Ahsoka has to fight against the clones who were her friends before. It provides a satisfying conclusion to Ahsoka's friendship with Captain Rex when she is forced to remove Rex's chip to make sure he does not have to follow the Empire's orders.
The entire friendship arc is beautifully concluded, with a special focus on the evolution of their friendship since The Clone Wars film. These events are unfolding parallel to The Siege of Mandalore Arc, covered in multiple episodes.
The Siege of Mandalore Arc
The Siege of Mandalore arc is covered from episode 9 to episode 12 of season seven, with multiple parallel plots. These episodes provide a lot of background details and the history of the Mandalore that is necessary to understand the character of Bo Katan, who is featured heavily throughout these episodes.
Moreover, all of these events unfold while Anakin is falling to the Dark Side. These episodes were created in a movie format, so you can binge-watch them to get an immersive experience. They also have an iconic battle between Ahsoka and Sith Lord Darth Maul, who keeps on predicting that the Jedi and the Republic will fall soon, and it eventually does so in the movie Revenge of the Sith.
Victory and Death (S07E12)
"Victory and Death" is the finale of The Clone Wars animated series and the conclusion of The Siege of Mandalore arc. It ends with Ahsoka escaping the Empire and burying one of her lightsabers in a distant moon. Years later, Darth Vader arrives on the moon and discovers Ahsoka's lightsaber in a destroyed, wrecked cruiser. Overall, the show has a great ending tying up all the major loose ends but also leaving fans wanting for more, paving the path for Star Wars Rebels. Once you watch all of these episodes of The Clone Wars, you'll be set to enjoy Ahsoka.