Now played in live-action by Rosario Dawson, Ahsoka Tano – former Padawan of Anakin Skywalker – has died twice in Star Wars so far, and has been implied to die a third time. A strong-willed Togruta, Ahsoka was introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and evolved into a seasoned warrior over the course of the show’s seven seasons. She went from an inexperienced new Padawan to an independent and strong leader who was confident in her abilities. That, however, didn’t stop Ahsoka from getting into trouble.
Ahsoka learned a lot from Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, but the trio did continually find themselves in tricky situations requiring a degree of creativity to escape. Ahsoka technically died twice, and on both occasions Anakin was directly involved – and even responsible for one of these deaths. Still, Anakin’s Padawan ultimately outlived him, and has returned in The Mandalorian era to star in her own live-action Disney+ TV show. Here’s how her story almost came to an end twice – and how Star Wars has hinted at her final fate.
Ahsoka Tano Died In The Clone Wars On Mortis
Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 3, episodes 15-18 saw the Jedi discover a mysterious planet rich in the Force. This vergence appeared to symbolically represent the nature of the Force itself, with the light and dark sides manifesting in the form of the Daughter and the Son, and a Father representing balance. The Daughter’s death signified that dark times were ahead for the galaxy. During the arc, Anakin and Ahsoka both allowed the dark side to corrupt them – even if this was short-lived.
The Son’s rampage saw him kill Ahsoka, who no longer served his purpose, and he attacked his sister as well. The Daughter used Force Heal to transfer some of her life essence into Ahsoka, resurrecting her. This was the first time such a resurrection had been seen in Star Wars, a demonstration of the Daughter’s power. Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 3, episode 16 used this to focus on Ahsoka’s importance to Anakin and Obi-Wan, who were delighted to see her alive, but it’s fascinating to note Ahsoka now has a tie to the nature of the Force itself. She has subsequently been associated with Morai, an owl connected with the Daughter.
Ahsoka Died At Darth Vader’s Blade, But Was Saved By Ezra Bridger
Ahsoka died a second time, in the Star Wars Rebels season 2 finale. There, Ahsoka Tano faced her former master, Anakin Skywalker, learning of his transformation into Darth Vader. The duel between Ahsoka and Darth Vader was brutal, with Anakin’s former Padawan managing to get in some strong blows, but it was clear Vader had the upper hand. Viewers never saw the conclusion to the duel between Master and Apprentice, but it was strongly implied Vader killed Ahsoka, who sacrificed herself to allow Kanan and Ezra to escape.
All this changed in Star Wars Rebels season 4, episode 13, in which Ezra Bridger entered a mysterious realm called the World Between Worlds. This appears to control the flow of time itself, and Ezra was able to see and hear different moments in Star Wars history – including events that happened yet. Ezra was surprised to encounter Morai in the World Between Worlds, who led him to a portal where he saw the conclusion of Ahsoka’s duel with Darth Vader. Right before Vader was about to strike down Ahsoka with his lightsaber, Ezra reached through the portal and pulled Ahsoka to safety.
There’s intense debate over whether Ezra changed history with the World Between Worlds, or whether Ahsoka was always supposed to survive. Regardless, though, it is fascinating to note Ahsoka’s survival is once again tied to another plane in the Force, and to the owl Morai. There have been strong hints the World Between Worlds will return in the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show, suggesting Ahsoka has become tied to these cosmic forces in some way.
The Rise Of Skywalker Hinted Ahsoka May Be Dead By The Sequels
The final scenes of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, set decades after The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, ended with Rey confronting her grandfather, Emperor Palpatine. Jedi of the past supported her, with Rey hearing the voices of past Jedi speak to her in encouragement. There were many vocal cameos, ranging from Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker to Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn. Ashley Eckstein reprised the voice of Ahsoka as well.
Ahsoka’s voice cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has led many to believe she died sometime between the end of Star Wars Rebels and the beginning of the sequel trilogy. That may not be the case, however; Rae Carson’s novelization suggested some of these Jedi were “still anchored to the living in a strange way.” Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni, Ahsoka’s co-creator and writer of the Disney+ TV show, has refused to concede she is dead, instead hinting there are other way. It’s possible that, because of her connection to the World Between Worlds and the Daughter, Ahsoka has instead ascended to another plane. This would mean Ahsoka can actually outlive The Mandalorian era.
Even though there’s no confirmation Ahsoka Tano is still alive, audiences can remain hopeful. While her vocal cameo in The Rise of Skywalker seemed to indicate that Ahsoka had died, it wouldn’t be the first time Ahsoka Tano cheated death. It’s possible the upcoming Ahsoka series will give some context, or at least some more hints about Ahsoka’s final fate. Even if it does not, there is still roughly a 20-year gap between the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, meaning practically anything could happen. This does include death – but this is Star Wars, meaning far more exotic options exist that could allow Ahsoka to survive her third assumed death as well. If so, that would cement just how important Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan has become to the entire franchise – and it would presumably set up her future as well.
