When the young Togruta first appeared in 2008's universally panned Star Wars: The Clone Wars—the sudden introduction of Anakin Skywalker's apprentice was not well received. Given her absence in Revenge of the Sith, many fans felt that Ahsoka Tano would kick the bucket and were reluctant to invest in the brash, impulsive Padawan.
Yet after traversing the stars for more than a decade in shows like The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Mandalorian, director Dave Filoni accomplished the impossible by transforming the Force wielder into one of Star Wars' most beloved characters who physically, mentally, and spiritually championed the Jedi ideals in ways that even the Order itself never could.
10 Tera Sinube Humbles Ahsoka After She Loses Her Lightsaber
Like her headstrong master, the young Ahsoka tends to be brazen and prideful. The latter of these traits leads to her refusal to inform Anakin about a pickpocket stealing her lightsaber during a scuffle in the Coruscant underworld. She instead enlists the help of the knowledgable Tera Sinube, who informs the apprentice of the thief she is looking for.
Before Ahsoka can rush off in pursuit, however, Sinube insists on tagging along, much to the Padawan's annoyance. Despite their clashing personalities, Ahsoka eventually warms to the old Jedi's approaches, resulting in the duo successfully apprehending the criminals involved. Her lightsaber returned, Ahsoka also learns from Sinube the rare value of patience.
9 Ahsoka Learns From Her Mistakes In The Battle Over Ryloth
Something unique that sets Ahsoka apart from the other great Jedi of her time (like her own master) is her ability to learn from her mistakes. Early in the Clone Wars, Ahsoka is given command of her own squadron during a dangerous conflict over Ryloth. Overconfident, the young Jedi quickly leads her men to their deaths due to her callous actions.
Ahsoka is shaken by the incident and struggles to contend with the death of her subordinates. However, the Padawan isn't given time to rest as Anakin hatches a dangerous plan, leaving Ahsoka in charge of the Republic flagship Resolute. With the Separatists' attention diverted, Ahsoka overcomes her doubts and leads another bombing squadron to seal the droids' defeat.
8 Oversight Of Onderon Rebel Training Is Given To Ahsoka
During the Battle of Onderon that saw the return of Rogue One's Saw Gerrera, several Jedi are sent to the planet to assist rebel insurgents in reclaiming their home. Once they felt the Onderon insurgents were ready to infiltrate Iziz, Obi-Wan and Anakin left the supervision of the soldiers under the command of the capable Ahsoka Tano.
Unlike the Jedi's stance on neutrality, however, Ahsoka involves herself in Onderon's affairs when things take a turn for worse. After the rebels are cornered by Separatist forces, Ahsoka intervenes by clearing a path for General Tandin's escape. With their newfound ally, the rebels are able to mount a successful counterattack that enables them to reclaim their planet.
7 Trandoshan Kidnappers Are Bested By Ahsoka And Her Wit
Ahsoka finds herself ambushed amidst the Battle of Felucia, and is knocked unconscious by Trandoshan hunters. She awakens to find herself stranded on Wasskah, where she quickly discovers that she and several other Jedi apprentices are being hunted by the Trandoshans for sport.
Determined to find a way out of her situation, Ahsoka hatches a plan with a few of the other younglings, who have grown despondent in their hopes for survival. However, with Ahsoka's encouragement and experience, the Padawans come together to overcome their kidnappers, with Ahsoka even engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a Trandoshan twice her size.
6 Ahsoka Protects Lux Bonteri From Pre Vizsla And The Death Watch
After interrupting a delegation on Mandalore by accusing Count Dooku of killing his mother, junior senator Lux Bonteri is thrown out of the meeting, prompting Padmé Amidala to send Ahsoka after him. The resulting pursuit finds the two of them with the wintery Carlac, where Bonteri reveals his plans to kill the Count with the help of Pre Vizsla's Death Watch.
While having severe reservations about Bonteri's dubious plan, Ahsoka follows along until the rogue Mandalorians threaten to torch a nearby village following Vizsla's brutal execution of Tryla. Viszla initially incapacitates the young Jedi, but Ahsoka manages to hold her own against the Darksaber wielder when R2-D2 returns her lightsabers to her.
5 Ahsoka Refuses To Kill The 501st Legion Following Order 66
The end of The Clone Wars series sees Ahsoka Tano and Commander Rex endure the horrific events of Order 66 aboard the Tribunal that effectively turn the Grand Army of the Republic against them. However, when Rex breaks the shocking news to Ahsoka, she doubles down on her refusal to kill her former comrades.
Rex agonizingly replies that the 501st Legion no longer cares about Ahsoka's empathy. In response, the Togruta gently removes the commander's helmet to reveal a tear-stained face at the loss of his brothers. With only their sheer will and determination, the pair manage to fight their way off the Star Destroyer set to crash land on an unnamed moon.
4 Ahsoka Leaves The Jedi Order After Being Falsely Incriminated
Ahsoka suddenly finds herself embroiled in a controversy surrounding a bombing at the Jedi Temple when she is framed for the murder of Letta Turmond. After a game of cat and mouse with her master in the Courscant underworld, which sees her team up with Asajj Ventress, the young Padawan is taken back into custody by Republic authorities.
Disgruntled with the situation, Admiral Tarkin convinces the Jedi to expel Ahsoka from the Order so she can be tried by the Senate. Only with Anakin's detective work and Barriss Offee's confession is Ahsoka ultimately absolved of her guilt. However, a disillusioned Ahsoka refuses to rejoin the Order, instead setting out on her own to discover what being a Jedi truly means.
3 The Inquisitors Are Soundly Defeated By Ahsoka On Takobo
Long after the end of the Clone Wars, Ahsoka finds herself working as a spy among the ranks of the early Rebellion. After crossing paths with the crew of the Ghost, Ahsoka sends Kanan Jarrus and his Padawan Ezra Bridger to Takobo to search for something that the Empire's Inquisitors are after, which turns out to be Force-sensitive children.
However, the distress of one of the children—Pypey—becomes a beacon that brings the dark Force users to Kanan and Ezra. Unfortunately, the pair are no match for the Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother. But when all seems lost, Ahsoka enters the fray, igniting two silver-white lightsabers before making short work of the Inquisitors.
2 The Siege Of Mandalore Is Led By Ahsoka and Bo-Katan Kryze
As The Clone Wars come to a close, fans bear witness to one of Ahsoka's greatest moments where she figuratively transforms from an apprentice into a Jedi. After being headhunted by Bo-Katan Kryze, Ahsoka informs the Republic that she has located the Sith renegade Maul. In response, she is given command of the 501st Legion to launch a siege on Mandalore.
The battle culminates with one of the series' most epic fights between former apprentice and former Sith lord. Using her own wit and skills, Ahsoka not only faces down one of Star Wars' most formidable foes whom even the strongest Jedi have struggled against, but she emerges victorious.
1 Ahsoka Holds Her Own Against Darth Vader On Malachor
Perhaps the most iconic (and painful) moment of Ahsoka's history comes when she confronts her former master in the Sith temple of Malachor in the season finale of Rebels. Darth Vader's strength is simply unmatched in the galaxy at this point in time, and despite the Togruta's quick and agile attacks, it's clear that even she is no match for the mighty Sith lord.
However, even in the face of inevitable defeat, Ahsoka's resolve to save Anakin holds strong. After slashing open the side of Vader's helmet, the former Padawan hears the disembodied voice of the man who was once her master. Even as Vader threatens to kill her, Ahsoka reaffirms her own belief, vowing to not leave her master again.