TV Series Review: Ahsoka (2023) Disney+ *Minor Spoilers*

After spending a considerable amount of time catching myself up on the 'Filoni-verse' by watching all of Dave Filoni's, Disney+ animated Star Wars series I was definitely ready for Season Five of Star Wars Rebels... A.K.A. Ahsoka.

First impressions, the animation looks so real... I think they might have actually shot this as a live action show?

I'm kidding of course. While I think you could probably jump into Ahsoka just based on the character's previous live action appearances in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett (where she, and a few other supporting characters, name drop Thrawn) you really will get a lot more from the series if you've at least seen all seasons of Star Wars Rebels.

I was going to say at least season four of Rebels but I think you will get the most from Ahsoka if you've followed the characters arcs of the main supporting cast from the beginning.

You'll get even more out of Ahsoka if you've watched the main character's story through all seven seasons of The Clone Wars. However if that's too much homework you can totally jump on from season six. Personally I believe season six and seven of The Clone Wars are some of the best episodes of Star Wars you'll see anywhere, including live action films.

It's not really a spoiler to tell you we get glimpses of Ahsoka's past in the show. If you like those scenes and want more, The Clone Wars is there waiting for you. Frankly, I'd watch a live action show of young Ahsoka with Ariana Greenblatt in the role all day after seeing her and Hayden Christensen's brief scenes on this.

Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and young Ahsoka (Ariana Greenblatt) in Ahsoka (2023).
If you want to see more of this part of Ahsoka's story watch The Clone Wars.

Anyway, Ahsoka is an almost direct continuation of Star Wars Rebels with a few tweaks to some storylines. Set after the fall of the Galactic Empire, Ahsoka, has heard rumors of one of the Empire's most formidable Admirals, Admiral Thrawn, is set to return, and she makes it her mission to ensure that doesn't happen.

For the most part I enjoyed the show, particularly seeing the live action interpretations of the Rebels characters. Unlike some, I didn't feel anyone was miscast. It's just a case of getting used to the live action version.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you can wait for a season two, or for whatever comes next that continues this story) the series ends with quite a few unresolved storylines. The season finale, whilst entertaining and quite spectacular, is a little bit like going through the motions if you're a die hard fan who knows this show has at least one unchangeable outcome for the main plot.

Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka is generally well liked in the role, though she has taken some criticism for being too reserved, and not quick enough in her lightsaber duels. If you've only seen young Ahsoka in The Clone Wars (and in this series) the character is more dynamic, quicker, and expressive so you may notice it more.

Rosario's Ahsoka is the older version of the character closer to the Rebels version, and even older than that. You would expect her to be more reflective and self assured. That said, I do kind of wish she was just a little faster in a lightsaber fight.

Other than that it's a strong entry in the Star Wars universe that may see Dave Filoni finally transition his Star Wars to live action for the foreseeable future (I believe he's set to ultimately end this story arc with a feature film).

For me it's not quite as great as Andor but I'd watch it over The Book of Boba Fett (which had its moments but wasn't the story anybody wanted for that character), and even Kenobi (again, not the story anybody wanted for that character).

But, if Dave Filoni was to give me a live action series, with Anakin and Young Ahsoka, that told a self contained story from that time period, that we haven't seen before. He'd definitely have my attention.