Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 2.
Star Wars Rebels was the first production in Star Wars following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, but is the show canon to the Star Wars universe? Star Wars Rebels was created by George Lucas' protégé Dave Filoni, following the cancellation of Star Wars: The Clone Wars by Disney. Rebels is set five years before the original Star Wars and tells the story of a ragtag group of rebels who begin to start the resistance against the Galactic Empire that later becomes the Rebel Alliance.
Since the show began in 2014, it has become ever more popular amongst the Star Wars fandom. From introducing fan-favorite characters like Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger to continuing the story of Star Wars: The Clone Wars veterans such as Ahsoka Tano, Rebels has solidified itself as a major stepping stone in the Star Wars timeline. However, given the inclusion of some Rebels characters in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi and some seeming changes to the events of Star Wars Rebels, many have begun to wonder if Rebels is in fact canon.
One of the main characters from Star Wars Rebels in Obi-Wan Kenobi is the Grand Inquisitor, the main antagonist of Rebels season 1. However, Obi-Wan Kenobi seemingly killed the Grand Inquisitor at the hands of Reva in episode 2, causing much confusion given his appearance in Rebels a few years later when concerning the Star Wars timeline. Despite this, Star Wars Rebels is still canon to the Star Wars universe. It is highly likely that it is revealed in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3 that the Grand Inquisitor is simply injured, sidelining him to make way for Darth Vader. The Inquisitor can then recuperate and continue his search for Jedi, leading him to Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger a few years later at the beginning of Star Wars Rebels. Given Disney's inclusion, and even reliance in some ways, on the animated side of the Star Wars universe with the creation of The Clone Wars season 7 and Star Wars: The Bad Batch, it would make little sense to remove Rebels from canon.
Also, characters and lingering storylines from Star Wars Rebels' ending are expected to be continued in Ahsoka, which is scheduled for release in 2023. For example, one of the main antagonists of Star Wars Rebels, Grand Admiral Thrawn, was mentioned by name in The Mandalorian by Ahsoka Tano. Also, another Rebels original character, Sabine Wren, is confirmed to appear in the Ahsoka series, with heavy rumors suggesting Ezra Bridger may also appear. All of this means that Rebels canonicity remains intact, despite decisions made in Obi-Wan Kenobi, which can be written around by having the Grand Inquisitor survive (although a permanent death would create far bigger issues, given his importance in the animated show).
Star Wars Rebels is responsible for some of the best stories told in the Star Wars universe, being both incredibly exciting and massively emotional. Due to this, and the obvious love from the fandom of the animated shows which caused the introduction of many live-action Star Wars characters originally from animation, Star Wars Rebels is certainly considered canon and won't be removed anytime soon. Granted, this doesn't mean mistakes can't be made that 'break' canon, as was the case between George Lucas' original and prequel trilogies. However, with that being said, it is clear from Dave Filoni's vital importance in the future of the Star Wars franchise, that Star Wars Rebels isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
