The Mandalorian season 2, episode 3 ends by teasing Ahsoka Tano's appearance, and fans can get to know her by watching parts of Star Wars' animated shows. Ahsoka is not only one of the main protagonists of Star Wars: The Clone Wars but also a fan-favorite character who has grown enough in popularity to be featured in Star Wars Rebels and an audio-only cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
While few are surprised that one of Dave Filoni’s most beloved characters is coming to The Mandalorian, this reveal is exciting for animated fans. Ahsoka’s place in The Mandalorian is likely to be far more than simple fan-service, however. In addition to having one of the best long-term character arcs across Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka is also no stranger to Jedi outcasts or Mandalorians, befriending and clashing with them in equal measure.
Two familiar characters in The Mandalorian season 2, Boba Fett and Bo-Katan Kryze, have histories with Ahsoka that will make for exciting interactions later this season. In preparation for Ahsoka’s appearance The Mandalorian, here are all the must-watch Ahsoka episodes from Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.
Lethal Trackdown (Clone Wars Season 2, Episode 22)
Hoping to kill Mace Windu to avenge his father, a young Boba Fett has taken three of Windu's men hostage, threatening to execute them unless Windu faces him. With Mace in no condition to fight, Ahsoka and Jedi Master Plo Koon confront the young bounty hunter instead.
With Boba Fett and Ahsoka Tano both appearing in The Mandalorian season 2, it’s important to know their history with each other, since a confrontation between the two is possible. Ahsoka and Boba’s interaction was brief, with Ahsoka calling him a murderer for his role in Clone Commander Ponds’ death, and Boba unsuccessfully attempting to blast Ahsoka moments later. If the two do share a scene, Ahsoka will likely bring up their brief clash from decades ago.
The Academy (Clone Wars Season 3, Episode 6)
Ahsoka travels to Mandalore to root out corrupt politicians in the Mandalorian government, under the guise of a tutor for prospective Mandalorian leaders. This episode depicts Ahsoka’s first interaction with Mandalorian society and culture - in this case, the pacifist New Mandalorian faction that ruled Mandalore until the end of the Clone Wars, where the planet once again fell back into a culture of warrior clans. Ahsoka’s first mission to Mandalore was a favor for Duchess Satine Kryze, Bo-Katan’s sister, and this may be brought up in The Mandalorian season 2.
A Friend in Need (Clone Wars Season 4, Episode 14)
Seeking revenge on Count Dooku for ordering his mother’s assassination, Lux Bonteri allies himself with the Mandalorian Death Watch. Ahsoka, knowing her friend is in over his head, tries to convince him to abandon this partnership and join the Republic instead.
Bo-Katan debuts in this episode, serving as Death Watch leader Pre Vizsla’s second-in-command. This episode demonstrates the cruel actions of the Death Watch under Vizsla’s leadership and features both a brief but intense fight between Ahsoka and Bo-Katan, and the legendary Darksaber. The hostile beginning of Ahsoka and Bo-Katan’s relationship may come up again in The Mandalorian season 2, and the Darksaber will almost certainly be appearing later in the season.
Sabotage (Clone Wars Season 5, Episode 17)
Ahsoka and Anakin are brought back to Coruscant when the Jedi Temple is bombed. After a lengthy investigation, the two discover that the apparent culprit is a Republic citizen protesting the war and the Jedi’s involvement in it.
The first of a four-part story arc, this is Ahsoka’s final mission as an official member of the Jedi Order and the Republic. The poor public perception of the Jedi shown in this episode may also be referenced in The Mandalorian season 2. Already, there is an ancient rivalry between Jedi and Mandalorians, and the former’s involvement in the Clone Wars indirectly contributed to the Imperial oppression of Mandalorians after the war.
The Jedi Who Knew Too Much (Clone Wars Season 5, Episode 18)
Ahsoka is framed for the murder of the Jedi Temple bomber and several Clone Troopers. With only Anakin Skywalker, Captain Rex, and Plo Koon believing her to be innocent, Ahsoka flees the pursuing Republic forces. After years of fighting for the Republic, for all but three people to lose their faith in Ahsoka so easily, it would be understandable for an older Ahsoka in The Mandalorian to keep her guard up when working with new allies. This will likely apply to Din Djarin, who is already wary of the Jedi himself.
To Catch a Jedi (Clone Wars Season 5, Episode 19)
Now a fugitive of the Republic, Ahsoka struggles to prove her innocence, allying herself with the now-bounty hunter Asajj Ventress in her desperation. Despite her best efforts, Ahsoka is captured by the Republic, now framed not only for murdering Clone Troopers, but masterminding the Jedi Temple bombing itself.
This episode provides one of the best demonstrations of Ahsoka’s survival skills, even when she's at her most desperate point. Though she’s ultimately captured, Ahsoka manages to evade her pursuers for a time due to her resourcefulness and improvised planning skills. These skills may be brought up in The Mandalorian to explain how a Force-user like her managed to outlive the Galactic Empire.
The Wrong Jedi (Clone Wars Season 5, Episode 20)
Ahsoka is put on trial for her supposed murders and involvement in the Jedi Temple bombing. Anakin ultimately proves her innocence, and Ahsoka is allowed to join the Jedi Order once more. In light of everything, Ahsoka declines, leaving both the Jedi and Anakin behind.
From this point onward, Ahsoka Tano is no longer a Jedi. Her feelings of abandonment from all but a few will almost certainly be noted in The Mandalorian. Though trained as a Jedi from a young age, Ahsoka now follows her own path. When presented with The Child by Din Djarin, Ahsoka may direct him to Luke Skywalker and his new generation of Jedi, or opt to train The Child as an unaffiliated Force-user like she is.
Old Friends Not Forgotten (Clone Wars Season 7, Episode 9)
When the former Sith Lord Maul attempts to once again take over Mandalore, Bo-Katan enlists the help of Ahsoka and the Republic. With Rex, a division of Clone Troopers, and Bo-Katan’s Mandalorians alongside her, Ahsoka goes into battle against Maul’s own Mandalorian forces, thus initiating the Siege of Mandalore.
This episode marks the beginning of Ahsoka and Bo-Katan’s partnership. Though their interactions were initially hostile, their common enemy, Maul, forces them into an unlikely partnership that continues into the timeframe of The Mandalorian season 2. Bo-Katan is likely one of the few people Ahsoka still trusts by the time the Empire has fallen.
The Phantom Apprentice (Clone Wars Season 7, Episode 10)
The Siege of Mandalore reaches its climax as Maul and Ahsoka duel while their respective forces continue to fight for the fate of Mandalore. Maul ominously warns Ahsoka of the impending end of the Clone Wars and the Jedi Order, but Ahsoka thinks it’s a trick. Ahsoka, Rex, and Bo-Katan are ultimately victorious, with Maul and his surviving forces captured.
In addition to having one of the greatest lightsaber duels in Clone Wars, this episode reveals where Ahsoka was during the timeframe of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Moreover, Ahsoka and Bo-Katan’s successful teamwork in capturing the former Sith Lord Maul may be referenced in The Mandalorian season 2.
Shattered (Clone Wars Season 7, Episode 11)
With Maul in custody and Bo-Katan now regent of Mandalore, Ahsoka and Rex depart for Coruscant. During the voyage, Order 66 is activated, turning every clone, including Rex against Ahsoka. Reluctantly, Ahsoka frees Maul to distract the mind-controlled clones so she could figure out a way to free Rex from the brainwashing.
Although the Galactic Empire will take control of Mandalore not long after this episode, Bo-Katan and Ahsoka part ways on good terms. While it is likely that the two worked together at least one more time in between Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, their partnership during the Siege of Mandalore established mutual respect.
Victory and Death (Clone Wars Season 7, Episode 12)
With Rex’s control chip removed and his free will restored, he and Ahsoka must find a way off their doomed Venator cruiser and away from Rex’s brainwashed troopers. Upon the agonizing realization that they won’t be able to save the other clones, Rex and Ahsoka flee the ship, leaving the crew to die and faking their own deaths. Maul escapes while Rex and Ahsoka go their separate ways.
The series finale of Clone Wars reveals how Rex and Ahsoka survived the rise of the Galactic Empire. Ahsoka’s experiences from the beginning of the Jedi Purge may be referenced in her appearance in The Mandalorian. This episode also shows the heartbreaking situation that Order 66 put them both in, with no way of breaking the other clones out of their brainwashing and saving themselves in time before their cruiser crashes.
The Future of the Force (Rebels Season 2, Episode 10)
Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger set out to rescue Force-sensitive infants who are targeted for kidnapping by the Imperial Inquisitors. Outmatched by the dark side wielders, the Rebels are saved by Ahsoka, who handily defeats the two Inquisitors and returns the infants to their families.
Set decades after The Clone Wars, this Star Wars Rebels episode shows how powerful Ahsoka has become in the years between the two shows. Ahsoka may have become even more adept in the Force by the time Din Djarin meets her. Moreover, Ahsoka’s mission to save Force-sensitive infants may be similar to her role in The Mandalorian season 2.
Twilight of the Apprentice (Rebels Season 2, Episode 21/22)
Sent by Yoda to Malachor, Ahsoka, Kanan, and Ezra encounter more Inquisitors and the old former Dark Lord Maul in the planet’s ancient Sith temple. Things become far direr once Darth Vader himself enters the fray. This results in a final, climactic, confrontation between the once-master and apprentice.
Once again demonstrating Ahsoka’s incredible strength as a Force user, the epic duel between Vader and Ahsoka is equal parts exciting and heartbreaking. Despite her best efforts, Ahsoka couldn’t get through to what little remained of Anakin within Vader. Ahsoka may have lost her faith in the Jedi, but her own former master letting her down may be far worse.
A World Between Worlds (Rebels Season 4, Episode 13)
Exploring Lothal’s Jedi Temple, Ezra Bridger finds himself in a place beyond space and time: The World Between Worlds. Here, Ezra reaches into a portal and rescues Ahsoka before Vader can kill her on Malachor. After foiling an attempt by Darth Sidious to enter the plane, Ahsoka returns to Malachor, stranded, but safe.
How Ahsoka survived her duel with Vader is revealed in this episode, as well as one of her final appearances before her debut on The Mandalorian. How Ahsoka made it off Malachor is a story that remains to be told, but her experience in the World Between Worlds may have changed her understanding of the Force, making her an even more distinctive Force user by the time she encounters Din Djarin.