Star Wars: The Clone Wars creator Dave Filoni has posted a poignant tribute to the relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. The computer-animated spinoff of George Lucas' beloved intergalactic saga began life as a 2008 feature film. Premiering on Cartoon Network, it led to a series that subsequently ran for five seasons before moving to Netflix in 2014 for a sixth. Fortunately, the series was revived in early 2020, with a seventh and final season airing exclusively on Disney+. Set between Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the series explored the years of conflict between the Republic and the Separatists.
Voiced by Ashley Eckstein, Ahsoka served as the main protagonist of the film and television series. A former member of the Jedi Order, Ahsoka was the padawan of Anakin Skywalker. Despite a rocky start, the pair eventually became good friends and fierce allies. While Ahsoka kept secret his marriage to Padmé Amidala, Anakin was the only one who actively sought to prove Ahsoka's innocence when she was framed for bombing the Coruscant Jedi Temple. The friendship has always been destined for devastation, however - with Anakin's infamous fall to the dark side drawing closer with each episode. With the final episodes set to overlap with the conclusion of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the final pieces of that tragedy were moved into place.
In Clone Wars season 7, episode 9, "Old Friends Not Forgotten", Anakin and Ahsoka are reunited in pursuit of Darth Maul. Unfortunately, General Grievous attacked Coruscant and abducted Sheev Palpatine. Tasked with the rescue mission, Anakin had to depart. The pair exchanged a heartfelt farewell, jovially defying Obi-Wan one last time and wishing each other good luck on their respective missions. Given where that mission takes Anakin next, the moment served as the last time the master and his apprentice would see each other. That fact was not lost on Filoni - who took to Instagram and, in tribute, posted a sketch of the two quietly enjoying a sunset together. Check out the post below:
It won't technically be the last time the pair cross paths. In the Star Wars Rebels season 2 finale, "Twilight of the Apprentice", Ahsoka engages Darth Vader in battle so that Ezra and other rebels can escape. Like Obi-Wan and others, however, Ahsoka discerns Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader to be different entities. As such, she even stated in a separate Star Wars Rebels episode that the last time she saw Anakin was that fateful farewell that fans have now seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Like Anakin, Ahsoka's fate isn't really in question. The character not only appeared in the aforementioned Rebels series but also set to be played by Rosario Dawson in The Mandalorian season 2. Regardless, the character's journey has been marred by tragedy. With only three episodes remaining - which promise a wealth of action and personal developments via the long-awaited Siege of Mandalore - there's every chance that there will be more to come. The moment with Anakin, however, will linger most in fans' memories. As such, Filoni's tribute will compound that heartbreak. Equally, though, it will offer a comforting reminder that the friendship was true and they might have been similarly reunited when they both ultimately became one with the force.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars will continue with "The Phantom Apprentice" on April 24, exclusively via Disney+.
Source: Dave Filoni/Instagram