15 Best Ahsoka Tano Moments From Star Wars Animation

All hail Ahsoka! The young Jedi (voiced by Ashley Eckstein) first appeared in "The Clone Wars" to mixed reactions from "Star Wars" fans. Since then, however, she has grown into a popular character in George Lucas' sprawling franchise, so much so that she's received her own Disney+ TV series starring Rosario Dawson in the role. Her close relationship with Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi ensures she is never too far from essential moments seen on "The Clone Wars" and other TV shows like "Star Wars Rebels," "Star Wars: The Bad Batch," and "Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures."

With so many appearances in animation, it's tough to pin down Ahsoka's best scenes. Whether it be a killer lightsaber duel or a brilliant bit of heroism, there's no shortage of incredible sequences. However, after sifting through the 100-plus episodes of "The Clone Wars," "Rebels," and others, I've landed on a list of 15 incredible Ahsoka moments that stand out. Let's do this!

Although the first season of "Clone Wars" was rough and lacked the complexity of later seasons, it was good enough to lure me back to Season 2. While still clunky in its execution, the sophomore session upped the ante and delivered a handful of solid chapters that deftly demonstrated the abilities of Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka.

During a vigorous Battle on Geonosis, Ahsoka teams up with her master and a legion of Clones to upend a nasty group of Geonosians. From start to finish, the action-packed episode, "Landing at Point Rain," packs a wallop. Republic transport vehicles are violently blasted out of the sky by a flurry of ground fire, separating our heroes and forcing them to stage an impromptu attack. Obi-Wan's ship crashes and casualties mount, but that doesn't stop Anakin and Ahsoka from engaging in friendly competition. The pair mow down legions of bad guys and tally their kills.

The pair leap off a wall as it explodes behind them, using their Force powers to slow their fall. It's electrifying and a great look at the duo's terrific abilities. Oh, and who won the contest? Ahsoka finishes with 60 kills compared to Anakin's 55, but he calls in an airstrike and claims they're tied. "You're impossible," she smirks.

By Season 3, "Clone Wars" was firing on all cylinders, delivering a regular blast of frenetic action, unique characters, and fascinating plot lines. Ahsoka's powers really start to grow, as does her relationship with Anakin, resulting in plenty of drama. In the season's 16th episode, "Alter of Mortis," we see our fearsome heroes — Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka — taking on a trio of powerful beings known as the Father, the Son, and the Daughter, each representing different shades of the Force.

Ostensibly a two-parter, the second half delivers the goods when a bewitched Ahsoka takes on her friends. The young Padawan, brandishing her signature dual blades, displays remarkable skill and more than holds her own against the two Jedi. Of course, they're held back by an unwillingness to harm her, but her powers have increased exponentially since her first appearance in the "Clone Wars" movie. Moreover, seeing how dangerous "Snips" would be if pushed to the wrong side is oddly satisfying. Thankfully, after some intricate death/resurrection, Ahsoka returns to the good side by the episode's end and helps her friends take down the evildoers.

During a pivotal meeting between the Republic representatives and Separatists on Mandalore in the episode "A Friend in Need," Ahsoka gets in over her head while rescuing Lux Bonteri (Jason Spisak). After a bold escape, the twosome end up on a snow-covered planet and encounter Death Watch, led by the headstrong Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff). Once again forced to endure without her lightsabers, Ahsoka, disguised as Lux's betrothed, unleashes a flurry of jump kicks on the Mandalorian terrorists after they set fire to a nearby village full of helpless citizens. Bound by ropes, our plucky heroine winds up inside a tent surrounded by foes. No matter — R2-D2 creates a diversion and arms her. Ahsoka leaps into the air and, in one swift move, slashes through the ropes and lops the heads off four guards. She then confronts Vizsla, who wields the legendary Darksaber. A fierce duel follows.

Eventually, an army of recently pieced-together droids joins the fun, and, amidst Kevin Kiner's operatic score and a dense snowstorm, Ahsoka gains the upper hand before escaping on a speeder. Bo-Katan and her minions pursue, and with the aid of R2, Ahsoka manages to ward off the attackers and flee the planet.

The Death Watch aren't slackers. We later see them hold their own against the likes of Count Dooku (Corey Burton) and Darth Maul (Sam Witwer). Seeing Ahsoka take on the entire group herself further solidifies her strength as a Jedi warrior.

In one of the darker episode arcs of "Clone Wars," Ahsoka is framed for a terrorist attack on the Jedi temple and forced to go on the run to prove her innocence. With Anakin in hot pursuit, Ahsoka scrambles through the streets of Coruscant, evading officers and hiding under her cloak. In the episode "To Catch a Jedi," her journey brings her face-to-face with a masked villain, resulting in an exhilarating duel. 

Drenched in shadow, illuminated by their blades, the two warriors utilize every ounce of their skill. The mysterious fighter uses impressive Force powers to toss Ahsoka through various structures. An explosion viciously knocks our hero off her feet and into a room full of the same tech used to commit the bombing. Overwhelmed, Ahsoka collapses on the ground just as Anakin arrives and, seeing the supplies, suspects the worst.

Intense episodes like this are a big part of why "Clone Wars" became so popular. What started as a run-of-the-mill Saturday morning cartoon morphed into a riveting series. Ahsoka grew from a wide-eyed learner to a cunning and brave Jedi. She never falters from a quest, and her skirmish with the hooded figure, who turns out to be fellow Jedi Barriss Offee (Meredith Salenger), demonstrates her resolve to achieve justice no matter the cost. Ahsoka locks swords with Barriss later in the series, but that skirmish is a cake walk compared to their initial encounter.

After a long hiatus, "The Clone Wars" returned with a spectacular Season 7 that ties up several loose ends and connects the series with the events of "Revenge of the Sith." Before the dreaded Order 66 occurs, however, Ahsoka must take down Darth Maul, who supposedly died at the end of "The Phantom Menace" but returned throughout "The Clone Wars," brandishing mechanical legs and an appetite for vengeance. Actor Ray Park returned to perform the motion capture choreography for the character's anticipated duel with Ahsoka in the episode "Phantom Apprentice," leading to a gorgeously animated clash that feels as cinematic as anything seen in the big-screen "Star Wars" films.

It helps that their showdown occurs in Sundari Royal Palace during the epic Siege of Mandalore. Maul wields his iconic double-bladed lightsaber while Ahsoka fends him off using her dual sabers. She also talks a bit of trash. "You're lucky Anakin didn't show up — the way you're fighting, you wouldn't have lasted long," she quips. Their contest continues atop a structure overlooking Mandalore. Maul implores Ahsoka to help him overthrow Darth Sidious. Still, she remains steadfast in her convictions, saves him from certain death, and allows the Clone troopers to apprehend him, a much different Ahsoka than we're used to seeing. She is grittier, sassier, and more confident in her abilities. She may not officially be a Jedi Knight, but Ahsoka represents the best of the Jedi Order.

"The Clone Wars" initially ended after its sixth season, allowing Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg, and Greg Weisman to create "Star Wars Rebels," which introduced a new band of characters and placed them in a storyline set over a decade after "Revenge of the Sith." Throughout the first season, the Rebel team of Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray), Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshal), Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Sabine Wren (Tiya Sircar), and Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios (Steven Blum) communicate with a mysterious hooded figure known as Fulcrum. Following a generous tease, the season finale, "Fire Across the Galaxy," concludes with the big reveal: Fulcrum is Ahsoka!

Again voiced by Ashley Eckstein, this older Ahsoka carries a slightly different appearance. Gone are her enormous cartoon eyes and lips, replaced with more realistic, mature features. She's still the same old Ahsoka — brave, noble, and full of heart. Except now she's all grown up and trotting across the galaxy in search of a cause. It only makes sense that she would join the "Rebels" ranks and continue the good fight behind the scenes. Tellingly, this was the part when this new series had me hooked. While it's always nice to meet new people, "Star Wars" doesn't feel complete without Ahsoka. That's how important she's become to this galaxy far, far away.

The two-part "Twilight of the Apprentice" continues to up the ante until the credits roll. First, we get a kickass fight between a blind Kanan and Maul, followed swiftly by the appearance of Darth Vader (James Earl Jones). The man in black arrives standing atop a TIE Fighter, his red lightsaber ignited. He leaps off the ship and confronts Ezra, who is no match for the Sith Lord. Vader raises his blade to deliver the killing blow and ... stops when he sees Ahsoka. The former partners stare each other down, talk some smack, and then go at it. Years of pent-up frustration, pain, and betrayal rise to the surface. It's the brawl fans have long anticipated, and director Dave Filoni doesn't disappoint, delivering a dramatic sequence packed with emotional weight.

Vader tosses Ahsoka away and turns his attention to Ezra. Ahsoka seizes the opportunity to attack and slashes Vader's face before crashing to the ground. As she collects herself, a familiar voice calls out to her. "Ahsoka!" Her eyes widen. She turns and sees Anakin's eye peering from a hole in his helmet. For a spell, the pair stare at each other. A moment passes, long enough for us to wonder whether the real Anakin might return (despite knowing that can't possibly happen). "I'm not leaving you behind again," she says. 

Hate consumes Vader, and his eye narrows. "Then you will die," he snarls. The two continue their face-off as the walls close, leaving Ahsoka's fate in the air.