Preparing for Star Wars: Ahsoka? Stream these 5 Disney Plus shows before launch
So much Star Wars, so little time
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The nextStar WarsTV show is almost upon us – and it’s a big one.
Launching with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, August 23,Star Wars: Ahsoka, sees the fan-favorite Jedi lead a Lucasfilm-developed project for the first time. Not only that, but theDisney Plusseries will seeStar Wars: Rebels' beloved characters make their live-action debuts, too. In short: color us excited for the return of that galaxy far, far away.
Before the Ahsoka Tano-fronted TV show leaps onto screens worldwide, though, you’ve got some homework to do. Numerous Lucasfilm employees, including studio president Kathleen Kennedy, claim viewers don’t need to watch other Star Wars films or TV shows Ahsoka has appeared in to enjoy the forthcoming series. However, we suspect most of you will want to learn more about her franchise history or rewatch her past outings for the umpteenth time beforeStar Wars: Ahsokaarrives.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of every series – some of thebest Disney Plus shows, in fact – Ahsoka has previously been featured in. For each entry, we’ve highlighted how many episodes Ahsoka appears in, plus the names of those entries, so you know which ones are a must-see before streamingStar Wars: Ahsoka. May the Force be with you.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Episode count:too many to mention!
The TV show that started it all. The Twi’lek known as Ahsoka was first introduced toStar Wars' global fanbase as a teenager inThe Clone Warsanimated series. Well, the property technically began life on the big screen with the 2008Star Wars: TheClone Warsmovie, which served as a pilot project for the seven-season-long TV show.
But we’re getting slightly off track. Ahsoka, who starts out of Anakin Skywalker’s padawan and rises to become commander of the 501st legion, is one ofThe Clone Wars' primary protagonists. As such, she features heavily through its 133-episode run, so it’s difficult to pinpoint which episodes you need to watch pre-Star Wars: Ahsoka.
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With each season comprising 22 episodes apiece (except season 7, which contains 12) and each episode running around 25 minutes, that’s a lot ofStar Warscontent to binge-watch between now and August 23. If you want to stream the most important entries beforeStar Wars: Ahsokadebuts, though, the below list will give you as much as you need to know:
Star Wars: Rebels
Episode count:9
Of the five shows on this list,Star Wars: Rebelsis arguably the most important. It’s the project that introduced iconic characters such as Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, Chopper, and Ezra Bridger – all of whom crossed paths with Ahsoka in the show and are set to play key supporting roles inStar Wars: Ahsoka.
Just likeStar Wars: The Clone Wars, then,Rebelsis necessary viewing for anyone wanting the full picture before the Twi’lek Jedi-starring series is released. Again, though, if you just want key storylines involving Ahsoka Tano, read the list below forRebels' must-see episodes:
The Mandalorian season 2
Episode count:1
In an exciting turn of events that sentStar Warsfans into raptures, Ahsoka Tano made her live-action debut inThe Mandalorianseason 2. Rosario Dawson (Daredevil,Sin City), who had long advocated to play the beloved character in a live-action project, finally got her wish when she made a crowd-pleasing cameo in season 2 episode 5, akaThe MandalorianChapter 13, aka ‘The Jedi’.
In this entry, Ahsoka takes center stage as she continues her quest to track down a specific pair of individuals. Saying anything more than that spoilsRebels' last-ever episode, so that’s all you’ll get out of us.
Assuming the role from Ashley Eckstein, Ahsoka’s voice actor in the animated shows, didn’t prove too daunting for Dawson, based on her first turn as the iconic character. Her brief interactions with Din Djarin and Grogu/Baby Yoda are equal parts fun, fascinating, and insightful. Dawson gets to show off her impressive lightsaber skills in a one-on-one contest, too. Suffice it to say,The Mandalorian Chapter 13proved Dawson was more than capable of bringing Ahsoka into the live-action space.
The Book of Boba Fett
Episode count:1
As inThe Mandalorian’s second season, Ahsoka features in one episode ofThe Book of Boba Fett. That’ll be episode 6, aka ‘From the Desert Comes a Stranger’.
Here, Ahsoka makes a brief, whoop-inducing cameo when she meets up with none other than Luke Skywalker as – spoiler – he continues to try to train Grogu in the ways of the Force. Admittedly, this episode isn’t a must-see, but it’s nonetheless thrilling to see two of the most powerful Jedi ever actually meet (and chat!) on the screen. Okay, the artificially de-aged Luke is slightly garish but we’re all secretly hoping to see Ahsoka fight alongside the son of her former Jedi Master (aka Anakin) at some point in the future, right?
Tales of the Jedi
Episode count:3
The most recent Ahsoka-centricStar Warsseries to be released,Tales of the Jedi,fills in more of the character’s backstory.
A six-part anthology miniseries that also sheds light on Jedi-turned-Sith Lord Count Dooku, three ofTales of the Jedi’s episodes focus on Ahsoka’s childhood years, events that revealed her strong connection to the Force, gaps in her history set duringStar Wars: The Clone Wars, and her nomadic lifestyle post-Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
With runtimes between 13 and 19 minutes,Tales of the Jedi’s Ahsoka-focused episodes are easy to stream in a single sitting. Watch them betweenThe Clone WarsandRebelsfor the best viewing experience.
For moreStar Wars-based coverage, you can see what othernewStar WarsTV shows and moviesare coming soon. Additionally, read up onhow to watch theStar Warsmovies in orderand check out our guide onStar Wars: Skeleton Crew, the next series coming afterStar Wars: Ahsoka.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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