The Mind-Blowing Connection Between Ahsoka and Star Wars' Ancient Villains that Will Leave Fans Speechless

Summary

A growing theory suggests that Grand Admiral Thrawn will be connected to Star Wars' oldest villains, the Rakata, in his return to the galaxy.

The Rakata, once a formidable species called the Infinite Empire, have been recently acknowledged again and once held supremacy across the galaxy until their own downfall. Thrawn's newfound strength could possibly be attributed to his unearthing of the remnants of the Infinite Empire's advanced technology and starships within the Unknown Regions, potentially granting him unprecedented power.

There is a growing belief that Ahsoka's Grand Admiral Thrawn will be connected to some of Star Wars' original villains. After his defeat and disappearance into the Unknown Regions, as witnessed in the finale of Star Wars Rebels, Thrawn is making his long-awaited return to the galaxy following the events of the original trilogy and the fall of Palpatine's Empire. Positioned as the "Heir to the Empire," Thrawn is ready to reclaim his leadership role in the Imperial Remnant. Consequently, there is strong evidence indicating that Thrawn's true threat will stem from an ancient source within the galaxy.

As hinted in The Mandalorian's second and third seasons, as well as the trailers for the upcoming Ahsoka series, Thrawn's return is eagerly anticipated by the Imperial Remnant's Shadow Council. They believe that this brilliant tactician will "usher in the revival of our military," as suggested by Captain Pellaeon, a longstanding officer who served under Thrawn's command and was reintroduced into the official Star Wars canon through Star Wars Rebels. This leads to the conclusion that Thrawn's newfound power will originate from the remnants of the ancient Infinite Empire, which has recently been reestablished as part of the official canon.

The Rakatan Infinite Empire Explained

The Rakata, also known as the Infinite Empire, were a conquering species introduced in the Knights of the Old Republic games. They had once ruled over the majority of the galaxy, possessing advanced technologies and super weapons that allowed them to manipulate and enslave entire species, including Force-users. They were credited with developing hyperspace travel and being the precursors to traditional lightsabers.

The Rakatan Empire had grown to be the dominant power in the galaxy, encompassing over 500 worlds for generations. However, their reliance on Force-users ultimately led to their downfall. A devastating plague ravaged their population and severed their connection to the Force. This caused desperate civil wars, which ultimately led to the self-destruction of the Infinite Empire. The surviving Rakata fled to their homeworld Lehon in the Unknown Regions, fading from galactic history.

Although Legends' Wizards of the Coast: The Unknown Regions confirmed the existence of isolated remnants of the Infinite Empire in the Unknown Regions.

Star Wars Has Brought The Rakata Back Into Canon

The Infinite Empire has been reintroduced into the Star Wars canon through a significant reference in Lucasfilm's Andor. Luthen Rael, a prominent Rebellion figure, presented Cassian Andor with a sky kyber fragment symbolizing the rebellion against the Rakatan invaders. This suggests that the Rakata's history in the official canon aligns with the Legends version, where their enslaved subjects revolted as the Rakata lost power in the galaxy. This addition to the canon is noteworthy, particularly following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, which led to many Expanded Universe materials, such as KOTOR, being categorized as Legends.

The re-canonization of the Rakata in Andor has opened up exciting possibilities for their future presence in the Star Wars universe. For instance, they could be connected to Grand Admiral Thrawn during his time in the Unknown Regions. It is conceivable that Lehon, the Rakata's homeworld, may have served as a refuge for Thrawn, offering him access to an ancient power that he will bring back to the galaxy upon his return in Ahsoka. Additionally, the trailers and concept art for Ahsoka have hinted at a potential link between Thrawn and remnants of the Infinite Empire.

Thrawn's Command Bridge Could Easily Be Tied To The Rakata

In the Ahsoka trailers and concept art, Grand Admiral Thrawn and his agent Morgan Elsbeth are observed on an intriguing command bridge that could potentially hint at the presence of the ancient Rakata. This ship, with its unique design and golden color scheme, has never been depicted on-screen before. It is worth mentioning that in the Legends lore, the color gold was sometimes associated with the command level of the Rakata in the Infinite Empire. It is possible that this association may also hold true in the official Star Wars canon, indicating that Thrawn may have discovered cruisers from the Infinite Empire in the Unknown Regions.

Additionally, the shape of the droids' heads in the concept art bears a resemblance to the heads of the amphibious Rakata species. This, along with other evidence, suggests the possibility that Thrawn's newfound power may stem from his encounter with the Rakata's ships and/or their advanced technologies in the Unknown Regions. Considering Thrawn's desire in Star Wars Rebels to master the Force, it is plausible that the remnants of the Infinite Empire, which possessed the ability to enslave and utilize Force-sensitives, could empower Thrawn like never before.

Has Grand Admiral Thrawn Returned With Rakatan Technology Against The Jedi?

In the Ahsoka trailers, Morgan Elsbeth is seen using familiar navigation technology to track down Thrawn. She has aligned herself with new Star Wars villains named Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati. The device she is using bears resemblance to the ancient Rakatan Star Maps from the Knights of the Old Republic games. This suggests that Thrawn may return with the power of the Infinite Empire at his disposal.

It is possible that Thrawn discovered the Rakata's homeworld during his time in the Unknown Regions, when Jedi Ezra Bridger sent him there in the finale of Star Wars Rebels. He may have learned about their forgotten history and intends to use it to his advantage. This could explain Thrawn's whereabouts over the years and his quest to find a weapon against the Jedi who defeated him. It also aligns with his strategic approach of studying his opponents' culture and history to uncover their weaknesses. Only time will reveal if Thrawn does indeed have a connection to the newly re-canonized Infinite Empire when Ahsoka begins streaming on Disney+ on August 23rd.