Unveiling Ahsoka: How Her Impact Reshaped Star Wars Canon Forever

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka.

Summary

Ahsoka revolutionized the Star Wars canon by broadening the saga's history through an awe-inspiring adventure and worldbuilding.

By introducing intergalactic travel and showcasing the extraordinary ability of Purrgil to journey across galaxies, previous notions about the functioning of the Star Wars universe are defied.

Ahsoka's revelation of other Mandalorian Jedi, besides Tarre Vizsla, has significantly altered the history of Mandalorian in the Star Wars universe. This is one of the greatest retcons seen in the show thus far.

Ahsoka has introduced various changes to the Star Wars canon and the galaxy's history. Unlike The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett, which focused on individual character narratives, Ahsoka's story unfolds on a grand scale. The initial three episodes of Ahsoka have showcased fallen Jedi, an Inquisitor, a Nightsister, and other well-known characters from the Star Wars universe. With the imminent return of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the introduction of a new Star Wars galaxy, Ahsoka is reshaping the narrative of Star Wars.

Dave Filoni, the director of The Mandalorian movie, has created Ahsoka, which is considered to be the most significant addition to the Mandoverse leading up to the theatrical film. The level of worldbuilding in Ahsoka's initial three episodes is comparable to that of the most recent Star Wars movies. Taking place after Return of the Jedi but before Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Ahsoka has ample room to explore unexpected territories within the saga's timeline. Below are seven significant ways in which Ahsoka has redefined Star Wars lore and expanded the canon of the saga.

7 Purrgil Travel Between The Galaxies

Purrgil, the space whales in Star Wars, were first introduced in Star Wars Rebels as creatures capable of natural hyperspace travel. It is believed that these beings may have served as inspiration for the creation of hyperdrive engines and other technology needed for long-distance travel by humans and other alien races. However, in episode 3 of Ahsoka, it is revealed that Purrgil can also travel between galaxies. Huyang explains the intergalactic routes used by beings who can travel through hyperspace, specifically referring to the Purrgil, during an investigation conducted by Ahsoka and Sabine on Morgan's ship. This revelation, coupled with Thrawn's confirmation of being in another galaxy, strongly suggests that the Purrgil are capable of intergalactic travel.

Additionally, episode 3 of Ahsoka establishes that intergalactic travel functions similarly to a regular hyperspace jump, although it requires a significantly larger amount of "hyperdrive power." Lady Morgan's Eye of Sion is much larger than anything previously encountered by Huyang or Ahsoka, yet its design is not significantly different from a regular hyperspace ring. If the only difference between average hyperspace jumps and intergalactic travel is the amount of equipment required, it is logical to conclude that the Purrgil can accomplish both tasks. Their hyperspace travel is powered by their own bodies and appears to have no limitations in terms of distance.

6 Intergalactic Travel Was Once Much More Common

Huyang's explanation in Ahsoka episode 3 revealed that intergalactic travel was once much more common, but this concept has never been depicted in any official Star Wars story. This raises the question of what changed and why the Jedi or the Empire never utilized this ability during significant moments in the Star Wars timeline.

One example is Emperor Palpatine's fascination with the mysteries of the Unknown Regions. Recognizing the potential for undiscovered powers and insights into the Force, Palpatine valued having individuals like Thrawn, who belonged to the Chiss species, by his side. However, Palpatine's interest in these mysteries did not extend to exploring other galaxies. One possibility is that the expense of intergalactic travel made it impractical, especially for large-scale campaigns. Alternatively, without accurate maps, venturing into other galaxies could be incredibly perilous and ultimately futile.

5 There Have Been More Mandalorian Jedi In Star Wars History

Ahsoka's revelation about Mandalorian history challenges the belief that Tarre Vizsla was the sole Mandalorian Jedi in the Star Wars universe. Tarre Vizsla, known for creating the Darksaber, had joined the Jedi Order over 1,000 years before the Skywalker saga. Previously, it was assumed that Vizsla was the first and only Mandalorian to become a Jedi, and the next person to achieve this status would hold immense importance to the Star Wars galaxy. Grogu's storyline in The Mandalorian seemed to be leading towards the idea of him being "the first Mandalorian Jedi since Tarre Vizsla." However, Huyang's statement reveals that there have been "a few" Mandalorian Jedi, significantly altering the narrative.

While Tarre Vizsla may have been the first Mandalorian Jedi, Huyang's confirmation implies that there were other Mandalorians who also became Jedi. This retcon in Star Wars lore aligns with the idea that not all Jedi and Mandalorians were enemies, and individuals from any part of the galaxy could possess Force sensitivity. Consequently, the presence of "a few" Mandalorian Jedi diminishes the uniqueness of Grogu and Sabine, although both of them are traversing a path that has only been taken by one known character in the Star Wars universe.

4 Not All Nightsisters Are Gone 28 Years After The Clone Wars

The Nightsister clan was nearly wiped out during the Battle of Dathomir at the end of the Clone Wars, but not all of them perished. Asajj Ventress managed to survive the invasion led by General Grievous, serving as an exception. However, Ahsoka takes place almost three decades after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, implying that the remaining Nightsisters would have likely disappeared by now. The last known appearance of a Nightsister in the Star Wars timeline was Lady Morgan Elsbeth, who was featured in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a mere five years after the Clone Wars. By introducing Morgan Elsbeth as a Nightsister, Star Wars confirms that at least some of the Witches of Dathomir are still present 28 years later.

3 Nightsister Magick May Come From A Different Galaxy

Speculation surrounding Ahsoka episode 2 strongly implies that the source of Magick, the Nightsister’s distinct "green energy power," lies in a separate galaxy. Interestingly, the Nightsisters possessed a map to this mysterious galaxy, which Thrawn is also connected to. Furthermore, Morgan exhibited a precise knowledge of activating the map. Understandably, the workings of the Nightsisters’ Magick have always remained a profound enigma within the Star Wars universe. While one could argue that magic simply represents an alternative interpretation of the Force, Ahsoka proposes a more captivating hypothesis – diverse galaxies may harbor distinct powers and creatures, potentially suggesting that the Nightsisters originated from another galaxy.

2 Droids Can Judge A Person’s Aptitude For The Force

The fact that Huyang was a mentor to numerous Jedi younglings and Padawans is not a novel revelation – David Tennant’s Ahsoka character originated in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Nonetheless, Ahsoka demonstrated that Huyang possesses the ability to assess an individual's affinity for the Force. Huyang remarked on Sabine’s Force-sensitivity, asserting that her aptitude falls below that of most trained Jedi. This does not imply that Huyang, or any other droid, can perceive the Force. Nevertheless, it does illustrate that a droid is capable of evaluating someone’s abilities enough to determine their potency in the Force.

1 Not Every Inquisitor Is Gone After Darth Vader’s Death

The identity of Ahsoka's Marrok is still unknown, but it is evident that the character is an Imperial Inquisitor. It is yet to be revealed if Marrok is a familiar Star Wars character, like Starkiller or Ezra Bridger. Nevertheless, Marrok's helmet and lightsaber undoubtedly indicate their past as an Imperial Inquisitor under Darth Vader. The presence of an Inquisitor during this period in the Star Wars timeline is intriguing since both Darth Vader and the Empire have already vanished. Assuming Marrok was one of Vader's Imperial Inquisitors, it implies that at least one Jedi hunter survived beyond the era of the Sith Lord and the Empire.

Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.