Ahsoka Tano is a well known character throughout the sprawling Star Wars franchise in the present day. She’s tremendously cherished for her dedication, cleverness, humor and coronary heart. Of course, followers additionally admire the highly effective Jedi’s expertise with a lightsaber. Considering how beloved she is now, it’s considerably exhausting to imagine that there was a time at which she was unpopular. That’s proper, a lot absolutely keep in mind her introduction effectively over a decade in the past, which was met with harsh critiques. Her rise from franchise pariah to popular culture icon may be very fascinating – a lot in order that amid Women’s History Month, I really feel compelled to debate her evolution.
When Was Ahsoka Created For The Star Wars Universe And When Did She Make Her Debut?
There are two individuals who we are able to attribute the creation of Tano to, and so they’re George Lucas and Dave Filoni, as they conceived of her whereas creating the animated sequence Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It’s been mentioned that Lucas felt compelled to create the younger heroine as somebody for his (then-young) daughters and different ladies to look as much as. Filoni, who initially believed his Lucasfilm hiring was a prank, would finally play a very eager position in growing the character. Someone who would, in time, show to be important to the character as effectively could be actress Ashley Eckstein, who was tapped to voice her.
Tano in the end made her debut within the 2008 movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which was birthed from George Lucas’ pleasure over the early footage from its TV present counterpart. Ahsoka was established because the newly minted padawan of 1 Anakin Skywalker, who was stunned Master Yoda had assigned the adolescent Togruta to him. But this is able to mark the beginning of an endearing surrogate father-daughter relationship. Today, the connection between “Snips” and “SkyGuy” is beloved, and there’s even been art work that’s paid tribute to Anakin and Ahsoka’s bond.
I can nonetheless keep in mind being 14 years outdated when the movie and TV sequence have been launched and, within the lead-up to each, I wasn’t fairly positive what to make of Tano. As a fan, I had no preconceived notions about her, simply an ample quantity of curiosity. I couldn’t have imagined that she would at some point find yourself being one of many franchise’s most revered protagonists. Additionally, I additionally didn’t count on such intense backlash as soon as the general public received its first style of her.
How Fans Responded After Ahsoka Tano Was Formally Introduced
Back within the late 2000s, I didn’t surf the Internet fairly as usually as I do now, although I do keep in mind stumbling throughout some chat rooms and message boards. Needless to say, numerous franchise devotees weren’t too impressed with Ahsoka. At the time, many appeared to seek out her to be impatient, cocky and an pointless addition to the canon. Aside from followers, some critics weren’t taken along with her immediately. While reviewing the Clone Wars movie, even the late, nice Roger Ebert expressed less-than-positive sentiments about her introduction:
Ahsoka Tano, by the way in which, is annoying. She bats her grapefruit-sized eyes at Anakin and affords ideas that invariably show her proper and her instructor unsuitable. At least once we first met Yoda, he was providing helpful recommendation.
It could be an understatement to say that followers and pundits alike didn’t mince phrases when voicing their displeasure for the younger Jedi learner. And the folks at Lucasfilm have been effectively conscious of the reception. While talking on the 2023 C2E2 conference (by way of Popverse) Ashley Eckstein recalled the vitriol and, as you’ll be able to think about, she was deeply affected by it after the film’s launch and amid the sequence’ early episodes:
When it got here out, so many individuals hated Ahsoka. First, I sobbed into my cheesecake. But then I took a day to have a pity get together. Then, I used to be like, no – this character is superb. And everybody else goes to see what I see if they simply give her time. And so, I requested followers for his or her endurance. I mentioned look, no character is ideal to start with, and in the event that they have been, then they’d be actually boring. So please go on this journey along with her.
Fictional characters aren’t all the time good upon their debuts and, in equity, Tano did must be refined a bit. Still, the quantity of blunt ideas shared about her on the time was downright wild, if I’m being actual. Ever consistent with the spirit of the Star Wars franchise although, the artistic workforce didn’t lose hope in its creation. As the actress talked about, they have been already engaged on Season 2 by the point the movie got here out, and so they have been assured that followers would finally grow to be taken with her journey. And they have been proper.
How Ahsoka Became A Fan-Favorite And Established Power Player Within The Franchise
Dave Filoni and co. did certainly have a plan for the character. Over the course of The Clone Wars’ 5 seasons that aired from 2008 to 2013, she advanced from an impetuous, younger Jedi in coaching to a cerebral Force-user. And not solely did her thoughts grow to be sharper, however her expertise with a lightsaber. (The New York Post’s Linda Stasi really famous her expertise as a swordsman as a shiny spot in her detrimental overview of the 2008 characteristic.) Tano was concerned in a few of the finest storyline the Cartoon Network sequence needed to supply, together with the “Mortis” arc and the “Ahsoka the Fugitive” story. Her journey on CW culminated within the “Siege of Mandalore” story, which introduced the complete present to a becoming finish in 2020.
Of course, that sequence wouldn’t be the one place that followers would get to benefit from the character’s exploits. In 2015, she returned in Star Wars Rebels and, although she appeared in a supporting capability, the writers expanded on her characterization and gave her cool actions sequences. Defining moments from the heroine’s life have been additionally explored on Tales of the Jedi. And, in fact, in 2023, she acquired her personal self-titled, live-action sequence, with Rosario Dawson taking over the position. The present was effectively acquired and, consequently, followers can now sit up for Ahsoka Season 2, which we all know a little bit about.
I’ve watched as followers’ opinions of Tano have shifted over time, and it’s been great to behold. Based on my observations, many appear to understand her journey and what she brings to the lore. Dave Filoni and the writers have formed her evolution effectively, permitting her to develop in very dynamic methods. If something, those that are invested discover her journey to be comparatively satisfying at this level. Which is ironic, contemplating that, in hindsight, one of many the reason why it’s so rewarding is due to the previous padawan’s rocky beginnings. The artistic workforce at Disney appears happy by her affect as effectively. When Ashley Eckstein shared some phrases of knowledge about her character with CinemaBlend, she mirrored on the affect her alter ego has had:
I do see now that she has impacted a whole technology of younger followers which have grown up along with her since 2008, and I’m simply so grateful that followers to return now will get to know Ahsoka, identical to they received to know Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, and Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala. She’s a personality that I’ll proceed to try to be an actual life model of, day in and day trip, for the remainder of my life.
In quick, the character is now an icon – one which followers throughout all genders, ages, ethnicities and extra admire. When making an allowance for simply the place she began, that is actually outstanding. What’s much more superb to contemplate, regardless that she’s existed for almost 20 years now, is that there’s nonetheless a lot of her story that may be advised as time goes on.
What I’m Hoping When It Comes To Ahsoka’s Future
With her reputation now at a critical excessive, I’d think about that Lucasfilm goes to ensure that extra tales revolving round Ahsoka Tano shall be advised. Such a notion would neither shock nor upset me. In truth, as time goes on, it’s my sincerest hope that the Jedi will stay a fixture throughout the franchise, whether or not that be by means of TV reveals, films, literature and extra. More importantly although, one would hope that she continues to encourage viewers to be courageous, clever, resilient and type.
It’s not all that always {that a} character has such an incredible glow-up like Ahsoka’s. To be trustworthy, I’m nonetheless amazed by the trajectory she’s had. The early hate that she acquired could appear to be a distant reminiscence to some now, however it’s additionally a stark reminder that fandom shouldn’t write off a personality immediately. As CinemaBlend celebrates Women’s History Month, I can’t consider a greater protagonist to pay tribute to. Tano deserves all of the flowers and, at this level in her existence, the sky is really the restrict for one of many Star Wars franchise’s biggest icons.
You can try Ahsoka Tano’s biggest moments by streaming The Clone Wars, Rebels and the character’s eponymous present utilizing a Disney+ subscription. Also, hold your eyes peeled for particulars on upcoming Star Wars films and TV sequence so that you’ll know when she returns.
