Long awaited and finally here: On August 23, the first season of “Star Wars: Ahsoka” starts exclusively on Disney +. TECHBOOK reveals whether this original has what it takes to become a mega hit.
Anakin’s Padawan, ex-Jedi and rebel – Ahsoka Tano’s life has always been eventful and full of upheavals. After five long years of eagerly awaiting, the next chapter in the adventure story of the red-skinned Togurata finally appears with the new Disney+ series.
Between Luke, Rey and Din Djarin
The “Star Wars” universe no longer consists only of the films about Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Between all the adventures, prequels and sequels, it’s easy to lose track. Therefore, a small classification: “Ahsoka” starts after the second season of “The Mandalorian” (2020) – also an original from Disney +. The new series takes place about five years after the film “Return of the Jedi” (1983), in which Luke, Leia and Han Solo and their allies were able to smash the Empire and defeat Darth Vader.
The Rebel Alliance may have achieved victory over the Galactic Empire, but that’s no reason for Ahsoka to give up her two white lightsabers. Instead, she sets out to track down the Empire’s missing Grand Admiral, Thrawn. If he were to gain power again, all previous wars and sacrifices would have been in vain. But Ahsoka does not remain alone in her search for long, she soon meets her former student. Ahsoka’s betrayal still gapes between them like an open wound and one can only hope that the series gives the two the time to come to terms with the relationship between them.
But Ahsoka and her former student aren’t the only interesting female characters we can look forward to. Because even the villains now rely on diversity. It’s debatable whether Ahsoka is really the first strong protagonist in the “Star Wars” universe, as some claim. But after the saga around Rey Skywalker has divided the fan community, “Ahsoka” awakens hope for actually new material and exciting character conflicts.
Is “Ahsoka” only for hardcore fans?
With the search for Thrawn, Disney’s “Ahsoka” ties directly into the animated series “Star Wars Rebels” (2018), which tells the story of Ezra Bridger. The orphan boy joins the rebels and is trained by the Jedi Kanan Jarrus. It’s also Ezra Bridger that Ahsoka is now desperate to find alongside Grand Admiral Thrawn. Finally, the ending of Star Wars Rebels, which also featured Ahsoka, left their whereabouts in the dark.
From this only selective localization of Ahsoka’s life and work in the “Star Wars” universe, a crucial question now arises: Do you have to be a Star Wars expert to have fun with the new series? The good news is: no! First reviews from the USA, where the series started a day earlier, already suggest that not only hardcore fans can follow the story. As is so often the case with complex universes, a few allusions and references may be lost for the slightly less passionate viewer. But that doesn’t diminish the general entertainment value of the intergalactic adventure.
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Enthusiastic reviews
One reason for this is the, as usual, great staging, the highlights of which also include the spectacularly choreographed lightsaber duels. When it comes to sound, the series is also impressive and creates a real goose bumps atmosphere. Last but not least, Rosario Dawson convinces with her outstanding portrayal of the serene Togurata fighter. Dawson has already proven that Ahsoka is the perfect cast for her appearances in “The Mandalorian” and the spin-off “The Book of Boba Fett” (2021). The current IMDb rating of the series is a galactic 9.1 stars.
Disney should be more than aware of the high expectations on the part of the fans. And the company itself has high hopes for its original. Because both the streaming service and Disney’s blockbuster have been weakening a bit lately. One can only hope that “Ahsoka” delivers what the trailer promises very convincingly: an action-packed adventure in which, despite all the fights and explosions, the characters have the space to develop and resolve their conflicts.