Grand Admiral Thrawn will return to wage war on the New Republic in upcoming Star Wars projects, and one 15-year-old detail sets up a confrontation with Ahsoka Tano. Before it became Ahsoka’s mission to hunt Thrawn in The Mandalorian season 2, these characters never had any meaningful connection, as Ahsoka disappeared in Star Wars Rebels just before Thrawn made his canon debut. Thanks to Ahsoka season 1, Thrawn and Ahsoka have been on a collision course, one that still hasn’t come to fruition but is inevitable in Ahsoka season 2 or Dave Filoni’s Mandalorian-era movie.

Filoni’s history of developing Ahsoka’s character in Star Wars animation makes him the most qualified person to recognize a crucial detail tying her and Thrawn together. It would present the most logical scenario for a proper face-off and bring over a decade of Star Wars storytelling full circle. It would also honor Thrawn’s origins in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (aka Legends), which upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows are likely to draw inspiration from. This all hinges on a battle between Ahsoka and Thrawn as the war between the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant rages on.

Ahsoka & Thrawn Must Face Off At Some Point

There’s been too much setup for it to be otherwise

Ahsoka may be trapped on Peridea in another galaxy, but no matter how long it takes her to get home, she must inevitably confront Thrawn. Her first live-action appearance in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 5 “Chapter 13: The Jedi” established that her goal was to find Thrawn, and her desire to stop his return carried over into Ahsoka season 1. The closest they came to interacting was in the season finale where Thrawn opened a channel to essentially gloat as Ahsoka was helpless to stop him from returning to the main Star Wars galaxy.

The potential of their interaction would make it disappointing for Ahsoka and Thrawn not to meet each other in person.

Thrawn even laments during his monologue how “… we haven’t met face to face, and perhaps now we never shall.” However, there’s too much setup for a future confrontation for that to be the case, as Thrawn gets under Ahsoka’s skin by explaining how he exploited her weaknesses to outsmart her. He also reveals that he knew what she would do because he knew her master, Anakin Skywalker, a reference to Star Wars: Thrawn – Alliances by Timothy Zahn. The potential of their interaction would make it disappointing for Ahsoka and Thrawn not to meet each other in person.

The Clone Wars Confirmed Ahsoka Is As Good A Leader As Thrawn Himself

She proved it the first time she was placed in command

The most compelling reason for Ahsoka and Thrawn to confront each other, preferably in a military engagement, is how similar their strategic minds are. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 1, episode 19 “Storm Over Ryloth,” which premiered in 2009, Ahsoka won a space battle by using a bold strategy that caught the enemy by surprise. She ordered the Republic ship to angle its underside towards the droid fighters, protecting the clones and catching the droids before they had time to retreat. Even as a Padawan and inexperienced commander, Ahsoka had a talent for military strategy.

Of course, Ahsoka wasn’t the first Star Wars character to use this strategy. As confirmed by StarWars.com‘s “Storm Over Ryloth Episode Featurette”, this maneuver was taken directly from Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zhan, where a similar technique was used by none other than Grand Admiral Thrawn. The featurette description states that Ahsoka and Thrawn are “…both schooled in classic fleet tactics,” so there’s no telling how much they think alike in the heat of battle. It’s fittingly explained by Dave Filoni years before he went on to create, write, and direct Ahsoka.

Thrawn May Use Ahsoka’s Own Strategy Against Her

It’s what Thrawn does best

Unfortunately, Ahsoka’s understanding of Thrawn’s strategies is a double-edged sword, as he can use her mind against her in battle. When Thrawn made his canon debut in Star Wars Rebels season 3, episode 1 “Steps Into Shadow,” he claimed he would defeat the rebels by making them “…the architects of their own destruction.” This philosophy traces back to Thrawn’s first appearance in Legends, where he successfully implemented the Ahsoka-like strategy by knowing how a particular alien race would respond to the maneuver. Thrawn has already anticipated Ahsoka’s actions because he knew her master during the Clone Wars.

“To defeat an enemy, you must know them. Not simply their battle tactics, but their history, philosophy, art.” – Grand Admiral Thrawn

If Thrawn and Ahsoka were to meet each other in a space battle, he could pull up her history and see what strategies she used as a commander. Ahsoka would think she anticipated Thrawn’s move but realize too late that he outsmarted her by manipulating her expectations. This would play into her fear of failing those under her command, building off the Clone Wars flashback in Ahsoka season 1, episode 5 “Part Five: Shadow Warrior.” However, Ahsoka having to admit how rusty she is as a commander would inevitably backfire on Thrawn during their next confrontation.

Thrawn’s Cunning Would Push Ahsoka To Be A Leader Again

Developing a different side of her character

It’s been years since Ahsoka maintained a leadership role, and it’s easy to understand why. Experiencing the horrors of the Clone Wars, walking away from the Jedi Order, and watching her men die following Order 66 would have reinforced Ahsoka’s desire to avoid military leadership. She did play an important role in the Rebellion as Fulcrum, and she aided the rebels when she could, but it was far from the position she once held in the Grand Army of the Republic. Even her time as Sabine’s master ended because she feared continuing Anakin’s dark legacy if she failed.

Despite how great a threat Thrawn’s tactical genius is to the New Republic, it could give Ahsoka the push she needs to become a leader again. The New Republic is a young government and far less militarized than the Empire, so they will need all the experienced commanders they can get. Thrawn wouldn’t stand a chance against Ahsoka in hand-to-hand combat, so facing off as military commanders is the most logical way to have these characters meet. It would be highly rewarding for one 15-year-old detail to culminate in an epic showdown between Ahsoka Tano and Grand Admiral Thrawn.

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  Ahsoka Tano

  The apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano was an accomplished Padawan who served during the Clone Wars. Ahsoka left the Jedi after she became disillusioned with the Jedi Council, but returned to serve in the Siege of Mandalore at the end of the Clone Wars. She survived Order 66, becoming a Rebel agent during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign, and her adventures continue in the New Republic era. Ahsoka was last seen stranded in a distant galaxy, having failed to prevent Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return.

  Alias

  Ashla, Fulcrum

  Alliance

  Jedi

  Race

  Togruta

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  Grand Admiral Thrawn

  The only alien to ever ascend to the rank of Grand Admiral, Thrawn is a strategic genius who hails from an isolationist race known as the Chiss. Thrawn’s motives are enigmatic, but his tactical brilliance made him a vital asset for the Empire. Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger successfully defeated Thrawn during the Battle of Lothal, resulting in Thrawn’s exile to the distant planet Peridea in another galaxy, but the Grand Admiral has now returned.

  Created By

  Timothy Zahn

  First Appearance

  Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

  Alias

  Mitth’raw’nuruodo

  Alliance

  Chiss, Empire

  Race

  Chiss

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