The Timeline of Ahsoka: Puzzling Breadcrumbs
Have you watched the first couple of episodes of Ahsoka and found yourself confused about when exactly the story takes place? You’re not alone – the new Disney Plus series left out specific details, and for fans of Star Wars Rebels, there even seems to be a contradiction. Let’s gather all the clues and unravel the mystery of Ahsoka’s timeline.
In broad terms, Ahsoka’s position in the Star Wars timeline is evident. Similar to The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, the series unfolds after the fall of the Empire and before the rise of the First Order – between the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In Star Wars lore, this places it at least four years after Star Wars: A New Hope, or 4 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin). Supplemental Star Wars books indicate that The Mandalorian, where Ahsoka first appeared, occurs nine years after A New Hope, or 9 ABY. Ahsoka the show seems to take place sometime after that.
The Mural Dedication Conundrum
The mural scene presents a conundrum for fans of Rebels. It’s delightful to see the artwork from the animated series depicted in live action, but there’s a snag. Ahsoka features a dedication ceremony for the mural in Lothal, suggesting it is freshly painted. However, loyal Rebels viewers know this mural was first seen in the show’s finale set in 5 ABY. Sabine Wren and Ahsoka Tano stood before it, promising to embark on a joint quest to find Ezra Bridger. Interestingly, this scene is replicated in the second episode of Ahsoka. This might make you believe that Ahsoka occurs in 5 ABY, preceding The Mandalorian and directly following Rebels.
However, we also discover in Ahsoka that Ahsoka and Sabine have developed a master-and-failed-apprentice dynamic off screen. When they meet in front of the mural, it is not merely a recreation of Rebels’ final scene. It’s a repetition of their previous conversation, suggesting the passage of time, without any acknowledgement from either character. Furthermore, the delayed dedication of the mural in Lothal adds to the confusion.
The Mandalore Connection
Episode 7 of Ahsoka provides more clues. Captain Carson Teva, who previously appeared in The Mandalorian as a New Republic space ranger, mentions “the conflict on Mandalore.” Another character describes Moff Gideon as “a warlord acting on his own.” This indicates that Ahsoka takes place after season 3 of The Mandalorian, during which Din Djarin and his allies thwarted Gideon’s plan to seize and reignite the mines of Mandalore.
To summarize: Ahsoka occurs after the events of The Mandalorian and Boba Fett, which are set around 9 ABY, at least nine years after A New Hope. How many years exactly? Well, as the governor of Lothal subtly expressed at the mural dedication ceremony, “Several.” Quite informative, indeed.