The Essential Ahsoka, Hera and Sabine Episodes to Watch Before Star Wars: Ahsoka

The upcoming Star Wars: Ahsoka series is featuring a lot of fan-favorite animated characters in live-action. Not only will The Mandalorian's Rosario Dawson reprise her role in the series, we're also going to meet Natasha Liu Bordizzo's Sabine Wren and Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Hera Syndulla. This new series is definitely the Star Wars Rebels followup fans have been waiting for.

If you haven't been following shows like Rebels and Clone Wars, you may be scrambling to catch up on the story of Anakin Skywalker's former Padawan and her Rebel friends. To make things a little easier, we've assembled a list of the essential Ahsoka, Hera and Sabine stories that showcase Ahsoka's journey from trainee to battle-hardened veteran and the most pivotal moments for all three characters.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Essential Episodes

The Clone Wars Movie

The Clone Wars began life as a theatrical movie before spinning out into the TV series. While many fans would agree the movie is nowhere near as good as what the show eventually became, it's still important to start here for a proper introduction to Ahsoka. The movie sets the tone of the Ahsoka/Anakin dynamic going forward, establishing her as a promising pupil with an independent streak to rival that of her master. Watching the movie will also give you a much better appreciation for how much Ahsoka has grown and evolved by the end of the series.

Read IGN's Star Wars: The Clone Wars review.

Cloak of Darkness (The Clone Wars S1E9)

While The Clone Wars undergoes plenty of growing pains in Season 1, the series is well on its way to finding its groove in this Paul Dini-penned episode, the conclusion of a three-part arc that puts Ahsoka in a solo spotlight. Here we see her take on Asajj Ventress and wrestle with some of the same dilemmas as her master. At what point in war do the ends justify the means, and should Jedi resort to threats of force to get the job done?

Read IGN's "Cloak of Darkness" review.

Brain Invaders (The Clone Wars S2E8)

Every once in a while, The Clone Wars pushes Star Wars into full-blown horror territory, and never more memorably than this dark and creepy episode. "Brain Invaders" is basically a mini-zombie movie, with Ahsoka and fellow Padawan Barriss Offee battling their own parasite-infested troops. This episode is significant both in that it's among the first to really highlight Anakin's gradual descent into darkness, and in how much it focuses on the important Ahsoka/Barriss friendship. That's another thread that pays off handsomely down the road.

Read IGN's "Brain Invaders" review.

Lightsaber Lost (The Clone Wars S2E11)

The lightsaber is a Jedi's most important tool, and losing one can be a matter of life or death. That's a problem Ahsoka struggles with in this Season 2 episode, as the hunt for her missing blade takes her deep into Coruscant. It's a critical part of her journey in the series, one that helps expose Ahsoka to life outside the rigid confines of the Jedi Order.

Read IGN's "Lightsaber Lost" review.

Assassin (The Clone Wars S3E7)

"Assassin" is another strong example of a solo Ahsoka episode. In this case, Ahsoka does her best to safeguard Padme after experiencing visions of her assassination (foreshadowing the events of Episode III). That culminates in a terrific showdown with bounty hunter Aurra Sing. The episode includes other geek-out moments to boot, like a nod to the late Qui-Gon Jinn and a storyline set on the rarely seen world of Alderaan. Just try not to get tripped up by the fact that it's hard to place this episode in the series' larger chronology.

Read IGN's "Assassin" review.

The Mortis Trilogy (The Clone Wars S3E15-17)

While Ahsoka is more of a secondary character in this Season 3 story arc, she still plays a pivotal role in what turns out to be one of the most important Anakin-focused conflicts of the entire series. Here Anakin, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan travel to the otherworldly planet Mortis and meet the living embodiments of the Force. Never does the series do more to foreshadow Anakin's fall from grace or explore the complex relationship between the Light and Dark Sides.

Read IGN's "Ghosts of Mortis" review.

Padawan Lost & Wookiee Hunt (The Clone Wars S3E21-22)

Season 3 wraps up with what was perhaps the most significant Ahsoka arc up to that point. Here Ahsoka is forced to prove her mettle as she struggles to protect a group of Younglings from Trandoshan hunters. That struggle is a testament to her skill with the Force and a reminder that even Jedi Knights can't save everyone. Plus, a certain familiar Wookiee stops by just to make things more exciting.

Read IGN's "Wookiee Hunt" review.

The Onderon Arc (The Clone Wars S5E2-4)

With the events of Episode III drawing ever closer, Season 5 is where The Clone Wars really started to bridge the gap between the prequels and the original trilogy era. Ahsoka herself factors heavily into the civil war on Onderon, where a group of rebel freedom fighters (including a young Saw Gerrera) turn to Ahsoka and the Republic for help overthrowing their Separatist-loyal government. Among other things, the Onderon arc is notable for giving Ahsoka her first and only real love interest in the form of Lux Bonteri.

Read IGN's "Tipping Points" review.

The Wrong Jedi (The Clone Wars S5E20)

Season 5 wraps up with what is easily one of the show's strongest storylines - a four-part arc where Ahsoka is framed for a bombing at the Jedi Temple. While we'd recommend watching the entire arc, if you're pressed for time then the Season 5 finale should suffice. Here we see Ahsoka put on trial and faced with the reality of what the Jedi have become under Palpatine's malignant influence. The ending to "The Wrong Jedi" serves as the culmination of Ahsoka's entire character arc up to that point. For a brief period that episode also looked to be the series finale, and it would have been a fitting one.

Read IGN's "The Wrong Jedi" review.

The Siege of Mandalore (The Clone Wars S7E9-12)

Ahsoka vanished from the Star Wars spotlight for a while following the conclusion of The Clone Wars: Season 5 and the release of the truncated Season 6, before ultimately making a welcome return in Star Wars Rebels. However, Season 7 belatedly filled in some major holes in Ahsoka's story. The Siege of Mandalore arc caps off the entire series and shows us what Ahsoka and Darth Maul were up to during the events of Episode III. The two develop a fascinating dynamic in this epic, four-part storyline, one that certainly adds new layers to their later encounter in Rebels. Frankly, if you watch any Ahsoka episodes leading up to her Mandalorian appearance, it should probably be these.

Read IGN's Clone Wars series finale review.

Star Wars: Ahsoka Novel

Before The Clone Wars got its long overdue conclusion in Season 7, writer E.K. Johnston helped bridge the gap between "The Wrong Jedi" and Star Wars Rebels with this novel. Ahsoka follows the titular heroine's struggles at the end of the Clone Wars and during the rise of the Empire. We learn how she survived Order 66 and how she eventually became a pivotal early member of the fledgling Rebel Alliance.

Star Wars Rebels: Essential Episodes

Out of Darkness (Rebels S1E7)

This early Rebels episode is a good showcase for both Hera and Sabine, as it illustrates the bond that only continues to grow between them as the series unfolds. The two characters undertake a dangerous mission to find supplies and receive intelligence from the mysterious secret agent known only as “Fulcrum.” Sabine is initially mistrustful of this mysterious ally, but by the end she learns to put her trust in Hera and their shared ally. 

Read IGN's "Out of Darkness" review here.

Blood Sisters (Rebels S2E8)

This Season 2 episode gives Rebels viewers some valuable insight into Sabine’s past. We learn about her history with bounty hunter Ketsu Onyo, the woman who helped Sabine escape from the Imperial Academy, only to later abandon her. At the same time, this episode also highlights the growing bond between Sabine and Ezra, a plot point that seems sure to pay off in Star Wars: Ahsoka.

Read IGN's "Blood Sisters" review here.

Shroud of Darkness (Rebels S2E18)

Ahsoka makes her first real Star Wars Rebels appearance in the Season 1 finale, where fans learn she's the mysterious intelligence operative known as Fulcrum. Ahsoka plays a much more prominent role in Season 2, with this episode proving to be especially crucial. "Shroud of Darkness" paves the way for Ahsoka's eventual showdown with Darth Vader, as she comes to grips with what her former master has become and her failure to help stop the destruction of the Jedi Order.

Read IGN's "Shroud of Darkness" review.

Twilight of the Apprentice (Rebels S2E21-22)

The two-part finale to Star Wars Rebels: Season 2 is crammed full of fanservice, from the return of the former Darth Maul to the long-awaited showdown between Darth Vader and Ahsoka Tano. And that confrontation doesn't disappoint, with the mighty Ahsoka holding her own against the Dark Lord of the Sith and, perhaps, briefly reawakening the man beneath the armor. This two-parter is another absolute must-watch for understanding Ahsoka's story and her role in the larger Star Wars mythos.

Read IGN's "Twilight of the Apprentice" review.

The Antilles Extraction (Rebels S3E4)

Those eager to delve even deeper into Sabine’s past as an Imperial cadet should definitely check out this Season 3 episode. Here, Sabine goes undercover as an Academy recruit in order to recruit new pilots for the struggling Rebel Alliance. This episode showcases Sabine’s bravery, and it features a guest appearance of a certain well-loved Rebel pilot from the Original Trilogy, for good measure. What’s not to love?

Read IGN's "The Antilles Extraction" review here.

Hera's Heroes (Rebels S3E5)

When it comes to Hera’s past and family history, there’s no better Rebels episode to watch than this Season 3 gem. Hera is called into action when her home world is invaded by the Empire. Hera undertakes a risky mission to rescue an invaluable family heirloom, putting her square in the path of the fiendish Grand Admiral Thrawn. This episode also illustrates Thrawn’s unique nature as a villain. He’s a man who believes that the key to defeating an enemy is to understand their cultural history.

Read IGN's "Hera's Heroes" review here.

Trials of the Darksaber & Legacy of Mandalore (Rebels S3E15-16)

This two-episode arc is basically required viewing for fans of Sabine and those curious about the history of the Darksaber before its pivotal role in The Mandalorian. In “Trials of the Darksaber,” Sabine wrestles with her reluctance to take up the ancestral weapon of her clan and the responsibility that comes with it. After training with Kanan, Sabine takes up the Darksaber and reunites with her family in “Legacy of Mandalore.” By the end, Sabine evolves into the true warrior and leader Rebels fans know her to be.

Read IGN's "Trials of the Darksaber" review here.

Zero Hour, Parts 1 and 2 (Rebels S3E21-22)

The two-part Season 3 finale is definitely worth watching, as it marks a major turning point for many of the main characters in Star Wars Rebels. These climactic episodes show the Rebel fleet outnumbered and surrounded by Thrawn’s forces, forcing Ezra and friends to resort to desperate measures to find help. These episodes are also key to the show’s ongoing Sabine/Mandalore storyline. And if the powerful, Force-wielding creature known as the Bendu is meant to play a role in Star Wars: Ahsoka, “Zero Hour” is also an essential watch in that regard. 

Read IGN's "Zero Hour" review here.

Heroes of Mandalore, Parts 1 and 2 (Rebels S4E1-2)

The two-part Season 4 premiere is also an essential watch. These episodes cap off the ongoing Mandalore saga in Rebels, as Sabine attempts to rescue her captive father and finds the Empire using a weapon she designed to terrorize her people. These are key episodes for both Sabine and Bo-Katan, and the ending feeds directly into the latter’s role in The Mandalorian.

Read IGN's "Heroes of Mandalore Part 1" review here.

Rebel Assault & Jedi Night (Rebels S4E9-10)

Hera features prominently in this two-episode arc, which sees her on the run from Thrawn’s forces after a failed attack on a TIE Fighter factory. These episodes showcase Hera’s bravery and ability to keep cool under pressure, even when facing torture. However, it’s the tragic ending of “Jedi Night” that makes these episodes truly essential. That tragedy is one that weighs on the show’s cast for the remainder of the final season. And, we assume, it’s one that won’t be forgotten as Hera and Sabine return in the Ahsoka series.

A World Between Worlds (Rebels S4E13)

Star Wars is more space fantasy than a true science fiction saga, which makes this episode an unusual outlier. It deals with the concept of time travel as it introduces a metaphysical plane known as the World Between Worlds. For one thing, this episode is essential in revealing Ahsoka’s fate after her battle with Darth Vader in Season 2. For another, the World Between Worlds looks to be playing a major role in the Ahsoka series. That makes this episode doubly essential.

Family Reunion and Farewell (Rebels S4E15-16)

It pretty much goes without saying that the series finale of Star Wars Rebels is important to understanding Ahsoka, Hera and Sabine's respective stories and how they factor into Star Wars: Ahsoka. These two episodes chronicle the final, epic clash between the Rebels and Thrawn in the period just before Rogue One and A New Hope. They set up numerous plot threads to be explored in Ahsoka, from the disappearance of Thrawn and Ezra to Ahsoka's return to a rather surprising development in Hera's world.

Read IGN's "Family Reunion and Farewell" review.

Essential The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett Episodes

The Jedi (The Mandalorian S2E5)

Star Wars fans got their first look at Ahsoka in live-action thanks to this episode of The Mandalorian. Rosario Dawson takes over the role in the series, which casts her as a rogue heroine still seeking Grand Admiral Thrawn five years after the events of Return of the Jedi. This episode directly sets the stage for Ahsoka's quest in her own series, so it's not one to be missed.

From the Desert Comes a Stranger (The Book of Boba Fett S1E6)

Star Wars fans got an unexpected treat when The Book of Boba Fett's penultimate episode featured a surprise guest appearance by Dawson's Ahsoka. Not only that, but this episode shows Ahsoka palling around with Luke Skywalker, the son of her old master. So while The Book of Boba Fett may not lay as much groundwork for Star Wars: Ahsoka as The Mandalorian before it, this episode is a must-watch for that meeting alone.

For more on all things Ahsoka, learn more about her story leading up to The Mandalorian: Season 2 and check out our rundown of the Top 25 Best Star Wars: The Clone Wars Episodes and Story Arcs.

Note - this article was originally published in November 2020 and updated on July 12, 2023 with the latest updates about Star Wars: Ahsoka.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.