Snips: the evolution of Ahsoka Tano

Photo courtesy: Penguin Random House

Friendships and Alliances

Alliances made all the difference during the Clone Wars. Ahsoka found friends from all walks of life, including politics. Yes, the Jedi tried to stay away from the debate and propaganda, but in some cases, politicians were allies all the same.

Ahsoka’s closest political ally was Padmé Amidala. Because of Anakin’s ties with her, Tano became good friends with the senator. Not once did Ahsoka judge her for the relationship she had with Anakin. During the early events of the war, Ahsoka worked out Anakin and Padmé had a secret love affair. She revealed this to the senator, promising not to speak of it.

Other than Padmé, Ahsoka had a close bond with Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora. Ahsoka often required Chuchi’s help. When Ahsoka got put on trial for terrorism, Chuchi served on the jury.

Ahsoka became close to her savior, Jedi Master Plo Koon whom she deemed her first friend amongst the Jedi. When Plo went missing with his clones early in the war, Ahsoka could sense he was still alive, despite what everyone told her.

Another of Ahsoka’s friends of fellow Padawan, Barriss Offee. Other than Anakin and Rex, Barriss became Ahsoka’s best friend. They took part in many missions together and according to the Forces of Destiny comics; they sparred together at the Jedi Temple. Barriss was the one who led Ahsoka to leave the Jedi Order after she framed her for terrorism and murder.

Whenever she was with Anakin, one of Ahsoka’s closest companions was astromech droid R2-D2. She and the droid took an immediate liking to each other with Ahsoka nicknaming him Artooey. However, Ahsoka had the same headspace other Jedi had and viewed R2 as another astromech droid.

Of all the clones in the 501st Clone Battalion, Ahsoka was closest to CT-7567 best known as Rex. The young Togruta admired the Clone and considered him one of her best friends. She nicknamed him Rexster, and he enjoyed her snippy attitude especially when it focused on Anakin. When she was being hunted for Barriss’s crimes, Ahsoka didn’t hate Rex for trying to capture her.

During Order 66, Ahsoka and Rex faked each other’s deaths but kept in touch with each other during the reign of the Galactic Empire. I reunited them for the first time in almost 20 years after the Siege of Lothal where Ahsoka embraced her old friend warmly.