First impressions are often the benchmark by which relationships are measured, but thankfully in the Star Wars galaxy that’s not the case, as shown by the early interactions between Ahsoka and Anakin who perhaps didn’t get off to the best start but soon grew into a life-defining relationship. Lucasfilm take a look at this relationship, one that right now is at the very forefront of fandoms mind.
Anakin Skywalker’s introduction to Ahsoka Tano – which first appeared on cinema screens 15 years ago in Star Wars: The Clone Wars – was no different. At first, Skywalker is unaware just why Tano has been sent to the planet where he and Obi-Wan Kenobi are fighting an all-out battle against Separatist forces. It’s Kenobi who expects to receive a new Padawan learner, and when the elder Jedi tries to encourage Skywalker to do the same, the young commander will hear nothing of it. “A Padawan would just slow me down,” Anakin says.
After one skirmish, a lone shuttle delivers Tano, who informs them that Master Yoda wishes to get in contact. Though she quickly demonstrates her problem-solving abilities by offering her ship to help circumvent their communication problems, Skywalker takes little notice. It’s only after Kenobi wrongfully assumes that Tano is his new Padawan that the young Togrutan informs them of Master Yoda’s explicit instructions: she is to be Skywalker’s new apprentice.
“But that doesn’t make any sense,” Skywalker’s responds. Orders are orders. Tano is more than eager to go along, and Kenobi encourages it, much to Skywalker’s chagrin; “You’re stuck with me, Skyguy,” Tano quips. “Don’t get snippy with me, little one,” Skywalker retorts (forming the origins of Tano’s early nickname, Snips).
