Grand Admiral Thrawnwas visibly shaken inAhsokawhen he was initially informed ofAhsoka Tano’s presence, and that’s everything to do with the secrets he knew. Because Ahsoka wasn’t always on the front lines of theRebel Alliance’s fight against the Empire, Thrawn and Ahsoka never crossed paths during the Galactic Civil War. Despite this, Ahsoka knew enough about Thrawn to render him a threat, which is why she endeavored to chase down the rumors of his return in the years after the war ended, as seen in bothThe MandalorianandAhsoka.
As it turned out, Thrawn was just as aware of Ahsoka and her history as Ahsoka was of his. Thrawn was indeed a man who prided himself on the knowledge he sought and learned quite easily, particularly from studying the art of various cultures, which made him an expert strategist. His experiences, however, were just as valuable, as there were threads he was able to tie between situations and people that not many others ever could. It was one of these threads that Thrawn was able to attach to Ahsoka, leading him to appropriately fear her.
Thrawn Worked With Ahsoka’s Master, Anakin
The Two Paired Up On A Mission During The Clone Wars
Although Thrawn and Ahsoka may not have met prior to the events ofAhsoka, Thrawn was familiar with an important individual in Ahsoka’s life: her Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker. The canon novelThrawn: Alliancesby Timothy Zahn detailsan unsanctioned mission Thrawn embarked on with Anakin during the Clone Wars. Thrawn was not yet a member of the Republic; rather, he was there on behalf of the Chiss Ascendancy, where Thrawn got most of his experience prior to joining theGalactic Empire. Anakin struck a deal with Thrawn to receive his assistance in finding Padmé Amidala onBatuu.
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In exchange for information about the Clone Wars, Thrawn assisted Anakin in his efforts to help rescue his secret wife and her handmaiden. Once the mission was a success, including an unplanned detour to destroy a Separatist factory, Anakin followed through on the deal and informed Thrawn about the Clone Wars. Thrawn truly came to respect Anakin as a brilliant tactician and cunning warrior, andthe memory of the Jedi general stuck with him long after this unsanctioned mission. That’s how Thrawn was able to deduce something that few people ever discovered in the entire galaxy.
Thrawn Knew What Became Of Anakin
He Deduced It On His Own
During the Imperial era, specifically between the events ofStar Wars Rebelsseasons 3 and 4, Thrawn was sent to Batuu once again with Darth Vader on Palpatine’s orders. Given how effective Thrawn was at making observations, particularly of people,it didn’t take long for Thrawn to identify that many of Vader’s tactics were the same as Anakin’s, especially since the Grand Admiral had so much respect garnered for the former Jedi. Of course, Thrawn kept this secret to himself, but he did hint to Vader that he knew whilst getting an extension attached to their mission.
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It’s not surprising that Thrawn was able to make such an accurate deduction, mostly because this is the kind of thing Thrawn has long since been known for. He did end up keeping the secret, only sharing it with those who also knew - including Ahsoka Tano herself, to whom he hinted about this secret before he made his escape from Peridea in theAhsokafinale.Thrawn, of course, was no doubt aware of Vader’s atrocities also, which would have given him a firm understanding of exactly how brutal Anakin could be, even prior to his fall to the dark side.
Thrawn Could See Traces Of Anakin Within Ahsoka
This Made Thrawn Fear The Former Jedi
This is ultimately why Thrawn was afraid of Ahsoka, especially when he could see pieces of Anakin within his former Padawan. Knowing everything that Anakin was capable of, before and after his fall, Thrawn was aware that Ahsoka would have absorbed much of what her former master had taught her. As his student,Ahsoka would even have been able to refine Anakin’s tactics and techniques even more, especially in all the years following their time spent together. It’s understandable, then, that Thrawn was cautious of Ahsoka when he learned who her Jedi Master was.
At the same time, however, this gave Thrawn an advantage over Ahsoka;because he was so familiar with her former master, Thrawn was able to predict many of Ahsoka’s moves before she even made them. This wasn’t a foolproof method, as Ahsoka had certainly created some of her own tactics over the years, but it was still enough for Thrawn to get away. Despite Thrawn’s victory, it was always clear that he feared the former apprentice of Anakin Skywalker inAhsoka, even though he still has yet to face her at her full potential.
Ahsoka
Cast
Ahsoka follows the journey of former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. Released in 2023, this series takes place within the Star Wars universe and features Ahsoka navigating through a complex political and cosmic landscape.
