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The 25 Best Moments from the Animated ‘Star Wars’ Adventures

The cartoons have frequently used our knowledge of the films against us, resulting in a rich emotional experience.
Best Star Wars Animated Moments
Lucasfilm
By  · Published on August 30th, 2021

5. Kamino Lost

The Bad Batch Return To Kamino

As Clone Force 99 races back to their ship, Admiral Rampart gives another one of those deadly Imperial orders. But just before his Star Destroyers decimate Kamino, we’re treated to three barren shots: Clone Force 99’s quarters, the mess hall, and the birthing chambers. Kevin Kilner‘s score hums a mellow, solemn track. In “Return to Kamino,” from The Bad Batch‘s Season 1 two-parter climax, The Clone Wars comes to its slow and desolate end.

The Clones were once the backbone of the Republic, the defenders of peace and democracy. Now, they’re nothing. The few who remain are castaways in an uncaring galaxy, ugly reminders of the scam everyone failed to see coming. The weight they’ll carry forward will be excruciating.


4. The Siege on Mandalore

The Clone Wars Old Friends Not Forgotten

Ahsoka Tano tracks Maul to Mandalore, and she reaches out to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker for assistance. They, unfortunately, are busy. See: Revenge of the Sith. All they can offer her is a small group of Clones splintered off the 501st. She takes what she can get, and as we soon discover, that’s all she needs.

The Clone Wars episode “Old Friends Not Forgotten” supplies an all-time great superhero pose as Ahsoka jumps from her troop transport, propelling herself toward Mandalore’s surface while skipping from fighter to fighter and slicing Maul’s Mandalorians left and right. She absolutely sticks the landing when she hits the deck, and if you’re not cheering, you’re dead inside.


3. Ezra and the Loth-Wolves

Star Wars Rebels A Fool's Hope

An overconfident Governor Pryce pins Ezra Bridger in a Lothal cave. As her goons press into the darkness, they’re met by Ezra’s cold glare. From behind him, three Loth-Wolves, including the White Loth-Wolf, rise. Ezra clicks on his lightsaber, and the Imperial dopes are dog meat.

The Star Wars: Rebels episode “A Fool’s Hope” is Ezra Bridger claiming his Knighthood. It’s like seeing Luke for the first time in his black Return of the Jedi duds. The kid is gone. The Jedi is here. Those who dare to commit evil, get to stepping.


2. Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Maul

Rebels Twin Suns

After years of build-up between The Clone Wars and Rebels, Maul finally gets his second shot at the Jedi who took his legs. The killer finds Kenobi on Tatooine, and he easily uncovers Obi-Wan’s purpose. The “Chosen One” is here, and when Maul’s done with Kenobi, he’ll go for Luke Skywalker next. That’s when Kenobi lights up.

Their clash in “Twin Suns” is pure samurai combat. It’s not about hopping around and the smashing of blades. Kenobi makes three moves, and Maul is fatally struck.

As the former Sith fades from this plane, he asks Kenobi if the kid he protects truly is “The Chosen One.” Kenobi replies, “He is.” Maul’s final words are “He will avenge us,” and in the context of The Last Jedi, the utterance is all the more pathetic. Prophecy shmophecy.


1. Ahsoka Tano Can’t Quit Anakin Skywalker

Star Wars Rebels Twilight Of The Apprentice Part Ii

And finally, here’s the best moment in all the animated Star Wars series. In “Twilight of the Apprentice Part II,” the Star Wars: Rebels Season 2 finale, Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader rage against each other inside the Sith Temple on Malachor. She gives the Dark Lord a good crack on the helmet, revealing what little human flesh remains beneath. When he calls her name, Ahsoka must admit the fate of her old Master.

Ahsoka can’t quit Anakin. She tells him that she won’t leave him as she did before. He triggers his lightsaber, and as its red glow casts an aura on his hateful face, Vader exclaims, ‘Then you’ll die.” Ezra Bridger and Kanan Jarrus are forced to leave as Ahsoka and Vader close out the episode bashing blades against each other.

Later on in the series, we sorta learn what went down between the two once the temple doors closed, but further details would be appreciated. With Ahsoka Tano getting her own series at a future date, it sure would be nice to get a flashback to this epic Malachor moment.

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Brad Gullickson is a Weekly Columnist for Film School Rejects and Senior Curator for One Perfect Shot. When not rambling about movies here, he's rambling about comics as the co-host of Comic Book Couples Counseling. Hunt him down on Twitter: @MouthDork. (He/Him)