The iconic lightsaber is more than just a weapon in the Star Wars universe—it’s a symbol of a Jedi’s power, skill, and commitment to the Force. And when it comes to Ahsoka Tano, one of Star Wars’ most cherished characters, her lightsaber journey has been nothing short of transformative.
Ahsoka’s Journey: From Animation to Live-Action
Ahsoka Tano’s prowess with the lightsaber began with her animated introduction in “The Clone Wars” back in 2008. Quickly cementing her place as a fan favorite, her journey led her through the events of “The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.” But her transition from animated to live-action, as seen in “The Mandalorian” season 2 with Rosario Dawson donning the Togruta’s montrals and lekku, necessitated some crucial, real-world adjustments.
Lightsaber Reimagined: Practicality Meets Authenticity
A fascinating insight was shared in a video by Screen Rant’s Rob Keyes at Destination D23. Josh Roth, Ahsoka’s props master, detailed the evolutionary journey of Ahsoka’s lightsaber design, especially after her appearance in “The Mandalorian.” He remarked, “The design for Ahsoka’s saber here was very important. We had to slim it down…it was really challenging because we didn’t have, at the time, the technical ability to keep the batteries inside the hilts.” This tech constraint led the team to house the batteries within Dawson’s sleeves, but this was not a sustainable solution.
Ahsoka’s lightsabers were redesigned for her own show to include the batteries in the hilt (for The Mandalorian the batteries were in Rosario Dawson’s sleeves), and Ray Stevenson had design input for the pommel on his. #DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/l1z37eredP
— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) September 10, 2023
Roth continued, “Now when we saw Rosario getting her own show, for number one, we had to change that.” The team’s dedication bore fruit in a revamped saber design, one that was fully integrated. This design overhaul made it possible for Ahsoka’s lightsaber duels to shine in all their glory.
A New Era of Star Wars Choreography
“Ahsoka” has unmistakably carved its niche, notably with its exceptional lightsaber duels that stand tall in the expansive Star Wars universe. In merely four episodes, fans have been treated to exhilarating face-offs, from Ahsoka battling Marrok and Baylan Skoll to confrontations featuring Sabine Wren and Shin Hati.
Each duel is a testament to the series’ dedication to delivering high-quality choreography. Baylan Skoll’s combat style is a masterclass in technique and power. Additionally, the intense standoff between Ahsoka and Marrok in episode 4 drew parallels to the epic encounter between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul in “Star Wars Rebels.”
Looking Ahead: The Force Remains Strong
With the first season of “Ahsoka” only halfway through, the promise of more heart-pounding lightsaber duels looms large. The meticulous design choices, paired with unparalleled choreography, ensure that these battles remain one of the standout elements of the show.
In the galaxy of Star Wars, “Ahsoka” continues to shine bright, celebrating not just the heroism of its titular character but also the behind-the-scenes magic that brings the saga to life.
