Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka has received an overwhelmingly positive response from Star Wars fans, but whether the Anakin we saw in The World Between Worlds was actually, well, Anakin, quickly became a big talking point.
Some believed it was simply a dream sequence (after all, how and why would the redeemed Jedi be there to greet her?) and others suggested someone or something might be posing as the man who became Darth Vader after parting ways with his former Padawan.
However, it was the appearance of Anakin's Force Ghost in the Ahsoka finale's closing moments which confirmed, yes, that really was him she'd been reunited with.
Even so, it's another scene that's generated discussion because this is the first time we've seen Anakin as a Force Ghost since he showed up on Endor in Return of the Jedi. As far as we're aware, he hasn't appeared before his son, Luke Skywalker, and The Rise of Skywalker confirmed Emperor Palpatine pretended to be him years later to manipulate Ben Solo/Kylo Ren.
While we still don't know whether Anakin is somehow tied to Peridea's Mortis Gods, an official explanation on StarWars.com (via SFFGazette.com) confirms his appearance should be taken as a promising one rather than some sort of ominous hint about what's to come.
"The convor Morai and the Force spirit of Anakin Skywalker both appear to give Ahsoka Tano signs that she's exactly where she is supposed to be," the site reveals. "With this simple wisdom, reflected in images that show Baylan on his journey, Shin igniting her lightsaber as she enters the bandit's camp on Peridea, and Thrawn and the Great Mothers arriving at Dathomir, it seems like everyone is in agreement."
So, just like Ahsoka Tano told Sabine Wren, she's now exactly where she needs to be. Whether they're destined to permanently remain in this new Galaxy remains to be seen, but if Baylan Skoll really is seeking out the power of the Mortis Gods, then Ahsoka may be all that stands between him and the destruction of everything.
With that in mind, we expect Anakin to be by her side, guiding his Padawan through this next adventure (they both have a history with those God-like beings, something you can learn more about here).
Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka follows the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
In addition to Rosario Dawson in the title role, the series stars Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, the late Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati, Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth, David Tennant as Huyang, Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Eman Esfandi appearing as Ezra Bridger.
Ahsoka was written by Dave Filoni, who executive produces alongside Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck. Directors include Filoni, Steph Green, Peter Ramsey, Jennifer Getzinger, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Rick Famuyiwa.
All episodes of Ahsoka are now streaming on Disney+.