Star Wars Rebels lasted for four seasons between 2014 - 2018 and introduced fans to the Ghost and its crew. When the series ended, the young Jedi, Ezra Bridger, had disappeared alongside Grand Admiral Thrawn and the quest to find them both is crucial to what we're seeing play out in Ahsoka.
Sabine Wren clearly misses her friend and, prior to joining Ahsoka Tano on her quest, is shown living inside a communications tower on Lothal. However, as we first revealed on SFFGazette.com, a closer look reveals a heartbreaking Easter Egg that references one of her adventures with the missing Jedi.
As you can see below, she's held on to the painted Scout Trooper helmet Ezra once wore in battle.
It's a great nod to Star Wars Rebels and no doubt one of many nods to the animated series we'll see across the course of Dave Filoni's live-action follow-up. In the second episode, we even see Sabine don her familiar Mandalorian armour, so Ahsoka isn't shying away from linking this show up with its predecessor.
Lucasfilm has also released a huge gallery of stills from "Master and Apprentice" and "Toil and Trouble," focusing on Ahsoka's lead heroes and villains.
If you weren't already convinced that this series is essentially Star Wars Rebels season 5, then these should convince you. It's clear Filoni was heavily involved in designing the aesthetic of the show and that Loth-cat may give Grogu a run for his money in terms of sheer cuteness.
Take a closer look at these new Ahsoka stills below.
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.
The first two episodes of Ahsoka are now streaming on Disney+.