Ahsoka
Ahsoka is a live-action science fiction action-adventure series on Disney+ that continues the story of fan-favorite character Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi Knight. Set after the events of *Return of the Jedi*, the show sees Ahsoka and her allies working to defend the fledgling New Republic from remnants of the Galactic Empire, particularly the looming threat of Grand Admiral Thrawn. The series delves into complex Star Wars lore, serving as a continuation of animated series like *Star Wars: The Clone Wars* and *Star Wars Rebels*, making it particularly engaging for long-time fans of the franchise. It features a strong ensemble cast, including Rosario Dawson in the titular role, and explores themes of mentorship, loyalty, and the balance of the Force. The show is generally considered appropriate for a teen audience due to its fantasy violence and some intense themes, offering a compelling narrative within the broader Star Wars universe.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe series contains typical Star Wars fantasy violence, including lightsaber battles, blaster shootouts, and physical combat. While explicit gore is generally minimal, there are instances of characters being impaled and the presence of unsettling reanimated 'zombie stormtroopers' with visible decay, which may be disturbing to some viewers.
1. Sabine Wren is impaled by Shin Hati's lightsaber in the first episode. Although she is shown recovering, the act itself is a direct impalement. 2. The series features 'zombie stormtroopers' (Night Troopers) reanimated by Nightsister magic. In one scene, a zombie trooper strangles a character, and the bottom half of its broken mask reveals 'rotting flesh and deteriorating teeth', which can be disturbing.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe series heavily features the 'Nightsisters of Dathomir' who openly practice 'dark magic' and 'sorcery.' Their abilities include necromancy to reanimate the dead and perform rituals that have significant plot implications, introducing explicit occult themes into the Star Wars narrative.
1. The Nightsisters utilize 'green Nightsister sorcery' to resurrect an army of dead stormtroopers, transforming them into 'Night Troopers' or 'zombie stormtroopers' to serve Grand Admiral Thrawn. 2. The antagonist Morgan Elsbeth undergoes a ritual with the Nightsisters that is described as resembling a 'baptismal ceremony,' where she commits to their 'old ways' and is transformed in a 'demonic and unsettling' manner.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe 'Ahsoka' TV series itself does not feature explicit LGBTQ+ characters or storylines. However, there is significant fan and media discussion regarding Ahsoka Tano's sexuality, stemming from the 2016 'Ahsoka' novel where a female character, Kaeden, expressed romantic interest, and the author confirmed Ahsoka's reciprocal feelings. The animated 'Tales of the Jedi' later removed this storyline, drawing criticism for 'de-gaying' the character.
1. In the 2016 novel 'Ahsoka' by E.K. Johnston, the character Kaeden Larte explicitly states her desire to kiss Ahsoka, and the author confirmed Ahsoka's romantic feelings in tweets. This implied queer relationship from established canon was later omitted. 2. The animated series 'Tales of the Jedi' adapted the 'Ahsoka' novel's storyline but removed the character of Kaeden Larte and any hint of a romantic connection with Ahsoka, leading to accusations of 'de-gaying' the character and underrepresentation of LGBTQ+ themes in Star Wars media.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe series features several unsettling and intense elements. The reanimated 'zombie stormtroopers' are visually disturbing. There are suspenseful action sequences, dark themes of death and spiritual realms, and flashing lights that could affect photosensitive viewers.
1. The 'zombie stormtroopers' with their 'rotting flesh and deteriorating teeth' are described as potentially disturbing to some viewers. 2. Episode 6 introduces 'new creatures and characters – some that may be considered 'creepy' to younger kids and could be too scary', contributing to intense moments. Furthermore, Episode 5 includes 'flashbacks and flashing lights' and explores 'discussion of death'.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe series introduces and prominently features 'witchcraft and pagan themes' through the Nightsisters, which some Christian parents may find to be anti-Christian. These themes involve explicit 'dark magic' and rituals that can be interpreted as conflicting with Christian beliefs.
1. The Nightsisters' use of 'dark magic' and 'necromancy' to raise the dead, central to the antagonists' power, is explicitly highlighted by Christian-focused outlets as unsettling and pagan. 2. An antagonist, Morgan Elsbeth, undergoes a ritual described as resembling a 'baptismal ceremony' where she pledges loyalty to the Nightsister coven and their 'old ways,' resulting in a 'demonic and unsettling' transformation, which could be viewed as an inversion of Christian rites.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe 'Ahsoka' series does not contain any explicit romantic relationships or sexual content. The narrative primarily focuses on action, adventure, and character development within the Star Wars universe, with no suggestive themes, nudity, or intimate scenes.
1. Multiple parent reviews and content analyses explicitly state that 'foul language isn't really an issue... and neither is sexual content' in the series. 2. The primary characters are driven by their missions and past connections rather than romantic entanglements, consistent with Ahsoka Tano's depiction in previous Star Wars media where her Jedi training discouraged such attachments.
Profanity
LowThe 'Ahsoka' TV series contains no reported instances of strong profanity or curse words. Reviews consistently indicate an absence of foul language, aligning with the general family-friendly approach to dialogue in mainstream Star Wars productions.
1. According to parent guides, there are 'NO swear words or bad language in this Star Wars series'. 2. A review explicitly mentions that 'Foul language isn't really an issue in the first two episodes' and this trend continues throughout the season.
Substance Use
LowNo instances of substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or smoking, are explicitly depicted or referenced within the 'Ahsoka' TV series. The content maintains a focus on the action and adventure narrative without involving recreational or addictive substances.
1. Broad content reviews for 'Ahsoka' do not mention any scenes involving alcohol consumption, drug use, or smoking by characters. 2. The series generally adheres to the established Star Wars universe's limited portrayal of overt substance use in its family-oriented content.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowThe series subtly explores themes of defiance and operating outside traditional authority, particularly through its main characters who are often rebels or former members of established orders. While not overtly disrespectful, characters like Sabine Wren initially show reluctance or challenge conventional training methods.
1. Ahsoka Tano herself is a former Jedi who operates independently of the New Republic's formal military structure, demonstrating a 'rebellious nature' in choosing her own path after leaving the Jedi Order. 2. Sabine Wren, initially a 'rebellious Mandalorian artist,' is shown 'butting heads' with Ahsoka during her training as an apprentice before ultimately committing to it, reflecting a dynamic of initial defiance towards authority.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ahsoka is officially rated TV-14, which indicates that it may contain material unsuitable for children under 14. Due to sustained fantasy violence, including lightsaber duels with impalements lacking explicit gore, disturbing 'zombie stormtroopers' with decaying features, and pervasive 'witchcraft' and 'occult' themes through the Nightsisters and their dark rituals, a recommendation of ages 13+ is suggested. This age range allows for greater maturity in processing darker content and complex magical elements.
Additional Notes
The series builds heavily on previous animated Star Wars content, particularly 'Star Wars Rebels' and 'The Clone Wars.' Viewers unfamiliar with these prior series may find some plot points and character motivations less impactful. The show generally maintains a tone consistent with other live-action Disney+ Star Wars series.
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