Ahsoka, new Disney+ series in the Star Wars universe, premiered its first two episodes tonight on the streaming service, a day earlier than the announced August 23 premiere, and Rotten Tomatoes has announced their review and score for the show. According to Comicbook, “On the review aggregator, the newest Star Wars show sits with an 81 on the Tomatoemeter.” Since Comicbook posted this article, the Tomatoemeter score has increased to a 93 with an audience score of 90.
The series follows the main character, Ahsoka Tano, played by Rosario Dawson (Men in Black II) as well as new and beloved characters from the franchise, including familiar figures from Star Wars Rebels. The character Ahsoka was featured in the franchise and Disney+ hit The Mandalorian featuring Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) as the emotionless bounty hunter turned caring father figure. Via Comicbook, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian ended up being such huge phenomenon because of its singular story that didn’t lean on some of the more long-term Star Wars lore.” The use of nostalgia in the Star Wars series has served as a double edged sword. Ahsoka will be the true test of the effect nostalgia has on fans’ opinions of the show. According to Comicbook, “this time, the animation fans are probably going to have to show up in a massive way to support the show.”
The lightsaber combat is said to be some of the most interesting out of the Star Wars shows on Disney+. In the official production briefing for Ahsoka, creators Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni (The Mandalorian) knew the show wasn’t going to avoid action, so the cast was put through extensive lightsaber training. According to Comicbook, Favereau stated, “When you see the lightsaber fighting in this series, you’re going to see a very well-realized, well-rehearsed battle…”
Ahsoka’s mission is to find Grand Admiral Thrawn, played by Lars Mikkelsen (Star Wars Rebels), as she is joined by comrades Sabine Wren, played by Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Day Shift) and Hera Syndulla played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World). Each week only one new episode will be released until the end of the season. The next episode of Ahsoka will be on Disney+ next Tuesday.