Muses of Media

Star Wars animation is known for having some of the best Star Wars stories. The quality of each project is palpable. There is such a wide array of storytelling that touches on classic themes one would expect in a Star Wars story. Not to mention the multitude of memorable moments in these projects. 

From Clone Wars to The Bad Batch to Visions, the animated side of a galaxy far, far away features some of the most heartbreaking, cheer-worthy, and exciting moments in all of Star Wars. I decided to break it down by ranking the top ten moments in Star Wars animation.

10. The Mortis Gods’ Introduction – The Clone Wars

The Ones are some of the most fascinating beings in all of Star Wars. An ethereal family made up of the Son, who represents the dark side, the Daughter, who represents the light, and the Father, who maintains the balance between the two of them, is an exciting layer of the lore behind the Force. Learning more about the Force’s supernatural aspects through beings that transcend the physical planes of existence makes the Star Wars universe feel more expansive and spiritual. Plus, adding Anakin into the mix makes his creation and existence more miraculous. The chosen one prophecy, the balance of the Force, and the deeper history of the galaxy’s origins are made all the more appealing after this massive reveal. 

9. Maul’s Reappearance – Rebels

The season two finale of Rebels is epic, and one of the main reasons is the jaw-dropping reveal that Maul is not only still alive but on Malachor with our crew. After Ezra is separated from Kanan, he runs into an old man who knows the Force. He explains his anger at the Sith, and right away something feels off. Although, in the moment, some fans may have suspected that it may be Maul, it still didn’t take away from the reveal that not only is it indeed Maul, but that he is ready to jump to help our crew of Kanan, Ahsoka, and Maul against the Inquisitors. Maul may have his own motivations and ulterior motives, but his presence is epic nonetheless.

8. F Reveals Herself as a Jedi in “The Village Bride” – Visions

Visions is one of the best Star Wars projects, featuring so many incredible moments. One of the biggest standouts was “The Village Bride,” which features the story of a young Jedi who chooses to keep her Jedi ways hidden. During a conflict with some raiders causing mayhem on a peaceful planet, the young Force user known as F chooses to disregard her preference for anonymity to reveal herself as a Jedi and rescue a young bride who had been taken captive. This moment is quintessential Star Wars, with a call to action of a young Jedi who chooses the safety of others over her own. From the score swelling to the lightsaber katana reveal to the swiftness of her takedown of the leader, all make for a memorable and unique Star Wars moment.

7. Ahsoka vs Maul – The Clone Wars

There are so many epic moments from the final season of The Clone Wars, but one of the biggest standouts is Maul asking Ahsoka to join him on his quest to take down Darth Sidious and his mission to make the galaxy his own. Ahsoka refuses, which leads to two of the greatest lightsaber duelists facing off in a mind-blowing battle. The fight is filled to the brim with tension and hesitancy, as Ahsoka feels that Maul may have revealed some truths. The battle is a great precursor to Anakin’s fall and Maul’s new motivation. It also makes the Rebels more emotionally effective.

6. Tech’s Sacrifice – The Bad Batch

The season two finale of The Bad Batch features one of the most heartbreaking Star Wars moments: Tech’s sacrifice. In season two, Tech filled the smart guy role perfectly as a lovable yet one-note sort of archetype for our Bad Batch crew. However, after his more personal and vulnerable moments with Omega in “The Crossing,” he became considered to be one of the most sincere representations of mental health struggles in Star Wars. His sincerity and heart were always there, but they were never quite expressed the same way as his brothers’. This more personable Tech became a fan favourite, which made his sacrifice all the more emotionally devastating. Tech’s final words of “when have we ever followed orders” ring in the ears of Star Wars animation fans and are a perfect example of why The Bad Batch crew is one of the most beloved squads in all of Star Wars.

5. Obi- Wan vs Maul in “Twin Suns” – Rebels

The final confrontation between Maul and Obi-Wan is a modern classic. “Twin Suns” takes Ezra to Tatooine, where he is in search of Obi-Wan Kenobi to get his help to defeat the Empire. This is revealed to be all part of Maul’s plan to get Kenobi to reveal himself, allowing Maul to finally get his revenge. The Maul vs Obi-Wan rivalry has spanned across several years and several projects. We get the culmination of this in an emotionally charged face-off between the former Sith Lord and the legendary Jedi Master, where they both get to demonstrate their current motivations.

Obi-Wan is dedicated to protecting Luke, and Maul’s desire for vengeance has consumed him. In what many would expect to be an insane, back-and-forth battle, it turns out to be a quick two swift moves from the Jedi Master taking down Maul in the blink of an eye. As Kenobi catches Maul in his arms, there is a sense of relief between the two of them, and a moment of sympathy from Kenobi. It’s a beautiful full-circle moment that reaches fans across all aspects of Star Wars.

4. Crosshair Kills Lieutenant Nolan – The Bad Batch

Crosshair’s arc in The Bad Batch is massive. The only one of our crew members who chooses to remain loyal to the Empire and betray his brothers, Crosshair was a frustrating character for many fans. His blind allegiance to the Empire became more and more agitating as he never questioned the injustices, contradictions, and evil actions of this fascist superpower. Even his own brothers lost faith in the possibility of his awakening and his turn away from the dark side. However, Omega never lost faith and believed he would one day see the Empire’s evils and realize they don’t deserve any allegiance. That day came on Barton IV in “The Outpost,” an episode that expertly breaks down the cruelty of the Empire towards Clones and life in general.

After experiencing a gruelling, harrowing mission, where a fellow Clone Commander Mayday dies, Crosshair returns to the Outpost where Imperial Lieutenant Nolan barks at Crosshair that Clones are expendable. A fed-up Crosshair shoots and kills the Lieutenant, effectively ensuring his fate as a prisoner of the Empire, and opening his eyes. It’s a beautifully done wake-up call, a reminder that the Empire lives and breathes cruelty.

3. Ahsoka vs Vader – Rebels 

The personal history of Ahsoka and Anakin is felt across all of Star Wars. The Clone Wars gave us one of the most memorable and beloved Star Wars characters in Ahsoka Tano. A young, spunky padawan who is taken as Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice, Ahsoka develops, reflecting Anakin’s early years, into a wise and influential leader. After Skywalker’s fall, Ahsoka discovers that her former Master is not only alive but has become the epitome of everything she ever fought against. This culminates with a confrontation for the ages where Vader appears on Malachor and faces off against his former apprentice in a battle that represents just how far Anakin has descended. He is now Vader, and no amount of Ahsoka’s heart and soul will bring him back. This is truly an emotional and intense moment that will live on as one of the most pivotal Star Wars moments.

2. Ahsoka Leaves the Jedi Order – The Clone Wars

There are so many amazing Star Wars animated moments, but one of the most pivotal moments that has reverberated across every Star Wars is Ahsoka leaving the Jedi Order. The prequels do a good job of showing us just how the Jedi’s ignorance led to the rise of Palpatine and the Empire. The Clone Wars expand on that notion with a flawed order that alienates one of its best and brightest in Ahsoka Tano. She sees how the Jedi are on the wrong path and how she can’t simply jump back on it. The moment is heartbreaking and powerful and leads to so many incredible Star Wars stories that deconstruct the “Jedi ways.” Ahsoka’s choice to move forward gave a more complete and developed character.

1. Kanan’s Sacrifice in “Jedi Night” – Rebels 

Rebels gave us one of the best Star Wars crews with the Ghost squad. Our two leaders, Hera and Kanan, developed into not only the best Star Wars couple but some of the greatest leaders in the Rebellion. Kanan got to the true essence of what it means to be a Jedi. He moved beyond rigidity and complacency to create a personal philosophy that included everyone. His teachings were felt in the growth of Ezra, and even in Sabine. Kanan’s impact on his crew was monumental. This made his sacrifice all the more devastating.

Kanan knew he would be sacrificed to save his family, and yet he committed to going into the heart of the Empire to rescue Hera. Beyond that, Kanan’s sacrifice led to the destruction of the TIE Defender’s fuel supply, which helped in the defeat of the Empire. The Empire may have been too overwhelming with those fighters in the Battle of Endor. Kanan’s impact in both the fight against the Empire and in the development of the light side of the Force is immeasurable. His sacrifice will forever be one of the greatest Star Wars moments.