‘Star Wars’ Has Apparently Confirmed the Death of Beloved Character, Here’s When It Happens

Star Wars is no stranger to revisiting its past, but its latest return to The Rise of Skywalker adds more than nostalgia—it may have subtly confirmed the fate of one of the saga’s most iconic characters.

Originally released in 2019, Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker capped off the Skywalker saga with a galaxy-spanning finale. Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) raced to stop Emperor Palpatine’s “Final Order” on Exegol. Guided by Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), Rey embraced her Jedi path while confronting her dark lineage. At the same time, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) wrestled with his loyalty to the dark side.

Though the film delivered spectacle, its rushed plot and retcons of Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2018) drew sharp criticism.

The backlash was significant enough to pause theatrical Star Wars films. But that break ends in 2026 with The Mandalorian and Grogu, followed by Starfighter in 2027. Simon Kinberg is also working on a new trilogy that could extend the saga as Episodes X through XII.

To fill the narrative gaps, Lucasfilm has leaned on comics, books, and animation. Tie-ins like The Bad Batch and “The Secrets of the Sith” expanded on Palpatine’s cloning efforts. But 2025 brought the most direct continuation yet: a new Marvel comic adaptation of The Rise of Skywalker, complete with fresh material.

“Written by Jody Houser and drawn by artist Will Sliney, the previously-announced five-issue limited series brings 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker film to the page at last,” Marvel.com shared. “In addition to retelling the Resistance’s desperate last stand, the shocking return of Emperor Palpatine, and more, the series will include all-new scenes not in the final film.”

Launching in February 2025 and wrapping in June, the comic also arrived alongside Charles Soule’s “The Legacy of Vader,” a deeper look into Kylo Ren’s psyche post-Last Jedi.

In the comic’s final issue, readers finally see the Jedi who speak to Rey during her battle with Palpatine. While the movie limited this to voice cameos, the comic shows full visual representations—Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Yoda, Kanan Jarrus, Anakin, and more, including Ahsoka Tano.

And that’s where the controversy lies.

Ahsoka’s inclusion visually implies she may have died prior to The Rise of Skywalker. Since her fate was ambiguous in live-action, fans are torn. Some speculate the character shown may be Shaak Ti, but the white lightsaber strongly signals it’s Ahsoka. Others argue it’s metaphorical—an artistic interpretation of her spiritual presence, rather than literal death.

Regardless, the moment is prompting new questions about where Ahsoka’s story ends—and whether that conclusion will be shown on screen.

“THE LAST HOPE OF THE RESISTANCE! REY races to confront PALPATINE, but can she stop him before the FINAL ORDER devastates the galaxy?” the final issue teases. “Hope comes from unexpected places as the RESISTANCE makes its last stand!”

This visual climax reshapes how fans view the sequel trilogy’s finale. Had this Force ghost scene made it into the theatrical release, some argue the emotional payoff would have resonated more deeply.

Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka Season 2 is already in production for a 2026 release. Set after The Mandalorian and Grogu, the season could explore the character’s final journey—especially since Filoni has a track record of revising canon when it suits evolving storylines. Just as he reworked E.K. Johnston’s “Ahsoka” novel for Tales of the Jedi, he may yet give Ahsoka a proper farewell.

Whether the comic confirms Ahsoka’s death or not, one thing is clear: Lucasfilm is not done rewriting the legacy of The Rise of Skywalker—or the characters who defined it.

How do you feel about this inclusion of Ahsoka Tano in the Force ghost lineup? Let us know in the comments down below!