Is Ahsoka Tano A Grey Jedi?
It is commonly remarked by Star Wars fans that since she is neither Jedi nor Sith, is Ahsoka Tano a grey Jedi?
As a rare case of a padawan who walked away from the Jedi Order but remained good, Ahsoka Tano is a complicated character. Since she rejected the life of a Jedi knight, should Tano be considered a Grey Jedi?
Sith and Jedi alike call those who are able to balance and use both the light and dark sides of the Force Grey Jedis. This type of Force user is rejected by both groups for using the opposite side of the Force.
A somewhat different group that have turned their backs on the Jedi Code or won’t accept the teachings of their High Council are also categorized by the Jedi as ‘Greys’.
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What Makes Ahsoka A Grey Jedi?
After she’s falsely accused of a terrorist attack and the Jedi Council refuses to apologize to her when her innocence is established. Ahsoka, who has proven herself a fiercely loyal warrior, walks away from the Order, becoming a Grey Jedi in the process.
Had she not been true to herself and continued her training, Tano was a simple ‘Yes’ away from being made a Jedi Knight in the story told by the Clone Wars television series. The next time viewers got to see her was at the very end of Star Wars Rebels first season, which takes place a decade after she left the Jedi Order in the official Star Wars timeline.
During this time, the former padawan was operating within the Rebel Alliance but, despite showing she retained her Force abilities, including during a dual with Anakin Skywalker, she clearly doesn’t identify as a Jedi.
Tano’s status at this time led fans to question whether the heroine would eventually try to revive the dying Jedi Order or continue along the path of a Grey Jedi.
Why Does Ahsoka Quit The Jedi?
Ahsoka was near the end of her journey toward knighthood when the Jedi Temple was bombed, a terrorist act that killed several clones and a prisoner. Tano was accused of the crime based on circumstantial evidence and was then expelled from the Order and sentenced to execution.
It soon came out that Tano had been framed by a fellow padawan named Barriss Offee, who wanted to show that the Jedi were being corrupted by war, which had made them callous. The actions of the Council helped prove her point to Tano, who became disillusioned by the way the Jedi leadership dealt with their suspicions about her and the bombing.
As shown by Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka Tano continues to live like a Jedi but no longer identifies as one. She never succumbs to the temptations offered by the dark side of the Force, proving that she is not only a Grey Jedi but one of the most powerful Force users the galaxy will ever know.
Who Are The Grey Jedi?
Since the very beginning, Star Wars mythology has focused on an epic battle between good and evil as represented by the light and dark sides of the mystical Force.
As this universe has expanded, stories and events have taken place that doesn’t fit into this simple black & white paradigm. A more realistic setting, both within and outside canon that developed across mediums over time cleared the path for the Grey Jedi.
While the concept isn’t new, there has never been a Grey Jedi specifically named in the official canon. However, there are increasing signs that this kind of Jedi is going to become a big part of future stories taking place in a galaxy far, far away.
What Defines A Grey Jedi?
There are essentially two kinds of Grey Jedis.
The first kind are able to use both the light and dark sides of the Force while avoiding most of the negative aspects of both. For example, they can use the dark side without it corrupting them through anger and tempting them toward evil.
The second kind is a former Jedi or padawan who has left the Order but retains their connection to the Force. The rules of the Jedi Order don’t apply to them, including those against falling in love.
While Grey Jedi of both kinds are seen as more Jedi than Sith, they are known to avoid entanglements with either group. This definition includes both warriors with the potential power of a Sith and those who have left the Jedi Order but hold on to their morality and the sense of honor taught to them during their time as padawans.
Since at least some Grey Jedis can use both sides of the Force, they have abilities thought exclusive to Sith, like the ability to project lightning from their fingertips, alongside others more associated with users of the light side, like Jedi Mind Tricks. This means that they can become quite powerful but must walk a fine line between the light and dark sides of the Force or risk losing themselves to one or the other side.
So, Ahsoka Tano is a grey Jedi?
Using these definitions, Ahsoka does fit the description of a Grey Jedi. She has become disillusioned with the Jedi Order despite holding them in high regard.
When Were The Grey Jedi First Mentioned?
The history of the Grey Jedi goes back to the time that the Jedi Council established itself as the central authority over the Jedi Order.
Certain of the rules brought in by the Council, like those against personal attachments, alienated some Jedi at that time who felt that they should only have to answer to the Force, rather than a Jedi Code.
These rebels would come to be called Grey Jedi, either following their own rules while remaining in the Order or leaving it altogether.
Grey Jedi are most prominently featured in video games like the classic Knights of the Old Republic series, where players might play characters able to use powers associated with both the light and dark sides of the Force. Grey Jedi have also appeared in some non-canon Legends material including comic books and novels.
Are Grey Jedi In Official Star Wars Canon?
In terms of actual canon, it’s still hard to say whether the Grey Jedi are an official part of the Star Wars universe. This is at least in part the result of some inconsistency in how they’re defined.
For example, although he never leaves the order, Qui-Gon Jinn is referred to as a Grey Jedi by his peers due to his tendency to act against the wishes of the Jedi Council. Another character referred to in this way is Ahsoka Tano, who leaves the Order but continues to follow a path consistent with the ‘good’ or light side of the Force.
However, both of these characters never use powers associated with the dark side so an argument can be made that they don’t fully qualify as Grey Jedis.
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