Fun Fact: Ahsoka and Anakin Were Enemies Longer Than They Were Friends

You know that bond between Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano—it’s one of the most memorable in Star Wars. 

Anakin might not have wanted a Padawan at first, but Ahsoka quickly proved herself, becoming more than just his student; she was his trusted friend. 

Their journey wasn’t simple, and it certainly didn’t end the way we’d hope, so keep reading to see how their friendship developed—and how it was ultimately torn apart.

Anakin and Ahsoka’s Friendship Through The Clone Wars

Let’s start with the good times. Ahsoka and Anakin’s friendship began in 22 BBY, when Ahsoka joined Anakin as his Padawan at the start of The Clone Wars. 

It was a unique bond from the start—Anakin wasn’t exactly thrilled to have a Padawan, but Ahsoka quickly earned his respect. 

Together, they fought in countless battles, from the Battle of Christophsis to the Mortis arc. Through thick and thin, they became not just master and apprentice but close friends, almost like siblings.

One of the most powerful moments that shows just how much Anakin cared for Ahsoka as a friend is in the Mortis arc. 

When Ahsoka falls under the influence of the dark side on Mortis and briefly turns against him, Anakin doesn’t hesitate to try and save her. 

You can see the desperation and heartbreak in his eyes as he faces a corrupted Ahsoka, a rare glimpse of his protective nature shining through. 

Later, when Ahsoka is nearly killed by the Daughter’s dark power, Anakin’s distress is palpable. 

He is willing to do anything to bring her back, and ultimately, the Daughter’s sacrifice allows Ahsoka to be revived. 

For about three years, they were nearly inseparable. During this time, we saw Ahsoka grow immensely under Anakin’s guidance, learning both his strengths and his weaknesses. 

Anakin, for his part, became deeply attached to her, almost protective to a fault. They were both strong-willed, brave, and sometimes reckless—a perfect pair on the battlefield. 

But, as we know, thinags didn’t stay this way.

In 19 BBY, near the end of the Clone Wars, everything changed. Ahsoka was falsely accused of bombing the Jedi Temple and was put on trial by the Jedi Council. 

Despite Anakin’s efforts to prove her innocence, the experience left her deeply disillusioned.

The betrayal she felt from the Jedi Order led her to make a painful choice—to walk away, leaving Anakin and the Jedi behind. 

So, their time as friends and allies lasted only around 3 years.

Anakin’s Transformation from Protector to Destroyer

We all know what happens next. Shortly after Ahsoka leaves, Anakin’s world spirals out of control. 

In Revenge of the Sith, we see Anakin succumb to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader under Palpatine’s influence. 

This transformation takes place in 19 BBY, marking the beginning of his journey as one of the most feared figures in the galaxy.

From this point on, Anakin and Ahsoka’s paths are forever altered. 

Ahsoka becomes an outsider to the Jedi Order, and Anakin becomes the Empire’s enforcer, hunting down Jedi and stamping out any form of resistance. 

Although they wouldn’t cross paths again for years, they were now on opposite sides of a galactic conflict, fighting for completely different ideals.

When Ahsoka and Anakin Faced Each Other as Enemies

Fast forward about 15 years, and Ahsoka reemerges in the galaxy as part of the Rebel Alliance. 

She’s no longer a Jedi, but she’s actively working against the Empire, determined to stand up to the darkness spreading across the galaxy. 

And, as fate would have it, this puts her on a collision course with her former master.

Their fateful reunion happens in Star Wars Rebels, around 3 BBY. 

During the mission on Malachor, Ahsoka finally confronts Darth Vader, and it’s here that she discovers the horrible truth: her beloved friend and mentor, Anakin Skywalker, is now the very monster she’s been fighting against. 

It’s a heartbreaking moment. Ahsoka refuses to abandon him, vowing, “I won’t leave you… not this time.” 

But Vader, consumed by the dark side, is intent on destroying her.

The duel on Malachor is intense and tragic. 

For the first time, we see these two former allies as true enemies. 

Ahsoka isn’t just fighting to save herself—she’s fighting for Anakin’s soul, holding on to the hope that there’s still good in him. Unfortunately, the Vader she faces is far removed from the friend she once knew. 

This encounter is a painful reminder of how much has changed since their days as allies in the Clone Wars.

Friends for 3 Years, Enemies for 23 Years

Ahsoka and Anakin fought side by side for approximately 3 years during The Clone Wars. But from the moment Anakin became Vader in 19 BBY to the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, they were on opposite sides for about 23 years.

They spent seven times longer as enemies than they did as friends—a realization that underscores just how tragic Anakin’s fall truly was. 

Ahsoka lost her friend not once, but twice—first when she left the Jedi Order and again when Anakin became Vader. 

Throughout those years, she carried the weight of knowing that the friend she once trusted with her life was now one of the galaxy’s most feared enforcers.