Ahsoka Tano's exit from the Jedi order is one of the most powerful Star Wars moments but what does this make her? Is Ahsoka a Grey Jedi and what does her status mean for her story?
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First Things First: What Is a Grey Jedi?
Grey Jedi is a term that we don't encounter in the main Star Wars movies and shows. It's commonly associated with Force users who are at odds with the Council but have rejected the dark side, too, or use both sides of the Force.
They are definitely not Jedi Knights and the order's rules don't apply to them, but nor are they Sith.
When Star Wars first came out in the 1970s, there was no need for such grey areas. The original trilogy was a clear-cut, though nuanced, battle of good vs evil.
But from the prequel trilogy onwards, we meet Jedi who are flawed, to say the least, making fans doubt that they're 'good guys' at all.
This means that it's no longer valuable to automatically write off anyone who doesn't align with them as evil.
This is where the term 'Grey Jedi' comes in handy... or does it?
Are There Any Known Grey Jedi in the Star Wars Canon?
There are a few characters in the Star Wars canon who could be described as 'Grey Jedi' but, overall, the distinction is often fuzzy.
Sometimes, even formal members of the Jedi Order can be dismissed as Grey Jedi if they disagree with the High Council in major ways.
Such was the case of Qui-Gon Jin, Obi-Wan's master, who was quite progressive in his beliefs.
Qui-Gon wasn't afraid to disagree with the Council.
While he still adhered to a Jedi Knight's way of life, some Council members expressed concerns that he might be a Grey Jedi.
Kanan Jarrus from the Rebels animated show is another Force user with an unconventional arc.
After surviving Order 66, he continued practicing the Force but no longer lived as a Jedi, as he was in a long-term romantic relationship and had joined the rebels.
Ultimately, though, both Qui-Gon and Kanan clearly walked in the light, even if they dropped the restrictive rules that weren't applicable to them.
Perhaps a more clear-cut morally grey example would be Bendu, a force-sensitive higher being who was very vocal about refusing to align with either the light or the dark.
Even Bendu, however, made a choice when faced with the Empire's evil, showing that true neutrality is nearly impossible in such a setting.
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So, Is Ahsoka a Grey Jedi?
The term 'Grey Jedi' can be used in reference to a padawan who abandons their training without succumbing to the dark side. This latter case fits Ahsoka Tano but the fandom is undecided about her Grey Jedi status.
If we simply consider the fact that she is no longer part of the official Order, then, yes, she could count as a Grey Jedi.
On the other hand, if we think of the Grey Jedi as Force users who utilize both the light and the dark side of the Force, the term doesn't fit her all that well. Ahsoka stands firmly against the Sith and what they represent.
Ahsoka leaves the Jedi Order when she's falsely accused of a terrorist attack. The Council fails to protect her, and, when she proves her innocence, they invite her back with no formal apology.
After this hurtful experience, Ahsoka leaves the Order for good. From there on, she forges her own path as a rebel and independent Force user.
If we asked the Council, this would make her a textbook Grey Jedi.
But fans have noted that Ahsoka is a fundamentally good person that stands for freedom and justice.
Despite her unorthodox ways, some fans feel it would be a bit unfair to call her 'Grey' just because she left an outdated, legalistic system that failed her.
Moreover, Ahsoka is very much in tune with the light side of the Force. So much so that she's come back from the dead twice because of the Force's mysterious workings.
In The Rise of Skywalker movie, Ahsoka's voice is heard alongside those of Jedi Obi-Wan and hero Luke Skywalker (as well as Kanan and Qui-Gon), further demonstrating her allegiance to the light side.
With her white lightsabers and unlikely alliances, Ahsoka is a truly unique Jedi and it's hard to pin her down or find the best term for her.
The Ahsoka tv series will hopefully further explain just where Ahsoka stands so far as the Force is concerned.
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