Why The Clone Wars Is One of The Best Things To Happen In The Star Wars Universe

The Clone Wars aired on October 3, 2008 on Cartoon Network and the fandom was forever changed. How many of our favorite characters are from TCW? Ahsoka, Rex, and Asajj are all from a once a week, 20 minute cartoon. TCW pleased fans from every era and kept them coming back. It took the best of what each trilogy had to offer and daringly mashed it together in an unparalleled animated series. Unfortunately the show was canceled before we could get the ending these characters deserve. What that does mean is we have untold stories out there. Until we get them, let's take a look back at what made TCW a treasured part of the Star Wars universe.

1. The depth of the characters. TCW gave us some of the richest, and most vetted characters in the entire universe. Thanks to novels and comics, we knew who some of those characters were, like Asajj Ventress. But in TCW, she became one of our favorite villains with one of the richest backgrounds. Not to mention Dark Disciple, an untold Clone Wars episode written by Christie Golden, which continues Asajj’s story. We got to know Ahsoka Tano, the young apprentice to Anakin Skywalker. She has, no doubt, become one of the most beloved fictional characters of all time. Neither the depth of these characters, or their war stories, would exist without The Clone Wars series.

2. We learned about other Star Wars cultures. Battles were fought on many planets and systems throughout the galaxy. Because of this, we got to see planets and species we wouldn’t have otherwise.

3. We got to see the Star Wars underworld. You always knew the crime lords like Jabba existed, but you never got to see them. TCW showed us the underworld and all its charming inhabitants. We learned that every system had its dark parts and characters that kept the Jedi hopping.

4. It fills the gap between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Fans always wanted to know what the clone wars were really like. We see Obi-Wan and Anakin in the first battle, and then as the war comes to and end. We finally got our answer, and it was big. We see what they went through and it makes Order 66 that much more devastating.

5. It didn’t flinch. There were a few times throughout the series that I had the thought “this is a kid’s show”. They dealt with factual issues that would appear during a war: social services, crime, delegating, compromising principles, war profiteering, crime. All these subjects were discussed, and all in a cartoon.

Saying I could go on would be an understatement. The show was one of the most successful animated series of all time, garnering fans from all over the world. With Rebels on its last season, fans are asking “what’s next”. Where do we go from here? Personally, I say finish The Clone Wars! Give us an ending. Give our characters the send-off into Revenge of the Sith that Filoni always planned.

What was your favorite thing about the Clone Wars? Let me know in the comments or on twitter @ForceKnowledge Share this post and grow our fandom!

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