Ahsoka's Big Bad & Why She Is Trying To Stop Him Explained

While he was originally created in the 1990s as an Expanded Universe character by author Timothy Zahn, Grand Admiral Thrawn was not officially brought into the "Star Wars" universe until he made his debut in the Season 3 premiere of "Star Wars Rebels." The character went on to become one of the animated series' primary antagonists. In fact, the series finale of "Star Wars Rebels" revolves almost entirely around Ezra Bridger and his friends' efforts to finally best Thrawn once and for all.

Fortunately, Ezra succeeds in doing just that. He uses his unique bond with the galaxy's purrgil, a race of flying whales with hyperspace capabilities, to launch a devastating surprise attack on Thrawn's Imperial fleet. In a tense standoff on the bridge of Thrawn's ship, Ezra even manages to trap the Imperial Grand Admiral in the nearby purrgils' tentacles. The young Jedi then stands by and allows both himself and Thrawn to be transported to an unknown destination by the purrgil. In "Ahsoka" Episode 2, it's revealed that Ezra and Thrawn were taken to a neighboring galaxy known as Peridea by the purrgil and that they've both been stranded there ever since.

That means Thrawn wasn't present for the Empire's defeat above Endor in "Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi," nor has he been around to try and stamp out the New Republic's efforts to reorganize the galaxy. Nonetheless, "Ahsoka" and "The Mandalorian" have both revealed just how integral Thrawn is to the Imperial Remnant's post-Empire plans. Fans already know that Thrawn will make his live-action debut in "Ahsoka" Season 1 as well.