It’s a great time to be a Star Wars fan now, with the franchise hitting it across the board on TV (The Mandalorian) and gaming (Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order). However, the most highly-anticipated property is still undeniably the upcoming Star Wars Episode IX The Rise Of Skywalker, which is already about to release this week.

The hype has gotten even stronger, as director J.J. Abrams is teasing the appearance of one of the only Grey Jedi in canon. Who is it? It’s none other than Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan and quite possibly the best female character in canon:

Ahsoka Tano.

(Left) Beginning of The Clone Wars (Middle) Later in The Clone Wars (Right) In Rebels

That’s right, Star Wars fans. In an interview with Japanese outlet Sora News, Abrams was asked who his favourite Star Wars character was. He answered, “Han Solo.”. The interviewer was then asked the same question by Abrams himself, to which Ahsoka Tano’s name was given as an answer.

Abrams’ reply was as cheeky as it was teasing:

“Hmmm, Ahsoka, huh?

Well then you’ll probably want to watch closely during The Rise of Skywalker.”

Abrams then ended the interview before the interviewer could ask more about what he meant. While the director does indeed tease the Ahsoka Tano’s cameo in Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker, she will likely only appear in the background or something, given the phrase “watch closely…” used by Abrams.

Still, the prospect of a live-action Ahsoka Tano is all many Star Wars fans have been clamouring for all these years. After Star Wars The Clone Wars’ version of Darth Maul appeared in 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story (and similarly, Saw Gurrera in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), there was increased hope that other characters from the animated side of the franchise could appear in the live-action movies.

The most badass female character in Star Wars canon.

If Abrams’ tease isn’t enough, Star Wars animation maestro Dave Filoni also teased about Ahsoka Tano’s live-action debut back in August 2019, which lends further credibility that the whole thing might turn out to be true after all.

She’s a genuinely strong and captivating female character, which unfortunately does not apply to the Sequel Trilogy’s Rey (who is bland and a Mary Sue character). Learn more about the upcoming Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 here, and check out why I think Ahsoka Tano deserves her own live-action movie or series here.