Is Ahsoka safe for kids? Is Ahsoka OK for children? Read the Star Wars: Ahsoka Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 8-episode Star Wars: Ahsoka original television streaming series, starring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano. No spoilers! #Ahsoka May contain commissioned links.
Star Wars: Ahsoka Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
“Sometimes the right reasons have the wrong consequences” ~ Ahsoka Tano.
It’s a first for Star Wars, a woman lead feature series. And I’m not mad about it.
From long-time animated fandom to live action fruition, Ahsoka fans will tell you that this former Jedi Knight is overdue for her place in the Star Wars spotlight. From books to Disney ears, character meet and greets and now finally her own Star Wars featured show, can Star Wars Rebels creator Dave Filoni pull off the ultimate Ahsoka series that will wow the fandom?
Or are we in for a *cough* Obi-Wan Kenobi *cough* letdown repeat?
In this Star Wars: Ahsoka Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full TV-14 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age rating recommendation is suggested to watch in this new Star Wars: Ahsoka 2023 TV series parents guide to the new Lucasfilm television streaming show on Disney+. A no-spoiler parent review of Star Wars: Ahsoka, is this the long-awaited series that Ahsoka fans have been looking for?
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The Visuals
Visually, Star Wars: Ahsoka is what I’d expect for a Star Wars series – but perhaps with a woman’s featured touch. Gorgeous sci-fi landscapes and fantasy-like creatures run abound. There’s a fluidity in the camera sweeps and a subtle artistry to this Star Wars woman-driven feature. From CGI to martial arts movements, makeup to costuming, Ahsoka is truly brought to life in the Star Wars timeline, with worthy visuals for this long-time animated character.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, so far Star Wars: Ahsoka seems to be safe, with no bright flashing or strobing light sequences of note for the first two episodes. There’s the usual Star Wars guns firing and lightsaber rotations, fight sequences.
Episode 3 Update – there is a long scene in this episode where characters are on a ship in hyperspace. There are multiple flashing and strobing lights along with spinning and possibly dizzying light CGI effects that be seizure and nausea inducing for some viewers.
The Story
Written and directed by Star Wars Rebels creator Dave Filoni and based on the popular Star Wars character Ahsoka Tano, Rosario Dawson (“Clerks 2“) reprises her role as live-action Ahsoka, starring in her own 8-episode Star Wars original TV series. Joining the Ahsoka cast are Natasha Liu Bordizzo (“The Voyeurs“), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Final Destination 3“), Diana Lee Inosanto (“The Sensei“), Ray Stevenson (“King Arthur“), Ivanna Sakhno (“Pacific Rim Uprising“), David Tennant (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire“), Lars Mikkelsen (“Sherlock“), and Eman Esfandi (“King Richard“).
The Setting. The new Star Wars: Ahsoka series takes place about a decade after Star Wars Episode III (“Revenge of the Sith“) and the Star Wars Rebels animated series in the timeline. Set after the fall of the Empire, we catch up with the former Jedi Knight as Ahsoka investigates an emerging threat to a very tense and vulnerable galaxy.
Not quite as action packed as Andor or as intense as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka is more story driven like The Mandalorian, relying heavily on Star Wars lore, character relationships and long dramatic pauses. With slower pacing, musical suspense and Jedi action, there’s an artistry to the Star Wars: Ahsoka series that could either appreciated by fans or turn them away.
After previewing the first two episodes, Ahsoka feels like a live action Star Wars Rebels reunion. Not too surprising considering that Dave Filoni is behind the helm. Ahsoka is also chock full of lots of Star Wars Easter Eggs, familiar names and even more diversity in the Star Wars universe (more Asian representation, yes please!).
However, there are definitely big character plot holes to fill if you do not know much about Ahsoka Tano’s contribution to Star Wars lore. I highly recommend watching at least the 10 highlighted episodes of Star Wars Rebels (as seen on Disney+) before diving into Ahsoka. Or you may end the episodes with a lot more questions than answers.
Ahsoka TV-14 Rating Explained
Is Ahsoka safe for kids? Another Star Wars original series that’s rated TV-14? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is Ahsoka rated TV-14? In this Star Wars: Ahsoka Review | Safe for Kids?, this 8-episode Star Wars original television series streaming show is rated TV-14 for “sci-fi violence.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Secret Invasion is kid friendly. Is Ahsoka too scary for kids? Is Ahsoka too intense for kids? Let’s breakdown that TV-14 age rating in this Star Wars: Ahsoka parents guide.
*Please note that this Star Wars: Ahsoka series review and TV-14 age rating breakdown are for episodes 1 and 2 only. I will update this post with reviews of future episodes below as subsequent episodes are released.
Violence/Suspense. The sci-fi violence is pretty on par with what is expected of the Star Wars franchise. There are use of guns and a couple of scenes of impalement, but overall no blood or gore seen in the first two episodes. There are minimal wound and scarring visuals as well. Mild Star Wars level of suspense (the intense but awesome added music helps).
Adult Themes. Overall, theming is on par with the Star Wars original series releases so far. Ahsoka does have discussion of “witchcraft” along with some dark sci-fi characters and themes – but again, on par with the overall Star Wars franchise vibe. Some light grief and loss themes as well.
Language. Does Star Wars: Ahsoka have foul language? So far, there is NO swear words or bad language in this Star Wars series. I would love the lack of swear words to continue in this Ahsoka series – as I feel this is a fitting void in her character’s portrayal. But let’s see how the next 6 episodes play out.
Episode 3 Update | 37 minutes – Did you see that this episode is rated TV-PG? Mildly intense chase scenes and Star Wars spaceship fighting in this episode with use of flashing machine guns and mild suspense. There are also long flashing, strobing and spiraling light sequence with a long dialogue scene in hyperspace. This may be seizure inducing/light sensitivity triggering for some. No foul language or adult themes of note in this episode of Ahsoka. Overall a middle of the road Star Wars episode.
Episode 4 Update | 40 minutes – Another TV-14 rating slapped onto this Ahsoka episode. Moderate intense lightsaber battles in this episode along with moderate suspense. A spinning saber and multiple scenes with flashing and strobing lights that maybe be seizure inducing for some. No bad language present in this episode. However, for adult themes there are talks and use of witchcraft present again.
The dramatic pauses intensify in this episode, with lightsaber battles and “anxious” music to go along with the Star Wars theatrics and pageantry. Feels like a slow burn. But the surprise cameos and climaxing storyline keep fans intrigued.
Episode 5 Update | 50 minutes – More flashbacks and flashing lights in this episode, as we deep dive more into Ashoka’s past. Violence on par with Star Wars violence. No foul language. Adult themes include discussion of death. Not quite the climax episode I was hoping for – but with three more episodes to go, this episode exceeds dramatic expectations.
Episode 6 Update | 49 minutes – Flashing forward on this episode as we finally get some more bright flashing and spinning lights for photosensitive viewers. But we also get the more climactic episode that I was expecting. Be prepared for some new creatures and characters – some that may be considered “creepy” to younger kids and could be too scary. Action and violence on par with normal Star Wars levels. No language to report.
Episode 7 Update | 45 minutes – Cameos and Climaxes! Finally, some much needed Rebels action added to the drama as we start to wrap this series up. Action and violence on par with Star Wars. Minimal adult themes (mostly dialogue heavy). No language.
Episode 8 Finale Update – When the final battle is so good, but the ending is such a letdown. More witchcraft in this episode, with creepy visuals. Lots of Star Wars action and fighting. I’m meh on the end of this series. Overall, much better than Obi-Wan. But still…what the??
Star Wars: Ahsoka Age Rating for Kids?
With a runtime ranging from 42 – 55 minutes per episode, Ahsoka is definitely within the realm of kid-friendly, at least for the first two episodes. Much more on par with the original Star Wars movies, Ahsoka relies heavily on sci-fi violence for the TV-14 rating.
But with character holes to fill (Clone Wars and Rebels), slower pacing, long dramatic pauses, heavy dialogue, and not as much Star Wars action, Ahsoka may be a little on the boring side for little child Padawans. But being able to watch from home with the comfort of a Disney+ pause button, Star Wars: Ahsoka overall seems like a family-friendly series.
Star Wars: Ahsoka 2023 television series is most comparable to The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, focusing more on the drama, Star Wars lore, and character relationship building.
The Disney+ original Star Wars series will consist of eight episodes. The first two episodes are set to release on August 23, 2023. New episodes are scheduled to release weekly on Wednesdays through October 4, 2023.
The all-new Star Wars: Ahsoka 2023 original television series streaming on Disney+ is rated TV-14 for “sci-fi-violence.”
No, the new Star Wars: Ahsoka series has no end credit scenes so far. Though I don’t expect any if this show follows the same formula as the other Star Wars original series.
Based on my Star Wars: Ahsoka parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Star Wars: Ahsoka TV series to kids younger than the age of 5-6 years old.
Considering the full TV-14 rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Star Wars: Ahsoka TV series to kids younger than the age of 5-6 years old. This Star Wars: Ahsoka TV-14 rating seems pretty light so far, and is comparable to The Mandalorian television series rating on Disney+.
I recommend parents to prescreen Star Wars: Ahsoka series for violence, presence of witchcraft, and some dark sci-fi themes. But even my sensitive 10-year old daughter can handle the first two episodes of this Star Wars series.
The Overall
For me, this Star Wars series is off to a better start than The Book of Boba Fett or The Mandalorian Season 3. But only time will tell if the 6 remaining episodes will escalate Ahsoka’s long awaited series up to fandom standards.
With high highs but also low lows of dramatic pauses and slow pacing, there’s an ebb and flow to the Star Wars: Ahsoka series that will either draw the fandom in – or force push them away. Rebellions are built on hope. Let’s see if Ahsoka is built on the same.
Follow Star Wars: Ahsoka on social media:
- Website: https://www.starwars.com/series/star-wars-ahsoka
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarWars
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ahsokaofficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahsokaofficial/
- #Ahsoka
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Star Wars: Ahsoka, the all-new 8-episode season 1 TV show with a 2 episode television series premiere is streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting Wednesday August 23, 2023, with new episodes every Tuesday at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET through October 4, 2023. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen the episodes 1-2 of the new 2023 Star Wars: Ahsoka television series in exchange for this Star Wars: Ahsoka Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney/Star Wars. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
Chris says
Thank you! This is exactly the kind of review I was looking for to see if I should watch this with my kiddo today. I’ll keep track for the rest of the episodes, too!
christie says
So glad I could help! Happy watching. And may the force be with your family 🙂