That said, just like canon characters can originate in non-canonical material, like Grand Admiral Thrawn did, several Star Wars characters and concepts first appeared in the original Clone Wars. The Clone Wars “counted.” Clone Wars didn’t. And then, in 2014, when much of the old Expanded Universe continuity was rebranded as Star Wars “Legends,” the non-canonicity of Tartakovsky’s highly-stylized series was made final. In 2008 the hand-drawn Clone Wars series was subtly erased by the much more well-known, 3D animated series, The Clone Wars. Part of the reason we don’t talk about it anymore is because of the pesky c-word - canon. Drawn by legendary animator Genndy Tartakovsky ( Power Puff Girls, Samurai Jack) the micro-series isn’t something Star Wars fans talk about much these days, even though from 2002 to 2005, it was a big deal. In March 2005, less than two months before the release of Revenge of the Sith, the animated series Clone Wars showed us exactly what Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi were doing literally seconds before they heroically swept over Coruscant in their slick Jedi starfighters to save Supreme Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous. In the broad lightsaber strokes, The Clone Wars has mostly avoided directly canceling the events of Clone Wars. In the most pivotal moment of the episode, The Clone Wars has pointedly overwritten its humbler predecessor, the 2003-2005 animated micro-series Clone Wars. But, snuck into all the action was a unique moment of retcon - one that hardcore fans probably believed had already happened.

From the old-school green-block letters that read “Lucasfilm LTD,” there’s a deliberate throwback vibe to the finale that makes the whole shebang a Star Wars crowd-pleaser.

Part 1 of The Clone Wars season 7 finale - “Old Friends Not Forgotten” - has dropped on Disney+, and it’s thrilling and epic as hell. Nearly two decades after Yoda said “Begun, the clone war, has,” it finally looks like the stories of The Clone Wars will truly end. This Star Wars: The Clone Wars article contains spoilers.

Star wars clone wars 2003 volume 1