The Star Wars animated series takes over the timeline following after the Clone Wars Episodes. It began in 2014 and has reached the point where it raised the attention of Darth Vader himself, before the events of Star Wars Episode IV. Lucasfilm Animation is still the producer.
It was a slow start, but the series added to our understanding of the mysterious Force. At first, we followed the exploits of the handful rebel cell aboard the Ghost led by Jedi Kanan (none other than Freddie Prince Jr.) and master Pilot Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshall). They pick up a feisty young human, Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray), now 17, who becomes Kanan's Padawan. Ezra takes over the lead role. He's reckless and has bouts with the Dark Force. New Force wielders do the bidding of the Sith, like Inquisitors and their saber-wielding henchmen. Darth Maul returns--not allied to any side of the Force. Diverse Force tapping creatures and centers explore the dynamics of the Force.
The audience is aimed at children like the Clone Wars, but both also cater to adults. The latest nemesis next to Darth Vader is Admiral Thrawn, the alien from the Timothy Zahn Star Wars novels. Despite the 3D CGI, my teens prefer the Clone Wars' animation. The XD characters are stiffer and the pixels more angular. They tend to be more relatable though, surviving with guerilla tactics lightened by the slapstick antics of the spirited droid Chopper, C1-10P.
Crossover characters keep us waiting to see more, adding validation to the role of the series in the Star Wars universe. Former clone, Captain Rex (Dee Bradley Baker) is recruited. Darth Vader even reencounters his old Padawan. The Ghost crew is even seen in Star Wars: Rogue One.
Star Wars Rebels fed our Force lust when there was nothing, while Disney worked on the Star Wars sequels. It has reached another nexus at midseason, where events are getting predictable again. Yet, every year it refreshes direction. Rebels scores a FIELD GOAL at this point.
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