
Star Wars Rebels Timeline: 5 BBY to 1 BBY Explained (All 4 Seasons)
Interactive Star Wars Rebels Timeline (5 BBY – 1 BBY)
Sort by season, episode order, or in-universe BBY date. Search any arc, planet, or episode title.
| 1 | S1 · Pilot | Spark of RebellionGhost Crew FormsEzra Bridger meets the Ghost crew on Lothal and joins the rebel cell. | 5 BBY |
| 1 | S1 · E1–E5 | Droids in Distress → Breaking RanksGhost Crew FormsEarly Lothal-based raids; Ezra begins Jedi training with Kanan Jarrus. | 5 BBY |
| 1 | S1 · E6–E10 | Out of Darkness → Path of the JediJedi AwakeningEzra faces the Jedi temple trial and builds his first lightsaber. | 5 BBY |
| 1 | S1 · E11–E13 | Idiot's Array → Call to ActionEmpire Strikes LothalThe crew broadcasts across Lothal; Grand Moff Tarkin escalates the hunt. | 4 BBY |
| 1 | S1 · E14–E15 | Rebel Resolve / Fire Across the GalaxyEmpire Strikes LothalKanan is rescued from the Inquisitor; Ahsoka Tano appears as Fulcrum. | 4 BBY |
| 2 | S2 · Premiere | The Siege of LothalVader's PursuitDarth Vader personally hunts the Ghost crew, forcing them off Lothal. | 4 BBY |
| 2 | S2 · E1–E8 | The Lost Commanders → Stealth StrikeClone VeteransRex, Wolffe, and Gregor join; the rebellion grows into a fleet network. | 4 BBY |
| 2 | S2 · E9–E15 | The Future of the Force → Legends of the LasatInquisitor WarForce-sensitive children are rescued; Inquisitors close in on the crew. | 3 BBY |
| 2 | S2 · E16–E20 | The Call → The Mystery of Chopper BaseInquisitor WarChopper Base is established on Atollon ahead of the Malachor mission. | 3 BBY |
| 2 | S2 · Finale | Twilight of the ApprenticeMalachorAhsoka duels Vader on Malachor; Kanan is blinded and Maul returns. | 3 BBY |
| 3 | S3 · Premiere | Steps Into ShadowThrawn ArrivesEzra flirts with the dark side; Grand Admiral Thrawn takes command. | 2 BBY |
| 3 | S3 · E1–E9 | Holocrons of Fate → WarheadThrawn ArrivesSabine reclaims the Darksaber; Mandalorian and Imperial plots converge. | 2 BBY |
| 3 | S3 · E10–E15 | Trials of the Darksaber → Legacy of MandaloreMandaloreClan Wren rebels against the Empire on Krownest. | 2 BBY |
| 3 | S3 · E16 | Twin SunsTatooineObi-Wan Kenobi ends Maul's story on Tatooine. | 2 BBY |
| 3 | S3 · Finale | Zero HourBattle of AtollonThrawn devastates the rebel fleet at Atollon; Bendu curses him. | 2 BBY |
| 4 | S4 · E1–E4 | Heroes of MandaloreMandaloreThe Duchess weapon is destroyed; Bo-Katan is offered the Darksaber. | 1 BBY |
| 4 | S4 · E5–E9 | Flight of the Defender → KindredReturn to LothalThe crew returns to Lothal and discovers the Loth-wolves. | 1 BBY |
| 4 | S4 · E10–E12 | Crawler Commanders → Wolves and a DoorReturn to LothalThe Jedi temple beneath Lothal is uncovered by the Empire. | 1 BBY |
| 4 | S4 · E13 | A World Between WorldsWorld Between WorldsEzra pulls Ahsoka out of her duel with Vader through the Force realm. | 1 BBY |
| 4 | S4 · E14–E15 | A Fool's HopeLiberation of LothalThe final assault on the Imperial complex over Lothal begins. | 1 BBY |
| 4 | S4 · Finale | Family Reunion and FarewellLiberation of LothalEzra and Thrawn vanish into hyperspace with the purrgil; Lothal is freed. | 1 BBY |
| 4 | S4 · Epilogue | Epilogue (post-Endor)EpilogueAfter the Battle of Endor, Sabine and Ahsoka set out to find Ezra. | 5 ABY |
Showing 22 of 22 timeline entries.
Quick Answer: When Does Star Wars Rebels Take Place?
Star Wars Rebels takes place between 5 BBY and 1 BBY — the four-to-five years immediately before Rogue One (0 BBY) and A New Hope. Its four seasons and 75 episodes run in parallel with Andor, sit 14 years after The Clone Wars, and end with an epilogue set in 9 ABY that leads straight into Ahsoka and The Mandalorian.
At a glance:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Series start | 5 BBY (Season 1) |
| Series end | 1 BBY (Season 4 finale) |
| Epilogue | 9 ABY |
| Seasons / episodes | 4 seasons, 75 episodes |
| Sits after | The Bad Batch, Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi |
| Sits before | Rogue One, A New Hope |
| Runs parallel with | Andor (5–1 BBY) |
| Canon? | Yes — full Lucasfilm canon |
For BBY/ABY background, see our BBY/ABY Star Wars Dating System guide — short version: 5 BBY means five years before the Battle of Yavin, the climax of A New Hope.
Rebels on the Full Star Wars Timeline
Here's where Rebels sits relative to everything else in canon:
| Show / film | BBY/ABY | Distance from Rebels |
|---|---|---|
| The Clone Wars | 22 BBY → 19 BBY | ends 14 years before Rebels S1 |
| Revenge of the Sith | 19 BBY | 14 years before Rebels S1 |
| The Bad Batch | 19 BBY → 17 BBY | 12+ years before Rebels S1 |
| Solo | 10 BBY | 5 years before Rebels S1 |
| Obi-Wan Kenobi | 9 BBY | 4 years before Rebels S1 |
| Star Wars Rebels S1 | 5 BBY | — |
| Andor (Seasons 1+2) | 5 BBY → 1 BBY | overlaps entirely |
| Star Wars Rebels S4 | 2 BBY → 1 BBY | — |
| Rogue One | 0 BBY | immediately after Rebels S4 |
| A New Hope | 0 BBY → 0 ABY | immediately after Rogue One |
| Rebels epilogue | 9 ABY | 10 years after the series proper |
| The Mandalorian | 9 ABY | same time as the epilogue |
| Ahsoka | 9 ABY | direct continuation of the epilogue |
Season-by-Season Timeline
Rebels' episode order is its chronological order — there are no flashback seasons, so release order and timeline order are identical.
Editor's note: Hand-picked to pair with our lore & guides guide — collectibles loved by fans.

Funko Pop! Grogu 10" Super Sized (The Child)
BestsellerOversized 10-inch Grogu Funko Pop! Super-sized Mandalorian collectible perfect for shelf centerpiece display.

Black Series Darth Vader Force FX Elite Lightsaber
Limited OfferPremium electronic lightsaber with advanced LED, sound effects & real-metal hilt.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
| Season | Episodes | In-universe years | Key arc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 15 | 5 BBY | Lothal cell forms; Grand Inquisitor |
| Season 2 | 22 | 4 BBY → early 3 BBY | Ahsoka, Vader, Malachor |
| Season 3 | 22 | 3 BBY → early 2 BBY | Thrawn debut; Battle of Atollon |
| Season 4 | 16 | 2 BBY → 1 BBY (+ 9 ABY) | Mandalore & Lothal liberation |
Season 1 — 5 BBY
The series opens with the Ghost crew as a small underground cell pulling off supply heists against Imperial garrisons on Lothal. Ezra Bridger joins in the premiere; Kanan Jarrus reveals himself as a surviving Jedi. The Grand Inquisitor — the same rank of Jedi hunter seen in Obi-Wan Kenobi four years earlier — pursues the crew all season.
Major beats:
- "Spark of Rebellion" (5 BBY) — the Ghost crew forms with Ezra
- The four Rebels shorts also sit here, just before the premiere
- Tarkin turns his attention to Lothal
- First contact with Phoenix Squadron and Fulcrum (Ahsoka)
Season 2 — 4 BBY → early 3 BBY
The Ghost crew joins the wider Phoenix Squadron. Ahsoka Tano appears in person as Fulcrum, Captain Rex returns, and Darth Vader hunts the cell directly. The Malachor finale delivers Ahsoka's duel with Vader and reintroduces Maul.
Major beats:
- Ahsoka returns to canon after The Clone Wars
- Rex and the clone veterans join the Rebellion
- Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister replace the Grand Inquisitor
- Malachor: Ahsoka vs Vader; Kanan blinded; Maul returns
Season 3 — 3 BBY → early 2 BBY
Grand Admiral Thrawn debuts as the new primary antagonist — Timothy Zahn's character entering canon. Phoenix Squadron becomes a recognized Rebel Alliance cell, and the season ends with the disastrous Battle of Atollon. Maul dies on Tatooine in "Twin Suns" (2 BBY).
Major beats:
Editor's note: Hand-picked to pair with our lore & guides guide — collectibles loved by fans.

Black Series Mandalorian Premium Electronic Helmet
Fan FavoriteScreen-accurate beskar helmet with interior padding, adjustable fit & display stand.

Darth Vader Waffle Maker (Official, Full-Color)
BestsellerOfficial Star Wars waffle maker that brands Darth Vader's helmet onto every waffle. Full-color exterior.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
- Thrawn debut in canon
- Agent Kallus turns and becomes Fulcrum
- Saw Gerrera's Partisans appear (linking to Rogue One and Andor)
- The Bendu introduced
- Battle of Atollon — a major Rebel defeat
Season 4 — 2 BBY → 1 BBY (plus 9 ABY epilogue)
Two storylines dominate: the liberation of Mandalore (Sabine recovers the Darksaber; Bo-Katan claims leadership) and the liberation of Lothal (Ezra vs Thrawn). Kanan dies during the fuel depot arc. The finale is set in 1 BBY — months before Rogue One.
The epilogue jumps to 9 ABY: the Empire has fallen, Hera is a New Republic officer with her son Jacen, Zeb has reunited Kallus with the Lasat, and Sabine and Ahsoka depart to find Ezra.
Rebels vs Clone Wars Timeline
This is the comparison most people get wrong.
| The Clone Wars | Star Wars Rebels | |
|---|---|---|
| Years | 22 BBY → 19 BBY | 5 BBY → 1 BBY |
| Government | Galactic Republic collapsing | Galactic Empire at its peak |
| Jedi | Thousands, at war | Fewer than a dozen in hiding |
| Ahsoka | Padawan, then walks away | Fulcrum, Rebel intelligence |
| Rex | Clone captain | Retired veteran turned rebel |
| Maul | Crimson Dawn crime lord | Isolated, obsessed, dies in 2 BBY |
Roughly 14 years separate them. Everything that makes Rebels emotionally heavy — Kanan's survivor guilt, Ahsoka's distance, Rex's chip scars, Maul's decay — is a consequence of that gap.
Rebels vs Andor Timeline — Parallel Storylines
Rebels and Andor cover exactly the same five years.
| Show | In-universe years | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars Rebels | 5 BBY → 1 BBY (+9 ABY) | Lothal cell → Rebel squadron |
| Andor | 5 BBY → 1 BBY | Political & intelligence rebellion |
They follow completely different cells: Rebels covers the Lothal underground (Hera, Kanan, Ezra, Sabine, Zeb, Chopper across Lothal, Mandalore and Atollon), while Andor covers the political-intelligence axis (Mon Mothma's defection, Luthen's network, Aldhani, Ghorman, Ferrix). They never cross paths on screen, though Saw Gerrera and Mon Mothma appear in both, and both stories converge at Yavin.
For more on Andor's placement, see our Andor Timeline Placement guide.
Rebels vs Rogue One and A New Hope
Rebels ends in 1 BBY; Rogue One is 0 BBY. That's a matter of months.
- The Ghost appears in the Battle of Scarif fleet.
- Chopper is visible on Yavin 4.
- "General Syndulla" is paged over the Yavin intercom — Hera made general.
- Saw Gerrera's Partisans, introduced in Rebels Season 3, are central to Rogue One.
Rebels vs Ahsoka and The Mandalorian — The 9 ABY Connection
The Rebels finale epilogue is the prequel to Ahsoka. Narrated by Sabine Wren and set in 9 ABY, it establishes that Ezra is still missing in the unknown regions, Sabine has spent years searching, and Ahsoka has returned to help.
The Ahsoka series (9 ABY) picks up that exact thread: Sabine as Ahsoka's apprentice, Hera as a New Republic general, Thrawn as the central antagonist, and Ezra found alive. The Mandalorian, also 9 ABY, inherits Rebels' Mandalore and Darksaber history directly.
If you watch Ahsoka without Rebels, you'll follow the plot but miss the weight of every reunion.
Character Timelines Across Rebels
| Character | Enters | Timeline arc |
|---|---|---|
| Ezra Bridger | 5 BBY | Street kid → Jedi apprentice → vanishes with Thrawn (1 BBY) → found in 9 ABY |
| Kanan Jarrus | 5 BBY | Order 66 survivor → teacher → blinded (3 BBY) → dies 1 BBY |
| Hera Syndulla | 5 BBY | Cell leader → Phoenix commander → general by 0 BBY → New Republic (9 ABY) |
| Sabine Wren | 5 BBY | Explosives expert → Darksaber wielder (2 BBY) → Ahsoka's apprentice (9 ABY) |
| Garazeb Orrelios | 5 BBY | Lasat survivor → finds Lira San → reunites Kallus with his people (9 ABY) |
| Chopper (C1-10P) | 5 BBY | Clone Wars-era astromech → Yavin (0 BBY) → still with Hera in 9 ABY |
| Ahsoka Tano | 5 BBY (as Fulcrum) | Vader duel (3 BBY) → World Between Worlds → 9 ABY search for Ezra |
| Captain Rex | 4 BBY | Clone veteran → rebel commando → Endor (4 ABY) |
| Grand Admiral Thrawn | 3 BBY | Imperial commander → exiled to unknown regions (1 BBY) → returns 9 ABY |
| Agent Kallus | 5 BBY | ISB agent → Fulcrum defector (3 BBY) → Lira San (9 ABY) |
| Maul | 3 BBY | Malachor → Ezra's manipulation → dies on Tatooine (2 BBY) |
| Mon Mothma / Bail Organa | 4 BBY onward | Alliance founders bridging Rebels, Andor and Rogue One |
The Galaxy During Rebels (5–1 BBY)
- The Empire has ruled for 14–18 years. Total dominance, peak overreach.
- The Death Star is in late-stage secret construction.
- The Rebellion is fragmenting into cells: the Ghost crew, Phoenix Squadron, Saw's Partisans, Luthen's network, Mon Mothma's senators.
- Mandalore is under Imperial control until the Season 4 liberation arc.
- The Jedi Order is nearly extinct — Kanan, Ahsoka, Ezra and a handful of hidden survivors.
- The Inquisitors are active early but eliminated by mid-series.
- Thrawn is the rising Imperial threat.
Recommended Watch Order Around Rebels
- The Clone Wars (22 → 19 BBY) — especially the Ahsoka and Mandalore arcs
- Revenge of the Sith (19 BBY)
- The Bad Batch (19 → 17 BBY)
- Solo (10 BBY) — optional
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (9 BBY)
- Andor Season 1 (5–4 BBY)
- Star Wars Rebels Seasons 1–3 (5–2 BBY)
- Andor Season 2 (4–1 BBY)
- Star Wars Rebels Season 4 (2–1 BBY)
- Rogue One (0 BBY)
- A New Hope → Empire → Return of the Jedi (0–4 ABY)
- The Mandalorian / Book of Boba Fett (9 ABY)
- Ahsoka (9 ABY) — direct Rebels sequel
For the full saga, see the Star Wars Watch Order Guide.
Naming Characters for the Rebels Era
If you're writing characters for the Rebels timeframe (5–1 BBY), the naming aesthetic is rebellion-era underground:
- Rebel cell operatives — short, punchy names. Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Sabine Wren. Use our Rebel Pilot Name Generator and Star Wars Last Names Guide.
- Mandalorian rebels (Sabine-era) — clan-aligned warrior names. Use the Mandalorian Name Generator and the Mandalorian Names & Clans Guide.
- Twi'lek rebels (Hera-style) — Ryloth-rooted names. Use the Twi'lek Name Generator and Twi'lek Names Guide.
- Surviving Jedi (Kanan/Ezra-style) — humble, hidden Jedi names. Use the Jedi Name Generator.
- Imperial officers and Inquisitors — see the Imperial Officer Name Generator and Sith Name Generator.
- Lothal locals — earthy human names. See our Human Names Guide.
- Pronouncing it all correctly — Syndulla, Garazeb, Lothal and more in the Star Wars Pronunciation Guide.
For broader help, see the Complete Star Wars Naming Guide, the BBY/ABY Dating System Guide, and Star Wars What If Scenarios for alt-timeline work.
The Bottom Line
Star Wars Rebels takes place from 5 BBY to 1 BBY, across 4 seasons and 75 episodes, with an epilogue in 9 ABY.
The main series covers the five years leading directly into Rogue One and A New Hope, running in parallel with Andor, fourteen years after The Clone Wars. The epilogue ties Rebels directly to Ahsoka and The Mandalorian.
If you've ever wondered why so much of The Mandalorian-era storytelling feels emotionally connected to characters you've never met — it's because Rebels built them all. Watch Rebels. The galaxy makes more sense afterwards.
Reader Favorites
Top-rated picks loved by fellow lore & guides fans
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
Ready to Create Your Own Lore & Guides Name?
Use our free Star Wars Name Generator to create authentic character names instantly. Select your species, era, and style preferences.
Explore More Guides
Quick Links:
Continue Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Cite This Article
Reference this article in your research, blog post, or paper. Pick a citation format below.
Varr, J. (2026, June 18). Star Wars Rebels Timeline: 5 BBY to 1 BBY Explained (All 4 Seasons). Star Wars Name Generator. https://starwarsnamegenerator.com/blog/star-wars-rebels-timeline














































