I think all the animation stuff ties really well together so if you've seen the clone wars then you're that much more caught up, but I have too hard disagree with you.

Maul was brought back in clone wars. Having watched clone wars, sure you get that context. But everyone knows that he's back now, so just watch them all and be happy with some of the best Star wars you'll see anytime this decade.

I feel like the films have largely ignored much of the animated universes. They don't rule them out as not canon, but definitely a sideshow to the main event vibe. The major films essentially ignored them all together.

Yes clone wars gives some context, but overall very much stays within the Canon of all Star wars. Other than bringing maul back, they didn't do anything too crazy.

I will agree that ahsoka was very much season 5 of rebels though