25 years later, I'm still shocked that people hated George Lucas' best Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vaderstory decision. Anakin Skywalker is undoubtedly one of Star Wars' best characters, if not the single best, and that's been true since he was introduced in the original Star Wars trilogy. Years later, though, the prequel trilogy fleshed out Anakin Skywalker's Star Wars timeline considerably more by revealing the details of his backstory, from his upbringing in slavery on Tatooine to the defining moments of his fall to the dark side. 3p6v6h

There's a truly heartbreaking Darth Vader moment from Star Wars Legends that I've decided needs to be considered canon. As sinister as the Dark Lord is, the story of Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker is one of great loss and tragedy. To that end, one of my favorite Darth Vader stories of all time has to do with a key moment in The Empire Strikes Back when the Sith Lord was forced to grapple with his past.

The ultimately devastating tale of Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side often points to his arrogance, impulsiveness, or fear of loss. However, a deeper look that considers the pressures and moral complexities in the time of war that he faced, suggests a more tragic flaw: his unwavering commitment to the purest ideals of the Jedi.

Anakin Skywalker had an unusually high midi-chlorian count in Star Wars, but what did that truly say about his power as a Jedi? When Anakin Skywalker was discovered as a young boy in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn sensed his latent power and even believed Anakin was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force. It seemed that Qui-Gon’s suspicions were confirmed when he tested Anakin’s blood for microscopic life forms known as midi-chlorians, and the test revealed an unusually high M-count.

Darth Vader'sdebut in Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope is nothing short of legendary, solidifying him as a staple of pop culture history. From the ominous breathing to his towering presence, he immediately establishes himself as a force to be reckoned with, striking fear into the hearts of both Imperial officers and Rebel heroes alike.

One prequel trilogy actor who hasn't appeared in Star Wars movies and TV shows for more than 25 years would be essential if Star Warsdecided to make a Darth Vadershow. Star Wars' TV shows remain sparse, even with Star Wars Celebration 2025 having just taken place in April. At present, Ahsoka season 2 is the only confirmed live-action TV show, and while there are animated shows like Maul: Shadow Lordin the works, many are wondering what the future of live-action Star Wars shows will include.

20 years after Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, audiences are finally catching the real reason Obi-Wan Kenobiwas able to defeat Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader on Mustafar. Obi-Wan and Anakin's Revenge of the Sith battle is one of Star Wars' best lightsaber duels, not only because the choreography was so brilliant, but also because it was the emotional culmination of the entire prequel trilogy. This was also a key moment in Anakin Skywalker's Star Wars timeline, as it cemented his commitment to the dark side of the Force and forced him into the iconic Vader suit.

The Star Wars saga is filled with iconic relationships, but few rival the profound depth and tragic arc of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. While often overshadowed by his romance with Pé Amidala, Anakin's most impactful and ultimately devastating love story was between him and his former master and friend, Obi-Wan.

Darth Vader is arguably one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history, with his presence alone instilling instant fear into hearts of enemies and allies alike. Yet, the vast Star Wars galaxy, particularly its comic book expansions, holds even darker, more terrifying moments of the depth of Vader’s power that never graced the big screen.

This little-known Clone Wars retcon reveals why Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious' plot to deceive Anakin Skywalker was so successful in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side is one of the most important events in the entire Star Wars timeline. Yes, it was critical to Anakin's Star Wars timeline, personally, but it also shaped the galaxy by contributing to the end of the Jedi and the Republic and the rise of the Empire.