Summary

Star Warsmovies and boob tube showshave done so much more withAnakin Skywalker / Darth Vadersince theStar Warssequel trilogy , revealing one of the enfranchisement ’s greatest missed opportunity . Anakin is undeniably one ofStar Wars’most powerful Jediand one of the enfranchisement ’s most compelling characters . While he may have been introduced in the original trilogy as the terrifying , faceless villain Darth Vader , the prequel trilogy went on to reveal that there was so much more to Anakin .

In fact , while reception may have ab initio been quite unlike , Star warfare : Episode III - Revenge of the Sithis now think one ofStar Wars’best flick , in part because of Anakin ’s arc . Despite the impingement Anakin ’s story had , though , the subsequence trilogy bewilderingly just incorporated Anakin . This error has only become more blinding in recent years in light of all thatStar Warshas since done with his character .

Of all Hayden Christensen ’s incredible lines as Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader throughout his Star Wars appearances , these 10 are the very best .

Darth Vader to the left and Anakin Skywalker from Revenge of the Sith to the right in front of a pink background in a combined image

The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Completely Wasted Anakin Skywalker

TheStar Warssequel trilogy received considerable criticism , although much of it bear on to the narrative arcs of the original trilogy ’s paladin — Luke Skywalker in picky — and resistance to new stories , particularly Rey ’s . However , the subsequence trilogy also wasted the chance to develop Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader ’s narration in a compelling path . Anakin was present throughout the continuation trilogy , albeit in a number of an uneven path . Kylo Ren was clearly obsessed with the idea of his grandpa , but he seemed to fundamentally misapprehend Darth Vader .

Kylo Ren was clearly obsessed with the idea of his grandfather , but he seemed to fundamentally misunderstand Darth Vader .

distinctly , Kylo Ren modeled his dingy side persona off of his grandad , from the mask to the ways the First Order was a aper of the Empire . However , this mostly ignored that Vader was known to have come back to the light side of the Force before his death . Undoubtedly , when Leia and Luke distinguish Ben about Anakin , they mentioned that , yes , he was a remorseless Sith Lord , but he had also been a hefty Jedi and , in the end , had returned to the lighter .

Acolyte Master Sol and Force Vergence Custom Star Wars Image

That message seems lose on Kylo Ren , though , who spend much of the continuation essentially implore to his grandfather ’s destroy helmet , ask for help growing in his committal to the benighted side . Presumably , this was really Palpatine play tricks on Kylo Ren , as he was uncover inStar war : The Rise of Skywalkerto have been a voice in Ben ’s headway all along . However , that one reveal did n’t have to mean that Anakin ’s character in the sequels needed to be nearly non - real .

In fact , Star Warshas since testify that Anakin was a Force ghost at the clock time . Rather than take advantage of that unbelievable chance , the sequel sideline Anakin , having him included in the chorus of Jedi voice inThe Rise of Skywalkerbut not developed in any other fashion . This is especially odd given Hayden Christensen ’s very vocal willingness to continue enter inStar Warsprojects .

Rather than take advantage of that unbelievable chance , the sequels sideline Anakin .

Young Anakin Skywalker running with an image of the Death Star in the background to the left and Darth Vader in the background to the right

There are so many more interesting forms Anakin ’s tale could have taken in the sequels . While it could be argued thatStar Warswanted to move in a different counselling for the sequel trilogy rather than pull from the history of the Skywalkers , that does n’t seem to be the display case , particularly free-base on the trajectory ofThe Rise of Skywalker . Arguably , drawing more upon the idea that the last conflict was Anakin ’s grandson and Palpatine ’s granddaughter destroying the Sith could have been a better full - circle moment .

Obi-Wan Kenobi & Ahsoka Brought Hayden Christensen Back

Since the sequels , Star Warshas more than show that it knows how to write a beautiful story arc for Anakin Skywalker even after the Skywalker Saga has conclude . In bothObi - Wan KenobiandAhsoka , Anakin ’s character was developed in a way that made an already complex part even more complicated and compelling . InObi - Wan Kenobi , set in the Dark Times , Anakin was shown not only in flashback , grooming with Obi - Wan in a chronological sequence that bring out the weaknesses that would at last spell out his downfall , but also in the Darth Vader suit .

The Vader scenes were inarguably the beneficial of Anakin inObi - Wan Kenobi .

The Vader scenes were inarguably the near of Anakin inObi - Wan Kenobi , particularly in the epic scrap between Vader and Obi - Wan in the show ’s finale . This show brilliantly captured that even as Darth Vader was one ofStar Wars’most powerful Sithbrutally ruling the wandflower , he was still the same conflicted valet de chambre Obi - Wan had recognise . In fact , the moment in which Vader ’s mask breaks and half of Anakin ’s face shows through is the perfect representation of the lasting difference of opinion Anakin endure with even as Darth Vader .

Anakin Skywalker smiling in Ahsoka to the left and Anakin looking up angrily from under his hood in Revenge of the Sith to the right in a combined image

Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

too , inAhsoka , Anakin ’s character was research in fascinating ways even when it was n’t truly Anakin stand before Ahsoka . In the show , Ahsoka Tano entersthe World Between Worldsand at long last comes face - to - face with her beloved former lord ; however , Anakin seems more like a visual modality or memory than his truthful self . Although this arc was much more about Ahsoka ’s pauperism to confront her past and let go of her ire and guilt , the episode also revealed new brainwave into Anakin ’s experiences .

Specifically , when Ahsoka begins to talk over Anakin ’s free fall and all that he caused , Anakin immediately becomes defensive , and this is when he turns into Darth Vader . While it is n’t truly Anakin in the World Between Worlds , this moment is quite revealing ; this is likely the closestStar Warswill derive to revealing how Anakin sincerely felt about his former Padawan after he had fallen to the sinister side . Interestingly , he seems to find guilt and ignominy even if he channels that into anger .

This again advise Anakin felt intense fight as Darth Vader , which has been explored inStar Warscomics but has n’t been in full convey on - screen . In fact , the figure of speech of Vader ’s broken mask inObi - Wan Kenobiwas first used inStar Wars Rebelsduring Vader ’s confrontation with Ahsoka , but this was a fleeting moment . Notably , Ahsokadid exit the door open for Anakin to return again , perhaps in theupcomingAhsokaseason 2 , as he appeared as a Force ghostwriter in the concluding installment . However , this would have been an incredible narrative to explore in the sequels .

Darth Vader helmet in Star Wars The Force Awakens

Even The Acolyte Is Riffing On Anakin & The Chosen One

Most recently , evenThe Acolytehas been drawing upon the idea of Anakin Skywalker . AlthoughOsha and Mae are not the Chosen One , it ’s hard to ignore the parallels between their story and Anakin ’s . For one , Osha joined the Jedi Order at an quondam eld than most Jedi Initiates ( in fact , at nearly the exact same age Anakin was when he joined the Order ) . Much more obviously , though , Osha and Mae were created with a vergence in the Force and without a Padre .

The Acolyte has revealed a brand - newfangled Force vergence in the Star Wars galaxy , a rare nexus of power with ties to the unique Twin Osha and Mae Aniseya .

Anakin ’s narrative was unlike because he was the vergence in the Force itself and , of grade , because he was the select One , but the similarities betweenThe Acolyte’sprotagonists and Anakin Skywalker were surely not coinciding . In part , this seems to be becauseThe Acolyteis becoming an crucial musical composition of Anakin ’s source tarradiddle . The reveal that Darth Plagueis , Palpatine ’s Sith captain , was watching Osha from a distance has already suggested thatthe twins may be the key to Plagueis ascertain to create life , leading to Anakin ’s creation .

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

These parallel of latitude inThe Acolytealso corroborate that Anakin Skywalker rest an essential and compelling part ofStar war .

However , these parallel inThe Acolytealso reassert that Anakin Skywalker stay on an essential and compelling part ofStar Wars . This again makes it all the more puzzling that the sequel trilogy did n’t take good advantage of the chance Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader ’s legacy presented . If Anakin ’s story can be grow nearly 100 years before he was born , why was n’t it part of the sequels ?

Star Wars has drip numerous hint over the years about how Anakin Skywalker was rightfully created , but now , The Acolyte may have given the tangible answer .

Star Wars

Star Wars Has Learned To Love The Prequel Era Again

Part of the resurgence of Anakin Skywalker in the franchise has been due to the growing love for the prequel trilogy . When the sequel trilogy was created , there was n’t the same very vocal love for the prequels that there is today , which may excuse why Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader did n’t roleplay a larger role . Like mostStar Warsmovies and TV shows , the prequel trilogy was sadly met with harsh backlash when it was released , and it took time for that criticism to be overtaken by the dearest and nostalgia that so many clear now have for that era .

Part of the resurgence of Anakin Skywalker in the franchise has been due to the grow erotic love for the prequel trilogy .

This growing love hopefully entail thatStar Warswill avoid repeating the error of the subsequence trilogy and , moving forward , will continue to call upon the prequel trilogy storey , grapheme , and actor when appropriate . Already , there are multiple ways this could be straight for Anakin , most apparently inAhsokaseason 2 . In all likelihood , Star Warshasn’t seen the last ofAnakin Skywalker , but it nevertheless rest disappointing that the sequel trilogy did n’t take better advantage of his narration .