Characters:AnakinSkywalker

Star Wars History: From Exar Kun to Luke Skywalker and beyond

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Anakin Skywalker

Name: Anakin Skywalker Sex: Male Species: Human Affiliation: Jedi Order Title: Jedi Padawan, Jedi Knight Homeworld: Tatooine

Found by Qui-Gon Jinn, trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi, corrupted by Emporer Palpatine, and saved by his own son, Luke, Anakin Skywalker died fulfilling a prophecy nearly as old as the Jedi Order itself (Wallace, 2002).

There is perhaps no greater tragedy in the universe than the story of Anakin Skywalker. Anakin was born, via immaculate conception, to Shmi Skywalker on Tatooine. When Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi landed on Tatooine, escorting the Queen of Naboo, Padme Amidala to Coruscant young Anakin assisted the Jedi in acquiring funds to repair the demolished starship. In the process, Jinn realized that Anakin has strong potential as a Jedi Knight, even as much as fulfilling an old prophecy which stated someday one will bring balance to The Force. Anakin agreed to travel with them, in hopes of someday becoming a Jedi.

The Jedi council, however, did not agree with this course of action. In fact, Jedi Master Yoda went far enough to forbid the young boy being trained as a Jedi Knight. Not listening to his master, Qui-Gon Jinn decided to train the boy regardless. After his death at the hands of Darth Maul, Obi-Wan swore that he will see to it that the boy becomes a Jedi Knight.

Unfortunately, Anakin was much more trouble than Obi-Wan at first realized. He was impatient and headstrong. In addition, he fell in love with Padme Amidala. Love is an emotion treasured by the Jedi Order, however, for a Jedi to fall in love with a single person (i.e. a spouse) is forbidden. Anakin also began to feel the lure of the Dark Side of The Force when his mother was captured on Tatooine by a group of Tusken Raiders. While he did make it in time to free his mother from her captivity, she died in his arms, causing him to explode into a violent outburst, slaughtering all of the Tusken Raiders.

During the Clone Wars Anakin and Obi-Wan spent most of their time in the Outer Rim. Four months before the Battle of Coruscant they were headed back to the capital when Mace Windu contacted them and ordered them to go to Vjun to help Yoda. Anakin slipped by saying that he had promised someone to be back three weeks ago. Obi-Wan covered for him by saying that it was to show some tricks to the students in Iron Hand's class.

When they arrived on Vjun, they landed their Hoersch-Kessel Chyrra-class Modified Courier next to Yoda's ship, just outside Bitter End. After scouting out the area with electrobinoculars, Anakin threw a concussion grenade into the mouth of the cave where a group of battle droids waited. Almost immediately the whole hillside began to collapse. Arriving at the Château Malreaux where Yoda was meeting with Count Dooku, they met Asajj Ventress. She was chasing after the Padawans Scout and Whie who were traveling with Yoda. When she saw them, she turned and fled. Yoda met the pair, and as the Masters were talking, Anakin lept into a nearby hallway with his lightsaber drawn. In the hallway he and Whie and Scout were all in battle stances with their lightsabers lit. After a moments pause they all joined the Masters outside the Château in time to see Ventress stealing Obi-Wan and Anakin's ship. Then all the Jedi made their way back to the Temple on Coruscant.

Years later, he and Obi-Wan have a massive duel, which ends when Anakin tries to prove to Obi-Wan that he is more powerful. He tries to Force jump past Obi-Wan to regain the higher ground, but Obi-Wan manages to sever both of Anakin's legs and his lightsaber arm in one strike. Anakin slides down next to the lava where the volcanic ash forces him to catch on fire. He is then rescued by Palpatine, and is placed into the life suit, visually becoming the character we know as Darth Vader.

Trivia:

• The only time in Revenge of the Sith that the words "May the Force be with you" are said is when Anakin and Obi-Wan see each other for the last time. Obi-Wan is leaving for Utapau, and the next time they meet, Anakin has already become Darth Vader

• The line in Attack of the Clones "I don't like sand. It's course and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere" becomes very ironic as Anakin is burned alive on Mustafar. The reason he catches fire is because of the volcanic ash, not the lava. Volcanic ash is made up of tiny particles of rock and glass i.e. sand.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. (2005). Lucasarts.
Stewart, Sean. Star Wars: Yoda: Dark Rendevous. (2004). DelRey Books.
Wallace, Daniel. Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Characters. (2002). Ballantine Books.