Anakin Skywalker, who later becomes the fearsome Darth Vader, is one of the most legendary characters in the Star Wars universe. His transformation from a slave boy on Tatooine to a menacing Sith Lord is a tale of ambition, betrayal, and redemption that has captivated audiences for decades.

The Birth of Anakin Skywalker

Anakin, played by Hayden Christensen, was born to slave Shmi Skywalker on the desert planet of Tatooine, but the identity of his father remains a mystery throughout the prequel trilogy.. In “The Phantom Menace,” when asked about Anakin’s father, Shmi said, “There was no father. I carried him, I gave birth, I raised him, I can’t explain what happened.” 

Anakin’s Upbringing on Tatooine

The early years of Anakin’s life were full of hardships. Until the age of 3, Anakin and his mother were owned by Gardulla the Hutt, who lost them in a podracing bet to the Toydarian Watto. Afterward, both of them belonged to Watto, and Anakin began working at Watto’s second-hand goods store in Mos Espa.

Even at a young age, Anakin had extraordinary piloting skills. He built C-3PO, a protocol droid for his mother, and modified him to withstand Tatooine’s heat and sand. 

Meeting Qui-Gon Jinn

In “The Phantom Menace,” Anakin meets Qui-Gon Jinn, Jar Jar Binks, and Padmé Amidala for the first time while working at Watto’s shop. During their meeting, he surprises Qui-Gon with his bravery and kindness. The Jedi Master senses Anakin’s strong connection to the Force and is impressed by his skills, which no human possesses like podracing. Qui-Gon even tests Anakin’s blood to look for the reason for his exceptional skills, and it reveals an unusually high number of Midi-Chlorians, even higher than that of Grand Master Yoda.

Believing Anakin is the Choosen One who will bring balance to the Force, Qui-Gon decides to bring him to Coruscant to begin training him as a Jedi. 

The Journey to Coruscant

Taking Anakin to Coruscant wasn’t an easy task since he was Watto’s slave. Qui-Gon struck a deal to free Anakin. The deal was that if Anakin were to win the upcoming podracing competition, he would be set free. To everyone’s surprise, he won the race and was set free by Watto.

With Anakin freed, Qui-Gon prepares to take him to Coruscant. But this is not easy for the future Jedi. On one hand, he feels excited and hopeful about the new opportunities that await him. Leaving Tatooine means freedom from slavery and becoming a Jedi, something he has dreamed of for all his life. But he has to leave his mother, Shmi Skywalker, behind, which causes him significant pain and distress as he worries about her safety and wellbeing. 

Even though Anakin is excited to go to Coruscant, leaving Shmi behind pains him. This inner conflict is a significant part of his character development and influences his emotions and actions throughout his life. 

Convincing the Jedi Council

On Coruscant, Qui-Gon presents Anakin in front of the Jedi Council as the Chosen One. The Jedi Council, particularly Yoda, is skeptical about training Anakin, sensing the fear and anger in him that could lead to the dark side. Qui-Gon Jin insists on Anakin’s training, but the Jedi Council remains unmoved. However, after Qui-Gon’s death, things change. The Jedi Council grants Obi-Wan Kenobi permission to train Anakin as his padawan, fulfilling Qui-Gon’s dying wish. This decision alters Anakin’s future, setting him on a path fraught with both peril and potential.

Training with Obi-Wan Kenobi as his Padawan

Under Obi-Wan’s mentorship, Anakin grew to become a formidable Jedi. After bravely fighting in the Clone Wars, Anakin earned a reputation for his skills and courage. However, His impulsive nature and increasing frustration with the Jedi Council began to sow the seeds of doubt and anger within him. 

The Battle of Geonosis

The Battle of Geonosis was the defining moment of Anakin’s career as a Jedi. The Clone Wars began when Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé Amidala, and Anakin Skywalker were captured by the Separatists. Their daring escape and subsequent battle alongside other Jedi and Clone Troopers showcased Anakin’s mastery as a warrior and leader. However, this battle marked the beginning of Anakin’s inner turmoil, as he struggled with attachments and emotions.

Love and Marriage with Padmé Amidala

Anakin and Padmé first meet on Tatooine when she comes to Watto’s shop with Qui-Gon. After spending time together, they become friends but grow apart after Padmé returns to Naboo and he begins his Jedi training.

The next time they meet, Anakin was all grown up and a Jedi tasked with protecting Senator Padmé Amidala alongside Obi-Wan. Their closeness grew as they spent time together in secret and eventually married. But the Jedi are not allowed to have attachments with any other being, leading them to keep their marriage a secret from everyone. While Padmé expecting their child, Anakin has a vision about her dying in childbirth. This drives him to desperate measures, as he becomes obsessed with finding a way to save her. 

Internal Struggle and Dark Deeds

Disturbed by a recurring nightmare about his mother, Anakin, along with Padmé, goes to Tatooine to meet her. There, Cliegg Lars, his mother’s husband, tells Anakin about Shmi’s captivity by the Tusken Raiders. He rushes to find her and discovers her in a tortured and wounded state at the Tusken Raiders’ camp. Anakin’s internal struggle peaks after he sees his mother die in his arms. In a rage, he murders the Tusken Raider tribe. This act shows Anakin’s ongoing inner struggle, which eventually leads him to the dark side.

Palpatine’s Influence

Emperor Sheev Palpatine, who was secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, sees Anakin’s potential and starts manipulating him to turn him to the dark side. Palpatine exploits Anakin’s desires and fears to manipulate him. Palpatine promises to save Padmé from dying, preying on Anakin’s fear, which was heightened by the Jedi’s vision of her death in childbirth. Following this, Palpatine’s influence grew stronger, eventually leading Anakin down the path to the dark side.

The Duel on Mustafar

The final turning point for Anakin’s descent to the dark side was when, under Palpatine’s order, Anakin executed all the Separatist leaders on Mustafar under Palpatine’s orders. Later, he faced his former mentor and friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their confrontation escalates into a fierce duel, which ends with Obi-Wan severely injuring Anakin and leaving him for dead. Consumed by pain and rage, Anakin is discovered by Palpatine near the lava river. Palpatine then saves him and transforms him into a cyborg, outfitting him with the iconic life-supporting suit.

The Rebirth as Darth Vader

After critically injuring Anakin, Palpatine saves him by transforming him into Darth Vader, encasing him in black armor and providing him with life-supporting technology. Darth Vader becomes Palpatine’s right hand, enforcing his every order. Darth Vader plays a crucial role in the rise of the Galactic Empire, assisting Palpatine and overseeing various operations, including the construction of the Death Star. 

Rise of Darth Vader

Vader rises to power as Palpatine’s enforcer. He becomes a symbol of fear and oppression throughout the galaxy. Vader hunts the remnants of the Jedi Order and anyone who opposes the Empire. His presence and power remain unmatched, but beneath all the armor remnants of Anakin’s humanity still linger. 

Building of the Death Star

Building the Death Star was one of the Galactic Empire’s greatest achievements. Its construction is overseen by Darth Vader. It was a symbol of power that Palpatine wanted to impose on the galaxy. Vader’s involvement in creating Palpatine’s vision shows his commitment to the Sith. 

Meeting Luke Skywalker

Years later, Vader learns about his son, Luke Skywalker, giving the remnants of Anakin a new hope. Despite his loyalty to Palpatine and the dark side, Vader’s ideologies are shaken when he meets his son. Luke’s unwavering belief in the good within his father ultimately plays a crucial role in Anakin’s redemption.

Darth Vader’s Redemption and Death

In a climactic scene aboard the second Death Star, Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. The Emperor invites the young Jedi to the dark side, but Luke refuses. Seeing his son’s defiance inspires Vader. Angered by Luke’s refusal, Darth Sidious uses Force Lightning to torture him. Suffering in pain, Luke pleads to Vader to save him. Answering his son’s pleadings, Vader kills Palpatine and is mortally wounded in the process, ultimately sacrificing himself to save Luke. This act of redemption fulfills the prophecy of him being the Chosen One, which was a belief held by many Jedi, including Qui-Gon Jinn.

Anakin Skywalker’s Lightsaber Color

Throughout his life, Anakin has constructed two lightsabers. Anakin’s first lightsaber was blue in color and was lost during the battle on Geonosis. His second lightsaber was also blue in color, which he constructed during the Clone Wars.

Darth Vader’s Lightsaber Color

After turning to the dark side, Vader wielded a red lightsaber, a common trait among Sith Lords. He did not construct this lightsaber himself but instead used one associated with his new identity..

The Truth about Anakin’s father

The mystery of his father’s identity was explored in the Star Wars comic series, particularly in Darth Vader #25 published by Marvel. In the comics, it is revealed that The comics reveal that Emperor Palpatine was involved in the manipulation of midi-chlorians, leading to Shmi Skywalker’s conception of Anakin. This explains the high midi-chlorian count in Anakin and clarifies his connection to Palpatine. This revelation puts to rest the mystery and confirms that Emperor Palpatine is indeed Anakin’s father.