Please respond to this comment with your nomination for what character to do next. Whichever individual response gets the most upvotes in the next 24 hours will be the character we do next. In other words, try not to nominate the same character twice because votes will not be added together when they come from multiple responses. And, as always, thank you to everyone who votes, comments, nominates and so on.

Anakin was a slave on Tatoonie, to the Jedi, to the Sith, until Luke set him free.

Anakin never went a day in his life without calling someone master

Tbh, I have never had a problem with him, to be honest he's probably one if not the most realistic Sw character: Episode 1: A child wanting to see the world. Episode 2: A teenager who feels like he's hold back. Clone Wars: Maturing. Finally growing up. Episode 3: Someone who have faced the war and saw many traumatizing things.

Anakin is good in Clone Wars and the Prequels. Hayden Christiansen is an underrated actor and played Anakin well.

"My ratings have doubled since the last time we met, Count!"

I honestly don't get the hate Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christiansen got I thought they were both great at their performance. Anakin is without a question one of the greatest Star Wars characters in history.

Anakin is the perfect example of a sympathetic character.

I don't blame Anakin for sounding a bit awkward in E2. God only knows how I would react on a date. Probably would end up sounding like Jar Jar Binks or Ripper Roo.

Without Anakin/Vader, there is no Star Wars.

Hands down, one of my most favorite characters, in any series, of all time. He is completely complex. A tragic hero, who tries so hard to do the right thing at all times, but ultimately is human and succumbs to his humanity. I elated at his excitement during the battle of Naboo, felt his struggles as a Padawan, cried as he betrayed everyone as he fell to the dark side, and beyond all the PRIDE felt as he brings balance to the galaxy by defeating evil and saving his son. S++

I think a perfect title for this series would be Battle of the Heroes alluding the John Williams theme that played over the Obi Wan and Anakin duel

Anakin’s turn made perfect sense. In revenge of the Sith he saw that the Jedi and the Sith are essentially the same (watch cinema wins video on the film). Now he has a choice between the 2 sides that he sees are the same. Of course is going to go with the side that he can honest about his relationship with and at least have a shot of saving her. When Anakin went to Yoda about this Yoda basically said just get over it and move on. After he helped kill Windu there was no going back

Anakin is the Chosen One. He is the Jedi of Jedi’s. The one of a pure soul that was corrupted by some of the people in his life. He is a hardworking Jedi who failed, and got redeemed in the end. He fulfilled his purpose and died a hero. Anakin is my most favorite character in all of Star Wars and if He was real I would consider him family.

I'd say the series should be called "Star Wars Character Study"

I see Anakin's illogical total turn to the Dark side as an analog to people who were very sheltered in a very strict church, but, as soon as they (think that they) commit one big sin, they turn their back to church and throw themselves in a life of debauchery, never thinking that they could be pardoned. in Star Wars that's even worse because there's no arguing about the existence of the Force & the validity of the Jedi, & the Jedi - even if they don't say it - are terrifyingly afraid of the Dark Side, to the point that Yoda & Ben Kenobi thought that there was no way for Anakin to be brought back to the Light, so they manipulated Luke to kill his own father. Ani joined for Padmé & stayed for nothing, but because he had learned his whole life that redemption wasn't a choice. he was in for a penny in for a pound.

When you are the greatest hero and villain.

"Anakin's willingness to do anything to save his wife is too quick" IKR? It's not like he went through some tramatic experience, such as finding the mother he hadn't seen in years tortured and watching as the life drained from her eyes, to motivate him to protect the second of the most important women in his life(sorry Snips, you take 3rd in this list). Let's not forget that the life his child was at stake as well. Plus, once he had his foot too far in the door he found out that the most important person in his life was dead because of him. What's he supposed to do, say "oh sorry guys I guess I don goofed"? With his wife gone and the things he did to try and save her over there was nothing left for him other than serve the Empire.

In Attack of the Clones, Anakin was nineteen years old. No one behaved awkwardly and like an idiot when they were teenagers? That speak of the arrogance of some people, they think that they had the perfect teenage years, that were gods for woman, if anyone think like this, they never had real teenage years in their lives.

Star Wars is basically the rise, fall, and redemption of Anakin Skywalker. As much as I love Luke Skywalker, Anakin is just a more fleshed out character given his entire life story. Also I agree that after he chopped off Mace Windu's arm, that was it, there was no way the jedi order would forgive him. At that point, Anakin was probably so emotionally unbalanced that he fully allowed the dark side of the force to overwhelm him, at least, thats my theory on his sudden shift to the dark side in episode Three

My absolute favourite character in the whole of Star Wars, both his light and dark phases.

I just realized that obiwan was supposed to stick up for Anakin in front if the council like Quigon kind of did for him.

I literally just finished watching the Clone Wars and was thinking about how well rounded the series made the characters of Anakin and Ahsoka (plus all the others really). Thanks to that series we have some of the best written character of all time

Anakin is the best Star Wars character that everyone can relate to. It’s hard for me to fault every decision he made since I would have probably did it too.

Phantom menace came out when I was 7, and Jake Lloyd(the actor who played Anakin) was 9. As such, I sort of saw myself in Anakin a little bit, and he became the character I identified more with than any other. You can really identify with his motivations, and it always makes me think “what would I be doing in these circumstances? Would I do the same thing?” On another note, for people who always think it’s not realistic for anakin turning all of a sudden, there’s a really cool movie on Netflix called push, where they take 4 everyday people, and take them down a little bit of a chain of events leading them to the point where they have to decide whether or not to murder someone to save themselves, and 3 of the 4 do it. At the point where he cuts off windu’s hand to save palps, he is now in too deep, and at that point becoming Vader has become the easy path

You can tell that the guy who said that if you gave Anakin more than a B, you weren’t being objective, holds a very simple view, and doesn’t really understand the complexity of Anakin’s character

he is the most complex character in this franchise, the closest we get to to a character study in the franchise, namely of a good (borderline personality) person systematically being corrupted into an anti-hero and villain who betrays everything he swore to protect. I love how all his dark deeds and motivations in III are already foreshadowed and set up in the previous films, like the inability to let go of attachments and fear of loss, wiping out villages and flirtttig with dictatorship. The Clone Wars Anakin is fine but a bit too one dimensional for my taste, but that is ok for this kind of adventure show directed at the inner child.

Anakin is my favourite character in StarWars so much emotion for me whenever I rewatch the prequels.

Anakin is my all time favorite character in all of Star Wars. I never understood the backlash behind him. He is so relatable and has so many layers embedded into his story. There is so much substance where Anakin is concerned.

If you really look at Anakin and his performance in the prequels from a psychological point of view, he actually makes a lot of sense! People complain about Hayden showing no emotion but that’s exactly what such a kid would become under the given circumstances! He’s raised as a slave yes, but that implies more than lack of freedom. That implies that he was raised seeing terrible things and likely being abused. This would damage anybody’s connection with those around them. This would also breed distrust. So he dreams of saving himself and his mother (as many trapped or abused children do) and he’s finally given the opportunity to do so but can’t help his own mother. That’s a lot of guilt to add onto an already damaged psyche. Then he gets taken into a very strict and harsh group that tells him to stop reacting to his emotions. In his broken mind, that means stop feeling at all. Every time he sought help, he encountered his mentors telling him to just let it go or to be afraid of what he was feeling. They used the dark side as this big bad boogie monster that’s going to get him if he does anything based on feelings. They were well intentioned, but this type of teaching causes many mental health problems in children raised with it and they become emotionless zombies who, when they finally show emotion, express it awkwardly, inappropriately, and fiercely (in regard to anger). They take things to extremes and then go back to seeming like brick walls. All this time, he was being conditioned by palpatine to have complete loyalty to him through subtle tactics. Palpatine became the only person he ever trusted aside from his mother so he would follow him, even when promises were broken. He would defend him nomatter what because that’s what a broken slave boy does for his new master. Luke only pulls him out of it by helping him see the error in both palpatine and the Jedi. It’s actually really interesting when you consider the deeper implications of his life. I’m my opinion, his performance was wonderful for what he was portraying.

To me, Anakin is one of the greatest characters in fiction. He is (and still is, not you Rey) the Chosen One. He fell to the dark side because of his love for his family and yet returned to the light because of that very same love. Thanks to Luke, he redeemed himself and brought balance back to the Force.

Even as a child who had only scene the sw trilogy special edition I always saw return of the jedi as more about Vader than Luke

Such a great character. Especially if you watch The Clone Wars. It expands on his character very well.

Probably my favourite character in any sort of media. His rise, his fall, and his redemption are all so fascinating.

Pls do darth maul :) he has a lot of depth to him. considering how he was introduced then killed off.

I always liked Anakin, and I didn't watch Clone Wars until a few years ago. Honestly, I still feel a disconnect between the two versions of the character.

Anakin was one of my favorite prequel charaters, alongside Yoda, Windu, Grievous, Sidious, Dooku, Maul, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Panaka... Maybe it's time for you guys to admit the prequels are great.

I find it baffling that no one understood his fall. In the beginning Palpatine says a certain line and later Windu says the same line of Palpatine, "He's to dangerous to be left alive." In that instant Anakin realised that the Jedi and Sith were opposite sides to a coin and desperately moved to save the one who had moments ago told him had a way to save Padme. He made a split second decision that he couldn't come back from, he helped assassinate one of the two leaders of the Jedi order. He even realizes what he did with horror before again realizing that he had no choice but to side with Palpatine. Palpatine then tells him to show no mercy, and literally kill everything in the temple. Only then would he be strong enough to possibly save Padme. He did so, and then he was given his next mission, he stopped to talk to his wife, then went to kill of the CIS leaders. It was only after he had done so that he was left without a mission to occupy him and he began to look at his actions but he knew he was long past the point of turning back. And he had also gained a taste of power that he liked, he was even ready to overthrow the emperor because of his hunger for more power. Its a drug he couldn't get enough of.

as someone who works with people who have mental health issues... some of the characteristics of Anakin Skywalker are very real... PTSD can effect people in many different ways and its not unheard of people turning against loved ones when external factors play a part especially when they have been abused themselves. Anakin was a slave he was prob subject to abuse.. this can manifest for years... with out the right support it can turn into mistrust, hatred, self loafing and literary destroy a person. The Jedi dismissed anakin's attachments just telling him not to feel them... Love could set him free... (Padme/ Obiwan/ Ashoka) but they were all lost... (Died/mistrust/abandoned by his "family") The only other way was through hate because that what his known.. It also got him some of the other things he desired (Travel/being hailed a hero (examples throughout the CW)/getting the info he wanted/control) There is a reason he sounds so monotone sometimes...

How about calling it "Let's RATE (Rate, Analyse, Talk about, and Explain?) Some Star Wars"

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, whether you count TCW or not, is one of the greatest, most complex, and most consistent characters in the saga.

The dichotomy of Anakin Skywalker is my favorite part of his character. He’s everything a Jedi should be yet at the same time he’s everything a Jedi shouldn’t be. A light in the dark to those around him yet his light was diminished by that same darkness. He is a great character and a great fallen hero in my book. But when I look at his entire life and the internal conflict he always had I do sometimes ask myself. Did he ever stand? Anakin Skywalker - The Fallen Hero

Anakin will never be topped as a character in the saga. Certainly not by Kennedy and her team.

I was a little too harsh in my criticism of Anakin. I gave him a C in the comments, but I'd change it to a solid B. He has almost everything going for him character wise, it's just that George didn't land the sinker with the Romance subplot in AOTC. That would've solidified Anakin as a A+ hero in my book.

Well, I think Anakin is a fascinating character study. He wants control because he's never really had it. He was born into slavery, then as a Jedi Padawan, he was introduced to a different life that instilled strict rules and guidelines on his behavior, his positive influences often die outside of his control, and he was emotionally manipulated into committing evil acts. Anakin really is just a scared little boy trying to form and hold on to what fleeting attachments he can. Yeah he was a 19 year old who was awkward with Padme, but also keep in mind that he's literally had zero positive romantic role models in his life. His mom was single, any couples he met as a slave were likely very nasty (because it was a haven for pirates, criminals and other scum of the universe), and the jedi expressly forbade romance. Padme was his number one choice because she saw him as a person, and Padme fell for him because she's talented at seeing people for who they are.

You can count Spencer Wilding in Rogue One as another who played Anakin/Vader. Doesn't get more iconic than the hallway/slaughter scene!

Older Star Wars fans had Luke Skywalker, my generation had Anakin Skywalker, and new generations will have Rey. Anakin is a highly complex, and even with all the recognition he's getting, I still feel he's a highly underrated character.

He's my favorite character in Star Wars. How can he not, I grew up with him.

Gotta say really think Anakin is definitely a greater overall character than Ahsoka. Based both on their separate journeys and the fact that yes both he and Vader are in fact the same person. Each personality is still him but on each end of the spectrum.

I think when taking into account all the comics and books across legends or canon, he does become one.

I love Anakin Skywalker. Without a doubt my favorite Star Wars character. I'm happy with the people who portrayed him in the films and tv shows, but Hayden Christensen and Matt Lanter made my childhood.

People don't realize that Anakin just turned to the dark side of the force he was seduced by the dark side. From the lose of his mother to the likelihood that he could save Padme from death was all about him being seduced by Palpatine

Anikan is an a+ character if u look at every part of his character from kid to adult yes he was ENSLAVED his whole life but most of us r that's how he relates to us the kid grows up to be the best something we all want to be but ends up becoming the villain of his own story which most of us do but he shows us that u can take a turn and fix ur heading on the map if u just reevaluate your perception of the street and what u want out of it the best character as a whole of any movie

Ive never cared for Matt Lanter's delivery. He makes Anakin sound like a jock show-off rather than a troubled thrillseeker. As for why Padme fell for Anakin, I would posit that she could see how sincere he was, that he was trying, and she genuinely believed in the good that was in him, the same good that was there when she first met him. Padme was always wise beyond her years, and I don't think it's a stretch to think that she could see past the cringe.

Anakin will always be my favourite character in Star Wars and one of my favourites overall in any work of fiction. His story, choices, fall, and redemption are so fascinating to me and I can't help but love the tragedy of his entire life. That commenter that said he spent his entire life as a slave is spot on and it's honestly just so sad. All he ever wanted was to be free and to save the people he loved and he finally got exactly that at the very end of his life. It's why Return of the Jedi is my favourite Star Wars film and has been since even before I saw the prequels. I love the idea that anyone can be saved and that the very thing that caused his fall (his love for his family) is also what brought about his redemption.

i definitely have major bias since i loved anakin as a kid when i first watched the prequels (at that time i had also been watching the clone wars) but i actually really like prequel anakin. i can understand the pain he has. the jedi council never considered the toll they put on a child, telling him he was the person who would save everyone. he was completely alone in his pain and obi wan couldn't relate to him or comfort anakin because he was still reeling from the loss of his surrogate father (qui gon jinn). the awkward flirting is super funny to me but i know guys who flirt exactly like him, not to mention he's been raised by asexual monks. perfect character overall, i think hayden was a perfect anakin.

I always pictured his snap fall in the movie as the dark side being like the drug for power, all you need is one step to fall in. Couldn't tell you if the selflessness/discipline light side and easy path to power dark side is from me remembering movie things or extended universe things though.

Captain Rex! He is my favorite character in Star Wars, plus he went through hell in the clone wars. Umbrara, The Citadel, and his relationship with Domino Squad is a highlight of the show.

Anakin is the perfect character. He can't be a totally nice guy, because he must become Vader later. But he's good and everything he does is for love. Star Wars is about the tragic story of Anakin Skywalker (The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker The Chosen One). (Note: The performances were perfect) And the story surrounding him is AMAZING. Anakin was a slave destined to be The Chosen one, and who falls in love with a woman, whose love is imposible (Because of the Jedi Order and Padme's political career). Despite his destiny, despite everything he did, despite being so powerful, he couldn't save his mother and later his wife (the persons he truly loved). And once he joins the Dark Side (for love) he's blinded, as the Jedi told him, and falls in an unscapable trap. Years passed and his son, the only thing that still connected him with her love Padme, the last hope he had, helped him and cared about him as no one had done in many years. He then saw the light one last time and gave his life to save not just the galaxy, but what was the most important thing for him, the last remanent of his love with Padme. Anakin gave everything he had to save Padme, and at last he gave his own life to save the last thing left of her, Luke, their son. And Anakin Skywalker, The Chosen One, fulfilled his destiny and left this world in peace after seeing Padme one last time, after looking at Luke's eyes.

Anakin has the struggle of all of us there‘s always a part in us that says help the others but one that says think of your self.

I always loved the character and liked the actor. Never seen the problem with Hayden. The child actor for a child actor did well enough. And Hayden's acting was fine in EPII and especially III. There's some dialogue here and there that's cringey or cheesy as can be. But that's far less the actor's fault. As for Anakin as a whole. He's the heart and soul of the entire Saga. It's his story first and foremost. Ironic that that's one of the reasons Disney has failed so miserably. They really want to flee the legacy of Vader and the Skywalker line. With most painful selfdestructive results.

Anakin is the perfect embodiment of the struggle between selflessness and desire/selfishness. He tries to be good and cares deeply for those close to him, but his selflessness turns to selfishness when their well being becomes the highest priority and at all costs. When his actions result in the death of the one he cared for most, his justification that it was all for her crumbles, leaving him with nothing but self loathing and resentment. In an effort to silence these feelings of guilt, he cut himself off from his emotions and humanity, becoming the monster that is Darth Vader. Only through Luke, who showed him the greater strength of love and forgiveness, do his selfless roots break through the layer of self hatred he'd made for himself, resulting in his final selfless act and his attempt at redemption for his past mistakes.

Ok. I'm not trying to write a sociology paper here, and I can and do enjoy all of Star Wars for the sheer entertainment value. That being said, eventually one finds things that, while not necessarily allegorical, are quite applicable. As an adult, I've always thought of the dark side as a drug. A very addictive drug. Unfortunately, it took Anakin nearly 20 years to put down the needle, and he lost himself and all that he held dear in the process. In the words of Neil Young, 'Every junkie's like a setting sun'. Just my thoughts.

I love Anakin Skywalker as a character, I love how Hayden & Lucas portrayed the character as a Shakespearian speaking weirdo like all of the Jedi who raised him for half of his life. He was perfectly portrayed as an optimistic kid in TPM, an emotional, unbalanced young adult in AOTC & ROTS, & Anakin is my favorite character in fiction. He is so heavily flawed, he's based in his emotions, he reminds me of myself, I have weird speech patterns & I get emotional when things go wrong, I get angry when I see companies like Nintendo & Lucasfilm disrespecting their fans so much. I feel alone a lot of the time, I've done bad things, but I know I have a heart deep down. Anakin is my hero, after him I love Luke, R2, Rex, Maul & a whole bunch of the other guys, but Anakin takes the cake. He's my hero, & I can always count on him, remind myself of him when I need strength.

He's definitely my favorite.

*Scores below his padawan* "This is outrageous. It's unfair."

Qui-Gon: He, is the Chosen One. He, will bring balance. Train him. Rey and Ben's "Dyad": I'm gonna stop you right there.

A good next character to do would be Revan, a Jedi and Sith who was a unique force user and fan-favourite character. Plus he looks really cool.

How did they get from "the most complex character ever" In anakin to "the blandest character ever" In rey??

I don't know about anyone else, but The Clone Wars did not save Anakin's character for me. The Clone Wars only enhanced his character and flaws. In the Phantom Menace, I feel that Anakin started his fall towards the darkness when he left his mother behind. The Clone Wars movie highlighted his inner conflicts such as pride, control, and his difficulty in dealing with his emotions for Padme. This took him further down the dark path when his mother died and he took out his pain on the Tuskan Raiders. Revenge of the Sith only brought those flaws to the forefront with the ever increasing fear of losing his wife which made him more vulnerable to Palpatine's lies. For me, the movies gave me the overall structure as to why he fell to the dark side. The Clone Wars TV show provided the context needed within that structure. In other words, I have always seen Anakin as a great character. Much better than any character that Disney has come up with.

Anakin is my favorite character tbh. He embodies fully our human nature. How we want to be selfless, kind and protect those we love, but at the same time arrogant, naive and hateful. Also in The Phantom Menace he believes he is finally free but is he really? He always has a master and rules to follow. I believe that in many ways we are all a little bit like him and his tragic arc shows us what would become of us if we do not focus on the good things that happen to us (Anakin's friendship with Obi Wan for example, Padme's pregnancy). Also his story makes you question if YOU are ever trully free. Freedom is actually subjective and acurately shown in the prequels. Also his fall to the dark side and then his redemption gives a sense of catharsis, that no matter what you are never too far gone- you can always come back. To me at least he is a deep and complex character and I can actually say that when I watch the prequels I see a little bit of myself as well (without the men, women, and children slaughtering- oviously xD). So, I really want to take a moment to appreciate George Lucas for the MASTERPIECE that is the *real* Star Wars (the Disney Star Wars is just a disappointment that ends with EVIL- Creamy Sheev Rey Palps- rulling the galaxy and looking at Luke's sunset whilst having stolen, ruined and burried the Skywalker legacy in *SAND* ).

Over the last few years I have been rewatching the prequels with the mindset that these movies are about Anakin. So I have been paying closer attention to what Anakin does in the movies and it has made me like him a lot more. Watching the Clone Wars, especially the Mordis storyline, has made me like him even more. Trickled throughout all of the stories you see this slide to the dark side that leads to his eventual plummet off the side of the cliff that is his fall. Then you watch his journey as Darth Vader and see his final journey to becoming Anakin again and it is beautiful poetry. You take a character who was so focused on his relationships. They were all he had to live for. He loses his mom. He loses Ahsoka. He loses Padme. He loses Obi-Wan. He loses his child. His story is filled with loss. He functions as Vader because Palpatine is the only person he has to live for. Then he finds out Luke is still alive and he has a reason to live again.

I honestly dont get that dude who made the comment about prequel bias. Between his first appearance and the very moment he puts the mask on he's been given reasons to hate the Jedi. His turn to the dark side makes perfect sense, especially when you consider that he is prone to darker feelings. Some of us are more susceptible than others, but susceptible nonetheless. Anakin is a man of furious passion, and it makes sense that bottling up his frustrations for a decade would cause him to burst when the only father figure in his life is being killed by one of the greatest antagonists - one who would not grant him the rank of master, despite fully deserving it.

Anakin Skywalker is easily my favorite character in the history of fiction.

I hate when people say Anakin's turn either made no sense or was rushed and I'm just thinking they had to of only watched Episode 3 to think this. Because even without the Clone Wars cartoon you can clearly understand his fall into the dark side. Episode 1: He was a child slave who was separated from his mother and indoctrinated into a cult like religion propping him up as a very important figure as the chosen one. Episode 2: We see him being belittered, talked down to, told to forget emotions, continuing to prop him up as an important figure as the chosen one but continuing to keep him in the dark, he then finds out his mother is kidnapped/tortured/killed. Episode 3: Constantly lied too/given missions that are against the Jedi code (the thing that has been forced on him for over 12 years), the Council doesn't trust him (Blatantly said out loud by Mace Windu), fear of losing his wife and unborn child, advice to that is meh learn to let go, and when in a situation where Windu was going to kill Palps (something again Anakin is witnessing a high ranking Jedi do something against the Jedi Code) so in a desperation move disarms Windu which leads to Windu's death... His anger and dislike of the Jedi and his dark path was set out since the begining. Now think to yourself, he just helped in the murder of a high ranking Jedi and there is at least still a chance to learn a power to save your wife and child, what he's just gonna surrender to the Jedi and say sorry? Gonna throw away everything, once he made that decision it was too late for him. Regardless of your thoughts on the Prequels, if you didn't pick this up from the films, sorry but that's a you problem, and I honestly question your intelligence, especially if you then go to say the opening "complaint" in my comment.

Anakin said what have I done when he killed windu. Him wanting padme for himself and the fear of losing struck him and didn’t think. From that line anakin knew he did something wrong. He couldn’t go back. He basically had no choice.

Anakin/Vader is the greatest, most important and iconic Star Wars character ever! It's HIS story arc: from his fall all the way to his redemption (note: Luke was only the catalyst who turns him back).

A across the board he is literally the main character the person the whole Star Wars saga is based on mainly

I always thought the hate against Hayden’s portrayal of Anakin was unjustified (though AoTC was pretty cringy at times). I liked Anakin, but always felt there was something missing. The Clone Wars made me fall in love with Anakin. It shows just how tragic his fall to the darkside really was. Anakin’s downfall was his intense love for others and his desire to be recognized as the powerful Jedi he was. TCW did such an amazing job showing Anakin’s struggles with the darkside, his increasing violent nature that develops as the war progresses, his justifiable distrust of the Council, and his loving nature that ends up being his downfall. Anakin is a masterpiece of a character.

Shout out to the person who said "We're all Star Wars fans and we're all gonna like different things and that's ok." BLESS. YOU. We need more fans like this, please.

“I feel the main reason people late his character is because they relate to him more than they want to admit and are comfortable with so they accuse the writing of being bad as a cheap defence mechanism” - Stokes. There is a lot of truth to that. I feel so about Korra in LOK. Complex character that had massive emotional and mental struggles you simply cannot punch or force through to win while at the same time shouldering crippling expectations of them . The Star Wars prequels and LOK are not without their glaring faults. But I’m ever grateful they gave me mirrors of me even if I don’t live in their universe as a Force sensitive person or an Avatar or element bender. Ironically, that’s good writing / or a good story.

I can't necessarily agree with the premise of the question "was Anakin (saved) by the Clone Wars?" Because since the inception of the PT trilogy Anakin is and HAS, been my favorite Star Wars character... did the Clone Wars make Anakin better??? YES!

Sudden fall? Remember the sand people massacre? That’s when it started.

I missed the vote in time for your comments so I apologize for the late post… but just my two cents. I was originally thinking a 4, but considered another way of thinking of Anakin’s arc and a solid 5, along with his Padawan. Not necessarily, from beginning to end, in terms of age, but rather, how we actually come to learn of Anakin. From Obi-wan’s comments to Luke on Tatoonie to Luke learning the truth, to his redemption. The Prequels clouds or bring down scores. BUT, the important thing that people will say is that the Clone Wars saved pre-Vader Anakin. And that is true. The Clone Wars saved Anakin’s character pretty much across the board. So much story was told, we really came to understand Anakin’s many complex layers. His character arc, using the Clone Wars (an animated series), shows Disney exactly how to fix Luke’s character arc. We knew Anakin’s fate, yet a the clone wars was the tool to save the character in the eyes of many of the fans. The animated route allowed to show the extreme capabilities of the Jedi of the clone wars. The fans want to see Luke’s story, the story where apparently he reached extreme levels of force attunement. If seeing Anakin’s story told through the Clone Wars, saved his character in the eyes of many of the fans, there is no reason to believe that the same can’t done with Luke. Ultimately, it all comes down to the story. The clone wars was some of the best story telling in Star Wars.

Cannon includes the Clone Wars animated series, so this movie/series separation is not mindful in determining an A+C average. Take it all in.

"Darth Vader became such an icon in the first film in Episode 4 that the icon of evil took over everything much more than I intended. If it had been one movie that wouldn't have happened. He would've been to be this pathetic character at the end of the movie. But now by adding Episodes I, II, and III, people begin to see the tragedy of Darth Vader, as what it was originally intended to be. I like the idea that the person you thought was the villain was really the victim, and that the story was really about the villain trying to regain his humanity. It was really the story of Darth Vader's redemption. ...The prophecy is that Anakin will bring balance to the Force and destroy the Sith. He becomes Darth Vader. Darth Vader does become the hero. Darth Vader does destroy the Sith, meaning himself and the Emporer. He does it become he is redeemed by his son. So the prophecy is true, and by doing that he redeems himself from being Darth Vader back to being Anakin again. Everybody thought of Darth Vader as this big evil guy who had no heart and just evil. But in the end, it is not that at all. He's a guy who has lost everything." -George Lucas, from The Chosen One Featurette I think everything you need to know about Anakin Skywalker is said in that video, and it really shows us just how complex yet simple the character of Anakin really is. This character really is one of the most endearing but tragic characters created in modern cinema. I don't think we'll ever get another character like Anakin Skywalker in a long long while.

One of the things I really sympathise with Anakin as a character is that Mace Windu was like that manager at your job who’s always getting on your back and putting you down. Palpatine is an older coworker that you’ve built a connection with, is always complimenting your work, and you share a lot of good conversation with. Now imagine you’re in the situation Anakin is in, yeah. You’re gonna cut your asshole manager’s hands off, because fuck him for all he’s done to you. Your friendly coworker (despite the fact he really turns out to be evil) has promised you the help you need. And at this time you don’t know any better. It’s one of my favourite scenes in the film because I’ve had managers like that in the past.

As far as his fall to the dark side, I never considered it unbelievable because I never really believed he was genuinely motivated by love for his mother or Padme. The only thing he was ever fascinated by all throughout his life was power. He wanted to be a Jedi to become powerful and important. Once inside, he realized the stuffy, dogmatic principles which hindered the Jedi wouldn't be his ticket to power and importance after all. Next, he turns to the Dark Side, and he stays a Sith because rightaway he received what he was seeking all along- an instant, noticeable rush of increased power. It no longer mattered if Palpatine couldn't save Padme; Anakin Skywalker felt and became absorbed within all the new ceilings of power at his disposal, and he was hooked. He was never turning back; regardless of whether or not Sidious actually held the key to immortality. He loathed the Jedi Council (Mace Windu in particular) by this point. It no longer mattered who the 'good guys' or 'bad guys' were. To Anakin, he'd attained all he could from the Jedi by now. Thus, his future loyalties no longer rested with the Jedi because there was nothing more they could teach him.

I just want to say this about anakin! As a character in Star Wars he is one of my favorites because of his story from good to bad. Very well written in my opinion. I grew up with the prequels so I actually love Hayden Christiansen as Anakin skywalker. People can complain on the acting or dialogue. But if you look on Anakin skywalker as a character I think most people like him.. like if you agree, and may the force be with you guys! I think Hayden god a lot of unnecessary hate! Everyone can relate to Anakin in someway!

Character analysis? Classic and simple:) Everything you said is true with both support and criticism. I grew up with his character and I never felt a closer representation with him than Luke, Anakin was a fallen hero, Luke is the redeemer.

With season 7 done now I'd say Anakin's sudden fall has been explored to the fullest with 2 scenes (his reunion with Ahsoka in Rebels and the last scene of season 7 of him finding her saber in a mass graveyard) being the most subtle but at the same time hit the hardest and added the most. In the Rebels scene when he calls out to Ahsoka and her saying "i wont leave you, not this time" the amount of emotion conveyed by his one eye was unreal, starting with surprise and consideration by widening, immediate shame and looking away, closing them in knowing he has committed too many atrocities to find salvation and lastly returning to ice cold embracing his sins with that long pause in his reply just twisting that knife in your heart. Couple that with the scene at the graveyard and him finding her sabers and assuming she's dead and with her his last tether to his humanity and the last nail in the coffin of "Anakin", he turns and in the reflection of the helmet, painted in Ahsokas colors by the clones in her honor, walks away now fully Vader.

Lets do obi wan next since we did apprentice to master. Then do qui-gon followed by dooku and yoda, then choose another character and the one elated to them

It seems like the dark side is like a drug. The Sith are supernaturally evil, and the Jedi are normal people (from an ethical point of view).

I'd be intrested in seeing a poll where Anakin and Darth Vader are considered as the same character.

Mostly ...but I do love to see his growth from child into teenage phase ..basically after episode 1 into start of episode 2

8:47 The reason why he fell so quickly was because he had dream of his mom dying soon before her death. He then had dreams of Padme dying and at this point he knew far to well what was about to happen. Desperate to find anyway he could to save his wife he looked for answers. Palpatine made Anakin feel disillusioned with the Jedi order and played him, he was playing the whole entire galaxy so of course playing a man desperate to save his wife was far too easy. He then appointed him a seat on the Jedi console to promote discord amongst the Jedi and that he'd not be giving the rank of master. Anakin wanting more power felt even more disillusioned with this. Palpatine also knew the Jedi would have Anakin spy on Palpatine which wasn't the right thing to do making him feel even more disillusioned with the Jedi. Feeling disillusioned with the Jedi and getting even more desperate to save his wife his breaking point was that fateful scene in Palpatine's office. After he helped killed Mace and assisted a sith lord Anakin knew he was far too lost to come back. Still desperate to save his wife he pledged himself to Palpatine. Then Palpatine told him that he had to do heinous acts if he had any hope to save his wife, doing so would make him powerful with the dark side so this is why he even killed kids because what's more evil than that. Also the only reason why he kept serving Palpatine even tho his wife died was Palpatine was the only thing he had left. The Jedi was dead along with his wife, is master was gone, what else did he have left? His life as he knew it was forever gone. If you ask me his fall and his service to Palpatine was believable. If you this it wasn't then all I have to say is this, how do you know what you'd do in that situation? You can't possibly know for sure what you'd do if you are never put into that scenario. People can and will do crazy things when desperate. Just realized how many times I said desperate and disillusioned..take a shot for everytime I said that I guess

I really hate the notion of 'the clone wars show saved this character'. No it didnt. Anakin was perfect in ROTS and played well prior, i have never enjoyed that show

Anakin isn't gullible for trusting Palps after Palps is revealed to be Sidious. The Senate is Anakin's best bet to saving Padme, Palps has generations of Sith knowledge, he has the resources of an entire Galactic Empire, he's soon to seize the Jedi texts. Anakin was disillusioned from the Jedi philosophy ever since his first lessons with Obi Wan, he needs Padme especially after losing Ahsoka. He reasons that he can spare Obi Wan, it's a long story, but Anakin's fall to the Dark side killing not just his nay sayers, but the knights, & the Younglings too completely makes sense in the context of the lore

I love his story and character more then any other in star wars for sure

I love Anakin, he's my favorite Star Wars character. I think both Clone Wars animated series helped to enhance his positive and negative traits. How can you not love a guy who proudly eats live bugs?!