anakin

Anakin Skywalker is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. A human from the desert planet Tatooine, he is introduced as a slave who is freed and brought to the Jedi Order after Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn senses his strong connection to the Force. Qui-Gon believes Anakin is the Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force.

Trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi after Qui-Gon’s death, Anakin becomes a Padawan and later a Jedi Knight. He fights in the Clone Wars as a general and grows in power, yet his emotions and attachments leave him vulnerable. He falls in love with Padmé Amidala and secretly marries her, a union that challenges Jedi discipline and policy.

During the final years of the war, Anakin is manipulated by Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor he believes to be an ally. Believing he can save those he loves from loss, he turns to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader. He aids Palpatine in eradicating the Jedi and, after a near-fatal battle on Mustafar, is rebuilt in a life-support armor as a Sith enforcer.

As Darth Vader, he serves the Galactic Empire and confronts his son, Luke Skywalker, in the original trilogy. He ultimately redeems himself by saving Luke and destroying Palpatine, dying in the process. In official canon, Anakin’s story is expanded across films and related media; the Legends continuity, previously included in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, contains variations on his backstory.