Anakin Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker (later known as Darth Vader) is a Star Wars minifigure based on the character of the same name. He was first released in 1999, and has had a total of thirty-four variations made to date. He is the former husband of Padmé, chief-in-command of Imperial Military, Sith apprentice to Emperor Palpatine, the father of Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, the father-in-law of Han Solo and the grandfather of Kylo Ren. His former master was Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Original
Anakin's first variations were released in 1999, making them among the first Star Wars minifigures to be released, based upon his appearance in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. His podracer variant featured plain tan legs with a matching torso. The torso was printed with a dark brown belt, black lines, and brown printing at the top depicting the tunic he wore. Anakin's head piece had simple black printing for his eyes and mouth, along with brown printing for eyebrows and freckles. This variant also had a light grey helmet piece with dark grey goggles. Also released in 1999 was Anakin's first pilot variant in the set 7141 Naboo Fighter. This variant was the same as the first, except for the helmet; this one was instead brown with black goggles.

Jedi Padawan
No new variants of Anakin were made until three years later, when sets were made to accompany the release of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. This time around, the minifigure was based on Anakin when he was about ten years older as a Jedi Padawan. The Episode II version had plain brown legs, along with a brown torso piece. This printing of the torso was black to show lines in Anakin's Jedi tunic, but also to reflect the colour of his leather tabard. White was also used at the top of the torso to show some of the inner tunic. A brown Padawan's braid was printed on the figure's top right side of the torso. The head had black printing on it for Anakin's eyes and mouth, and brown for the eyebrows. The accompanying hair piece was Nougat-coloured. Accessories for this version of Anakin were a blue-bladed lightsaber with a shiny silver hilt, and in the 7113 Tusken Raider Encounter, Anakin also came equipped with a brown cape.

Jedi Knight
In 2005, three more variants of Anakin were released as a part of the début of the fourth Star Wars subtheme, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The most common of these variants was one which depicted Anakin as a Jedi Knight in his starfighter, which was included in a total of four sets (two of them being co-packs). This variant of Anakin featured black legs with a black torso piece with brown printing to represent the Jedi robes Anakin wore at the time. The right hand was black, representing the glove Anakin wore over his mechanical hand, and the left was flesh-coloured, due to the decision to change the skin colour of licensed minifigures from yellow to flesh in 2004. The head piece was also flesh-coloured, with black printing for the eyes and the mouth, which for the first time is unsmiling. Other printing includes small marks to show scars on Anakin's face, and shiny gold printing is used on the right side in the shape of a headset comlink which Anakin commonly wore in space battles. A Nougat hair piece was also used on this variant which is longer than the hair on previous versions, and once again, Anakin came equipped with a blue-bladed, shiny silver-hilted lightsaber. A figure almost identical in appearance was also released in the 7257 Ultimate Lightsaber Duel, except it was in light-up lightsaber form, this figure being one of the first of its kind. Light-up Lightsaber figures are different in that their head piece is not removable from the torso, and they do not possess a right hand. Instead a lightsaber hilt is moulded onto where the hand usually is, and when the head is pushed down, the lightsaber lights up. Another difference in this variant from the previous is that there was no headset printing on the face, and Anakin also had a black cape.

Burnt
The final 2005 appearance of Anakin was in the 7251 Darth Vader Transformation, where the torso and leg pieces were identical to the Jedi Knight variant. The difference in this version was that it depicted Anakin after he had fallen into lava on Mustafar, so while he retained the same printing for the eyes and mouth, he had red printing in several places to show facial burns. This figure also lacked a hair piece, to reflect the fact that it had all been burnt off.

2007 Boy redesign
Anakin's next appearance was in 2007, this time as a redesigned Episode I figure, in the set 7660 Naboo N-1 Starfighter and Vulture Droid. The torso piece was very similar to Anakin's original Episode I variants, though the brown printing was a darker shade, and the hands were updated to a flesh colour. The leg piece was tan and was a shorter, immobile leg piece, making the minifigure shorter than a standard minifigure. The head piece had larger-than-usual black eyes printed on, along with a mouth, eyebrows and freckles. The hair piece was sand-coloured and covered a large amount of the head (this piece is probably most well-known as being used for Harry Potter).

Clone Wars
The following year, The Clone Wars subtheme was launched, which resulted in a The Clone Wars-style Anakin Skywalker. This figure had black legs and a black torso piece with printing on it to represent the lightly-armored Jedi robes Anakin wore at that time. The arms were brown in colour, and the hands were both black. The printing on the flesh-coloured head piece consisted of the eyes being white, with blue irises and black pupils, and there is also printing for eyebrows, a mouth, scars and other facial features. The hair piece is brown in colour, with it being parted on the right side and swept back. This hair piece in Reddish Brown has remained exclusive to The Clone Wars Anakin minifigures, except for it being used on Mon Mothma in the 7754 Home One Mon Calamari Star Cruiser. Like most of his Jedi appearances, Anakin came equipped with a blue-bladed lightsaber, though the hilt was not shiny silver like before. In the first few releases of this minifigure, the hilt was plain grey, but in later appearances it was changed to a chrome silver colour.

Parka
In the first wave of 2010, a The Clone Wars Anakin was released in clothing appropriate for cold areas. This Anakin had grey legs with a dark blue hip joint and a dark blue torso with white hands. Printing on the torso included a brown belt with black outlining, and black outlines for pockets and other details. A Republic insignia was also printed in white in the top-left corner. A double-sided, flesh-coloured head piece is used--one side depicted a face similar to Anakin's standard The Clone Wars face but not smiling, and the other side showed his face covered in grey cloth and wearing goggles. Accessories for this figure included a blue-bladed lightsaber and a dark blue parka piece with grey printing on the front resembling fur, and a white Jedi Order logo present on the bottom left.

2010 Burnt redesign
In the second half of 2010, the set 8096 Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle was released, which contained a new Anakin figure. The figure once again depicted Anakin after he had fallen into lava on Mustafar, though this variant differed in many ways from the original. The figure had a black leg piece and the torso was primarily black, with printing for the belt and other lines for the tunic. However, the tunic was burnt in several places, with skin darker than the normal flesh-colour, representing burnt skin, showing through the holes. The right arm and hand were black, while the left maintained the burnt skin colour. The head piece also has this colour, with printing on it for burns (in dark red), and printing for the face to give the figure a pained expression. The eyes were black dots as usual, but with white dots inside them, a common practice for minifigures which began at around 2010. This minifigure came with a red-bladed lightsaber with a chrome silver hilt, and also with a black Darth Vader mask.

2011 Boy redesign
The second wave of 2011 saw see three new Anakin Skywalker variants- two from Episode I and one from The Clone Wars. The two Episode I variants had clothing in common--short tan legs and tan torso with a new printed design. This design featured black lines for the shape of the tunic, a light brown belt, printing at the top to show an inner tunic, and flesh-coloured printing to join the torso to the head piece. The starfighter pilot variant had a flesh-coloured face with white-pupiled black eyes and printing for eyebrows and mouth. This variant also had an interchangeable hair piece (the same as the previous Episode I pilot variant's) and brown helmet with black or dark grey goggles. The podracer variant had a double-sided head, with one side being the same as the pilot variant. The other side had a determined expression, with goggles covering the eyes. Also included with the podracer variant was a grey helmet with gray, red, and black printing to depict the helmet that Anakin wore with his podracer.

2011 Clone Wars redesign
The 2011 The Clone Wars variant had a design somewhat in between Anakin's first Clone Wars variant and the clothing of his original Episode III variant. The leg piece and torso were both black. An inner tunic was printed down the centre of the torso, and some flesh printing was present at the top of the torso. The figure had dark brown arms and black hands, while the head piece was the same as the original Clone Wars variant. The hair piece also shared the same design as the original Clone Wars figure, but was Dark Brown rather than Reddish Brown. As is typical with Jedi Anakin, a blue-bladed lightsaber was included with this figure.

2012 Jedi Knight redesign
2012 saw the release of two new Episode III versions of Anakin. The first version of Anakin had brown legs, with black printing on the legs and the top of the leg joint. The torso piece was primarily black, with brown, gold and silver printing for detail of an inner tunic and belt. Anakin had a flesh-coloured left hand and black right hand, representing the glove he wore over his mechanical hand. The flesh-coloured head piece was double-sided. Both sides included dark flesh printing for scars and sunken eyes and black printing for eyebrows. One side had black eyes with white pupils, with black and white printing for a snarling mouth, while the other side had black printing for a closed mouth, but yellow eyes with black pupils, representing Anakin's turn to the Dark Side of the Force. Anakin's hairpiece was identical to the hairpiece used on the latest Clone Wars version. This variant once again equipped Anakin with a blue-bladed lightsaber and a silver hilt.

2012 Fallen Jedi redesign
The other 2012 variant was released in 9526 Palpatine's Arrest. In this variant, Anakin had the same torso, leg and hairpiece, but a different headpiece was used. One side of the head depicted Anakin with a smiling face, while the other had an angry expression. In this variant, Anakin also had a brown cape and a blue-bladed lightsaber.

2013 Padawan redesign
In 2013, a redesigned version of Anakin as a Padawan from Episode II was released, and was included in the set 75021 Republic Gunship. He had Hawkeye's hairpiece and a face with orange eyebrows, black eyes with white pupils and a black mouth with cheekbones printed on the sides. He had a dark brown torso with reddish brown arms and flesh-coloured hands. The torso had printed brown Jedi robes with a Padawan braid printed on the right upper corner, as well as a utility belt printed with a silver buckle. Anakin had dark brown hips and reddish brown legs, both of which were printed to show the continuation of his robes. Anakin also had back printing showing the back of the utility belt and some markings on his tunic. This variant was released with a green-bladed lightsaber rather than the typical blue, as Anakin had lost his and was given a temporary replacement at the time in the film depicted by the set.

2014 Jedi Knight redesign
In 2014, a slightly redesigned version of Anakin from Episode III with his pilot headset was released in the set 75038 Jedi Interceptor. This variant was exactly the same as other Episode III variants, except with slightly different cheekbones that are more rounded. This new head piece also had a golden headset that wraps around the forehead and has a microphone that covers part of Anakin's right cheek and mouth. The headpiece had a double-sided head with both a concerned expression and another that looks more happy and excited. This variant didn't feature a cape, but did include a blue lightsaber with a chrome hilt.

Original
Darth Vader's original variation was his first and most famous variation, which appeared in eleven separate sets, officially representing Darth Vader as a LEGO minifigure, until its redesign in 2008. The minifigure has black legs, black arms, and black hands. His torso has a special design showcasing a control panel with red and blue buttons on his torso, with grey outlines around it. He has a cape, and a classic grey scarred Minifigure head, which represents his battle injuries due to his Battle with Kenobi. Under his head he wears a black cape and over his head he wears an exclusive mask that covers all of his head, representing a breathing mask that keeps him alive. He comes with a red lightsaber.

He appears in this variation in the sets 10123 Cloud City, 7200 Final Duel I, 7150 TIE Fighter & Y-Wing, 3340 Star Wars, 78744 Star Wars Value Pack, 10131 TIE Collection, and 7262 TIE Fighter & Y-Wing. In 7251 Darth Vader Transformation he comes with no cape.

He has appeared in all four LEGO Star Wars Video Games in this variation, including: LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, and LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. He also has a cameo in LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures in this variation.

Light bluish-grey head
This variant is almost identical to the original version except for the grey on the head and torso outlines is updated to a light bluish grey color. This variant can be found in sets from the years 2004-2007.

New head
Darth Vader was released in three more sets, 7264 Imperial Inspection, 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer, and 7251 Darth Vader Transformation, with some minor differences from the Original Variation, those being having his eyebrows removed and a few additional scars.

2008 redesign
In the 2008 redesign, Darth Vader comes with the same black hands, black arms, black legs, helmet, and cape as his original variation, except his torso has more details, including his belt and even more detail on his chest panel. The head also, in a strange way despite being in traditional LEGO style, has an increased resemblance to Hayden Christensen. This variation was first released in the set 10188 Death Star, and later re-released in the set 8017 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter, marking it as the new official redesign.

2010 redesign
The 2010 redesign has the same legs, cape, and helmet that the previous redesign used from 2008. The head has a new printing, introducing the pupils for the first time. Vader's torso buttons are colored differently, too. This current variation is only available with the sets 10212 Imperial Shuttle, 7965 Millennium Falcon, and 10221 UCS Super Star Destroyer.

Battle Damaged Darth Vader
Battle Damaged Darth Vader was a unique variation of Darth Vader, released only in the set 7672 Rogue Shadow, released as part of the Expanded Universe line to promote the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game.

He includes a grey headpiece displaying a black eye and scars on the left side of his face and a shattered mask on the right side. He wears a black headpiece that goes around his neck, representing his broken mask. He has a grey legpiece, one black legpiece, and a black belt. He also has a black arm piece and one grey arm piece, and two dark black hands. He also holds a red lightsaber.

The variation represents Darth Vader's appearance after being fought (and severely damaged) by Galen Marek, his secret apprentice, near the end of the storyline of the video game The Force Unleashed.

This variation is avaliable to play after creating a minikit for a certain level on LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars.

Light-Up Lightsaber
This variation is exactly the same as the Original Variation, but only his left arm, left hand, helmet and lightsaber blade can be removed. His hand is attached to his lightsaber. The lightsaber has a built-in light, which lights up his lightsaber whenever his head is punched down. He has a built-in battery. This minifigure is exclusive to 7263 TIE Fighter.

Chrome
Alongside LEGO® Star Wars' 10th anniversary, LEGO produced Chrome Darth Vader Minifigures to promote the event, and an unconfirmed number polybags of the Chrome Vader were randomly inserted into 2009 LEGO Star Wars sets. The Chrome Vader was the same design as the 2008 version of Vader with the new torso, but shiny paint was used instead of the standard black.

Microfigure
Darth Vader appears as a Microfigure in the LEGO Games set 3866 The Battle of Hoth.

2014 redesign
The 2014 redesign has the same cape and helmet that the previous redesign used from 2010. His head has a totally new printing, showing a tan color and his facial expression has completely changed. He now also has printings on his legs. This Minifigure has only appeared in the set 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer.

Santa Darth Vader
The Santa Darth Vader, introduced and only featured in the 2014 version of the 75056 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar, features new prints on the torso, hips and legs. Underneath the Santa-costume-printing, the print of the 2014 redesign can be seen. Mask and head are also equivalent to the 2014 version of the figure. Additionally, this design sports a red cape instead of a black one.

2015 redesign
The 2015 redesign of the figure, introduced with set 75093 Death Star Final Duel in June, keeps the printing of the 2014 redesign completely from the head downwards (excluding the head). The exclusive feature to this version is the new mold and concept for the helmet of the figure, as well as the head-print. The helmet now consists of two parts: a neck piece and the mask and helmet. The former being connected to the minifigure's neck and the latter connected to the head. The face features new printing on a white headpiece.

Rebels variation
Vader also appeared in the Star Wars Rebels theme, specifically in the set 75150 Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced and A-wing Fighter.

Anakin Skywalker
Anakin has appeared in every LEGO Star Wars video game to date. In 2005's LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game, Anakin appeared with three different variants: Anakin Skywalker (Boy), Anakin Skywalker (Padawan), and Anakin Skywalker (Jedi). The Anakin Skywalker (Boy) character has the same appearance as his first Episode I Pilot variant in physical form, except with flesh skin instead of yellow. This character was able to do a single jump and could crawl through vents. The character unlocked in the Episode II section of the game, Anakin Skywalker (Padawan), was identical to Anakin's first Padawan minifigure, except for once again, the flesh colour replaced yellow for the skin tone. The Padawan character could double jump and use the Force and has a blue-bladed lightsaber, except for Chapters 3 and 5 in Episode II, where his lightsaber had a green blade. Anakin (Jedi) was based upon the unburnt Episode III variants, with no headset present on the face. Like the Padawan character, Anakin (Jedi) could use the Force, double jump, and attack with a blue-bladed lightsaber.

The year after, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy was released. One new form of Anakin was released in this game: Anakin Skywalker (Ghost). He was much like Anakin Skywalker (Jedi) in the previous game, but was transparent blue in colour. This character retained all of Anakin Skywalker (Jedi)'s abilities, but additionally was unable to be killed and was invisible to enemies. If save data from the original game is present on the console, all unlocked characters from LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game can be played on LEGO Star Wars II, meaning that a total of four Anakin Skywalkers can be used in Free Play on the game.

2007 saw the release of LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, which was a combination of the previous two games into one. The four Anakins from the previous games could all be unlocked and played in this game, and the abilities stayed the same. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga also adds a new Anakin Skywalker (Dark Side) variant exclusive to the tablet version of the game, based on his appearence in the set Darth Vader Transformation, but with a brown cape.

In 2011, LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars was released, with two Anakin Skywalker characters. Anakin Skywalker (Geonosian Arena) was present in a mission based on the Battle of Geonosis in Episode II, and the appearace of this character was based upon his Episode II minifigure. The hair and head pieces, however, were based on his physical The Clone Wars variants. However, the eyes on this character were eyes which are usually seen on characters which do not appear in the The Clone Wars sub-theme--black dots with white inner dots. This variant wielded a green-bladed ligthsaber. In addition to the standard Jedi abilities in the previous games (use of the Force, double jumping, attacking and deflecting with a lightsaber), Anakin had the ability to throw his lightsaber at objects and enemies, was able to perform certain actions such as cutting a hole in walls and destroying certain enemies whenever a blue Jedi Order logo appears, and could use his lightsaber to jump up certain walls. This variant, while playable, was not able to be accessed through the character menu.

Anakin's main character in the game (which is named simply "Anakin Skywalker") is based upon his first Clone Wars physical variant, except once again the eyes were not in the typical The Clone Wars style. This Anakin had a blue-bladed lightsaber, but possessed the same abilities as the Geonosian Arena variant.

In 2016, For LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Anakin Had 2 Versions: His Episode III Look and his Podracer Look. The Episode III Variant had the Same Abilities as previous games, except he can use the force in blaster battles.

Darth Vader
He has appeared in all five LEGO Star Wars Video Games. In LEGO Star Wars: The Videogame, he appears in the ending cutscene after completing Revenge of the Sith, and is playable in the bonus level "A New Hope", where he uses the same animations as Anakin Skywalker. In LEGO Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy, Vader is playable in the penultimate level "Jedi Destiny", where he and Luke defeat Emperor Palpatine. In LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, he makes the same appearances as in the first 2 games. In LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Darth Vader is unlockable in both his classic variation, and his battle-damaged form after collecting all the mini-kits in a certain level. Darth Vader also makes a cameo in LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, where his shadow can be seen in a cutscene, but in reality it is just the Grail Knight.

Background
From an early age, Anakin Skywalker lived on Tatooine as a slave to Gardulla the Hutt, then later to Watto. At the age of nine, Anakin encountered Qui-Gon Jinn, Padmé Amidala, Jar Jar Binks and R2-D2 at Watto's shop, where they were looking for a hyperdrive motivator. Qui-Gon attempted to purchase one from the shop with Republic credits, but was unable to make a deal with Watto due to the currency not being accepted on Tatooine. Anakin later discovered that they were on a mission to Coruscant, but their star cruiser suffered heavy damage during the escape from Naboo and they needed to purchase some parts and repair their hyperdrive to continue the journey.

Anakin then offered to enter the upcoming Podrace for the stranded party, so that Qui-Gon could bet on him and get the required parts of Watto if he won. The day of the race came, and despite being sabotaged by his rival Sebulba at the beginning of the race, Anakin managed to win the Boonta Eve Classic. Qui-Gon got the required parts from Watto, and also informed Anakin that he was no longer a slave, due to another bet made by Qui-Gon of which Anakin was not aware.

As Qui-Gon and Anakin returned to the ship, Qui-Gon was attacked by Darth Maul. Following Qui-Gon's orders, Anakin continued to the ship, and told them to hover near the lightsaber duel. Qui-Gon leapt onto the boarding ramp, escaping the Sith Lord.

Anakin travelled with the others to the Republic capital of Coruscant, where Qui-Gon and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi took him to meet the Jedi Council and asked them for him to be trained as a Jedi, his strong connection in the Force being a major reason as to why he was able to win the Podrace. The Council denied Qui-Gon's request due to Anakin being what they felt was too old to begin the training. When the Queen decided to go back to Naboo to fight for the planet's freedom, Anakin once again accompanied her, Jar Jar and the Jedi on the journey.

On Naboo, a battle ensued, which resulted in Anakin hiding in the cockpit of a Naboo starfighter. When trying to help Padmé and the Naboo soldiers with some Droidekas, Anakin inadvertently turned the ship's engines on, and the ship's autopilot system took him and R2-D2 into the space battle above Naboo. Anakin's ship was hit by a Vulture Droid in the battle, and he crash-landed inside the control ship's hangar. Eventually, the systems rebooted, and Anakin fired proton torpedoes into the ship's reactor, causing an overload and destroying the ship as he escaped.

Back on the planet, Anakin learned of Qui-Gon's death at the hands of Darth Maul, and also discovered that the Council agreed to let the newly-knighted Obi-Wan Kenobi train him as a Jedi.

Ten years later, Anakin and his Master Obi-Wan were ordered by the Council to act as bodyguards to now Senator Padmé Amidala after a recent failed assassination attempt. Not long after they began their duties, another attempt on Padmé's life was carried out. Anakin saved Padmé from two kouhuns, while Obi-Wan grabbed onto the hovering courier droid which deployed the venomous insects, hoping it would lead him to whoever sent the droid to Padmé. Meanwhile, Anakin commandeered an airspeeder to catch up to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan dropped off the droid as it was destroyed by its owner--bounty hunter Zam Wesell. Anakin flew underneath Obi-Wan and caught him in the speeder. They then chased Zam Wesell through Coruscant. Anakin leaped out of the speeder and landed on Zam Wesell's speeder, while Obi-Wan took over flying the speeder. Anakin began to cut through the speeder cockpit, but dropped his lightsaber. However, Zam's speeder was damaged and crashed, causing Anakin to fall off. Zam escaped the wreckage and entered a nearby cantina. Anakin and Obi-Wan followed suit after Obi-Wan returned Anakin's lightsaber which he caught. The pursuit ended with Zam attempting to kill Obi-Wan, only to be defeated by the Jedi. Obi-Wan and Anakin took Zam outside the cantina and attempted to interrogate her, but before she could reveal any important information, she was killed by a toxic dart, fired by Jango Fett who escaped with his jetpack.

Following these events, Anakin was ordered to escored Padmé back to her homeworld of Naboo and protect her from any assassination attempts. Some time after the two arrived on Naboo, Anakin began dreaming that his mother, Shmi, was in danger. So, Anakin and Padmé then travelled to Tatooine in search of her. Anakin soon discovered from Watto that his mother had been freed by Cleigg Lars, whom she soonafter married. Travelling to the Lars homestead, where he met Cleigg, his son Owen and Owen's girlfriend Beru, Anakin learned that Shmi had been taken by Tusken Raiders. Taking the Lars' speeder bike, Anakin set out on a journey to find her. Anakin eventually located his mother, finding her in a Tusken camp, arriving just as she died. Following her death, Anakin destroyed the entire village of Tusken Raiders before returning the the Lars homestead with his mother's body.

After recieving a distress call from Obi-Wan on Geonosis, Anakin, Padmé, R2-D2, and C-3PO travelled there to rescue him, but soon found themselves captured as well. After escaping from his chains and defeating several squads of droids with the help of a Jedi strike team, Anakin participated in the Battle of Geonosis and fought Count Dooku alongside Obi-Wan, but lost half his right arm in the duel. Following Dooku's escape, Anakin married Padmé in a private wedding ceremony.The newly-Knighted Anakin would then fight in several battles in the Clone Wars alongside his new apprentice Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka never became a Jedi, and left the Order after being unjustly accused of bombing the Jedi Temple.

Three years into the war, Anakin went on a rescue mission with Obi-Wan to save Chancellor Palpatine, who had been abducted from Coruscant by General Grievous. In this, Anakin had a rematch with Dooku and defeated him. Palpatine goaded the young Jedi to kill the Sith, which he did. Then Palpatine recommended Anakin to become a member of the Jedi Council, which arose Jedi suspicions. They gave him a seat, but denied him the Master title. Angered, Anakin met with Palpatine who expressed his disapproval, planting in him distrust of the Jedi. He then told him "an old Sith legend" about Darth Plagueis and his power to prevent people from dying, before revealing that he himself was Darth Sidous, Dark Lord of the Sith. Anakin relayed the information to Mace Windu who then organized a strike team to arrest the Chancellor. But he had second thoughts and arrived at Palpatine's office to find the Sith being held by Windu at bladepoint. Palpatine fired Force Lightning at the Jedi Master and both combatants pleaded for his loyalty. Anakin then panicked and drew his lightsaber, cutting off Windu's hand. Palpatine then killed the Jedi Master with Force Lightning and Anakin, now irreversibly involved in the conflict, had nowhere to go. Sidious then convinced him further to join the Sith and Anakin then complied. Sidious then gave him a Sith name and at this point, Anakin Skywalker was no more and Darth Vader was born.

Vader soon became a feared leader of the Empire. He became an enemy to the Rebellion. He killed many Jedi and Rebel leaders for around thirty years. He had a son and a daughter, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia respectively. However, due to certain complications, he did not know Luke was his son until after the first Death Star blew up, and he did not know Leia was his daughter until the day he died. Darth Vader dramatically told Luke "I am your father" in Cloud City, when they dueled at the climax of Episode V. During the same duel, Vader cut off Luke's right hand. Soon the two met again for a final duel.

When Palpatine tortured Luke Skywalker, with Force Lightning. Vader was torn between his loyalty to the Emperor and his love for his son. He feared the Emperor, but his love for his son was stronger, rebirthing Anakin Skywalker and destroying Vader. Anakin then grabbed Palpatine from behind, hoisted him into the air, and threw him into the reactor shaft of the Death Star II, killing him. But the Emperor's lightning short-circuited Anakin's life-support system, mortally wounding him. At his shuttle, Anakin requested that Luke remove his mask so that he could see his son with his own eyes. Luke complied and Anakin died, telling Luke to "tell your sister...you were right." Following his death, Anakin had a spiritual meeting with Obi-Wan Kenobi, turning into a Force Ghost before appearing with the ghosts of Obi-Wan and Yoda to Luke, Leia and the other victorious Rebels at the celebrations on Endor. He was later worshiped by Kylo Ren, who was unaware of his redemption.