48 years afterStar Warsbegan, the end of an era for Darth Vader is on the horizon. Without a doubt, Darth Vader is the mosticonicStar Warscharacterof all time. Even those who have never seen a singleStar Warsproject know who Darth Vader is, identifiable by his striking design, recognizable breathing, and domineering presence. As one ofStar Wars’many Sith Lords, Vader has essentially been the face of the franchise for almost five decades, to fans and non-fans alike.
While the debate of who thebestStar Warsvillainis will always rage on, Vader’s recognizability speaks for itself. This has allowed the franchise to capitalize on the infamy of the character in projects it may not have otherwise, from animated shows likeStar Wars Rebelsto live-action projects likeAhsoka. However, as the franchise moves into a new era with itsupcomingStar Warsshowsand movies, the end of Darth Vader’s era could finally be here in one very key, equally exciting way.
For 48 Years, Anakin Skywalker & Darth Vader Have Been Intertwined In Star Wars
Anakin Has Never Been Able To Escape The Shadow Of Darth Vader
Firstly, it is worth exploring how Anakin Skywalker has never been a part ofStar Warswithout Darth Vader looming over him. Since 1977 and the release ofA New Hope, then simply titledStar Wars, the two seemingly different characters were linked; Obi-Wan Kenobi told Luke Skywalker that the latter’s father, Anakin, was killed by Darth Vader. Three years later,one of the biggest twists in cinema history inThe Empire Strikes Backrevealed that Anakin was Darth Vader, tying the two once-different characters intrinsically together.
No matter whatStar Warsstory it is, if Anakin is included, the shadow of Darth Vader is also ever-present…
From then on, where Darth Vader was, the tragedy of Anakin was not far behind. Similarly, where the hero Anakin Skywalker was, the looming fall to the dark side hung over him like a deadly ghost. George Lucas' prequel trilogy exemplified the latter, showing Anakin’s gradual descent into darkness before fully becoming Darth Vader inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Even when Anakin was only a child inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, hints at his dark future were included.
Obi-Wan Kenobiwas another recentStar Warsstory that capitalized on the connection between Anakin and Darth Vader.
This continued in a bigger way inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clonesbefore Anakin’s eventual turn in the third movie. Be it film or TV,Star Warscould not separate Vader and Anakin.Star Wars: The Clone Warsbetter showcased Anakin’s dark side tendencies, whileStar Wars Rebelsexplored the tragic consequences of Anakin becoming Vader, where Ahsoka Tano was concerned. No matter whatStar Warsstory it is, if Anakin is included, the shadow of Darth Vader is also ever-present, and it has been this way for 48 years, since 1977.
Ahsoka Season 2 Will Feature The First True Appearance Of Post-Vader Anakin Skywalker
We May Finally Get An Anakin Story Where He Is Just… Anakin
With that being said, the end of an era could be upon us. After theending ofAhsokaseason 1, which saw Hayden Christensen return as both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader, the future of the character became more promising than ever. This was proven not to be just the mere speculation ofStar Warsfans who wish to see Christensen again in the role when it was confirmed that the actor would return in a bigger capacity as Anakin Skywalker inAhsokaseason 2.
Based on the final scene of season 1, it seems as though this role will come in the form of a Force Ghost in the distant galaxy of Peridea. Regardless of how Anakin returns, this appearance will mark the first time the character has been involved in aStar Warsstory to a great extent post-Return of the Jedi. After all, his role inAhsokaseason 1 was limited to one episode that took place within a mystical Force realm called theWorld Between Worlds. As a Force Ghost, the end of Darth Vader’s era might be here, with Anakin simply being Anakin inAhsokaseason 2.
Ahsoka & Anakin Have Already Healed Their Past Wounds
Meaning Vader Is No More
If the theory that Anakin’s role inAhsokaseason 2 is as a Force Ghost guide for his former Padawan, the possibility of the story centering just on Anakin and not Darth Vader too is much bigger. The reason for this is the events ofAhsokaseason 1, episode 5. This episode, set in the aforementioned World Between Worlds, saw Anakin teaching his student another lesson, that being how to live on and fight against your trauma as opposed to letting it consume you.
This came in the form of flashbacks to thetimeline ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars, and was heavily linked to Ahsoka’s grief over the fact that Anakin turned into Darth Vader. As the episode came to an end, though, Ahsoka was reborn anew with a fresh perspective on life and her journey after healing the past wounds she had both within herself and with her old master. With the duo having overcome their fractured bond, there is no reason for Anakin’s history as Darth Vader to be raised again while he is a Force Ghost inAhsokaseason 2.
Star Wars Could Finally Give Us A True Anakin Skywalker Jedi Story
Anakin Without Vader Is A Tempting Arc For A Star Wars Story
With all of that being said, Darth Vader’s era could finally be over. InAhsokaseason 2,Star Warscould finally give us a Jedi story for Anakin Skywalker that is not darkened by his alter ego as the Sith Lord. This has already been teased byAhsokaseason 1’s ending, with Anakin’s appearance as a Force Ghost promising a strictly Jedi story for the character going forward.Star WarsForce Ghosts are the embodiment of Jedi after death, with George Lucas adding Hayden Christensen to the ending ofReturn of the Jedias that best symbolizes when Anakin was last truly good.
With this same version of the Force Ghost returning inAhsokaseason 2, Anakin should continue to embody the virtuous, Jedi side of the character. As a guide to Ahsoka, this would make perfect sense. Darth Vader is gone, with Anakin having redeemed himself on the Second Death Star inReturn of the Jedi. Ahsoka and Anakin have no old feuds to mend anymore, further hinting that the era of Vader is over, allowing Anakin to take center stage in theStar Warsgalaxy, without the looming dread of Vader, for the first time in 48 years.
