Anakin Skywalkeris one of the most iconicStar Warscharacters, but his journey from Jedi to Sith isn’t complete without his story inStar Wars: The Clone Wars.The Clone Warsdid a great job of filling in the missing years betweenStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the ClonesandStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithand had some of the most compelling story arcs in the entire franchise. Though the show mainly revolved around Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the supporting cast of characters madeThe Clone Warsthe success it is.
Characters like Anakin Skywalker’s PadawanAhsoka Tanoquickly became fan-favorites and have gone on to appear in multipleStar Warstitles in both animation and live-action. Anakin’s legacy goes far beyond his eventual fall to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader. Even though so much ofThe Clone Warsfeatures Anakin, there are certain episodes and arcs that are simply incredible and often regarded as some of the show’s best - most notably these 10.
10Anakin Shows His Loyalty To R2-D2
Season 1, Episode 6 “Downfall of a Droid”
R2-D2 has been around since the very beginning ofStar Wars, but his role as Anakin Skywalker’s trusty astromech is on full display inThe Clone Wars. It’s clear that, despite being a droid,R2 is one of the Republic’s best soldiers, and he only makes Anakin a better Jedi.R2-D2 is especially valuable as a droid because Anakin never wiped his memory so that he would be able to help in dire situations, despite it being against Jedi regulations. When R2 is accidentally lost after a space battle, Anakin does his best to find his missing friend.
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In this episode, audiences can see how Anakin leads with his emotions as he does his best to find R2, and not just because he holds many Republic secrets. To Anakin, R2-D2 is a friend and a companion and just as much a part of the501st Legionas any of the clone troopers. Episodes like “Downfall of a Droid” help to further establish Anakin’s loyalty and emotional connections to others.
9Anakin Battles While Injured
Season 1, Episode 14 “Defenders of Peace”
After being injured in battle, Ahsoka Tano and Aayla Secura do their best to patch Anakin up, but it’s clear that he is in pain and shouldn’t be fighting any battles.Despite his injuries, Anakin works with his fellow Jedi to protect the indigenous people of the planetand find inventive ways to do so. Because of his past as a slave on Tatooine, Anakin was always keen to help others who were being preyed upon.
Though Anakin’s contributions to the battle overall aren’t as effective as they normally are, he’s able to rally his forces and be a productive leader. Additionally,it’s one of the first times audiences see Anakin face real adversity inThe Clone Wars,and also makes it a valuable teaching moment for Ahsoka. At this point, her apprenticeship is still relatively new, so setting this example for her is key to her development as a Jedi.
8Anakin Sees His Future As Darth Vader
Season 3, Episode 17 “Ghosts of Mortis”
The Mortis arc ofThe Clone Warsis widely regarded as one of the best in the entire show. In this arc, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan Kenobi travel to Mortis and meet the living embodiment of the Force in the Father (balance), the Daughter (light), and the Son (dark), henceforth being known as theMortis gods. It’s clear that, sinceAnakin is the Chosen One, the Father is looking for him to take over his duties of bringing balance between the Daughter and the Son.
Not only is the animation of the moment amazing, but the pain audiences see Anakin in shows just how far he will eventually fall.
However, the Son does everything in his power to make sure that Anakin joins the dark side. He corrupts Ahsoka Tano and even murders her, something that is deeply traumatic for Anakin. Additionally, the Son kills the Daughter while aiming for the Father, bringing an imbalance to the Force. The Son nearly succeeds in his quest to recruit byshowing Anakin his future full of pain and darkness as Darth Vader.Not only is the animation of the moment amazing, but the pain audiences see Anakin in shows just how far he will eventually fall.
7Ahsoka Defies Anakin On A Dangerous Mission
Season 3, Episode 18 “The Citadel”
In “The Citadel”, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are tasked with freeing high-levelGalactic Republicassets like the thenCaptain Wilhuff Tarkin. Knowing how dangerous the mission is, Anakin orders Ahsoka to stay behind. However, the Padawan defies him and encases herself in carbonite to join the mission to the prison.Anakin is clearly angry with Ahsoka when he sees her, mainly because he thinks the mission is too dangerous for her.
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The episode and its subsequent arc are great not only because they showcase the relationship between Master and Padawan, but also because the action is thrilling, and Anakin is in the midst of almost all of it. The episodes also have high stakes, with the rescue team losing many of their forces - including the ARC trooper Echo, who unknowingly survived, and Jedi Master Even Piell.It also establishes a relationship between Anakin and Tarkin, two people who will work together after the Republic’s fall and the Empire’s rise.
6Anakin Struggles With His Past
Season 4, Episode 12 “Slaves of the Republic”
The Zygerrian arc inThe Clone Warsis one of the darkest in the entire series, not only because it deals with slavery, but also because the characters audiences know and love are subjected to horror. Anakin in particular doesn’t fare well in this arc because it brings up much of the trauma he experienced while being a slave on Tatooine. The Zygerrian arc really highlights just how horrible the system is by highlighting the different kinds of suffering that people go through while enslaved.
Having to pretend to be close to and then work for the Zygerrian Queen was visibly difficult for Anakin, and audiences could see how close he was to losing it multiple times. Despite this,Anakin still performs his duty and eventually foils Count Dooku’s plans of enslavement across the galaxy.The arc is exceptionally dark, but it shows such an important side of Anakin that it’s hard not to include it on this list.
5Anakin Has To Hunt Down Ahsoka
Season 5, Episode 19 “To Catch a Jedi”
When evidence seems to show that Ahsoka Tano is the one who bombed the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Anakin Skywalker is the one tasked with finding and detaining her. While Anakin struggles the whole episode knowing that Ahsoka isn’t capable of doing such a thing, he is still bound by the Jedi to perform his duty. Anakin also believes it will be easier to prove Ahsoka’s innocence once she’s captured.
Ahsoka Tano
The apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano was an accomplished Padawan who served during the Clone Wars. Ahsoka left the Jedi after she became disillusioned with the Jedi Council, but returned to serve in the Siege of Mandalore at the end of the Clone Wars. She survived Order 66, becoming a Rebel agent during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign, and her adventures continue in the New Republic era. Ahsoka was last seen stranded in a distant galaxy, having failed to prevent Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return.
Unfortunately, Ahsoka still goes on the run, doing her best to avoid her master and other Jedi while on Coruscant. It’s clear thatAnakin struggles with coming to terms with what he has to do, and even tells Ahsoka that he doesn’t think she did it.While audiences know that is true, to Ahsoka, it likely doesn’t look that way as he still pursues her. The episode is a wild ride of emotions and though the focus is mainly on Ahsoka’s journey, Anakin’s part is equally important.
4Anakin Vows To Catch The Real Bomber
Season 5, Episode 20 “The Wrong Jedi”
After Ahsoka is caught and is in custody, Anakin still doesn’t believe she could’ve bombed the Jedi Temple. Instead of comforting his Padawan, he decides to go and see if he can actually find the real culprit. After being helped by formerSith Apprentice Asajj Ventress, Anakin learns thatBarriss Offeeframed Ahsoka. Their ensuing lightsaber duel is amazing and culminates in Barriss being put on trial and not Ahsoka.
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Ahsoka Tano left the Jedi Order at the end of Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 5 and never returned, despite later fighting the Empire.
“The Wrong Jedi” does a great job of balancing multiple emotions throughout its runtime, but Anakin clearly feels them most powerfully. He is angry for Ahsoka, and distraught when she decides to leave the Jedi. While this episode is meant to be about Ahsoka, Anakin is the one who represents the audience’s feelings. If nothing else,“The Wrong Jedi” shows the lengths Anakin was willing to go for his Padawan and the depth of his loyalty to others.
3Anakin Becomes Jealous Of Rush Clovis
Season 6, Episode 6 “The Rise of Clovis”
Rush Clovis is always a thorn in Anakin Skywalker’s side, mainly because it’s clear Clovis has feelings for Anakin’s wife, Senator Padmé Amidala. However, these emotions come to a head inThe Clone Warsseason 6. After Padmé helps steal information from the InterGalactic Banking Clan,Anakin becomes irate and blames Clovis for putting Padmé in danger.
Clovis, knowing that Anakin harbors feelings for the Senator fromNaboo, goads him into attacking him. When he does, Padmé is clearly upset with him, and his anger and hatred for the former Separatist sympathizer is clear.Anakin nearly kills Clovis for essentially nothing, and it’s one of the most un-Jedi things audiences see Anakin doin allThe Clone Wars. This episode does a great job of showcasing how close Anakin actually is to falling to the dark side long before he actually does.
2Anakin Supports Rex
Season 7, Episode 3 “On the Wings of Keeradaks”
The Clone Warsseason 7 really helps bring the show to its natural ending while still providing audiences with moving arcs. One of these surrounds Anakin, Rex, andClone Force 99going to find Rex’s lost friend, Echo. Rex loses many of his closest brothers in the war, and given the chance to save Echo, it’s clear that he’s going no matter what.Anakin sees how important this is to Rex and supports him the best he can.
Captain Rex
A key figure among the clones, Captain Rex served under Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano during the Clone Wars. He defected after the establishment of the Empire, becoming an important leader in the early rebellion. A disillusioned Rex ultimately retired, but was brought back into play courtesy of Ahsoka’s abiding influence.
When Rex becomes angry and fights with the Bad Batch, it’s Anakin who breaks them up and gives Rex a moment to cool down and refocus. Rex has been by Anakin’s side since the beginning, soseeing the Jedi support a clone in such a way shows how much he cares for his men and the lengths he’ll go to for his friends. Not only that, but without Anakin’s help, it clearly would’ve been harder to rescue Echo from the Techno Union’s grasp and escape all in one piece.
1Anakin Reunites With Ahsoka Tano
Season 7, Episode 9 “Old Friends Not Forgotten”
After Ahsoka Tano joins forces withBo-Katan Kryze, the pair appeal to the Jedi to take down Darth Maul, who has returned to Mandalore to rule.Anakin is clearly so happy to see his former Padawanand hopes she’ll rejoin the Jedi Order. Despite Ahsoka’s insistence that she isn’t rejoining the Jedi, it’s clear that she’s able and willing to help the Mandalorians take back their homeworld while also taking on Maul.
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Anakin and Ahsoka’s reunion is incredibly heartwarming, and he even gifts Ahsoka her old lightsabers back, but with an “upgrade” to blue like her former masters. Anakin’s the Jedi who makes concessions for Republic forces to go to Mandalore, and without his help and quick thinking, Maul would’ve remained in control of the planet. More than anything, Anakin wants Ahsoka to be proud of him even if he can’t be there to fight alongside her. It’s the last time Anakin Skywalker is seen inThe Clone Wars, but it’s also indicative of the best in him.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Cast
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Featuring a mix of loyalty shifts and alliances, it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases pivotal moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda.
