If you’re like us and have watched every Star Wars movie, from the original trilogy to the prequel and sequel, it feels like you witnessed Anakin Skywalker grow up. He went from a 9-year-old in Episode 1 to a 19-year-old in Episode 2 and a 22-year-old in Episode 3. Anakin became Darth Vader in his 20s and lived until the age of 45 when he passed away in Episode 6.
Who is Anakin?
The man we’ve all loved to hate in Star Wars is Anakin Walker. Technically, we all hated Darth Vader but since he’s the man behind that mask, we are not wrong by saying we all hated him. But the dislike we felt for Anakin wasn’t always there.
When he was first introduced as a 9-year-old from the desert planet Tatooine, the fatherless son of Shmi Skywalker, fans didn’t have strong emotions for him. People only started paying attention after his early induction into the Jedi Order and infatuation with Padmé Amidala.
Anakin was full of innocence in Episode 1. From a young age, he had outstanding force abilities and impressive piloting skills that caught the attention of Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn who thought he was the “Chosen One” prophesized to restore balance to the Force. Anakin would later go from being an innocent young slave boy to a conflicted Jedi Knight entangled in the temptations of the dark side.
How Old is Anakin in Episode 2?
Anakin was well into his teenage years in the second movie of the prequel trilogy. He was approximately 19 years old in Star Wars: Episode 2 which occurred a decade after the events of Episode 1. He had gone from a young boy with potential to a more mature and independent person.
In Episode 2, Anakin’s personal growth and romantic relationship is examined here. He falls deeply for Padmé Amidala and the two get married secretly by the end of the movie. This momentous event was a pivotal point in Anakin’s story and sets the stage for the tragic events in Episode 3.
How Old is Anakin in Episode 3?
The time difference between the events of Episode 2 and Episode 3 was not as much as that of Episode 1 and Episode 2 as Anakin was 22 years old in season 3, the third movie of the prequel trilogy, only three years older.
At 22 years old Anakin had evolved into a more mature and conflicted character. It was at this time that he made the critical choices that shaped his tragic downfall and emergence as Darth Vader.
How Old is Anakin in Clone Wars?
Anakin Skywalker grew three years within the story of Clone Wars that captured the fight between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. He was 19 years old at the beginning of the animated film and 22 years at the end.
Anakin, who was now a Jedi Knight, played a crucial role as a military commander during the Clone Wars. His personal story also unfolded during this time, particularly his internal struggles with the temptations of the dark side.
Not many casual Star Wars fans have seen Clone Wars but those that have get a clearer picture of who Anakin is. His strengths, vulnerabilities, and internal conflicts that shape his destiny are well highlighted.
How Old is Anakin in The Phantom Menace?
The Phantom of the Menace, also known as Episode 1, introduces Anakin Skywalker as a 9 year old boy. The events in the movie take place thirty-two years before the original Star Wars movie.
Anakin was born to Shmi Skywalker in 41 BBY. He endures a life of servitude as a slave to the Toydarian Watto on Tatooine before coming in contact with Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Padmé Amidala; people who would later shape his destiny.
After winning his freedom, Anakin starts working to become a Jedi. He was at first considered too old to begin training as a Jedi youngling but was later allowed after Qui-Gon convinced the Jedi Council that he was the chosen one. After Qui-Gon dies, Obi-Wan becomes Anakin’s master and he grows to become a Jedi Knight.
How Old is Anakin in Revenge of the Sith?
Revenge of the Sith is also known as Episode 3 and Anakin is 22 years old in the movie. He is a full blown Jedi Knight at this time and his heroics are on full display for everyone to see.
With the galaxy engulfed in the Clone Wars, Anakin is at the forefront of the fight but is also fighting his own demons. He has visions of his wife Padmé’s death who later tells him she is pregnant. Anakin is later manipulated to believe he can save his wife if he embraces the dark side. He does this and betrays the Jedi, allowing the enemy to rule the galaxy.
Revenge of the Sith concludes with Yoda and Obi-Wan driven into exile while protecting Padmé’s twin children; Luke and Leia.
How Old is Anakin in Attack of the Clones?
Attack of the Clones, also known as Episode 2, features a 19-year-old Anakin Skywalker at the beginning of the Clone Wars, ten years after the events of The Phantom Menace.
His is a young adult who just lost his mother but must embrace his new role Jedi Knight and save countless of people. Amidst all of this, including losing an arm when fighting Count Dooku, Anakin falls in love with Padmé. Despite the fact that their relationship was against the Jedi Code, they end up getting married secretly.
Summary of Anakin’s Age
| Event/Film | Anakin’s Age | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Phantom Menace | 9 years | Anakin is discovered by Qui-Gon Jinn on Tatooine. |
| Attack of the Clones | 19 years | Anakin is a Jedi Padawan under Obi-Wan Kenobi; begins a romantic relationship with Padmé. |
| The Clone Wars (Animated Series) | 19-22 years | Anakin serves as a Jedi Knight and fights in the Clone Wars. |
| Revenge of the Sith | 22 years | Anakin falls to the dark side, becomes Darth Vader, and the Jedi Order is nearly destroyed. |
| Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV Series) | 32 years | Darth Vader pursues his former master Obi-Wan a decade after becoming a Sith Lord. |
| A New Hope | 41 years | Vader serves as the Sith Lord under Emperor Palpatine; encounters his son, Luke Skywalker. |
| Return of the Jedi | 45 years | Anakin redeems himself, saves Luke, and ultimately dies, bringing balance to the Force. |
How Old Was Anakin When He Became Vader?
Anakin Skywalker was a fully grown man when he embraced the mantle of Darth Vader in Episode 3. He was 22 years old to be exact. It all happened after he was manipulated to join the dark side and turn against the Jedi Order.
Anakin pledged his loyalty to the Sith Lord Darth Sidious and due to the injury he sustained in a fight, he took up the life-sustaining armor that would forever encase him as Darth Vader.
How Old was Anakin when he Died?
Anakin had lived a long and eventful life in the Star Wars universe when he died at the age of 45. His death was captured in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. It happened while he was fighting the Emperor to save his son Luke and restore the Jedi. Luke made last ditch attempts to save his father but was unable to. Anakin himself was satisfied in the role he played at the end, even more so after he found out that Leia was also his child.
