

The number of tales that expand on each stage of Anakin's life improves his film arc and adds greater tragedy to Darth Vader's actions, and for this reason, 10 Anakin Skywalker stories have become essential to Star Wars. He begins as a kind and optimistic boy, grows into a powerful, yet troubled young man, and ends as a disfigured Sith Lord encased in armor.

The entire plot springs from a line of dialogue at the beginning of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith when Anakin says he saved Obi-Wan’s life for the tenth time, to which Obi-Wan promptly. Whereas the original Star Wars trilogy focused on Luke Skywalker becoming a Jedi as a young adult, the prequel trilogy had to show Anakin at three very distinct points in his life. Star Wars: Brotherhood by Mike Chen follows newly promoted Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi after the events of Episode II: Attack of the Clones. These stories also make the Star Wars movies more enjoyable by enhancing Anakin's development. Gaps that haven't been filled in canon can be found in the Legends continuity, adding greater variety and detail to the Star Wars saga's most important character. Some stories cover gaps between the films, others reveal secrets about his life, and all of them explore his relationships with important Star Wars characters. Each new story provides an opportunity to develop Anakin's character in different ways and make his timeline more cohesive. As the central character of the Star Warssaga, Anakin Skywalker has several stories outside the movies that are just as essential to his overarching narrative.
