'''Anakin Skywalker''' (41 BBY – 4 ABY) is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' universe. He is one of the protagonists of the ''Star Wars'' story. In the prequel trilogy, Anakin is a Jedi Padawan trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi and later a Jedi Knight, and serves as the primary hero of those films. He is the father of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa.
In ''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'', after he falls to the dark side of the Force, Anakin becomes known by the Sith name ''Darth Vader''. Lured by the evil Palpatine, Anakin becomes his apprentice under this new name. In ''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' and ''Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'', Anakin (as Vader) is the central and iconic villain. Ultimately, he is a modern tragic hero, swayed to the dark side by his fear of loss, hubris and the machinations of Lord Sidious.
History
Childhood and Discovery of Anakin Skywalker
thumb|left|175px|Anakin Skywalker as a boy on Tatooine.
Anakin first appears as a selfless nine-year-old boy (played by Jake Lloyd). He and his mother are slaves in the service of Watto, a curmudgeonly Toydarian junk dealer. A child prodigy, Anakin excels at engineering. Even at this young age, he can build or repair nearly anything, evidenced by the creation of his own protocol droid, C-3PO, and podracer, each from salvaged parts. He is also a remarkable pilot with quick reflexes.
Anakin is found on Tatooine by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who is convinced that he is the Chosen One foretold by the Jedi prophecy to bring balance to the Force. His mother, Shmi, says that he has no father, and that she simply ''became'' pregnant with him. Qui-Gon discovers that Anakin has the highest known number of midi-chlorians, a measure of Force-aptitude, and theorizes that the boy is a creation of the Force itself. He attributes Anakin's piloting talent to the Force, which he thinks allows Anakin "to see things before they happen." Anakin forms a strong bond with Queen Padmé Amidala, whom Qui-Gon and his padawan apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, are guarding.
After winning Anakin's freedom, Qui-Gon brings the boy to Coruscant and requests that the Jedi Council allow him to train Anakin. This request is denied, as the Council thinks that Anakin's future is clouded by the fear and anger he exhibits from of his days as a slave and his separation from his mother. Ultimately, Anakin helps to win the final battle against the Trade Federation in the Battle of Naboo. A dying Qui-Gon, slain
