For almost the entirety of The Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker was one of the galaxy’s many heroes who fought not only for the Galactic Republic but for the sake of his loved ones. Throughout the series, audiences got to see him as “the best star pilot in the galaxy”, the “cunning warrior”, and the “good friend” that an elder Obi-Wan described him as to Luke in A New Hope.

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But, though many of Anakin’s positive traits were often on display, the show did not shy away from his darker moments, both subtle and explicit, that hinted at his future as the dreaded Sith Lord Darth Vader.

Force Choking Pogol – Maybe First Force Choke

Anakin uses Force Choke on Poggle in Clone Wars TV series

It was not until season 2 that Clone Wars showed hints of Anakin’s dark future, but when they did, it was with Vader’s signature move: the Force choke. When Anakin’s Padawan Ahsoka Tano got trapped on a ship infected by Geonosian mind-control worms, Anakin and the other Jedi attempted to get answers out of captured Separatist Poggle the Lesser, but he refused to cooperate.

As the situation worsened, Anakin returned to Poggle’s cell alone and, when his Jedi mind trick failed, he resorted to striking and then Force choking Poggle to get the answers he needed to save Ahsoka.

Increasingly Aggressive Duels with Dooku – The Sith Better Watch His Head

Anakin vs Dooku in Clone Wars movie

Given that he cut Anakin’s arm off in Attack of the Clones, it’s no surprise Anakin is more than a little pissed with Count Dooku. Throughout the series, Anakin repeatedly duelled against the Sith Lord, giving audiences several thrilling lightsaber battles to enjoy. As the years passed and the war dragged on, Anakin became more aggressive, especially in his fights with Dooku.

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A particular duel of note occurred in the season 4 episode “Crisis on Naboo” when Anakin attempted to protect Chancellor Palpatine, who watched the duel with pleasure as Anakin gave in to his anger.

Early Interactions and Agreements with Tarkin – Well, This Can’t Be Good

Anakin and Tarkin in Clone Wars TV series

Late during season 3, Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka undertake a mission to rescue fellow Jedi Master Piell and his captain, a young Tarkin; the man who would later destroy Alderaan. While Anakin and Tarkin are initially hostile towards each other, largely due to Tarkin’s ungrateful attitude, when Tarkin shares his opinion that the Jedi’s code holds them back from doing what’s necessary to win the war, Anakin agrees with him.

By the arc’s conclusion, the two men have developed a mutual respect, leaving a pit of impending dread in the audiences’ stomachs.

The Future Vision of Vader – That’s a Traumatizing Revelation

Anakin sees his future as Vader in Clone Wars TV series

What if Anakin learnt about his destiny as Vader early? “Ghosts of Mortis” looks into this idea through the Son, one of the three Force entities that inhabit the mysterious planet Mortis. The Son himself represents the Dark Side.

When Anakin confronts him, he’s shown his future as Darth Vader, forcing him to witness all the atrocities he will commit. Similar to Revenge of the Sith, this future vision coaxes Anakin to turn to the Dark Side, though only temporarily in this case, and he soon has the vision wiped from his memory. Either way, it was still agonizing watching Anakin’s anguish upon learning his tragic fate.

Confronting Zygerrian Slavers – Those Were Some Mean Cat-Like Aliens

Anakin threatens D'Nar in front of Ahsoka in Clone Wars TV series
Image via Disney+

Given his childhood spent as a slave on Tatooine, it is understandable that Anakin does not, to put it lightly, look kindly on slavers. During season 4, Zygerrian slavers capture an entire colony of Togrutas, and it’s up to Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka and the clone troopers to find and rescue them.

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You can feel Anakin’s pure hatred for the slavers, from when he crushes the slaver Darts D’Nar’s hologram to the chilling line “Zygerrian scum” that sends shivers down the spine. He even threatens the stab his lightsaber through D’Nar’s neck, much to Ahsoka’s shock.

Disarming Admiral Trench – How’s This Guy Still Alive?

Anakin threatens Trench in Clone Wars TV series

When Separatist leader Admiral Trench threatens to blow up the planet Anaxes in the season 7 episode “Unfinished Business”, Anakin corners the Admiral and demands he hand over the bomb’s deactivation codes. Trench taunts Anakin, proclaiming that his Jedi nobility keeps him from being a real threat like Dooku, only for Anakin to slice his arm off.

Anakin’s response that he doesn’t have the Jedi weakness of nobility is unnerving, especially since it’s implied this takes place mere months before the events of Revenge of the Sith.

Beating Clovis to a Pulp – Hands Off, Clovis

Anakin walks in on Clovis trying to kiss Padme in Clone Wars TV series

Anakin never had a good relationship with the treacherous Rush Clovis, in part because the guy once worked as a Separatist spy, but also because of his former romantic relationship with Padme. Suffice to say, Anakin wasn’t happy when the two had to work together for an investigation during season 6.

But, when Anakin walks in on Clovis trying to force a kiss on Padme after she explicitly said no, he becomes enraged. Without using his Jedi powers, Anakin almost beats Clovis to a pulp, with only Padme’s protests and the realization that he’s gone too far stopping him.

Obi-Wan’s Faked Death – A Cocktail of Grief and Revenge

Anakin learning Obi-Wan lied in Clone Wars TV series
Image via Disney+

During a season 4 arc, Obi-Wan fakes his death in order to go undercover and unearth a Separatist plot to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine. Anakin, however, is unaware of the plan and grieves the supposed loss of his mentor and brother.

When Anakin finally learns the truth of the situation, he’s angry at the Council for lying to him and even more angered when Obi-Wan reveals it was his choice not to tell Anakin so that his death would be more believable. After such a betrayal of trust, it’s all too easy to see why Anakin would later not confide in Obi-Wan regarding his visions of Padme’s death.

Ahsoka’s Trial and Departure – The Loss of a Padawan

Anakin watches Ahsoka leave Jedi Order in Clone Wars TV series

The trial of Ahsoka in the season 5 finale was a huge factor in Anakin losing faith in the Jedi. After she is accused of murder and expelled from the Order, Anakin is the only Jedi who does anything to find the real killer. Even after Ahsoka is proved innocent and welcomed back to the Order though, she still understandably decides to leave.

Her departure was one of the show’s most heartbreaking moments and, with her gone, Anakin lost the last Jedi friend he could fully trust.

Murdering Tal Merrik – A Cold-Blooded Killer

Anakin stabs Merrik in Clone Wars TV series

While Anakin and Obi-Wan are protecting Duchess Satine of Mandalore from assassination by the terrorist splinter group Death Watch, they uncover a traitor, Tal Merrik onboard the ship, who threatens to blow up the ship. Satine, a pacifist, could not kill Merrik and Obi-Wan, who had feelings for her, would not kill a technically unarmed man in front of her.

Anakin, however, had no such qualms and stabbed Merrik through the chest while the ‘Imperial March’ played faintly. While Anakin’s actions saved everyone’s lives, this moment showed his willingness to cross certain moral lines to do what he believes is right.

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