48 years after Star Wars began, the end of an era for Darth Vader is on the horizon. Without a doubt, Darth Vader is the most iconic Star Wars character of all time. Even those who have never seen a single Star Wars project know who Darth Vader is, identifiable by his striking design, recognizable breathing, and domineering presence. As one of Star Wars’ many Sith Lords, Vader has essentially been the face of the franchise for almost five decades, to fans and non-fans alike.

While the debate of who the best Star Wars villain is will always rage on, Vader’s recognizability speaks for itself. This has allowed the franchise to capitalize on the infamy of the character in projects it may not have otherwise, from animated shows like Star Wars Rebels to live-action projects like Ahsoka. However, as the franchise moves into a new era with its upcoming Star Wars shows and movies, the end of Darth Vader’s era could finally be here in one very key, equally exciting way.

For 48 Years, Anakin Skywalker & Darth Vader Have Been Intertwined In Star Wars

Anakin Has Never Been Able To Escape The Shadow Of Darth Vader

Firstly, it is worth exploring how Anakin Skywalker has never been a part of Star Wars without Darth Vader looming over him. Since 1977 and the release of A New Hope, then simply тιтled Star Wars, the two seemingly different characters were linked; Obi-Wan Kenobi told Luke Skywalker that the latter’s father, Anakin, was killed by Darth Vader. Three years later, one of the biggest tweets in cinema history in The Empire Strikes Back revealed that Anakin was Darth Vader, tying the two once-different characters intrinsically together.

From then on, where Darth Vader was, the tragedy of Anakin was not far behind. Similarly, where the hero Anakin Skywalker was, the looming fall to the dark side hung over him like a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly ghost. George Lucas’ prequel trilogy exemplified the latter, showing Anakin’s gradual descent into darkness before fully becoming Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Even when Anakin was only a child in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, hints at his dark future were included.

This continued in a bigger way in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones before Anakin’s eventual turn in the third movie. Be it film or TV, Star Wars could not separate Vader and Anakin. Star Wars: The Clone Wars better showcased Anakin’s dark side tendencies, while Star Wars Rebels explored the tragic consequences of Anakin becoming Vader, where Ahsoka Tano was concerned. No matter what Star Wars story it is, if Anakin is included, the shadow of Darth Vader is also ever-present, and it has been this way for 48 years, since 1977.

Ahsoka Season 2 Will Feature The First True Appearance Of Post-Vader Anakin Skywalker

We May Finally Get An Anakin Story Where He Is Just… Anakin

With that being said, the end of an era could be upon us. After the ending of Ahsoka season 1, which saw Hayden Christensen return as both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader, the future of the character became more promising than ever. This was proven not to be just the mere speculation of Star Wars fans who wish to see Christensen again in the role when it was confirmed that the actor would return in a bigger capacity as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka season 2.

Based on the final scene of season 1, it seems as though this role will come in the form of a Force Ghost in the distant galaxy of Peridea. Regardless of how Anakin returns, this appearance will mark the first time the character has been involved in a Star Wars story to a great extent post-Return of the Jedi. After all, his role in Ahsoka season 1 was limited to one episode that took place within a mystical Force realm called the World Between Worlds. As a Force Ghost, the end of Darth Vader’s era might be here, with Anakin simply being Anakin in Ahsoka season 2.

Ahsoka & Anakin Have Already Healed Their Past Wounds

Meaning Vader Is No More

If the theory that Anakin’s role in Ahsoka season 2 is as a Force Ghost guide for his former Padawan, the possibility of the story centering just on Anakin and not Darth Vader too is much bigger. The reason for this is the events of Ahsoka season 1, episode 5. This episode, set in the aforementioned World Between Worlds, saw Anakin teaching his student another lesson, that being how to live on and fight against your trauma as opposed to letting it consume you.

This came in the form of flashbacks to the timeline of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and was heavily linked to Ahsoka’s grief over the fact that Anakin turned into Darth Vader. As the episode came to an end, though, Ahsoka was reborn anew with a fresh perspective on life and her journey after healing the past wounds she had both within herself and with her old master. With the duo having overcome their fractured bond, there is no reason for Anakin’s history as Darth Vader to be raised again while he is a Force Ghost in Ahsoka season 2.

Star Wars Could Finally Give Us A True Anakin Skywalker Jedi Story

Anakin Without Vader Is A Tempting Arc For A Star Wars Story

With all of that being said, Darth Vader’s era could finally be over. In Ahsoka season 2, Star Wars could finally give us a Jedi story for Anakin Skywalker that is not darkened by his alter ego as the Sith Lord. This has already been teased by Ahsoka season 1’s ending, with Anakin’s appearance as a Force Ghost promising a strictly Jedi story for the character going forward. Star Wars Force Ghosts are the embodiment of Jedi after death, with George Lucas adding Hayden Christensen to the ending of Return of the Jedi as that best symbolizes when Anakin was last truly good.

With this same version of the Force Ghost returning in Ahsoka season 2, Anakin should continue to embody the virtuous, Jedi side of the character. As a guide to Ahsoka, this would make perfect sense. Darth Vader is gone, with Anakin having redeemed himself on the Second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. Ahsoka and Anakin have no old feuds to mend anymore, further hinting that the era of Vader is over, allowing Anakin to take center stage in the Star Wars galaxy, without the looming dread of Vader, for the first time in 48 years.