Editing Darth Vader (section)

== Appearances ==
=== Original trilogy ===
{{Main|Star Wars original trilogy}}
Vader was introduced in ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (1977) as a cyborg commander serving the Galactic Empire. He and [[Grand Moff Tarkin]] have been tasked with recovering architectural plans for the [[Death Star]] battle station, which were stolen by the Rebel Alliance. Vader captures and interrogates the Rebel leader Princess Leia, who has sent the plans to Vader's former master Obi-Wan Kenobi. During Leia's rescue by Obi-Wan's allies Luke Skywalker and [[Han Solo]], Vader strikes down his mentor in a lightsaber duel. After placing a tracking device aboard Han's ship, Vader locates the Rebel base on [[Yavin|Yavin 4]]. When the Rebels attack the Death Star, Vader pursues Luke in his [[TIE fighter]]. Before he can shoot Luke down, Han intervenes and sends Vader's ship spiraling off course, which allows Luke to destroy the Death Star.

In ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980), Vader has become obsessed with finding Luke, who is now a Rebel commander. Vader's forces assault the Rebel base on [[Hoth]], but the Rebels escape. Vader convinces [[Palpatine|the Emperor]] that Luke could be a valuable ally if he were turned to the dark side of the Force. Vader engages  [[bounty hunter]]s to follow Luke's companions, and compels the [[Bespin|Cloud City]] administrator [[Lando Calrissian]] to set a trap for them. After Han, Leia, [[Chewbacca]] and [[C-3PO]] arrive, Vader tortures and freezes Han in carbonite and gives him to the bounty hunter [[Boba Fett]]. When Luke lands on Cloud City to help his friends, Vader overpowers him and severs his hand. He tells Luke that he is his father, and tries to persuade him to join the dark side and help him overthrow the Emperor. Horrified, Luke escapes through an air shaft. Vader telepathically tells Luke that it is his destiny to join the dark side.

Vader and the Emperor supervise the construction of the second Death Star in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983). Believing there is still good in his father, Luke surrenders to Vader in an attempt to bring him back from the dark side. Vader takes his son to the Death Star and brings him before the Emperor, who attempts to seduce him to the dark side. Luke lashes out at the Emperor with his lightsaber, but Vader blocks his strike, and the two of them duel once again. As Luke regains control of his emotions, Vader senses that he has a sister, and threatens to turn her to the dark side if Luke will not submit. Enraged, Luke overpowers Vader and severs his hand. The Emperor then betrays his apprentice by ordering Luke to kill Vader and take his place, but Luke refuses.

Enraged, the Emperor begins torturing Luke with [[Force lightning]], leading to Luke begging his father to save him. Unwilling to see his son die, Vader throws the Emperor down a reactor shaft to his death, but is mortally wounded in the process. Luke carries him to a docking bay, where Imperial forces are evacuating in the face of a Rebel assault. At Vader's request, Luke removes his father's mask and looks upon the face of Anakin Skywalker for the first time. The redeemed Anakin Skywalker encourages him to go and tells him that he has saved him, before peacefully dying. On Endor, Luke burns his father's body on a funeral pyre. As the Rebels celebrate the destruction of the Death Star and the fall of the Empire, Luke sees Anakin's spirit appear alongside the spirits of Obi-Wan and [[Yoda]].

=== Prequel trilogy ===
{{Main|Star Wars prequel trilogy}}
The first film of the prequel trilogy, ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]'' (1999), takes place 32 years before ''Star Wars''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Star Wars Timeline: Every Movie, Series And More |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/ |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Empire |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323122442/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Anakin is a nine-year-old slave living on Tatooine with his mother [[Shmi Skywalker|Shmi]].<ref name="gamesradar">{{cite web |last=Houghton |first=David |date=May 4, 2016 |title=George Lucas nearly wrote a perfect prequel trilogy. He just didn't notice |url=https://gamesradar.com/george-lucas-nearly-wrote-perfect-prequel-trilogy-he-just-didnt-seem-notice/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331115418/http://www.gamesradar.com/george-lucas-nearly-wrote-perfect-prequel-trilogy-he-just-didnt-seem-notice/ |archive-date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2017 |website=Gamesradar}}</ref> He is a gifted pilot and mechanic, and has built his own protocol droid, [[C-3PO]]. Anakin Skywalker claimed that he had built C-3PO himself, although later Star Wars lore made clear that C-3PO had already existed and just fallen into disrepair until Anakin reconstructed him with new parts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Elle |date=2019-08-29 |title=The Entire C-3PO And R2-D2 Story Finally Explained |url=https://www.looper.com/164303/the-entire-c-3po-and-r2-d2-story-finally-explained/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Looper |language=en-US}}</ref> The Jedi Master [[Qui-Gon Jinn]] meets Anakin after making an emergency landing on Tatooine with Padmé Amidala, the queen of [[Naboo]]. Qui-Gon learns that Anakin was conceived without a father and can see the future. He becomes convinced that Anakin is the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy who will bring balance to the Force. After winning his freedom in a [[podrace]] wager, Anakin departs the planet with Qui-Gon to be trained as a Jedi, leaving his mother behind.

During the journey to [[Coruscant]], Anakin forms a bond with Padmé. Qui-Gon asks the [[Jedi Council]] for permission to train Anakin, but they refuse, concerned that the fear he exhibits makes him vulnerable to the dark side. During a conflict with the [[Trade Federation]], Anakin helps end the blockade of Naboo by destroying a control ship. Qui-Gon is mortally wounded in a duel with the Sith Lord [[Darth Maul]], and with his dying breath asks his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi to train Anakin. With the council's reluctant approval, Anakin becomes Obi-Wan's apprentice. Palpatine, the newly elected Chancellor of the [[Galactic Republic]], takes an interest in Anakin and his career as a Jedi.

''[[Episode II: Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) is set ten years after ''The Phantom Menace''.<ref name=":1" /> Anakin has grown powerful but arrogant, and believes that Obi-Wan is holding him back. After rescuing Padmé from an assassination attempt, he travels with her to Naboo as her bodyguard. They begin to fall in love, despite a Jedi Code prohibition against romantic relationships. Sensing that his mother is in danger, Anakin travels with Padmé to Tatooine and  finds that she was kidnapped by [[Tusken Raiders]]. He locates her at a Tusken campsite, where she dies in his arms. Overcome with grief and rage, Anakin massacres the Tusken tribe. Padmé is disturbed by what he has done, but comforts him nevertheless. Anakin and Padmé then go to [[Geonosis]] to aid {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}}, only to be captured by the Sith Lord [[Count Dooku]]. Facing execution, Anakin and Padmé profess their love for each other. They are saved from death by an army of Jedi and [[clone trooper]]s, led by the Jedi Masters [[Mace Windu]] and Yoda. Anakin and {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} then confront Dooku, but he defeats them both and severs Anakin's arm. After being rescued by Yoda, Anakin is fitted with a robotic arm and marries Padmé in a secret ceremony.[[File:Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker.jpg|239px|thumb|right|A wax sculpture of Anakin Skywalker at the [[Madame Tussauds]] museum in London]]''[[Episode III: Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005) is set three years after ''Attack of the Clones''.<ref name=":1" /> Anakin, who is now a Jedi Knight and a hero of the [[Clone Wars (Star Wars)|Clone Wars]], leads a mission with {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from the Separatist commander [[General Grievous]]. The two Jedi again battle Count Dooku, whom Anakin overpowers and then slaughters at Palpatine's urging. Anakin returns to Coruscant to reunite with Padmé, who tells him she is pregnant. Although initially excited, Anakin soon begins to have nightmares about his wife dying in childbirth.

Palpatine appoints Anakin to the Jedi Council as his personal representative, but the council is suspicious of the Chancellor. They decline to grant Anakin the rank of Jedi Master and instruct him to spy on Palpatine, which upsets Anakin. Later, Palpatine reveals to Anakin that he is the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, the mastermind of the Clone Wars. He suggests that Anakin can prevent Padmé's death by using the dark side of the Force. Anakin reports Sidious' treachery to Windu, who confronts and subdues the Sith Lord. Desperate to save Padmé, Anakin betrays Windu by cutting off his hand, which allows the Sith Lord to kill him. Anakin then betrays the Jedi by pledging himself to the Sith, and Sidious appoints him Darth Vader. 

On Sidious' orders, Vader slaughters all the Jedi in the Jedi Temple, including the younglings. After learning what her husband has done, a distraught Padmé travels to [[Mustafar]] and pleads with him to abandon the dark side, but he refuses. Believing that Padmé and {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} are conspiring against him, Vader uses the Force to strangle his wife into unconsciousness. He then engages {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} in a lightsaber duel that ends with {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} severing his limbs and leaving him for dead on the banks of a lava flow, where he catches fire and sustains severe burns. Sidious finds the barely-alive Vader and takes him to Coruscant, where his mutilated body is covered in black armor that keeps him alive. When Vader asks if Padmé is safe, Sidious lies to him and says that his strangulation killed her, which causes Vader to scream in anguish. At the end of the film, Vader supervises the construction of the first Death Star alongside Sidious and Tarkin.

=== ''The Rise of Skywalker'' ===
Anakin's voice is heard briefly in the third film of the sequel trilogy, ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|The Rise of Skywalker]]'' (2019), set 31 years after the events of ''Return of the Jedi''. During Rey's confrontation with the resurrected Darth Sidious, she hears the voices of various deceased Jedi, including Anakin. He encourages her to return balance to the Force like he once did.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breznican |first1=Anthony |last2=Robinson |first2=Joanna |title=25 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cameos You Might Have Missed |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |location=New York City |access-date=January 7, 2020 |date=December 20, 2019 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234554/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |title=How Palpatine Returned In 'The Rise of Skywalker' |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a30298776/palpatine-return-alive-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-9-explained/ |website=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines]] |location=New York City |access-date=January 7, 2020 |date=December 21, 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225110910/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a30298776/palpatine-return-alive-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-9-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''The Clone Wars'' (film) ===
In the 2008 animated film ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|The Clone Wars]]'', set shortly after the events of ''Attack of the Clones'', Yoda assigns Anakin an apprentice, [[Ahsoka Tano]]. Anakin is at first reluctant to accept this responsibility. He calls Ahsoka "Snips" for her "snippy" attitude, while Ahsoka refers to him as "Skyguy".<ref name="Databank">{{cite web |title=Anakin Skywalker |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/anakin-skywalker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620105740/https://www.starwars.com/databank/anakin-skywalker |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |website=StarWars.com}}</ref> After earning Anakin's respect during a dangerous mission, Ahsoka joins him on a quest to rescue [[Jabba the Hutt]]'s infant son, Rotta. Her impetuousness both annoys and endears her to Anakin, and he develops a friendly affection towards her.

=== ''Rogue One'' ===
In the standalone film ''[[Rogue One]]'' (2016), set immediately before the events of ''A New Hope'', Vader summons the weapons developer [[Orson Krennic]] to his castle on Mustafar. He confronts him about his handling of the Death Star project and the destruction of Jedha City. When Krennic asks Vader for an audience with the Emperor, Vader refuses.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Agar|first=Chris|date=December 16, 2016|title=Star Wars: Darth Vader's Rogue One Role Explained|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rogue-one-darth-vader-role-explained/|access-date=|website=[[Screen Rant]]|language=en-US|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104231728/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rogue-one-darth-vader-role-explained/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the film, Vader boards a Rebel flagship and kills several Rebel soldiers as he tries to recover the stolen Death Star plans. Vader's role in the film was different in early versions of the story. In [[Gary Whitta]]'s original [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitch]], the Sith Lord appeared on [[Scarif]] and slaughtered a Rebel blockade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaefer |first=Sandy |date=2020-01-23 |title=Rogue One Writer Reveals New Details About Cut Darth Vader Scene |url=https://screenrant.com/rogue-one-darth-vader-deleted-scene/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609045536/https://screenrant.com/rogue-one-darth-vader-deleted-scene/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In another early storyline, Vader killed Krennic for his failure to prevent the Rebels from stealing the Death Star schematics.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=March 21, 2017 |title='Rogue One' Almost Featured a Bonus Scene With Darth Vader — Killing a Major Character |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/03/21/rogue-almost-got-more-vader-killing-a-major-character/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113024456/https://ew.com/movies/2017/03/21/rogue-almost-got-more-vader-killing-a-major-character/ |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |access-date= |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

=== Television series ===
==== ''The Clone Wars'' ====
Anakin is featured in all seasons of ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|The Clone Wars]]'' (2008–2014, 2020), set between the events of ''Attack of the Clones'' and ''Revenge of the Sith''. As a Jedi Knight, he leads the [[501st Legion (Star Wars)|501st Legion]] on missions with both his master Obi-Wan and his apprentice Ahsoka. Some of Anakin's actions taken out of concern for Ahsoka violate the Jedi code, such as torturing prisoners who may know her location.<ref name="io9netflix">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/how-clone-wars-ahsoka-tano-made-the-star-wars-franchis-1537984315|title=Why Ahsoka Tano Is the Best Thing to Happen to Star Wars in 20 Years|last=Davis|first=Lauren|date=December 16, 2015|website=[[Gizmodo]]|access-date=December 3, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204161753/https://gizmodo.com/how-clone-wars-ahsoka-tano-made-the-star-wars-franchis-1537984315|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the series there are references to Anakin's eventual fall to the dark side, including visions of his future as Vader and his disillusionment with the Jedi Council after they wrongly accuse Ahsoka of bombing the Jedi Temple. While Ahsoka is later forgiven after the true culprit is found, she nonetheless chooses to leave the Jedi Order.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/02/this-week-in-the-clone-wars-anakin-meets-darth-vader/|title=This Week in The Clone Wars: Anakin Meets Darth Vader|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=February 11, 2011|access-date=November 20, 2016|archive-date=November 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120213351/https://www.wired.com/2011/02/this-week-in-the-clone-wars-anakin-meets-darth-vader/|url-status=live}}</ref> Dooku's death at Anakin's hands during ''Revenge of the Sith'' is references by Obi Wan. Anakin appears as Vader in the final scene of [[Victory and Death|the series finale]], which occurs after ''Revenge of the Sith''. He investigates the crash site of a ''Venator''-class Star Destroyer, which was demolished during [[Order 66 (Star Wars)|Order 66]]. Finding one of Ahsoka's lightsabers among the wreckage, he assumes that his former Padawan has perished.

==== ''Star Wars Rebels'' ====
Vader appears in the animated series ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' (2014–2018), which takes place fourteen years after the conclusion of ''The Clone Wars''.<ref name=":1" /> The Sith Lord makes minor appearances throughout the first season, and plays a larger role in the second season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fowler |first=Matt |date=October 2, 2014 |title=Everything You Need To Know About Star Wars Rebels |url=https://ign.com/articles/2014/10/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-star-wars-rebels |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919164549/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-star-wars-rebels |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher= |location=San Francisco, California}}</ref> At the beginning of the series, he leads a squad of Force-sensitive [[Imperial Inquisitor]]s who kill Jedi and {{No wrap|Force-sensitive}} children. He dispatches [[Grand Inquisitor (Star Wars)|the Grand Inquisitor]] to hunt a Rebel cell on [[Lothal (Star Wars)|Lothal]], and later arrives personally to deal with the Rebel threat after the Inquisitor is killed.

In the second-season premiere, Vader orchestrates the murder of Imperial Minister Maketh Tua, who tried to defect to the Rebellion, and confronts the two Jedi [[Kanan Jarrus]] and [[Ezra Bridger]]. When Vader attacks the fleet of the Phoenix Squadron, he discovers that Ahsoka is still alive and has joined the Rebel Alliance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keane |first=Sean |title=Star Wars Rebels Season 2 premiere Recap: The 'Siege of Lothal' begins as a Sith Lord tightens his grip |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/channel-surfer/star-wars-rebels-season-2-premiere-recap-siege-lothal-blog-entry-1.2264260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616103938/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/channel-surfer/star-wars-rebels-season-2-premiere-recap-siege-lothal-blog-entry-1.2264260 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> She is overwhelmed when she recognizes Anakin under a "layer of hate". The Emperor then orders Vader to send another Inquisitor to capture her.<ref name="fatesfulfilled1">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/dave-filoni-interview-star-wars-rebels-season-two-part-1|title=Fates Fulfilled: Dave Filoni Reflects on Star Wars Rebels Season Two, Part 1|last=Brooks|first=Dan|date=August 30, 2016|publisher=StarWars.com|access-date=November 20, 2016|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204191422/https://www.starwars.com/news/dave-filoni-interview-star-wars-rebels-season-two-part-1|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the season, Ahsoka has a vision in which Anakin blames her for his fall to the dark side. In the season finale, Ahsoka duels with Vader inside a Sith Temple. As the episode concludes, Vader emerges from the ruins of the temple, while Ahsoka's fate is left unknown.

==== ''Forces of Destiny'' ====
Anakin appears in multiple episodes of the animated web series ''[[Star Wars Forces of Destiny|Forces of Destiny]]'' (2017–2018).<ref name="Breznican">{{cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=April 13, 2017 |title=Star Wars'' highlights female heroes in ''Forces of Destiny |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/13/star-wars-female-heroes-forces-of-destiny-stories/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703093434/http://ew.com/movies/2017/04/13/star-wars-female-heroes-forces-of-destiny-stories/ |archive-date=July 3, 2018 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |location=New York City}}</ref>

==== ''Obi-Wan Kenobi'' ====
Hayden Christensen portrays both Anakin and Vader in the 2022 miniseries ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]],'' set a decade after ''Revenge of the Sith'' and 9 years before ''A New Hope''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 10, 2020 |title='Obi-Wan' Disney+ Series: Hayden Christensen Returning As Darth Vader |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/obi-wan-disney-series-hayden-christensen-returning-as-darth-vader-1234654326/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210231956/https://deadline.com/2020/12/obi-wan-disney-series-hayden-christensen-returning-as-darth-vader-1234654326/ |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The series reveals that for a decade after their duel on Mustafar, Obi-Wan believed his fallen apprentice to be dead. While attempting to draw {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} out of hiding, the Imperial Inquisitor [[Reva Sevander]] tells him that Anakin is still alive.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Drew |title='Obi-Wan Kenobi' Episodes 1 and 2 Recap: Unexpected Characters and Brand New Worlds |url=https://www.thewrap.com/obi-wan-kenobi-episode-1-episode-2-recap-review/ |website=www.thewrap.com |date=May 27, 2022 |publisher=The Wrap |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527150151/https://www.thewrap.com/obi-wan-kenobi-episode-1-episode-2-recap-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Vader begins hunting {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}}, which eventually leads them to duel again. Although Vader initially overpowers his former master, {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} recovers his strength and wounds Vader multiple times. He slashes open Vader's helmet to partially reveal his face, then leaves him, weakened and wheezing. Flashback sequences in the series depict Anakin training under {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} in the years preceding the Clone Wars, as well as a newly minted Vader carrying out the massacre at the Jedi Temple.

==== ''Ahsoka''====
Hayden Christensen portrays Anakin in ''Ahsoka'' (2023), which takes place after the original trilogy. Anakin appears in spirit-form to his former apprentice Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds, an ethereal realm that exists outside of time and space.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Devan|last=Coggan|url=https://ew.com/tv/ahsoka-episode-4-major-character-returns/|title=Ahsoka sees the return of a major Star Wars character|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=January 5, 2024|archive-date=September 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906074441/https://ew.com/tv/ahsoka-episode-4-major-character-returns/|url-status=live}}</ref> He leads her through visions of their shared past together, including her training, their battles during the Clone Wars, her departure from the Jedi Order and his fall to the dark side.<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Walsh|url=https://nerdist.com/article/what-happened-with-anakin-and-ahsoka-in-the-star-wars-series-world-between-worlds-sequence-cameo-flashbacks-purpose-explained/|title=What Happened Between Anakin and Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds|website=[[Nerdist]]|date=September 13, 2023|access-date=January 6, 2024|archive-date=January 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106080722/https://nerdist.com/article/what-happened-with-anakin-and-ahsoka-in-the-star-wars-series-world-between-worlds-sequence-cameo-flashbacks-purpose-explained/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Industrial Light and Magic]] used "[[de-aging]]" technology to make the 42-year-old Christensen appear younger.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |date=October 22, 2023 |title=Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker De-Aging Explained By VFX Artists |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-hayden-christensen-ahsoka-return-de-aging-explained/ |access-date=January 6, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>

=== Video games ===
Vader is featured in the three-episode virtual reality game series ''[[Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series|Vader Immortal]]'', which is set between ''Revenge of the Sith'' and ''Rogue One''. The first episode became available with the launch of the [[Oculus Quest]] virtual reality headset in May 2019, while the last was released in November of the same year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=July 17, 2016 |title=A Star Wars film based on Darth Vader is on the way |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-darth-vader-vr-film-david-s-goyer-spin-off-a7141201.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041837/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-darth-vader-vr-film-david-s-goyer-spin-off-a7141201.html |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kris |first=Holt |date=April 12, 2019 |title='Star Wars' VR game 'Vader Immortal' teases story details in trailer |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/04/12/star-wars-vader-immortal-trailer-vr-oculus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428021107/https://www.engadget.com/2019/04/12/star-wars-vader-immortal-trailer-vr-oculus/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 21, 2019 |title=Vader Immortal: Episode III |url=https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2426206484098337/?locale=en_US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304081717/https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2426206484098337/?locale=en_US |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |access-date=January 7, 2020 |publisher=Oculus.com}}</ref> The series was later released for the [[Oculus Rift]]. In August 2020, all three episodes were released for [[PlayStation VR]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=James |date=August 25, 2020 |title=Vader Immortal, a former Oculus exclusive, is available now on PlayStation VR |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/25/21400887/vader-immortal-playstation-vr-available-price |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829041819/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/25/21400887/vader-immortal-playstation-vr-available-price |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |access-date=September 1, 2020 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

Vader makes a brief appearance at the end of ''[[Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order|Jedi: Fallen Order]]'' (2019). He kills the Second Sister for her failure to secure a Jedi Holocron that could lead the Empire to a number of Force-sensitive children. He then attempts to personally take the Holocron from [[Cal Kestis]], who barely manages to escape. Vader returns as a boss in the sequel, ''[[Star Wars Jedi: Survivor|Jedi: Survivor]]'' (2023), where he leads an Imperial assault on a Jedi hideout on the planet [[Jedha]]. He duels Cere Junda, whom he manages to slay after a prolonged battle.

Both Vader and Anakin are playable characters in every [[Lego Star Wars video games|Lego ''Star Wars'' video game]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andress |first=Joseph |date=2021-03-16 |title=Every Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Playable Character Revealed So Far |url=https://gamerant.com/every-lego-star-wars-skywalker-saga-playable-character-revealed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212230223/https://gamerant.com/every-lego-star-wars-skywalker-saga-playable-character-revealed/ |archive-date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> Vader is a playable character and a boss in ''[[Disney Infinity 3.0]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Andy |date=May 8, 2015 |title=Everything We Know About 'Disney Infinity 3.0' 'Star Wars' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2015/05/08/disney-infinity-3-0-star-wars-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311133223/http://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2015/05/08/disney-infinity-3-0-star-wars-2/ |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2015 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> and can be unlocked as a playable character for a limited time in ''[[Disney Magic Kingdoms]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 16, 2021 |title=Update 49: STAR WARS™ Episode IV: A New Hope {{!}} Livestream |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmCOhTKOqoI&ab_channel=DisneyMagicKingdoms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017122908/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmCOhTKOqoI&ab_channel=DisneyMagicKingdoms |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> A bird version of Vader appears as a playable character and a boss in ''[[Angry Birds Star Wars]]'' and [[Angry Birds Star Wars II|its sequel]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-07|title=[Update] The ultimate guide to Angry Birds Star Wars II – walkthroughs, achievements, items|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/angry-birds-star-wars-ii/update-the-ultimate-guide-to-angry-birds-star-wars-ii-walkthroughs-achievements-/|access-date=2022-06-17|website=PocketGamer|language=en-US|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617160104/https://www.pocketgamer.com/angry-birds-star-wars-ii/update-the-ultimate-guide-to-angry-birds-star-wars-ii-walkthroughs-achievements-/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Darth Vader was added to ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]'' in 2022 as both a cosmetic outfit, part of the Chapter 3 Season 3 [[Battle Pass]], and as a non-playable character (NPC);<ref>{{cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Jason |date=June 5, 2022 |title= Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 3 Battle Pass: Darth Vader, Indiana Jones, And More |url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-chapter-3-season-3-battle-pass-darth-vader-indiana-jones-and-more/1100-6504144/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |title= Fortnite Battle Royale v21.10 Update: Darth Vader's Lightsaber, Super Level Styles, Looking for Party, and More |url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-chapter-3-season-3-battle-pass-darth-vader-indiana-jones-and-more/1100-6504144/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[Fortnite]]}}</ref> On May 16, 2025, as part of the ''Star Wars: Galactic Battle'' season of ''Fortnite'', the Darth Vader NPC returned, with the added feature of allowing players to converse with the character, accomplished via [[generative AI]] modeled after James Earl Jones' voice.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 16, 2025 |last=Weripn |first=Alex |title= Disney, Epic Games Using AI to Bring James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader Voice to ‘Fortnite’ |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ai-james-earl-jones-darth-vader-voice-fortnite-1236219105/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Additionally, an Anakin Skywalker outfit was added in 2023, and a Samurai Darth Vader outfit was added in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 27, 2023 |last=Moore |first=Logan |title= Fortnite Reveals New Star Wars Crossover With Anakin Skywalker |url= https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/fortnite-star-wars-anakin-shop-skin/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 25, 2024 |last=Reeves |first=Brianna |title= Fortnite players annoyed by one missing Darth Vader Samurai detail |url= https://www.dexerto.com/fortnite/fortnite-darth-vader-samurai-katana-detail-missing-3015735/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[Dexerto]]}}</ref> 

=== Novels ===
''[[Star Wars: Lords of the Sith]]'' was one of four canon novels released between 2014 and 2015.<ref name="SW Adult">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |title=Disney and Random House announce relaunch of ''Star Wars'' Adult Fiction line |publisher=StarWars.com |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514073722/http://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |url-status=live }}</ref> In it, Vader and Palpatine find themselves hunted by revolutionaries on the planet [[Ryloth]].<ref name="NYDN">{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/review-star-wars-lords-sith-blog-entry-1.2201665 |title=REVIEW: ''Star Wars: Lords of the Sith'' throws Darth Vader and the Emperor onto the battlefield |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |location=New York City |first=Sean |last=Keane |date=April 28, 2015 |access-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808160504/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/review-star-wars-lords-sith-blog-entry-1.2201665 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/05/09/star-wars-lords-of-the-sith-review |title=''Star Wars: Lords of the Sith'' Review |first=Eric |last=Goldman |date=May 9, 2015 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[j2 Global]] |location=Los Angeles, California |access-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606044616/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/09/star-wars-lords-of-the-sith-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Comics ===
The 25-issue Marvel comic series ''Darth Vader'' (2015–2016) focuses on the Sith Lord in the aftermath of the Death Star's destruction, as well as his life after learning about his son's existence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darth Vader (2015–2016) |url=http://marvel.com/comics/series/19379/darth_vader_2015_-_present |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220170214/http://marvel.com/comics/series/19379/darth_vader_2015_-_present |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |publisher=Marvel}}</ref><ref name=Schedeen>{{cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/06/03/star-wars-delivers-huge-change-for-han-solo |title=Star Wars Delivers Huge Change for Han Solo |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=June 3, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412175109/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/03/star-wars-delivers-huge-change-for-han-solo |url-status=live }}</ref> The series takes place parallel to the 2015 series [[Star Wars (2015 comic book)|''Star Wars'']], in which Vader and Luke meet; the two series have a [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] titled ''Vader Down''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Luke Skywalker Comes Face to Face with Darth Vader in Marvel's Star Wars #75 – Exclusive |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-75-exclusive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726001503/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-75-exclusive |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |access-date=July 6, 2020 |website=StarWars.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jesse|last=Schedeen|url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/11/17/star-wars-vader-down-1-review|title=Star Wars: Vader Down #1 Review|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[j2 Global]]|location=San Francisco, California|date=November 17, 2015|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712124144/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/17/star-wars-vader-down-1-review|url-status=live}}</ref> A continuation series set between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'' debuted in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last=Celestino|first=Mike|date=February 5, 2020|title=Comic Review – "Star Wars: Darth Vader" (2020) #1|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/02/05/comic-review-star-wars-darth-vader-2020-1/|access-date=February 29, 2020|website=Laughing Place|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229082019/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/02/05/comic-review-star-wars-darth-vader-2020-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first few issues focus on Vader exacting revenge on those who concealed Luke; he also visits Padmé's tomb on Naboo and encounters her handmaidens.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 5, 2020|title=The Sith Lord's Quest Leads to Padmé's Tomb in Darth Vader #4 – Exclusive|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/darth-vader-4-preview|access-date=August 13, 2020|website=StarWars.com|language=en-US|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816063554/https://www.starwars.com/news/darth-vader-4-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> A subsequent story arc depicts Vader being tested by the Emperor.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McGuire|first=Liam|date=2021-08-25|title=Star Wars: Darth Vader's Sith Assassin Was His Deadliest Sidekick|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-vader-ochi-bestoon-rise-skywalker-sidekick/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104053214/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-vader-ochi-bestoon-rise-skywalker-sidekick/}}</ref> The five-issue series ''Obi-Wan & Anakin'' (2016) depicts the lives of the two Jedi between ''The Phantom Menace'' and ''Attack of the Clones''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Dan|date=October 12, 2015|title=Obi-Wan & Anakin Interview with Charles Soule|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/nycc-2015-exploring-the-uncharted-in-marvels-obi-wan-and-anakin-an-interview-with-charles-soule|access-date=November 20, 2016|website=StarWars.com|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730060741/http://www.starwars.com/news/nycc-2015-exploring-the-uncharted-in-marvels-obi-wan-and-anakin-an-interview-with-charles-soule|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 2017 and 2018, Charles Soule wrote a prequel-era series, also called ''Darth Vader'' (sometimes subtitled ''Dark Lord of the Sith''). It begins immediately after Vader wakes up in his armor at the end of ''Revenge of the Sith'' and explores his emotional transformation upon learning of Padmé's death, his adjustment to his mechanical suit, how he creates his red-bladed lightsaber, and his hunting of Jedi in the Inquisitor program.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Brooks|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/in-marvels-new-darth-vader-series-we-will-see-the-sith-lords-rise-the-construction-of-his-lightsaber-and-more|title=In Marvel's New Darth Vader Series, We Will See the Sith Lord's Rise, the Construction of His Lightsaber, and More|website=StarWars.com|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110225013/http://www.starwars.com/news/in-marvels-new-darth-vader-series-we-will-see-the-sith-lords-rise-the-construction-of-his-lightsaber-and-more|url-status=live}}</ref> Its final arc, which depicts the construction of Vader's fortress on Mustafar, implies that Palpatine used the Force to conceive Anakin ''[[Uterus|in utero]]'',<ref name="father2">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/darth-vaders-father-revealed/|title=Does a New 'Star Wars' Comic Book Reveal Darth Vader's Father?|last=Young|first=Bryan|date=December 28, 2018|website=/Film|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108000800/https://www.slashfilm.com/darth-vaders-father-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> as some had theorized that ''Revenge of the Sith'' indicates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2018/12/20/star-wars-comic-anakin-father/|title=Star Wars comic finally reveals Anakin's father|last=Gunn|first=Callum|year=2019|website=Dork Side of the Force|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411164748/https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2018/12/20/star-wars-comic-anakin-father/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|In the film, Palpatine tells Anakin about [[Darth Plagueis]] the Wise, "a Dark Lord of the Sith so powerful and so wise, he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life." This was preceded by the rough draft of ''Revenge of the Sith'', in which Palpatine tells Anakin upon his fall to the dark side, "I arranged for your conception. I used the power of the Force to will the midi-chlorians to start the cell divisions that created you. ... You could almost think of me as your father."<ref name=father2 /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Jordan |date=2023-02-23 |title=Revenge of the Sith Almost Had a Very Different 'I Am Your Father' Reveal |url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-revenge-of-the-sith-palpatine-anakin-father/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621141043/https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-revenge-of-the-sith-palpatine-anakin-father/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} A Lucasfilm story group member later clarified that "This is all in Anakin's head".<ref name="notreally" />{{efn|Soule elaborated that "The Dark Side is not a reliable narrator."<ref name=notreally>{{Cite web|last=Lovett|first=Jamie|date=November 14, 2020|title=Star Wars: Original Prequel Plans Confirm Fan Theory About Anakin's Father|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-palaptine-anakins-father-george-lucas/|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115153626/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-palaptine-anakins-father-george-lucas/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

A five-issue limited series titled ''Vader: Dark Visions'', was released in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions (2019) #1 {{!}} Comic Issues|url=https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/76077/star_wars_vader_-_dark_visions_2019_1|access-date=January 17, 2021|website=Marvel Entertainment|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122082252/https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/76077/star_wars_vader_-_dark_visions_2019_1|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Vader Down'' writer [[Jason Aaron]] wrote part of the miniseries ''Darth Vader: Black, White & Red'', an extension of a Marvel event highlighting fan-favorite characters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baver |first=Kristin |date=2023-01-12 |title=Marvel's Star Wars: Darth Vader – Black, White & Red Revealed |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/marvel-star-wars-darth-vader-black-white-red-reveal |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113074956/https://www.starwars.com/news/marvel-star-wars-darth-vader-black-white-red-reveal |url-status=live }}</ref>