In Star Wars: Return of the Jedi's climactic battle, Darth Vader found redemption when he saved his son, Luke Skywalker, and killed Emperor Palpatine (a death which was controversially undone in The Rise of Skywalker after the villain returned in a cloned body).
During the movie's closing moments, we got to see Vader back in his Anakin Skywalker form as a Force Ghost. It's a moment that's raised many questions over the years, including how the former Sith Lord was able to take on that form after both Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were both trained to achieve that feat.
From a Certain Point of View is a new book celebrating the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi by elaborating on key moments and minor supporting characters to show us the 1983 movie in a new light.
Among the short stories included is "Brotherhood" by Mike Chen, a tale shedding new light on the moment Anakin first appears on Endor. As we first explained on SFFGazette.com, the story reminds readers that, as a Jedi, he always wore darker robes than his fellow Jedi Knights, something we, as an audience, know was foreshadowing his fall to the dark side.
ALSO READ: Star Wars: Lucasfilm Has FINALLY Revealed
How Yoda Remained Hidden From The Empire On Dagobah
An excerpt from the story, however, reveals a key detail most of us missed.
"Like Obi-Wan, Anakin existed in the Force wearing Jedi attire...Not the dark tunic that he wore as he fought Count Dooku or dashed stealthily into Padme's quarters. But lighter, traditional Jedi robes, the kind that so many masters of the Jedi Order wore - Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi...And of course, Obi-Wan."
So, in death, it appears Anakin finally managed to acquire the status of a Jedi Master. We're still not convinced killing the Emperor was enough to fully redeem Vader after everything he did as a Sith Lord, and it's a shame Lucasfilm hasn't better explored that redemption now he's one with the Force.
With any luck, this will change in Ahsoka, especially with Hayden Christensen now confirmed to appear in the Disney+ series. There were once plans for Anakin's conflicted Force Ghost to show up in The Force Awakens, though those were sadly dropped.
Let us know your thoughts on this revelation in the comments section.