Star Wars: Top 5 Prequel Trilogy Characters

Before we get started, I want to clarify that I will be cheating slightly with this ranking. I will be including some characters from the Clone Wars series, which plays a pivotal role in this trilogy. I know I am giving a little more attention to this ranking, and no, that doesn't mean that I like the prequel trilogy more than the original classics. However, I really connect with some of these characters, so I am giving this list special attention.

#5: Yoda

One thing I loved about this trilogy is the amount of time we got with Master Yoda. In episode 1, we quickly realize that he wasn't always that same old hermit that we saw on Dagobah. He was very wise and patient, quick to look through different perspectives in each situation. However, it is also apparent that the Jedi began to lose their way as they got deeper involved in politics. Yoda wasn't perfect, but the Clone Wars series shows the audience that he didn't always assume the Jedi were approaching every situation correctly. He continuously meditated in the force to find answers on how to act in the war that didn't break their code. One moment in particular that plays a part in this ranking is Yoda's final conversation with Ahsoka. Ahsoka gets shut down by Mace Windu when trying to get involved in affairs with the war. However, Yoda doesn't view her any differently than he did when she was in the order. He still calls her Padawan even when she gave up that life. He sees the way of a Jedi not as a title or special privilege, but, instead, by the way someone carries themselves and looks out for the innocent, and that is precisely what she does and who she is.

#4: Darth Maul (Clone Wars)

I love that we got more of Maul! He was such an intriguing character, and I just wanted to know as much as possible about him after seeing the Phantom Menace. Besides his incredible design and epic lightsaber/fighting style, he also has a fantastic character arc. Since he never chose the life he had, you can't help but feel sympathy for him. Yes, he is evil, but it is all he has ever known. He's consumed by rage, and his desire for revenge against Sidious makes him a more dangerous foe as the show goes on. You get a sense that he longs to belong somewhere. He realizes that he was the apprentice to a mighty Sith Lord, and Kenobi took that from him. He was so fueled by anger and hate that he wanted nothing more than to kill Obi-Wan because he took that sense of belonging from him. After viewing his entire arc, I can't help but wonder what type of person he would have been if the Sith didn't discover him at such a young age. Could he possibly have become a Jedi? Maybe a bounty hunter? We will never know.

#3: Obi-Wan Kenobi

For the longest time, Obi-Wan was closer to the top of this list. After watching the Clone Wars final season and taking time for more consideration, I felt this was a comfortable spot for him. I hope you don't think that I don't love this character because I do. Apart from his bond with Anakin and epic fight scenes, he has a great, subtle sense of humor. Not to mention seeing the pain in his eyes after witnessing Anakin turn to the dark side was heartbreaking. The Jedi aren't supposed to form any personal connections because it can hinder their ability to execute their duties, but he clearly saw Anakin as a brother. His arc in the Clone Wars series also shows that he had a romantic relationship. His relationship with Duchess Satine shows us that he would have understood what Anakin was going through with Padme. Perhaps if Anakin had taken the time to seek guidance from his master in this specific area, the epic tale of "Hero turned Villain" could have been avoided.

#2: Ahsoka Tano (Clone Wars)

Be on the lookout for an overall top 10 Star Wars characters list soon because this character will likely appear VERY high on that list. It took a lot of time for Ahsoka to grow on me. When I first began the series, I never would have thought that Ahsoka and her story would have such an impact on me. When they announced they were creating a final season, I kept begging them to show us what Ahsoka was doing during order 66. For those who have watched the final season, you know that we got much more than that. We got to see what she got into after leaving the Jedi Order, her last moment with Anakin, and an ABSOLUTE EPIC confrontation between her and Darth Maul. I'm serious; watch that episode right now! It left chills down my arms when Maul tried to warn her about Anakin. After seeing everything that happened, I can't help but contemplate certain events that might have occurred if Ahsoka had reached out to Anakin before he turned to the dark. What if Ahsoka had told Yoda about what Maul told her? She had the perfect opportunity to do so! They could have stopped everything from happening, and it hurts to see how close it was to occur.

#1: Anakin Skywalker

I don't care what anyone says about Anakin in the prequels; I love this character! With his slow decline into anger and hate, we quickly realize how relatable this legendary hero is. Rules can bind us to a specific code; oaths can alter our paths, but ultimately, our inner struggles can sometimes diverge our paths. My favorite characteristic traits are tragedy, followed by redemption. Anakin/Darth Vader is the personification of that theme.

Anakin's arc in the Clone Wars series made me love him that much more. The show gave us more time to not only see his slow descent into darkness but also why his fall was so tragic. We got to see how loving of a person he was. He genuinely cared about everyone, defied orders to save innocents, and was very selfless. Watch the Morits Arc; this is all you need to see to understand better who Anakin truly was as a person, and not just a Jedi.