25 most heartbreaking Star Wars character deaths of all-time

Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker

For fans who believe that Darth Vader and Anakin should be regarded as separate entities, it would be accurate to assume that Darth Vader’s death was one to rejoice. But Anakin’s death, which followed quickly after was certainly one of deep sorrow.

Arguably, the first two trilogies of the Star Wars franchise is an Anakin Skywalker redemption story. While Vader’s Death is officially marked by Anakin choosing to save his son from the Sith Lord Palpatine –and, in doing so, putting his own life on death’s door –Anakin’s old self coming back to life marks the end of the Jedi’s long, six-film story.

While Anakin and Luke share a tearful moment between father and son, Anakin remarking on how much Luke reminds him of Padme, Luke also refuses to make the moment any harder for audiences to bear by refusing to abandon his father on a soon-to-explode Death Star.

Luke eventually burns his father’s remains, along with Vader’s helmet in the forest of Endor. But, what makes this death heartbreaking –in a good way– is that Anakin’s redeemed ghost appears to Luke, along with his old friends Obi-Wan and Yoda. We’re not ashamed to admit that this is where we broke down with uncontrollable tears.