Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith - Why Did Anakin Kill The Younglings?

Say what you want about "Revenge of the Sith," but the climactic finale is nothing but iconic and the best of the prequel trilogy. The movie features countless quintessential "Star Wars" moments, but its most infamous scene still leaves fans scratching their heads nearly 20 years later. 

Of course, we're talking about Anakin killing the younglings in the Jedi Council Chamber. While the decision to execute the youngest members of the Jedi Order may seem like overkill, Anakin had one reason for doing so: Padmé. The love of his life was destined to die during childbirth, and the Jedi-turned-Sith would stop at nothing to prevent it. 

For decades, Palpatine manipulated the young Jedi, culminating in "Revenge of the Sith," with the Emperor labeling every Jedi an enemy of the Republic. "Do not hesitate. Show no mercy," he told Anakin, saying that any weakness would prevent him from changing Padmé's destiny. The susceptible Jedi clearly took it to heart, and the younglings stood in his path for love. "Star Wars: Darth Vader #7" gave fans a better understanding of Anakin's actions against the younglings, revealing how much pain the act caused him. 

With the dark side fueled by pain and anger, each death, unfortunately, made Anakin feel stronger and closer to saving Padmé.

From the moment Qui-Gon met Anakin in the sandy dunes of Tatooine, the Jedi Order labeled him the Chosen One, setting him down a path to bring balance to the Force. He became a padawan at the age of nine when most members began their training from birth, cementing himself as the Order's star pupil. "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith" showed Anakin's tumultuous relationship with the Jedi Council, who refused to grant him the rank of master despite earning a spot among them.

With Anakin feeling excluded from the Order to which he's pledged his life, it's not a stretch to believe those emotions return when he finds the younglings in the Council Chamber. The young padawans reminded him that his nontraditional upbringing never allowed him to fit in with the Order, further fueling the rage that caused the massacre.

Following "Revenge of the Sith," Darth Vader and the Emperor's relationship was strained, with the apprentice growing to hate the Sith Lord. He failed to save Padmé, meaning his horrific actions were for nothing, using that hatred to continue growing in strength.