Summary
Star Warshas revealed thatAnakin Skywalker’s lightsaber may not have been as original as it once seemed. Lightsabers are instantly recognizable as a core part of the galaxy far, far away, and are more iconicallyStar Warsthan arguably anything else. More than any other, however, theblue-bladed lightsaberthat Luke wields in the original trilogy, Rey wields in the sequels, and Anakin wields inStar Wars: Episode III -Revenge of the Sithis the most iconic lightsaber of all time.
In 2021, though, Lucasfilm began to explore more of the recent historical past of the Jedi order withTheHigh Republicbook & comic series. TheHigh Republic eratakes place 500-100 years beforeStar Wars: Episode I -The Phantom Menace, and stories in it likeThe Acolyteexplore the Jedi Order’s descent into what audiences see them as in the prequels. It’s also revealed a lot of Jedi history, includingone detail that retcons the origin of Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber.
All 20 Lightsaber Types In Star Wars Canon Explained
The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi and the Sith – but there have actually been many different types in Star Wars canon.
One High Republic Jedi Lightsaber Looked A Lot Like Anakin’s
Jedi Master Elzar Mann
In the comic issueStar Wars(2020) #20 by Charles Soule and Marco Castiello, Luke Skywalker, wielding his father’s lightsaber, visits the planet Gazian. There, he falls intoa Force vergencecomprised of a gigantic, sentient sea of fungi, where he can speak to the Jedi of old whose personalities are imprinted there from their own visits. In the Living Sea, Luke speaks to High Republic Jedi Elzar Mann and learns a lot about the history of the Force and Jedi.
This discussion on Gazian is the first time Luke Skywalker learns about the mysterious Darth Bane.
During this time of teaching, he uses the Force to grab and look at Luke’s lightsaber.Elzar remarks that Anakin’s lightsaber looks a lot like his, and this is absolutely true. Both have silver hilts, black line grips, blue blades, and an asymmetrical emitter that is longer on one side than the other. Anakin’s lightsaber looked very much like Elzar’s, despite the two being made centuries apart. Thislightsaber designsimilarity, however, isn’t actually an inconsistency; it’s a detail that could actually add some interesting character and world development.
Elzar Mann Was Basically The Anakin Skywalker Of The High Republic
Romantically Involved Jedi With Anger Issues
Elzar Mann is basically the Anakin Skywalker of the High Republic era. In fact, this seems intentional by the writers of the books, as Elzar’s situations appear to be directly commenting on how the Jedi Order of the prequels failed Anakin, while the Jedi Order of the High Republic didn’t quite fail Master Elzar. Considering the two’s similarities, and the fact that they absolutely would have designed their lightsabers withthe ancient droid Huyang, this may have something to say about how lightsaber designs reflect their user.
Both of these Jedi built practical lightsabers with simple parts, made to be easily wielded and fought with. Both of these Jedi struggled with their dark sides, and with their romantic attachments. Then, they both built the same kind of lightsaber.This could absolutely suggest that people with certain personalities could be more inclined towards certain lightsaber designs, especially considering howAhsokarevealed that Huyang has every lightsaber ever made in his databanks. Anakin could very well have designed his lightsaber based on a historical Jedi he related to, Elzar Mann.
All 13 Force Powers Anakin Skywalker Possesses (In Canon & Legends)
Anakin Skywalker is one of the most powerful Force users in Star Wars, using a variety of Force powers in the canon and Legends continuities.
Combat Lightsabers And The Jedi Guardian Protocols Explained
The Jedi Order’s Shift To Battle Sabers
This development is even supported by one specific event, first seen inThe High Republic’sShadows of Starlightcomic miniseries, called the Guardian Protocols. The Guardian Protocols were defensive practices instituted during a time of immense strife for the Jedi as they were targeted by the viciousNihil raiders, and one of the protocols was the switch to “battle sabers” as opposed to the more ornate lightsabers of the early High Republic era. This allowed for more effective combat with the saber, and less of a time investment in their creation.
These battle sabers are simple, sleek, and mostly silver and black– just like Anakin and Elzar’s. This means that this type of lightsaber design is absolutely designed for simplicity and combat, something Anakin and Elzar were both inclined towards personality-wise. Explicitly stated or not, it’s fascinating to know that Anakin’s lightsaber, like the rest, wasn’t specifically unique, and has a deep history within the Jedi Order andStar Warspublishing alike.
