I’ve only seen the prequels once each, and I wish I hadn’t. I wish I could erase my memory of those films because they ruin certain parts of Star Wars for me.
Why? The OT existed for a long time before the prequels ever came out. The films resonated with people and they filled in the blanks with their own ideas, whatever impression was left upon them.
Obi-Wan told us that Anakin was the best pilot in the galaxy, a cunning warrior, and a good friend. Especially considering the way the OT was told through Luke’s perspective and his relationship with his dad, I always envisioned Anakin as being a mature, father-like figure, and a powerful and trusted Jedi, just like Obi-Wan and Yoda had described. Do the prequels prevent anyone from continuing to view Anakin in that light? Not for me. I could care less. Anakin will always be exactly as he was implied in the OT, not more, and not less.
I just wish that those blanks were left as blanks. I envisioned Anakin like you described, and in my opinion, that description does not fit the prequel Anakin the slightest bit. The prequels didn’t match up with the ideas and interpretations I had in my head, and that was just disappointing. I guess I just need to replace the prequels with the ideas I had in my head beforehand.