Let me begin by emphasizing the positive aspects of this show. The characters are truly engaging and feel relatable, and the storylines themselves are consistently entertaining. I find that each episode holds its charm, including those from the initial season that might come across as a bit more youthful. There is a lot about this show that feels innately appealing, and watching it always manages to put a smile on my face. It is a show that I will always hold dear because it was my first Star Wars series after experiencing the films, and it brings back some wonderful memories. Yet, despite my deep enjoyment of the show and my genuine appreciation for its quality, I find it difficult to accept it as an organic part of the broader Star Wars universe.
To begin with, I struggle to align this show’s version of Anakin with his portrayal in the Prequel Trilogy. While I do not find the character himself unpleasant, the issue is that he feels misaligned with the Anakin from the films. There is a significant difference in how he is represented here, and I find it hard to reconcile the two versions. Ideally, to match his character progression in the movies, the show should have depicted a transition, beginning with traits from Attack of the Clones and gradually evolving toward his demeanor in Revenge of the Sith. Instead, we see Anakin being the same character we see at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith right from the outset, which, to me, feels abrupt and not entirely convincing. It is true that Anakin was not always easy to like in the Prequel Trilogy, but that is precisely what would have made a gradual transformation so meaningful. Showing how he shifted from his impulsive, somewhat unlikeable younger self in Attack of the Clones to the charismatic hero seen at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith would have added a layer of depth to his journey. However, the series skips that development, presenting him as an already fully-formed, likable hero. Although that is not inherently a flaw, it does stray from his cinematic characterization. Just as some fans refer to the Sequel Trilogy’s Luke as “Jake Skywalker,” Anakin in The Clone Wars could be seen as “Aniken Skywoka.” And let’s be honest, Mat Lanter’s voice does not resemble Hayden Christensen’s, which makes the character feel further removed from his film counterpart. In my opinion, The Clone Wars micro-series by Tartakovsky handled Anakin’s development more effectively. Early episodes reflect the young, hot-headed Anakin we see in Attack of the Clones, but as he becomes a Jedi Knight, he gains confidence and maturity, ending the series closer in personality to his Revenge of the Sith self — calmer, more heroic, and less quick-tempered. This gradual evolution felt more in line with what we see in the films, and it worked much better, in my opinion. So, while the portrayal in The Clone Wars is not necessarily poor, it lacks the nuanced progression that I believe was necessary to match the character’s cinematic arc.
Beyond Anakin’s portrayal, I also find the concept of Anakin having a padawan, Ahsoka, challenging to reconcile with the Prequel Trilogy. Ahsoka is not a poorly written character, and I have no objections to her as an individual. However, making her Anakin’s apprentice feels forced, as there is no suggestion in the films that he ever had a padawan between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. In Revenge of the Sith, there is no mention of Ahsoka by anyone, not even Anakin himself. Given how important the relationship between master and apprentice is, this omission seems notable. From an in-universe perspective, it feels unlikely that no one would be aware of Anakin’s apprentice by that time. Therefore, inserting Ahsoka into this role feels somewhat forced. A more fitting choice would have been to place her as Plo Koon’s padawan, only appearing in storylines involving that character.
Another aspect I found somewhat lacking is the show’s portrayal of General Grievous. While I understand that George Lucas wanted him to be more cartoonish, I feel there is a balance that could have been struck between comedic traits and an intimidating presence. Instead, The Clone Wars depicts Grievous as inept and cowardly, lacking any real menacing qualities. I believe an ideal portrayal would have combined the ruthless efficiency of Grievous from the 2003 series with his more stylized, villainous elements from Revenge of the Sith. This would have allowed for a competent yet humorously villainous character who retreats when plans fail.
Darth Maul’s return is another element I feel does not work well. I am not opposed to Maul being brought back to life, but I do think his reappearance in the Clone Wars era is problematic. In Revenge of the Sith, there is no mention of Maul still being active or ruling Mandalore, even though such events would likely be significant. Had Maul been reintroduced after the events of Revenge of the Sith, it might have felt more cohesive. For example, the Expanded Universe brings Maul back in a self-contained story set after Revenge of the Sith, where he confronts Obi-Wan on Tatooine and dies. This approach respects the timeline without altering established events. If the writers had wanted a powerful Dark Side figure to control a criminal syndicate and take over Mandalore, they could have used Savage Opress instead, assigning him the role Maul fulfills in the show.
Finally, I find the portrayal of the Clones to be another divergence from the films. In Attack of the Clones, they are presented as genetically engineered soldiers designed to follow orders without hesitation. The series, however, gives them individual personalities and emotional depth, which, while interesting, contradicts their depiction in the films. Remaining faithful to the films’ portrayal would have eliminated the need for the inhibitor chip plot device, making Order 66 more impactful. It would also highlight the manipulative nature of the Sith and expose the Republic’s moral failings for using an army of engineered, obedient soldiers. Such a choice would add layers to The Clone Wars era without diverging from the films’ established themes. While I do not dislike how the Clones are depicted here, I believe a more straightforward interpretation would have enriched the story even further.
Overall, The Clone Wars is an enjoyable and engaging series. As I mentioned, it brings a lot of joy, and I appreciate its quality on its own terms. However, I see it as more of an alternative really that stands apart from the main Star Wars universe because, in my opinion, it does not fully integrate with the continuity established in the films.
