Why Anakin Killed The Younglings In Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith

 

The scene in "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith" where Anakin Skywalker kills a group of Younglings is a brutal moment in the film. It shows how far gone Anakin is from the young man who once cried after killing a group of Tusken Raiders. The film doesn't explain why Anakin bothered killing the children, but the novelizations and TV shows offer more insight. The "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series reveals that Inquisitor Reva was once a Youngling who survived the Temple attack, and the "Clone Wars" series shows how Anakin earned his reputation as a cunning warrior while also exploring the darkness beneath his noble exterior. The scene where Anakin contemplates whether or not to align himself with Palpatine is one of the best moments in the prequel trilogy.