We all know how obsessed Palpatine was with Anakin Skywalker, his ultimate plan was to mold him into the perfect Sith apprentice and replace Count Dooku. But what many fans might not realize is that Palpatine’s fascination with Anakin didn’t start during the Clone Wars. It began much earlier, back when Anakin was still just a Padawan.
This comes from the Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin comic series, which takes place a few years after The Phantom Menace. The story gives us one of the earliest glimpses into Palpatine’s manipulation, how he was already studying Anakin’s temper, pride, and incredible potential in the Force.
It’s here we see a key moment: a young Anakin losing control during a sparring match with two other Padawans… and Palpatine absolutely loving it.
In Obi-Wan & Anakin #1, we see Palpatine observing a lightsaber combat session at the Jedi Temple, alongside Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin, knowing both Windu and the Supreme Chancellor are watching, feels the need to prove himself. During the session, he actually reprograms the combat droid to appear as Darth Maul, the Sith who killed Qui-Gon Jinn.
In a perfect callback to The Phantom Menace, Anakin even mimics Obi-Wan’s exact move from Naboo — leaping over his opponent and slicing it down. Palpatine, who at first seemed only mildly interested, can’t help but react. Watching the boy channel his aggression so effectively, he simply mutters: “Impressive.”
But things quickly turn dark. When the training ends, two other Padawans behind him start mocking Anakin, saying, “He may be good with a lightsaber, but that doesn’t mean he’ll make a good Jedi,” and another adds, “He’s just a slave to his emotions. It’s obvious.”
The words hit hard. Furious, Anakin turns on them. Using the Force, he yanks both of their lightsabers into the air, ignites them, and points the blades directly at their chests. Then, in a chilling moment of foreshadowing, he asks: “Tell me… what emotion are you feeling right now?”
Before things escalate further, Obi-Wan intervenes. But it’s too late, Palpatine has already seen what he wanted to see. He’s impressed.
Afterward, Palpatine tells Mace Windu that young Skywalker clearly lacks discipline, and proposes that perhaps Anakin should spend more time with him at the Chancellor’s office. That’s the beginning of it all, the manipulation, the mentorship, the seed of doubt quietly planted in Anakin’s heart.
In later issues, we see how that seed starts to grow, with Palpatine slowly turning himself into the one person who truly “understands” Anakin. This moment wasn’t just a sparring accident, it was the start of a relationship that would eventually bring down the entire Jedi Order.
If you found this interesting and want to continue the story, the next part is available here.