Star Wars Reveals Why Anakin Skywalker Doesn’t Like Sand (Prepare To Cry)

Even prior to the reveal of Anakin’s sandstorm incident in «Star Wars: Darth Vader #26,» some fans of the franchise have argued that his infamous sand-focused dialogue doesn’t deserve its dubious legacy. A popular interpretation of the line is that sand is meant to be taken as a symbol of Anakin’s troubled childhood on Tatooine — a past filled with suffering and hardship, which continues to influence his abrasive identity as an adult. When he says that the sand «gets everywhere,» he’s talking about how he’s unable to shake off his trauma despite how radically his life has changed after becoming a Jedi Padawan.

Even some of those involved with «Star Wars» have come out in defense of Anakin’s dislike for sand — including the person who spoke it into existence. In an interview with Kino Plus during the promotional tour for the miniseries «Obi-Wan Kenobi,» Anakin’s actor Hayden Christensen indicated that he thought the character’s sand hatred was narratively justified. «You know, I understand Anakin’s contempt for sand,» he said. «He grew up on a desert planet. It wasn’t the best experience for him. Yeah, I don’t mind it.»