The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special 1

IN CELEBRATION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE, A BRAND-NEW TALE! Delve into the formative years and hidden thoughts of ANAKIN SKYWALKER through previously unseen, revealing narratives set before, after, and between scenes from the iconic film! Witness the vision of a JEDI, the present from a TUSKEN RAIDER, the spirit of a GUNGAN, the longing of a parent, and the terror of a hero!

On Tatooine, men with weapons are lining up enslaved people in chains, attempting to load them onto a vessel bound for the Zygerrian labor camps. When Shmi Skywalker declares her son will come for her, a man tries to force her back into line, aiming a blaster at her, but suddenly his weapon is severed by a yellow lightsaber. To her utter shock, Shmi's son, Anakin Skywalker, now a Jedi Knight, has arrived to rescue her. However, a young Anakin Skywalker, still enslaved, awakens from this vision and recounts it to his mother, who reminds him that Jedi are absent in the Outer Rim. She expresses her belief that the galaxy would improve with more individuals like Anakin, but when he vows to become a Jedi and liberate her, she cautions him against being too virtuous for his own safety. As they share a meal, a droid interrupts to inform them they are late for their duties, and with Watto occupied in Anchorhead meeting with scavengers, Anakin must collect a shipment from the spaceport. As Anakin departs, the droid warns him that the transmitter implanted within him will detonate if he attempts anything suspicious.

Upon arriving at the spaceport, Anakin meets the dealer and obtains the shipment, the final delivery on credit. As he prepares to leave, Anakin notices a speeder arriving, transporting a restrained Tusken Raider. The men exiting the speeder inform another man that they acquired the Tusken from the Hutts at a bargain price and intend to tag him immediately. While they explain the transmitter's functionality to the Tusken, Anakin covertly manipulates wires on the speeder, causing it to float away. As the men pursue their runaway vehicle, Anakin severs the Tusken's bonds, allowing him to escape. Upon the men's return, Anakin misdirects them, covering for the Tusken, before returning home to rest. The following day, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Padmé Amidala, Jar Jar Binks, and R2-D2 arrive seeking repairs for their starship to reach Coruscant. With the upcoming Boonta Eve Classic, Anakin proposes his podracer, as the prize money could cover the necessary parts. Anakin persuades his mother to allow him to race, invoking his belief that "the biggest problem in the universe is that no one helps each other." Anakin achieves the impossible, winning the race and becoming a hero, bringing hope to the hopeless. Subsequently, Qui-Gon discusses with Anakin the possibility of becoming a Jedi, a path demanding discipline and sacrifice. Anakin agrees, driven by his desire to aid others, and bids farewell to his mother, departing Tatooine with Qui-Gon to embark on a new chapter.

Before the Jedi Council on Coruscant, Anakin is cautioned to control his emotions, as his thoughts are consumed by his mother, and Yoda teaches him that fear leads to the dark side. Later, while with Jar Jar Binks, a disheartened Anakin reveals that the council will not permit Qui-Gon to train him, fearing he will never become a Jedi. However, Jar Jar reassures him that everyone experiences fear and concern for themselves, family, and friends, which signifies a good heart, a quality Anakin possesses. The next day, as they prepare for their mission to Naboo, Anakin overhears Obi-Wan expressing his concern to Qui-Gon that Anakin is dangerous, but Qui-Gon believes that his fate remains uncertain. During their journey to Naboo, Anakin inquires whether he is dangerous, and Qui-Gon explains that he is held to higher standards due to his potential. Following a series of events, including the battle between the Gungan and droid armies, Qui-Gon's demise, Obi-Wan's defeat of the Sith Darth Maul, and Anakin's destruction of the Lucrehulk, Naboo is liberated.

After Anakin lands and reunites with Obi-Wan, they discuss Qui-Gon's passing, and Anakin becomes distraught, fearing for the future as Qui-Gon was the only one who believed in him. However, Obi-Wan reveals that his master's final wish was for him to train Anakin, a promise he intends to fulfill. Later, Naboo celebrates its liberation from the Trade Federation blockade, and Anakin meets Senator Palpatine, who expresses great interest in his career. Obi-Wan senses that Anakin's mind is troubled and assures him that Qui-Gon was right to believe in him, as does he. In the future on Tatooine, Jira asks Shmi if she misses her son, to which she replies that she does, but knows he is in a better place. Now residing with Anakin's protocol droid C-3PO, they receive a visitor, and Shmi is surprised to find a Tusken Raider at her door. The Tusken offers a Black Melon and recounts how Anakin once saved their life. Shmi then reveals that she too shared Anakin's dream of becoming a Jedi.