At first glance, Return of the Jedi appears to be the story of Luke Skywalker fully reclaiming the mantle of the Jedi. Throughout The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Luke struggles with his identity and his responsibility as the galaxy’s last hope.
He trains under Yoda, learns the truth about his father’s fall, and ultimately accepts his destiny: to confront Darth Vader and defeat the Emperor. Luke’s evolution into a true Jedi represents the culmination of his hero’s journey, and as the last surviving Jedi, his victory seems to signal the rebirth of the Jedi Order.
Given how central Luke’s storyline is in Return of the Jedi, it’s easy to understand why many fans believe the title refers to him. Luke embodies the core ideals of the Jedi—courage, compassion, and hope. When he refuses to fall to the dark side and defeats Vader without hatred, it feels like proof that the Jedi have truly returned through Luke.
Yet beneath the surface lies a deeper, more emotionally powerful interpretation—one centered on Anakin Skywalker’s redemption.
Anakin, once a Jedi Knight and the Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force, was lost to the dark side and became Darth Vader, the Sith Lord who terrorized the galaxy. But the true heart of Return of the Jedi is the moment Anakin rejects the darkness, destroys the Emperor, and saves his son, Luke. In that instant, Anakin Skywalker returns.
From this perspective, the title Return of the Jedi does not refer to Luke at all, but to Anakin’s journey back to the light. After years consumed by hatred and evil, Anakin’s final, selfless act—sacrificing himself to save his son and defeat the Emperor—fulfills his destiny as the Chosen One.
In that moment, Anakin becomes a Jedi once more, the prophecy is fulfilled, the Sith are destroyed, and balance is finally restored to the Force.