Watto

Watto is a fictional character from the Star Wars film franchise, first introduced in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." He is a Toydarian, a small blue-skinned, humanoid creature with wings and the ability to fly. Watto embodies a shrewd and unscrupulous merchant and is known for his love of gambling, particularly on podracing.

Toydarians, like Watto, come from the planet Toydaria, which is located in the Outer Rim territories. They are typically depicted as cunning and skilled negotiators, with Watto being no exception. The character is voiced by actor Andy Secombe and is designed as a shaggy, rotund alien with a long, trunk-like nose that he uses to smell and determine the credibility of money.

Watto is introduced as the owner of a junk shop on the desert planet Tatooine, where he owns slaves Anakin Skywalker and his mother, Shmi. Watto is known to be crafty and somewhat greedy, primarily concerned with increasing his wealth and material possessions. However, he is not completely heartless, as he does allow Anakin and Shmi to stay together and does not force them to work in the harshest of conditions.

Watto’s relationship with Anakin Skywalker is one of the key parts of his story arc within the Star Wars universe. When Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn arrives on Tatooine searching for parts to repair Queen Padmé Amidala's ship, he encounters Watto and his junk shop. Qui-Gon quickly realizes that Anakin is Force-sensitive and hatches a plan to free the young boy by betting on him in a podracing tournament.

Watto, believing Anakin has no chance of winning, accepts the wager. However, his overconfidence turns out to be his downfall as Anakin successfully wins the race, resulting in a major financial loss for Watto. Reluctantly, he frees Anakin as part of the bet but keeps Shmi as his slave.

In "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones," Anakin returns to Tatooine in search of his mother, only to discover Watto no longer owns her. Anakin confronts Watto, who tells him that he sold Shmi to a man called Cliegg Lars. Watto is portrayed as less wealthy and less menacing in this second appearance, hinting at his fortunes having declined since losing Anakin.

Watto's character serves primarily as a secondary antagonist, providing significant obstacles and dilemmas for the main characters, particularly Anakin Skywalker. His actions and ownership of Anakin and Shmi may be seen as contributing to the dark path Anakin eventually takes, as the young Skywalker is driven by a deep desire for power and control in response to his early life as a slave.