I get that Lucas wanted us to meet him as this sweet, innocent kid - to show how far he falls. But honestly? It just makes the transition to Attack of the Clones super awkward. We go from podracing angel-child to brooding teen with rage and attachment issues - and zero emotional bridge.
Imagine if Anakin had been, like, 14 or 15 in TPM. Still good, still hopeful - but already wrestling with fear, anger, and pride.
You could see the seeds of his downfall forming:
Flashes of protectiveness turning into aggression
Deep attachment to his mom and Padmé
Resentment toward slavery and the Jedi’s cold detachment
An early desire to control what he can’t stand to lose
It would’ve made his arc so much smoother - and honestly, more tragic. He’d feel real. The romance in AOTC would also land better, instead of feeling like a weird jump.
Let us see him struggle from the start. That way, the fall actually hurts.