Anakin and Obi Wan were great heroes of the Repulic if you read the ROTS book. They are known and loved by children and adults through the holonet.

Then the events unfold and Anakin becomes Darth Vader and shortly afterwards has his appearance drastically changed by the suit.

My question is. Does the empire's general citizenry know Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker or do they believe Anakin was destroyed as part of the purge and Darth Vader is a new "helper" of the Emperor?

Or, could the Emperor use Anakin's transformation to further his cause and the Empire's citizens, even though he has a different name, still view him as a hero?

I would think that the general public would have believed that Anakin was killed in the Jedi Purge, along with Yoda and Obi-Wan. The public would have no knowledge that those three Force users survived. Vader probably appeared to be a new 'face' next to the Emperor.

i think that they probably think anakin was killed and that darth vader is a normal dude. i mean...a normal dude that has mad fighting skills. maybe? i mean darth vader can't use any sweet force moves, basically, cuz he doesn't have any...not metal limbs. i mean...he doesn't have any real hands, legs, etc.

I love it