While many believe Anakin Skywalker is the Chosen One in Star Wars, destined to bring balance to the Force, in reality, it’s Obi-Wan Kenobi who seems truly worthy of that title. Kenobi’s massive wins and tragic losses define the Skywalker saga. Vader may have brought peace to the galaxy through his betrayal of Palpatine at the end of the original trilogy, but it’s really just one aspect of Obi-Wan’s decades-long feud with his former apprentice.
The battle between the Sith lord and his former Jedi master has ultimately influenced the entire galaxy’s fate. The Kenobi series, their first movie duel, and Obi-Wan’s final moments show how his failures and triumphs have kept the balance in the Force, offering a deeper understanding of his significance.
Related Star Wars Reveals The Origins Of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Hidden Jedi Path Star Wars’ brand-new TV show, Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, has provided additional insight into the Hidden Path introduced in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
His failure to prevent Anakin’s fall is part of a larger cycle of growth, one that influences Luke and the galaxy at large. This theme resonates throughout Star Wars, as it’s through acceptance of one’s flaws that true strength is gained.
The Ghost of Anakin Haunted Obi-Wan During His Tatooine Exile
Kenobi’s Fight with His Past
After the rise of the Empire, Obi-Wan retreats to Tatooine, haunted by the loss of his apprentice and the galaxy’s fall. This is seen most prominently in Obi-Wan #3, written by Christopher Cantwell and illustrated by Alessandro Miracolo, where his past tortures him during his exile on Tatooine. We see him hunted by both his trauma from the clone wars and the ghost of his former padawan. Anakin’s shadow looms large in Obi-Wan’s life, even after the former Jedi fall to the dark side. We see this dilemma addressed further in the Kenobi series.
The Kenobi series delves into his struggles, showing how his guilt and the memory of Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader continue to weigh on him. Despite the outcome of their epic rematch, it doesn’t alleviate his guilt over Anakin’s fall. However, Vader, now a Sith, absolves Obi-Wan, showing that the Jedi’s ultimate peace comes not from a victory over his demons but from his acceptance of them. This emotional conflict highlights a key element of Obi-Wan’s journey: the constant need to bring balance to the Force, despite his personal flaws and failures.
The First Movie Fight Was Obi-Wan’s Chance To Finally Kill His Demon
Sacrificing Himself for Luke and Guiding from Beyond
Their duel in A New Hope marks the first time audiences witness Obi-Wan and Darth Vader face off in combat. For Obi-Wan, this encounter is not merely about defeating Vader; it’s his chance to confront his failure head-on. Obi-Wan’s final act of atonement is sacrificing himself, and in doing so, he passes the torch to Luke Skywalker, allowing Kenobi to guide him in a way he never could have before. His selflessness ensures that Luke, the new hope for the galaxy, will have the wisdom and strength needed to face Vader and ultimately bring balance to the Force.
Related Star Wars Just Brought Back George Lucas’ Original Palpatine Plan Star Wars’ brand-new TV show, Andor season 2, just brought back George Lucas’ original plans for Emperor Palpatine, nearly 50 years later.
Obi-Wan’s death leads to his transcendence into the force as a Force ghost, continuing his role as a mentor to Luke. His failure to stop Anakin’s fall becomes his greatest lesson. In the end, Obi-Wan’s death ensures that the balance of the Force will eventually be restored. Though his body may have perished, his influence continues, guiding Luke and helping the Rebellion in their fight against the Empire. Obi-Wan’s enduring legacy is defined not by his victories but by his ability to learn from his failures and use them to shape the future.
Obi-Wan Instead Accepts His Failure, And It’s The Entire Point
Embracing His Role in the Galaxy
Custom Image by El Kuiper
Obi-Wan’s character arc is centered on accepting failure; thus, recognizing his mistakes is crucial to understanding his role in the Star Wars universe. While he might not have stopped Anakin from becoming Darth Vader, he never stopped fighting for balance. His failures were not the end of his journey but the beginning of his true understanding of the Force. In his acceptance, Obi-Wan embodies the Jedi philosophy: that peace and balance can only come through learning from past mistakes, not by denying them.
Obi-Wan’s journey illustrates that peace isn’t about being perfect or always winning; it’s about learning from defeat, accepting the past, and using it to create a better future.
Throughout Star Wars, we see that Jedi are not perfect beings; they are flawed individuals who struggle with their own emotions and impulses. Obi-Wan’s greatest strength is his ability to embrace and learn from these flaws. Ultimately, Obi-Wan’s story is one of redemption, not just for himself, but for the Jedi Order as a whole. Obi-Wan’s journey illustrates that peace isn’t about being perfect or always winning; it’s about learning from defeat, accepting the past, and using it to create a better future. This acceptance of failure and the wisdom that comes with it is what truly redefines Obi-Wan’s legacy.
Obi-Wan #3, written by Christopher Cantwell and illustrated by Alessandro Miracolo, is available now.