Even if you think you know everything about the young Jedi who defeated the Sith Lord Darth Maul, these startling facts about Star Wars’ Kenobi might still blow your mind away.
A Major Character
There are only four characters who make appearances on every film of the original and prequel trilogy. Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of them; the other three include R2-D2, C-3PO, and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.
Three Lightsabers
Obi-Wan Kenobi wields three different lightsabers throughout his lifetime. Each has blue plasma blade.
Two Copies
His first and second lightsabers are designed based on the same weapon wielded by his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. The first lightsaber disappears into the depth of Naboo when Kenobi uses it in a duel against Darth Maul. The second lightsaber follows the same basic fate as the first for different reasons.
Third Design
Star Wars’ Kenobi builds his third lightsaber following his promotion to the rank of Jedi Master. While it has the same blue plasma blade, the hilt showcases a noticeable deviation from the previous approach. Kenobi uses it in his fight against Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar.
A Lost Lightsaber
The third lightsaber was once lost during a fight against General Grievous. Clone Commander CC-2224, more commonly referred to as “Cody” finds the weapon and gives it back to the rightful owner. Kenobi wields this weapon until his final duel against Darth Vader.
Kenobi’s Home Planet
According to George Lucas, Kenobi’s home is a planet called Stewjon. The revelation comes at the Celebration V in Orlando, Florida during an interview with comedian Jon Stewart. Everyone knows the term simply is derived from the interviewer’s name, but it doesn’t stop the official website of Star Wars from listing Stewjon as Kenobi’s planet of origin.
The One Who Defeats a Dark Lord of the Sith
Darth Maul is an established crime lord during the heyday of the Galactic Empire. As a former apprentice of Darth Sidious, he can also call himself a Dark Lord of the Sith. He becomes the first Sith to reveal his identity in a thousand years and kill a Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Just moments later, Obi-Wan Kenobi is able to use the Force to gain advantage and slice Maul in half. It is an impressive feat since Kenobi is not yet a Jedi Knight when he defeats the Sith warrior.
A Pilot Who Hates Flying
Obi-Wan Kenobi makes it clear that he doesn’t like flying. He makes references about it in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Since a period of several years before The Phantom Menace, Kenobi has been a skilful pilot. After a near-death experience in a mission to free slaves held captive in an enemy ship, his joy in flying vanishes.
Unique Perspective
He is known to have a peculiar perspective toward almost everything in the Star Wars universe. Each time he reveals important information, it is wise to make sure if his sources are trustworthy.
An Underdog Apprentice
Kenobi learns about Jedi traditions and studies the way of the Force under Yoda. At a time when nobody wants to take Kenobi as a Padawan due to his rebellious nature, Yoda instead notices an advantageous ferocity in the Jedi youngling.
A Dutiful Rebel
His rebellious trait thankfully comes with great willfulness. To lessen the destructive part of Kenobi’s characteristics, Yoda resorts to an unorthodox Jedi Master under which young Kenobi can train as a Padawan. Qui-Gon Jinn takes the responsibility without hesitation. Later the Master and Padawan realize that everything is part of Yoda’s grand plan in the hope of making Kenobi a dutiful rebel.
Formidable Duelist
Obi-Wan Kenobi is the only character who takes part in a lightsaber duel at least once in every film in the prequel trilogy.
Favored by the Force
Most Jedi Knights and Masters use the Force by bending it to their will. Star Wars’ Kenobi takes the opposite approach; instead of trying to manipulate the Force for his benefits, he worships and opens himself completely to the Force. His method makes him favorable by the Force, giving him near unlimited potential.
A Model Jedi
Influences from Yoda and an apprenticeship under Qui-Gon make Obi-Wan Kenobi a model Jedi. During the Clone Wars in which the Jedi Order is at its lowest state, all knights and masters seem to abandon hope except him. In the back of his mind, he is aware of the Jedi’s limitation due to many pointless and counterproductive rules, but he always finds a workaround without breaking any of them.
The Reigning Master of Form III
Kenobi’s lightsaber fighting style is known as Soresu or Form III, a technique which emphasizes defense. The style allows him to use as little energy as possible without putting himself in serious peril. At the same time, the opponent will have to spend greater strength in an attempt to land a hit. As the battle goes on, the opponent will wear themselves out and eventually make mistakes.
Defeating Anakin Skywalker
During the duel against Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar, the apprentice is at a point where he is powerful enough to outperform his master. That said, the Form III lightsaber technique is an effective weapon in the face of Anakin’s arrogance and rage. Kenobi’s experience and technique prevail.
Ben Kenobi
The name “Ben Kenobi” is how he calls himself during a self-imposed exile on Tatooine.
Luke’s Protector
For nearly 20 years following the near extinction of the Jedi Order, Kenobi lives a solitary life on Tatooine. He learns to communicate with his late master Qui-Gon and keeps an eye on Anakin’s son, Luke Skywalker.
Jundland Wastes
Upon arriving on Tatooine, the Jedi Master leaves Luke with his uncle Owen and aunt Beru at Lars moisture farm. Kenobi himself goes on to settle in the Jundland Wastes. He stays in a long abandoned prospector’s hut and later builds a more suitable dwelling in a cave.
Two Losses
Darth Maul takes away two important people in Kenobi’s life: his love interest Satine and his master Qui-Gon Jinn.
Multiple Duels against the Same Opponent
Over the course of The Phantom Menace through Star Wars Rebels, Kenobi has multiple face-offs with Darth Maul, including in:
· Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace · Star Wars: The Clone Wars “Revenge” (Season 4 Episode 22) · Star Wars: The Clone Wars “Revival” (Season 5 Episode 1) · Star Wars: The Clone Wars “The Lawless” (Season 5 Episode 16) · Star Wars: Rebels “Twin Suns (Season 3 Episode 19)
The Clone Wars delivers the most intensive rivalry between the two as the series expands the story beyond the constraints of the film saga.
Final Showdown against Darth Maul
The duel between Kenobi and Darth Maul in Star Wars: Rebels happens in silence. The battle takes place in their minds and ends with just a single strike. In the end, Kenobi seems to regret that Darth Maul’s life has to end the way it does.
A Legend
By the time of the New Republic Era, everybody thinks of Obi-Wan Kenobi as a legend. Han Solo and Leia Organa name their son “Ben” after the Jedi Master.
Did you know so many startling facts about one character in the Star Wars series even existed? That is a well-developed character! I’ll bet you can find even more things about Kenobi if you give it a try. If you do, drop us a line and share. We’d love to hear from you.
Other things you might want to know about.
Who kills Obi-Wan Kenobi?
Obi-Wan becomes one with The Force whenVader, The Dark Lord, strikes him down. Kenobi sacrifices himself to allow others to escape.
He was 57 years old.
What is Obi-Wan Kenobi’s real name?
Ben Kenobi was a hermit living on Tatooine. When he was taken for Jedi training the name Ben was not used. Later, he takes the name Ben again as a symbol that he is abandoning the Jedi order.
