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O is for Obi-Wan Kenobi
Disney
Obi-Wan Kenobi was a legendary Force-sensitive human male Jedi Master who served on the Jedi High Council during the waning years of the Republic. In addition to being acknowledged as one of the most powerful Jedi on the High Council, he was also known for his time serving as a General during the Clone Wars, his kindness and wisdom as a teacher, his skills with a lightsaber, and training both Anakin and Luke Skywalker — two of the most powerful Jedi in the history of the Order.
Born on the planet Stewjon in 57 BBY, Kenobi was identified as Force-sensitive and turned over to the Jedi Order as an infant. As a youngling, Kenobi initially trained under Grand Master Yoda until he was chosen to become the Padawan learner of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, a wise and respected Jedi Master who was known as a bit of a maverick, having turned down a seat on the Jedi High Council to follow his own path. Under Jinn’s guidance, Kenobi grew into a powerful Padawan and following his master’s death on the planet Naboo, the young man was elevated to the rank of Jedi Knight.
After his promotion to a full-fledged Jedi Knight of the Republic, Kenobi took young Anakin Skywalker as his Padawan learner, despite the protest of Master Yoda, who saw great danger in training Skywalker in the ways of the Force. Kenobi did his best to train the adventure-hungry, often arrogant, and highly emotional Skywalker, who was seen by many as the Chosen One spoken of in a fabled Jedi prophecy. Over the years, the pair developed an extremely close bond, with Kenobi regarding Skywalker as his brother, close friend, and someone that he loved very much.
Together, Skywalker and Kenobi served alongside one another throughout the Clone Wars, during which they became legendary heroes known throughout the Republic. The conclusion of the conflict saw Skywalker fall prey to the seduction of Darth Sidious and the dark side of the Force, which led to him betraying the Jedi Order and culminated in a duel with his former master on the planet Mustafar. It was on this dangerous volcanic planet that Kenobi defeated Skywalker, now known as Darth Vader, in a duel, leaving his former pupil for dead, departing with a broken heart.
Following the fall of the Republic and Jedi Order, Kenobi exiled himself to the planet Tatooine where he lived as a hermit for nearly two decades to secretly keep watch over Darth Vader’s son, Luke Skywalker. When Skywalker had a chance encounter Kenobi as a teenager, the former General of the Republic convinced the young man to leave Tatooine and join him in fighting in the Galactic Civil War against the Empire. Kenobi briefly trained Skywalker in the ways of the Force, before sacrificing himself in a duel against Darth Vader aboard the first Death Star to save his young pupil and Princess Leia Organa.
Death was not the end of Obi-Wan Kenobi, as he had learned to preserve his consciousness within the Force thanks to training from his former master Qui-Gon Jinn. As a Force Ghost, Kenobi continued to watch over and guide Skywalker in his fight against Darth Vader, the Emperor, and the forces of the Empire.
During his time as a Jedi, Kenobi was noted for being one of the greatest swordsmen of his era. He mastered several forms of lightsaber combat, but heavily favored the defensive style of Form III. As a duelist, he defeated Darth Vader at the height of his powers, dueled Darth Maul and General Grievous on multiple occasions, and ultimately killed both the former Sith Lord and Separatist General.
You can join Obi-Wan Kenobi on his adventures in the Prequel Trilogy and A New Hope on Disney+, as well as many Star Wars books and comics.
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