The story of Anakin Skywalker and Qui-Gon Jinn begins in the early days of the fall of the Galactic Republic. Qui-Gon Jinn was a Jedi Master known for his unorthodox approach to the Force. Qui-Gon believed in the Living Force, which focused on being in tune with the present moment. This belief set Qui-Gon apart from the other Jedi, who were more concerned with the larger Cosmic Force. This distinction would become critical in his bond with Anakin Skywalker, a child of immense potential.
Anakin Skywalker was discovered on the desert planet Tatooine. Raised as a slave, Anakin showed an unusually strong connection to the Force, far surpassing that of anyone Qui-Gon had encountered. This drew Qui-Gon’s attention when they met during a mission to secure parts for Queen Amidala’s ship. The bond between them began when Qui-Gon realized that Anakin might be the Chosen One—a figure prophesied to bring balance to the Force.
The Prophecy of the Chosen One
The Jedi Order had long believed in the prophecy of the Chosen One, a figure destined to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force. Qui-Gon was convinced that Anakin was this figure. This belief was rooted not just in Anakin’s ability to tap into the Force but in the sheer magnitude of his potential. Qui-Gon sensed something in Anakin, something unique. This feeling solidified during their initial encounter, especially when Anakin displayed his exceptional piloting skills and an intuitive grasp of podracing—a sport requiring lightning reflexes and a deep connection to the Force.
The Council, however, did not share Qui-Gon’s belief. Masters like Mace Windu and Yoda remained skeptical. Despite their concerns, Qui-Gon remained firm, taking Anakin under his wing and pushing for the boy’s inclusion into the Jedi Order. This persistence demonstrates the depth of Qui-Gon’s belief in the Living Force and his readiness to defy the Jedi Council’s rigid interpretation of the Jedi Code.
Mentor and Protector
Qui-Gon’s relationship with Anakin was rooted in a deep sense of mentorship and protection. Qui-Gon served as a father figure to Anakin, a role the boy had never known in his life. Raised without a father on Tatooine, Anakin viewed Qui-Gon not only as a mentor but also as a guardian. This dynamic deepened their bond. Qui-Gon, who saw beyond the rules of the Jedi Council, acted more as a guiding figure who trusted in the Living Force to show him the path.
Qui-Gon also took the extraordinary step of trying to free Anakin from slavery. The Jedi Code often kept its members at a distance from personal involvement in such matters, but Qui-Gon’s defiance of the rules allowed him to help Anakin in ways no other Jedi would have. Qui-Gon was able to win Anakin’s freedom by wagering on his success in the podrace, a race that was pivotal to securing the parts for the Queen’s ship. The moment Anakin won his freedom was significant, as it not only solidified Qui-Gon’s belief in the boy but also laid the foundation for Anakin’s journey into the galaxy and his future as a Jedi.
Unshakable Faith in Anakin
While the Jedi Council hesitated in accepting Anakin, Qui-Gon had an unshakable belief in him. This trust was not just in Anakin’s abilities but in his heart. Qui-Gon was a Jedi who understood the balance between light and dark in the Force, and his faith in Anakin was tied to the belief that Anakin had the potential to maintain that balance. Where others saw a child of danger and risk, Qui-Gon saw a boy who could rise above these circumstances and fulfill a greater destiny.
Even as Darth Maul, the Sith apprentice of Darth Sidious, loomed as a threat, Qui-Gon made Anakin his priority. In the climactic battle on Naboo, Qui-Gon entrusted Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Padawan, with training Anakin if anything were to happen to him. This moment encapsulates the depth of Qui-Gon’s faith and commitment to Anakin’s future. The relationship between Qui-Gon and Anakin was not based merely on power but on the vision that Qui-Gon had for what Anakin could achieve.
The Legacy of Qui-Gon’s Influence
Though Qui-Gon’s time with Anakin was cut short by his death at the hands of Darth Maul, the bond between them lived on. Obi-Wan Kenobi took up Qui-Gon’s mantle and trained Anakin, as promised. However, Qui-Gon’s influence on Anakin was profound. Qui-Gon had been one of the few Jedi who genuinely understood Anakin’s potential and the depth of his connection to the Force.
Qui-Gon’s understanding of the Force would echo throughout Anakin’s life. As Anakin grew, the teachings of the Living Force—those that Qui-Gon held dear—remained with him. This connection to Qui-Gon, combined with his emotional vulnerabilities, played a role in shaping the choices Anakin made, for better or for worse.
Anakin’s Path Without Qui-Gon
The absence of Qui-Gon in Anakin’s life left a void. Anakin, though trained by Obi-Wan, often struggled with the strictures of the Jedi Order. Anakin craved guidance and mentorship that Obi-Wan, for all his abilities, couldn’t fully provide in the same way. Qui-Gon’s unique blend of defiance and trust in the Living Force might have offered Anakin the stability he so desperately sought. Without Qui-Gon’s continued influence, Anakin’s emotional turmoil increased, which eventually made him vulnerable to the manipulations of Emperor Palpatine.
Anakin’s eventual fall to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader, was a path that might have been altered if Qui-Gon had lived. The bond between Anakin and Qui-Gon was unique because Qui-Gon never tried to impose the rigid Jedi Code on Anakin. Instead, Qui-Gon might have offered him the understanding and balance he needed, preventing the emotional isolation that eventually drove Anakin to the Sith.
Legacy of Their Bond
In the end, the bond between Anakin Skywalker and Qui-Gon Jinn was brief but impactful. Qui-Gon’s belief in Anakin as the Chosen One set the stage for the galaxy’s most significant events. Though Anakin would fall to the dark side, his path would eventually lead to his redemption, fulfilling the prophecy of the Chosen One. Qui-Gon’s teachings of the Living Force would also play a role in guiding Yoda and Obi-Wan, both of whom would learn from Qui-Gon’s spirit after his death. This spirit, able to transcend life itself, continued to influence the fate of the galaxy, proving that Qui-Gon’s bond with Anakin was just the beginning.
The legacy of this bond shaped not only Anakin’s life but also the fate of the Jedi Order and the galaxy. Without Qui-Gon’s influence, the story of Anakin Skywalker would have been vastly different. Though their time together was cut short, Qui-Gon’s trust in the Living Force and his belief in Anakin’s potential created a ripple that would affect the entire galaxy.
