Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi have one of the most complex and tragic relationships in the Star Wars saga. Their story is intricately embedded in the Star Wars narrative, filled with friendship, shared victories, and heartbreaking betrayal. Their relationship is marked by close bonds and tragic separations. It spans their early days as master and apprentice, their roles as comrades in the Clone Wars, and a fateful battle on Mustafar. This article explores their evolving relationship. It highlights critical moments that shaped their destinies and the Star Wars universe.
Early Days: From Padawan to Knight
The relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi starts on Naboo. After Qui-Gon Jinn’s death, Obi-Wan takes on the responsibility of training the young Anakin Skywalker, fulfilling his mentor’s dying wish. Qui-Gon had found Anakin on Tatooine and believed him to be the Chosen One: a Jedi prophecy about a Jedi who would bring balance to the Force. Despite the Jedi Council’s concerns about Anakin’s age and emotional attachments, Obi-Wan promised to train the boy.
In the beginning, their relationship is defined by their roles as master and apprentice. Obi-Wan, still a young Jedi Knight, takes on the role of mentor. His duty to Qui-Gon Jinn and the Jedi Order drives him to train Anakin, even though he has doubts about the boy’s potential danger. Anakin, who grew up without a father, sees Obi-Wan as a father figure, mentor, and guide in the world of the Jedi.
From the start, their relationship is complicated. Obi-Wan is both strict and caring, teaching Anakin the values of the Jedi Order: discipline, control, and detachment from emotions. Anakin’s past as a slave, and a fear of loss fuel a desire for freedom. It makes him eager to prove himself but resistant to some parts of Jedi training. Obi-Wan’s calm and controlled approach often clashes with Anakin’s impulsive and emotional nature. This dynamic creates a strong bond but also an underlying tension that will have serious consequences later.
Brotherhood Forged in War
As the years pass and Anakin grows into a young man, his relationship with Obi-Wan changes. The outbreak of the Clone Wars is a major turning point in their bond. The galaxy-wide conflict forces them to rely on each other in ways that go beyond the traditional master-apprentice relationship. As Jedi Knights, they become generals, leading the Grand Army of the Republic against the Separatists. The shared experience of war strengthens their camaraderie and forges a deep brotherhood.
During the Clone Wars, Anakin proves himself to be a fierce warrior, earning the title of Jedi Knight and the nickname “Hero With No Fear.” Obi-Wan, known as the “Negotiator” for his diplomatic skills, continues to guide Anakin, though their relationship becomes more one of equals. They fight side by side on countless battlefields, from Geonosis to Christophsis. The mutual respect and trust they have for one another deepen with every mission.
This period is marked by defining moments that show the strength of their bond. They rescue each other from dangerous situations, embark on daring missions together, and share moments of humor amidst the horrors of war. Obi-Wan begins to see Anakin not just as an apprentice but as a brother, a sentiment he expresses openly. Their friendship appears unbreakable, a beacon of hope in the midst of the galaxy’s turmoil.
However, the Clone Wars also plant the seeds of Anakin’s eventual fall to the dark side. The war takes a heavy toll on Anakin, worsening his fears and insecurities. His secret marriage to Padmé Amidala, which he hides from Obi-Wan and the Jedi Council, creates a growing rift with his mentor. Anakin’s deep love for Padmé and his fear of losing her to death, as he lost his mother, begins to cloud his judgment and fuel his anger. This inner turmoil, along with his increasing frustration with the Jedi Council’s decisions and their perceived lack of trust in him, starts to drive a wedge between him and Obi-Wan.
The Path to Darkness
As the Clone Wars go on, the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan becomes more strained. Anakin’s growing power and independence make it harder for Obi-Wan to guide him. The Jedi Council, wary of Anakin’s potential for darkness, begins to distance themselves from him, further isolating him. Obi-Wan, always the loyal mentor, tries to support Anakin, often defending his actions to the Council. Even when others express doubts about Anakin’s stability.
The turning point comes when the Jedi Council denies Anakin the rank of Jedi Master despite his appointment to the Council. Anakin sees this as a betrayal, which marks a major shift in his relationship with the Jedi and Obi-Wan. Although Obi-Wan tries to console him, the damage is done. Anakin feels increasingly alienated from the Jedi Order, which he believes is corrupt and out of touch with the realities of the galaxy.
The final breaking point occurs when Anakin is manipulated by Chancellor Palpatine, who later reveals himself as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Palpatine preys on Anakin’s fears and offers him the power to save Padmé from death. This is something the Jedi could never promise. Desperate to protect Padmé, Anakin turns to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader. His betrayal of the Jedi Order is complete when he leads an assault on the Jedi Temple. During which he kills fellow Jedi, including younglings, in a horrific act of violence.
The Tragic Duel on Mustafar
The climax of Anakin and Obi-Wan’s relationship occurs on the volcanic planet Mustafar. Obi-Wan, heartbroken and filled with sorrow, is sent by Yoda to confront Anakin and end his former apprentice’s reign of terror. The confrontation between the two is one of the most emotionally charged and tragic moments in Star Wars history.
When Obi-Wan arrives on Mustafar, he finds Anakin fully consumed by the dark side, overseeing the slaughter of the Separatist leaders. The ensuing duel is not just a battle between two skilled Jedi, but a heartbreaking confrontation between two people who were once like family. Obi-Wan pleads with Anakin to turn away from the dark side, to remember the brotherhood they once shared, but his words fall on deaf ears. Anakin, blinded by his anger and ambition, accuses Obi-Wan of betrayal and vows to destroy him.
The duel itself is a masterful display of lightsaber combat, but it is the emotional weight of the encounter that makes it unforgettable. Obi-Wan’s anguish is evident as he realizes the full extent of Anakin’s fall. His famous line, “You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you,” captures the depth of his sorrow and the devastation of the betrayal. The battle ends with Obi-Wan defeating Anakin, leaving him gravely injured and on the brink of death.
Obi-Wan’s decision to leave Anakin on the slopes of the volcanic river, rather than delivering a fatal blow, shows the love and hope he still holds for his former apprentice. However, this decision haunts Obi-Wan for the rest of his life. The pain of losing Anakin and the guilt of failing to save him weigh heavily on Obi-Wan, influencing his actions and decisions in the years that follow.
Legacy of Their Relationship
The relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi is central to the Star Wars narrative, with consequences that go far beyond their individual lives. Obi-Wan’s failure to save Anakin from the dark side becomes a defining part of his character, driving him to live in self-imposed exile on Tatooine. There, he watches over Anakin’s son, Luke Skywalker, hoping to correct his past mistakes through the next generation.
For Anakin, the relationship with Obi-Wan is one of the few ties to his former life that he can never entirely sever. Even as Darth Vader, Anakin is haunted by memories of his time as a Jedi and his bond with Obi-Wan. This connection is ultimately what leads to his redemption. In his final moments, after years of darkness, Anakin finds the strength to turn back to the light, partly because of the lessons and love he once received from Obi-Wan.
Their relationship also impacts the larger Star Wars saga, influencing key events in the original trilogy and beyond. Obi-Wan’s mentorship of Luke, his guidance as a Force ghost, and the lessons learned from his failure with Anakin all play crucial roles in the eventual defeat of the Sith and the restoration of balance to the Force.
