Why OBI-WAN KENOBI is the Most Important Character in STAR WARS | Character Study

Obi-Wan Kenobi's legacy spans Star Wars Trilogies and animated shows, and he is a central figure in the lives of 3 generations of Skywalkers. The entire saga hinged on Obi-Wan's choices and his failures. In this character study, we break down why Obi Wan was the most crucial character in the saga.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi is a learner, a brother, a lover, a mentor. He is the ideal jedi knight. Well, at least the Jedi of his age.

He is the smart negotiator, a noble warrior, a leader respected by all of his peers. A man who faced countless tragedies, but never fell to the darkside. Oh, also, he’s the master of the high ground, and the most sassy troll in the galaxy.

And yet, Obi-Wan represents all the flaws and failures of the jedi of his time. He embodies the jedi creed, the dogmatic views that brought down a republic and allowed an empire to rise.

But from another point of view, Obi-Wan is one of the wisest and best characters in Star Wars.

His wisdom and mistakes influenced
three Skywalker generations.
And his actions and choices shaped the Skywalker saga.

Obi-Wan is the first jedi we have ever met.
He was presented as a space wizard, a noble knight who embodies what is good and right.
Naturally old Ben Kenobi was perceived as the ideal jedi, a paragon of the light side.

But under the surface, Obi-Wan is a relic of a bygone era, the last member of a legendary fallen order.

Kenobi is also a mysterious promise for the gander story. Luke’s, and our, guide on an adventure like no other. Our gateway to the larger Star Wars universe.

However, even back in his introduction, it was apparent that the old wise master was scarred by the past, haunted by painful tragedies that will be revealed only following his death.

After learning that his father is Darth Vader, the benevolent image of Obi-Wan began to shatter. The concept of the ideal jedi was called into question.
We started seeing the other side of the equation. That the jedi are far from being the perfect paragons of good they present themselves to be. Obi-Wan was flawed, same as the order he represented.

Obi-Wan’s “from a certain point of view” is one of the most crucial scenes in the entire Skywalker saga. It establishes that this epic story is far more complicated than just light vs dark.

Obi-Wan’s words are an introduction to the jedi in the prequels, and all of their flaws and failings. On the surface, it seems like Obi-Wan is dealing in absolutes, just like a Sith. But there’s so much more nuance to this scene, and we will explain it in a bit.

Obi-Wan’s importance to the Skywalker saga begins at the very start. The Phantom Menace is the inception that will intertwine Kenobi with 3 generations of Skywalkers.

While he was mostly sidelined in episode 1, Obi-Wan still played a crucial role in the movie.

When we meet Obi-Wan in the prequels, he’s completely different from the wise master we knew.

The young Obi-Wan was rebellious, constantly at odds with his master.

Part of it is because Qui-Gon challenged the council, and this led to Obi-Wan constantly questioning him. The apprentice pleaded with the master to be more like the other Jedi, since he perceived masters like Yoda as the ideal representation of what a Jedi needs to be.

But as a young padawan, Obi-Wan dealt with an imbalance in his emotions, having much to learn before becoming a wise master. While Qui-Gon went against the curve, it’s his independence and wisdom that will later shape Obi-Wan. And that will then in turn shape Anakin and Luke.

Learning is what makes Obi-Wan so wise.
He constantly learns from his mistakes, his failures allow him to evolve and change.

While his skills as a jedi are legendary, Obi-Wan became the ideal jedi thanks to his wisdom. This allowed him to become a respected leader during the Clone Wars.

Obi-Wan represents the key difference between knowledge and wisdom.

Obi-Wan’s first major change in the saga is Qui-Gon’s death.
Before we dive into the meaning of it all, I have to bring up this amazing moment. [obi-wan goes after maul with anger]

This is why the prequels’ lightsabers duels are some of my favorites. They always told a story through action. It’s never just mindless and flashy swings.
Well, mostly always, cause some of these flips are really not necessary.

I love how Obi-Wan charges Maul, as if he’s been fired out of a blaster, fueled by so much rage after witnessing his master killed by this hellish demon.

[ScreenCrush]

Who do you want to see appear in Obi-Wan's show?

[frogandbee]

That transition to Qui Gon's fighting style is a beautiful evolution of Obi-Wan's character. This video is fantastic!

[sneakdza]

I feel like Obi-Wan also says “Don’t try it” to Anakin before he jumps because he did the same against Maul & knew to counter it resulting in cuttin off Anakin’s legs & other arm

[Kenboslice]

Actually I believe R2D2 is the most important character in Star Wars. Without R2, death star plans aren't delivered, Luke Skywalker doesn't escape from Jabbas barge, and Rey doesn't find the location of Master Skywalker, among other important story arcs that are slipping my mind at this time. Never underestimate a droid!

[kaizenkltr]

He is arugably the most Jedi of all Jedis without being a perfect Jedi

[robertmccann]

Anakin grew up hearing about Obi-Wan defeating Maul. Anakin thought he could do the same thing. Obi-Wan was trying to reach out by pleading, "don't try it"

[williamclose]

It always irked me that no one seemed to realize that Anakin did fulfill the prophecy of the chosen one in revenge of the sith. Balance meant equality between the light and dark sides of the Force whereas up to the turning point of the emperor, Mace, and Anakin; the light side was in power in overwhelming numbers. By the end, there were two key players on each side of this coin, Obi wan and Yoda for the light, and Vader and the emperor for the dark. To me, that was the balance. The prophecy was a warning, not an end of evil. Even Yoda said that a prophecy misinterpreted it may have been. Luke was a new hope, because it was his faith in people, not dogma, that brought goodness back to the galaxy.

[Grigsy]

Agreed. And OMG I never put that connection between Obi-Wan and Maul/Vader and the High Ground. In both duels, Obi-Wan starts from bellow, moves up and cuts his opponent down severely. There are parallels between both duels.

[anthonyhyde]

Obi-Won has always been my favorite Star Wars character. He reminds me of the wise judge, Samuel, in the Old Testament. He also was the last of his kind and a teacher to future leaders. Super pumped about the show!😁

[TheMaxRebo]

Very interesting angle of how he couldn't kill Anakin, but when he realized Maul knew about Luke he knew he needed to kill him - and why he pushed Luke to kill Vader as he knew not being willing to do so created such a mess. But Luke wouldn't do it - and maybe just after all the pain Vader went through he was ready to hear it from Luke when he wasn't ready to hear it from Obi-Wan as Obi-Wan represented all that was wrong with the Jedi but Luke represented what could be right/better

[harekparas]

Also, note how Obi-Wan lost his trolling sense of humor between SW III and SW IV. That's really showing how broken he became.

[romeogaxiola]

Revenge of the Sith really hits hard no matter how much you rewatch it, I LOVE STAR WARS so much such an amazing series!!!

[jasperclydeinsd]

I’ve always loved that scene….Obi Wan Kenobi anxiously waiting for the shield to deactivate so he could get at Darth Maul…so good

[SombreroBeanieHat]

And it’s why I’m really crossing my fingers they do him Justice in his own show. Always been my favorite character growing up.

[bztake]

Obi wan is one of the most inspirational characters in sw. he became extremely accomplished despite having a low midichlorian count

[mr_elusive_]

It doesn’t make sense that Luke would lose Ben to the dark side, like how could you see the good in Darth Vader, who murdered millions of innocent lives, and see darkness in Ben, who literally didn’t do anything wrong

[ResseJae]

Im a huge fan of your way of seeing the strife and turmoil Obi-Wan. he is truly a broken and flawed man. I hope this new show shows that. he is so complex... his story is so deep..

[apexfrazier]

Beautifully made and delivered Ryan! Great job 👏

[patrickestwick]

You Ryan are simply the best commentator bar none on this forum. You bring clever insight and clarity of thought which this viewer highly respects. No rants of immature emotions etc…kudos to you sir. I hope others view your videos and learn from your approach.

[MLN-yzph]

I really did not think about this until now. Obi-Wan took something from Vader in the first Star Wars by dying. That one thing that drove him deep down inside was no longer there. And the fact it was him just giving up would have made it that much more I think. I really have to wonder what would have been going thru Vader after that fight. Not right away, just in the quiet times that must have been full of Obi-Wan hate in his head now quiet. Was that the point he was floating free and could go back to the light?