The Star Wars saga is filled with iconic relationships, but few rival the profound depth and tragic arc of Obi-Wan Kenobi. While often overshadowed by his romance with Pé Amidala, Anakin's most impactful and ultimately devastating love story was between him and his former master and friend, Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan and Anakin’s love story is not about romanticizing. Instead, it is about the undeniable power of their bond; a connection so strong it fundamentally reshaped the galaxy and still captivates Star Wars fans today.
Multiple comic storylines over the years—even after Anakin's tragic fall—illustrate that Anakin and Obi-Wan had a relationship that was far beyond simple mentorship or friendship. What they shared was a profound, enduring familial love, forged in mutual respect and countless shared battles, only to shatter in the most devastating way imaginable.
Their Brotherhood Was Forged By Shared Experiences
Obi-Wan Essentially Raised Anakin, After All
From the outset, the dynamic between Anakin and Obi-Wan was marked by a unique blend of mentorship and something far more personal. The comics, particularly those set during the Age of Republic era, vividly sow the initial seeds of this deep connection. A young Obi-Wan, burdened with the responsibility of training the “Chosen One,” initially approached Anakin with the strict adherence to the Jedi Code. However, this soon began to shift. Obi-Wan’s internal thoughts, often presented through inner monologues, reveal a growing affection and a profound sense of responsibility that went beyond his Jedi duty.
This Star Wars Moment Proves Obi-Wan Is Basically Anakin's Dad Whether You Like It or Not
Anakin Skywalker’s sarcasm, a defense and coping mechanism, was learned from his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi's own dry wit.
He began to treat Anakin less like a student and more like a younger brother, a figure he felt compelled to guide and protect at all costs. This is evident in moments where Obi-Wan bends rules or expresses genuine concern for Anakin's well-being, even when it puts him at odds with the Jedi Council's more rigid views. The seeds of an unbreakable bond were sown in these formative years, built on mutual trust and the shared experience of navigating the unpredictable path of the Force.
Their early adventures together, depicted with a mix of lighthearted banter and serious peril, solidified their partnership and laid the groundwork for the deep emotional investment they would develop in one another. The comic Age of Republic - Obi-Wan Kenobi #1, written by Jody Ho with art by Wilton Santos, particularly showcases Obi-Wan's anxieties and hopes for Anakin, highlighting the early love and protectiveness he felt for his apprentice. This period truly established the foundation of their unique connection, moving beyond mere Jedi training into something far more personal and deeply rooted.
Their Love Deepened In The Crucible of War
The Clone Wars Solidified Their Brotherly Connection
The Clone Wars dramatically strengthen the bond between Anakin and Obi-Wan, transforming their mentorship into a true brotherhood forged on the battlefield. The shared trials and tribulations they endured, facing down Separatist forces and navigating the moral minefields of war, deepened their connection in ways few others could comprehend. The unspoken understanding between them, a silent language developed through years of fighting side-by-side, became a hallmark of their relationship. They could anticipate each other's moves, instinctively knowing how to and protect one another in the heat of combat. This went beyond mere duty; it was an unyielding commitment to each other’s survival.
While the Code preached detachment, their actions showed an intense bond that not even the Jedi Code could affect.
There are many times throughout the Star Wars: Clone Wars comic series, notably Star Wars: Republic by John Ostrander, Haden Blackman, and Randy Stradley, where Obi-Wan expresses concern for Anakin's recklessness, not out of annoyance, but out of genuine fear for his protégé's safety. Similarly, Anakin’s unwavering loyalty to Obi-Wan, even when disagreeing with his more measured approach, highlights the depth of his respect and affection. Their shared experiences forced them to break the rigid constraints of the Jedi Code, especially the rule concerning emotional attachments. While the Code preached detachment, their actions showed an intense bond that not even the Jedi Code could affect.
They protected each other in ways that went beyond strategic necessity, often putting their own lives on the line for the other. This wasn't a matter of obligation; it was an innate need born from an abiding love. Star Wars: Obi-Wan, written by Christopher Cantwell with art by Adriana Melo and Phil Noto, gives further insight into Obi-Wan's reflections on their relationship during this period, offering poignant moments that underscore the depth of his feelings for Anakin, revealing the private turmoil he faced in balancing his Jedi vows with his growing love for his former Padawan.
Their Love Suffered A Brutal And Almost Deadly Breakup On Mustafar
Getting Dumped On Mustafar Has The Be The Worst
The tragedy of Mustafar stands as the devastating climax of their unique love story. This duel was not merely a clash of ideologies or a student turning on his master; it was a brutal, heartbreaking breakup fueled by lost brotherly love. The emotional turmoil beneath the lightsaber clash is palpable throughout the pages of comics. In the Darth Vader (2015) series by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca, and the Darth Vader (2020) series by Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco, flashbacks from Vader’s perspective frequently highlight the emotional weight of that moment, revealing a sense of profound personal betrayal and a yearning for what was lost.
Anakin's Original Plan For Obi-Wan Is Way More Disturbing (and Heartbreaking) Than We Knew
Anakin’s idea of Obi-Wan’s true sense of love would have been a swift and kind death that prevented him from falling into Palpatine’s hands.
The anguish in Obi-Wan's cries, “You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!” resonates with the force of a man who has lost a part of his soul. The weight of their separation, the knowledge that the bond they had forged was irrevocably broken, rang out with every saber strike. The aftermath of this loss broke a part of Obi-Wan, whose continued grief and the lasting impact of their broken bond haunted him for years. His exile on Tatooine, shown in Star Wars: Obi-Wan, is not just a period of isolation but a time of regretful reflection on his failure to save Anakin.
The very fabric of Obi-Wan’s being was torn by the destruction of their relationship. Even in the years that followed, the shadow of Anakin Skywalker's fall loomed large over Obi-Wan Kenobi, a testament to the enduring power of their connection. The tragic irony is that their love, in its unique and powerful form, stands as the most compelling and ultimately tragic love story in the entire Star Wars saga, far suring any romantic fallouts in its raw emotional impact and galaxy-altering consequences.
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- Created By
- George Lucas
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Died
- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi
- Race
- Human
- Movies
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- TV Shows
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, Ahsoka
Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Pé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine's right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.
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- Alias
- Ben, Rako Hardeen
- Created By
- George Lucas
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Died
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Race
- Human
- Movies
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
The Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Jedi Knight after his master's death. Obi-Wan trained Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi, with his own apprentice knighted after the Battle of Geonosis. The Jedi Master became a key player in the Jedi during the Clone Wars, and was heartbroken when Anakin turned to the dark side; Obi-Wan critically wounded Anakin before taking to the shadows, watching over the young Luke and Leia for years. He sacrificed himself for his two charges, becoming a Force Ghost and continuing to mentor them.
