The very first lightsaber duel seen in the Star Wars The franchise took place in 1977 Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hopebetween Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. At the time of the film’s release, it had not yet been revealed that the masked Sith Lord was actually Luke Skywalker’s father, Anakin Skywalker, but Obi-Wan had at least confirmed that Vader was his own former apprentice. This one tantalizing bit of history between Obi-Wan and Vader injected their confrontation with dramatic tension. It also raised the question of whether the apprentice had truly become stronger than the master.

Since the release of A new hope, Star Wars Fans now know Obi-Wan and Darth Vader much better than they did back in the original film. Star Wars trilogy made its first appearance on the big screen. Star Wars The prequels explore their history as master and apprentice, revealing how Anakin Skywalker joined the Jedi Order, how Obi-Wan reacted to being forced into a Padawan, and how Anakin ultimately fell to the dark side. The prequels provide a comprehensive look at Anakin’s struggles with the ways of the Jedi, the true nature of his power, and how he first clashed with Obi-Wan and ended up forever trapped in Darth Vader’s cybernetic armor.

Anakin Skywalker lacked Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi discipline

Anakin was an emotionally focused Padawan and Jedi Knight

In terms of midi-chlorian count alone (the measure of microbiotic life forms that exist in all living cells of the Star Wars (franchise), making communication with the Force possible — there’s no denying that Anakin Skywalker was always more powerful than Obi-Wan Kenobi. When Obi-Wan’s Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, discovered young Anakin living on Tatooine Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom MenaceHe asked Obi-Wan to test the boy’s blood for midi-chlorine levels. A shocked Obi-Wan confirmed that even Yoda, the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, did not have midi-chlorine levels as high as Anakin’s. This seemingly confirmed Qui-Gan’s theory that Anakin was the Chosen One of Jedi prophecy, destined to bring balance to the Force.

Although Anakin Skywalker possessed more raw power than any other Jedi in the galaxy, this power could only be harnessed and used through Jedi training. In order to wield the Force and know its will, Jedi practiced supreme discipline. This involved renouncing all attachments and learning to master their emotions, so that their minds could not be clouded by fear, hatred, or love. In this regard, Obi-Wan Kenobi was a near-perfect example of everything a Jedi should be. While the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars revealed that he had harbored romantic feelings for Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore, he also revealed that he was disciplined enough not to give in to such emotions. Anakin, on the other hand, was not as disciplined.

In Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the ClonesAnakin revealed to Naboo Senator Padmé Amidala the romantic feelings he had for her since they first met as children. While Padmé initially warned Anakin against such feelings, reminding him that relationships were forbidden for a Jedi and that falling in love with a Jedi would be scandalous for a senator, she eventually confessed to loving him. The two secretly married at the end of the film. Attack of the Clones I also saw Anakin return home to Tatooine, hoping to save his mother’s life, having never been able to give up his attachment to her. When he saw his mother killed by the Tusken Raiders, he was filled with anger and slaughtered the tribe..

The Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi he made it clear that Anakin had always been at a disadvantage to his master due to his indiscipline. The fifth episode of the series features a flashback to before the Clone Wars, showing Obi-Wan and Anakin training against each other in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. During this training duel, Obi-Wan warns Anakin to be aware of his aggressive feelings, reminding him that a Jedi’s duty is to defend life, not take it. Although Anakin briefly disarms his master, Obi-Wan ultimately wins the duel, taking Anakin’s lightsaber from him. He warns his apprentice that his “need for victory” is blinding him. It is this Anakin/Darth Vader mindset that allows Obi-Wan to lure his former apprentice into a duel in the sixth episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi. It also led to Anakin’s gruesome defeat at the hands of his former master at the end of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

George Lucas Said Obi-Wan Kenobi Was Stronger Than Darth Vader In A New Hope

Future Star Wars Movies and TV Series Confirm George Lucas’s Take on Vader’s Strength

When Darth Vader faced Obi-Wan Kenobi in A new hopeThe Sith Lord warned his former master that he was no longer a mere apprentice, but had become a full-fledged master. Vader taunted Obi-Wan, claiming that the latter’s powers had weakened. While these boasts seemed to be borne out by the final outcome of the duel (which saw Vader kill his former master), Vader was not necessarily the more powerful fighter. By this point, Vader had become “more machine than man,” reliant on his cybernetic suit for survival.Obi-Wan, on the other hand, was not only more willing to face death than his former Padawan, but he also told Vader that once he died, he would become “more powerful than you can imagine.”

Obi-Wan’s words were proven true after his death, when he was able to manifest as one with the Force. The book The Creation of The Empire Strikes Back by JW Rinzler revealed behind-the-scenes conversations between Star Wars creator George Lucas and screenwriter Leigh Brackett, at the time Brackett was writing the first draft of the script for Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes BackDuring this process, Lucas revealed that he wanted Obi-Wan’s Force ghost to give Luke more information about his duel with Vader. A new hope. In this conversation it would be revealed that “Vader could not use his supernatural powers against [Obi-Wan]because [Obi-Wan] was too strong; he had to rely on brute force.

The book also reveals that Lucas assigned power levels to Obi-Wan and Vader, describing Vader as level four but Obi-Wan as level six. This idea of ​​Lucas seems to confirm that, at least at the time of A new hopeObi-Wan was more powerful than Darth Vader. Obi-Wan’s superior ability at this point in the timeline was likely due in part to Vader being primarily mechanical, which weakened his connection to the Force. However, Obi-Wan’s dedication to the light side and his Jedi training also helped him achieve this greater degree of power.

After allowing himself to be killed by Vader, allowing Luke and Leia to escape the Death Star without attempting to save him, Obi-Wan’s body disappeared. This was a result of him learning the path to immortality after Vader’s fall to the dark side, meaning that upon his death, Obi-Wan was able to maintain his consciousness as he became one with the Force. This was an ability that Vader was only able to master after abandoning the dark side and becoming Anakin again. Even then, he was only able to return as a Force ghost through Obi-Wan’s guidance, according to the canon book. From a certain point of view: Return of the Jedi.

Darth Vader only reached his full potential in death

In death, Anakin Skywalker reconciled his light and dark sides and became whole.

The climactic battles of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader

Anakin’s redemption at the end of his life (brought about by Luke in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi) saw him return to the dark side of the Force and finally fulfill his destiny. The prophecy had stated that as the Chosen One, Anakin would bring balance to the Force by destroying the Sith. He accomplished this by destroying both the Emperor and himself in an act of selfless love for his son. Upon his death, with the help of Obi-Wan, Anakin was also transformed into a Force ghost, suggesting a state of being completely at one with the Force. It was only with his final act of self-sacrifice that Anakin truly earned his place among the greatest Jedi Masters in the galaxy, discovering the true power that the corrupting influence of the dark side had kept him from achieving.

Being the Chosen One, conceived by the Force, Anakin was likely far more powerful than Obi-Wan in terms of potential. However, Anakin has proven time and time again that he lacks the discipline and focus to realize this potential.. In his battles with Obi-Wan, his aggression and need to win made him vulnerable. After being knighted by Darth Vader, his arrogance led to his defeat and dismemberment by Obi-Wan’s blade on Mustafar. His cybernetics weakened his connection to the Force after the duel on Mustafar, rendering Vader unable to defeat his master. Ultimately, it was Obi-Wan’s choice to give his life to his former apprentice, but If he had wanted to, Obi-Wan could certainly have defeated Darth Vader in their final duel.

Star Wars

The original trilogy depicts Luke Skywalker’s heroic development as a Jedi and his fight against Palpatine’s Galactic Empire alongside his sister, LeiaThe prequels tell the tragic story of their father, Anakin, who is corrupted by Palpatine and becomes Darth Vader.