Star Wars Challenge Day 1

Today the topic of the day is "All-Time Favorite Character"

And for me, that would have to be the Great Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi

I've always liked his character but I think it was the book "Secrets of the Jedi" and the Prequel Trilogy that boosted him to the top of my favorites.

Why is he my favorite? Well there are many which I will cover in this post.

The first reason is his character, or in other words, personality. In the whole Saga, he is probably has one of the purest hearts(the others are Luke and Padme) out of all the characters. He was always a true Jedi, even as a young boy. There are many instances where we see his noble and self-sacrificing ways- in his selflessness in many situations where he accepted death without fear(how many thirteen-year-olds, even Jedi, are capable of that?), his desire to help those oppressed, and hurt. His character, in my opinion, can be best summarized in Matthew Stover's words(not sure if this is all of it) -

This is Obi-Wan Kenobi: a phenomenal pilot who doesn't like to fly. A devastating warrior, who'd rather not fight. A negotiator without peer, who'd frankly rather sit alone in a cave. He is a Jedi Master, General in the Grand Army, Member of the Jedi Council. He is modest, centered, and always kind. He has become a hero. He is the ultimate Jedi. It is characteristic of Obi-Wan that he is unaware of this.

In my opinion, he IS the ultimate Jedi; he followed the Code, had great compassion, and was able control his emotions but still feels(I think he felt very deeply, that was why he had to have such control over himself, so that he could do his duty as a Jedi). He also embodied the virtues of the Old Order - steadfastness, selflessness, and modesty. He is a very strong person(mentally and physically) and is able to deal with loads and loads of pain and guilt that no one should have to bear; yet he always stays true to the light side of the Force. He, of course, has his flaws, but on the whole I find him to be one of the strongest, kindest, most loyal, people out there(I really wish he was real)

Another reason is his AWESOMENESS! I mean, he was an extremely powerful Jedi, with the Force, lightsaber skills, piloting, other means of combat, negotiating skills, and well, he has many abilities. And yet, he remained humble, and didn't realize how amazing he was(but that is another reason why he's so cool)

Even as a young boy, we can see his prowess. At thirteen, he was able to resist a mind wipe by creating barriers around his mind with the Force(something only a Jedi Master should be able to do). He was also able to fight(and pretty much beat) Prince Beju in a sword fight(a weapon he wasn't trained with), and he beat a corrupt Bruck Chun in a lightsaber duel.

And this leads to one of his most amazing feats- his defeat of Sith Apprentice Darth Maul. Before his duel with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, Darth Maul had defeated a very powerful lightsaber instructor and his apprentice. Obi-Wan's defeat of the hellish Sith made him the first Jedi to defeat a Sith in over a thousand years(and he was a PADAWAN!!!). His Mastery of Form III Soresu(some said he was THE master of the form) is extremely amazing and it makes him able to defeat many dangerous enemies such as Grievous(who had been able to take on five Jedi easily) and the Chosen One turned Bogan(darkside). And his dueling is very enjoyable to watch, its simple, effective, and very skillful. His hand-to-hand combat is good and he is a very good pilot(I mean, watch how he evaded everything Jango and Boba threw at him). On another note, he was considered on of the best duelists of his time- rivaling Yoda, Mace Windu, and Dooku.

Another thing I love about Obi-Wan are his relationships with different characters.

His relationships with others are one of my favorites things about Star Wars, they're so complex, loving, and heart-breaking.

I really enjoyed Obi-Wan's relationship with his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. You can tell from The Phantom Menace that the two have a close bond. Through Jude Watson's amazing Jedi Apprentice series we get to see a closer, more penetrating, look at their relationship. At first they have a very rocky one; Qui-Gon is fearful of trusting another child after his failure with Xanatos, and Obi-Wan is trying to make Qui-Gon see for who he is. But, happily, things work out and these two become very close- their relationship evolving into that of father and son. You can tell how much they care for each other and love each other, even though they don't ever say it outright. It is definitely one of my favorite relationships in the entire Saga, and I have to say, that is I had read Jedi Apprentice before watching The Phantom Menace, I would have cried at Qui-Gon's death. Also, I love how sensitive Obi-Wan was towards his Master after Tahl's death. It was so sweet. :)

Ah, the Kenobi-Skywalker team; my favorite relationships in the Saga.

Yes, Obi-Wan at first only took Anakin on as his apprentice to fulfill the dying wish of his Master, but, after spending time with Anakin, the boy "wound round his(Obi-Wan's) heart." Both were hurting, Anakin from leaving his mother and Obi-Wan from loosing the only father he'd ever known, so that probably drew them together. Though, spending long hours together, also had something to do with it. At first, while Master and Padawan, they had a father-son relationship(strained yes, but they were both very different). You can see, especially in the Jedi Quest series and Rogue Planet, their affection for each other, as well as their confusion on how to work together. After the Clone Wars started, and Anakin was knighted, their relationship changed and evolved, becoming calmer, and like that of best friends and brothers. Their close friendship is one of the main things that makes Revenge of the Sith so tragic- you can really see how much Obi-Wan loves his apprentice and how heartbroken he is at his best friends turn. One thing I noticed was that he told Anakin he loved him- something he hadn't been able to tell anyone else at their deaths. Though we know that the two are reunited in the end. :).

I'm not a romantic; I don't read romance novels, and I find love triangles very annoying. But, I really just LOVE Obi-Wan and Siri's relationship. There are hints that the two like each other(and just don't want to admit it) in Jedi Apprentice and then you can see that they are hiding it in their interactions in Jedi Quest. Secrets of the Jedi was the first book with Siri in it that I read, and I immediately liked her. Their relationship was actually the first of few romantic type relationships that I like. Their interactions are hilarious, but sweet and sad. You actually really feel for them when they "can't be together"(and it isn't corny or sappy). I really wished this relationship could be explored more(I'd LIKE it to be mentioned in the t.v series but it probably won't happen :p). Even though the bulk of their romantic relationship is only explored in one book(one written for 9-12 year olds) it is one of the most developed, and best written romance I've ever read.

I find him easily relatible to- we both have anxiety, we are hurt and easily, I have felt how he feels before, we are both cautious and follow the rules, and we both have worried about worrying too much. I say he is one of my Fictional Best Friends. :)

And also, he is VERY handsome. :)

Well, that's all for now, sorry it was so long(there is more, but it would take me way to long to write it all out). I also apologize for any grammar mistakes that you may notice. If you want to tell me what you think and who your favorite character is, comment below. Have a good day and May the Force be with you! (Jedi bows)