The tragedy of Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side and his ultimate transformation into Darth Vader is a cornerstone of the Star Wars saga. While often attributed to the events surrounding the Clone Wars and Palpatine’s years of manipulation, the cracks in his bond with Obi-Wan Kenobi began to show far earlier than many realize.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan and Anakin, written by Charles Soule with art by Marco Checchetto, gives a deep dive into their early and formative years. This five-issue miniseries provides a crucial glimpse into their dynamic during Anakin’s Padawan days, specifically three years after Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

As the story unfolds, it reveals that the seeds of Obi-Wan and Anakin’s later tragic encounter on Mustafar were sown not in the heat of battle or under the Emperor’s influence, but in the quiet moments of mentorship and the profound differences in their perspectives.

The Weight Of Prophecy And The Burden Of Expectation Began Early For Anakin

Obi-Wan And Anakin, Written By Charles Soule With Art By Marco Checchetto

From the outset, Anakin's presence in the Jedi Order was unique, marked by the prophecy of the Chosen One. This extraordinary scenario that had never been seen before, while a source of hope, also placed a heavy burden on both Anakin and Obi-Wan. Anakin felt the pressure to live up to an impossible ideal, fueling his impatience and desire for rapid progress. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, grappled with the enormity of his task, trying to guide a being whose potential far sured his own, all while keeping the promise he made to Qui-Gon Jinn on his deathbed.

Obi-Wan and Anakin opens with Anakin in his early teens, already questioning his place within the Jedi Order and expressing a desire to leave. This early contemplation of a different life outside the confines of the strict Jedi rules reveals a fundamental dissatisfaction that happened before any direct influence from Palpatine. It highlights Anakin’s inherent struggle with the rigid structure and seemingly slow pace of Jedi training, which was a stark contrast to his immense power and desire to prove himself.

Obi-Wan, ever the dedicated master, attempts to reason with Anakin, emphasizing patience and the importance of the Jedi path. Yet, even in these early exchanges, a subtle disconnect is evident. Obi-Wan speaks from a place of adherence to tradition, while Anakin yearns for something more immediate and impactful; a characteristic that will ultimately lead to his downfall. Anakin's impatience is a recurring theme throughout the series. He sees the Force as a tool for immediate action and grand gestures, rather than a deeper connection to be cultivated through years of disciplined study.

This fundamental difference in their approach to the Force creates a rift between them. Obi-Wan strives to teach him humility and restraint, but Anakin's natural and raw power often overshadows his master's lessons. The comic also showcases Anakin's struggles with attachment, a core tenet forbidden by the Jedi. His lingering thoughts of his mother, Shmi, and his desire to protect those he cares about are evident even at this young age. Obi-Wan, bound by the Jedi code, attempts to guide him away from these attachments, but the intensity of Anakin's emotions proves difficult to temper.

Their Differing Philosophies On The Jedi Code Created An Incompatibility, Despite The Genuine Love Between Master And Apprentice

The Clashes Ideologies Could Never Be Mended

Obi-Wan and Anakin delves into a mission where Obi-Wan and Anakin are stranded on a desolate, technologically backward planet called Carnelion IV. This isolation forces them to confront their differing philosophies head-on, away from the distractions of the Jedi Temple and the wider galaxy. The planet itself, embroiled in a seemingly endless conflict, serves as a harsh mirror to their internal struggles.

Anakin’s natural inclination is to intervene directly in the planet's conflict and to use his immense power to bring about a swift resolution. He sees injustice and believes his destiny is to right it. This proactive, almost aggressive, stance clashes with Obi-Wan's more measured and observant approach, one that prioritizes understanding before action. Obi-Wan, steeped in Jedi tradition, emphasizes non-interference and the importance of allowing cultures to evolve on their own . He understands the complexities of societal conflict and the dangers of imposing an external solution that may not mesh well with the natives.

This philosophical divide of intervention versus observation foreshadows their later disagreements during the Clone Wars, where Anakin often takes a more direct and forceful approach to problem-solving. The inhabitants of Carnelion IV are divided into two factions, the Open and the Closed, each representing different societal structures and beliefs. Anakin gravitates towards the Open, who are more technologically advanced and outwardly focused, mirroring his own desire for progress and impact. Obi-Wan, however, sees the wisdom in the Closed's more introspective and traditional way of life.

This mission also highlights Anakin's growing frustration with the perceived limitations of the Jedi Order. He views their ive approach as a weakness, a failure to utilize their immense power for the greater good. This sentiment, nurtured in these early years, will eventually be exploited by Palpatine, who promises Anakin the power to achieve his desires unhindered by Jedi rules.

The Seeds Of Mistrust And Misunderstanding Were Planted Long Ago

Neither Obi-Wan Nor Anakin Could Have Predicted Where The Future Would Lead Them

Despite their shared experiences and Obi-Wan's earnest efforts, a subtle but significant misunderstanding persists between them. Anakin perceives Obi-Wan's guidance as restrictive, an attempt to stifle his true potential. He yearns for validation and encouragement to embrace his power, rather than to temper it. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, sees his role as protecting Anakin from the very power he so desperately wishes to unleash, fearing its destructive potential.

Obi-Wan, while deeply caring for Anakin, also struggles with his own doubts and anxieties regarding his exceptionally powerful Padawan.

Obi-Wan and Anakin portrays moments where Anakin feels unheard and underestimated by his master. He struggles to articulate the grand power he feels within him, and Obi-Wan, though well-intentioned, often responds with caution rather than full embrace. This creates a subtle rift in their communication and a growing sense of isolation for Anakin within their bond. Obi-Wan, while deeply caring for Anakin, also struggles with his own doubts and anxieties regarding his exceptionally powerful Padawan. This internal struggle on Obi-Wan’s part, while understandable, may have inadvertently contributed to Anakin’s feeling of being an anomaly, apart from the rest of the Jedi.

The constant tension between Anakin's desire for immediate action and Obi-Wan's emphasis on patience ultimately erodes the foundation of their relationship in the future. While they operate as a team, the underlying currents of their differing beliefs create an endless friction that could not be tempered. These early frustrations, left unaddressed and festering, paved the way for more significant conflicts when the stakes were higher.

Ultimately, Obi-Wan and Anakin reveals that the tragic trajectory of their relationship was not a sudden descent but a slow, gradual cracking. The seeds of Anakin’s impatience, his struggle with attachment, and his philosophical divergence from the Jedi Order were sown in his Padawan years, nurtured by a subtle but persistent misunderstanding between master and apprentice. The catastrophic events of Order 66 merely brought to fruition the cracks that had already begun to form, long before the galaxy plunged into darkness.