Obi-Wan Kenobi's Fighting Style Has A Deeper Meaning Than You Realize

Obi-Wan’s method of unarmed combat on Obi-Wan Kenobi has a deeper meaning than audiences may realize, reflecting his Jedi nature. Obi-Wan Kenobi brought Ewan McGregor back as the wise Jedi Master, with Hayden Christensen also returning as Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader, in pursuit of vengeance on his old mentor. Though Obi-Wan Kenobi is as heavy on lightsaber action as Star Wars audiences have come to expect, it also showed another facet of Obi-Wan’s combat skills.

Early on in the show, Obi-Wan faces a number of opponents without wielding his lightsaber. Obi-Wan’s method of fighting them off hand-to-hand largely shows him using throws and techniques that turn his opponents' momentum against them. As with the lightsaber combat of Star Wars, this has a basis in real-world martial arts, most notably Aikido and Judo. More than that, though, it actually reveals quite a bit about Obi-Wan Kenobi's nature.

Both martial arts originate from Japan. Aikido and Judo each are known for their throws and other grappling maneuvers, many of which are designed in such a way as to redirect the attack of an enemy. Rather than being used to go on the offense, they are used primarily defensively, and this comes through it the Jedi Master's combat. This approach to unarmed fighting fits the Jedi sage Obi-Wan Kenobi very well. He's been long depicted in the Star Wars universe as a wise, largely peaceful mentor. In situations where bloodshed and serious injury can be avoided, Obi-Wan does everything he can to fight his enemies in a path of least resistance kind of way.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Obi-Wan Kenobi or the average Jedi is a pacifist in every situation. As seen with their use of lightsabers, Obi-Wan and his fellow Jedi are prepared to use lethal force when a fight necessitates it. Even so, by showing Obi-Wan Kenobi engaged in unarmed fights where he relies on throws and joint locks, it establishes his way as a Jedi of understanding what degree of force is needed in a fight and applying it accordingly.

When it comes to battles with the Jedis' trusted lightsaber, the Star Wars universe has frequently designed Jedi fighting styles as similar to that of the samurai, basing the use of lightsabers in combat on the sword-fighting techniques of kenjutsu. Ray Park’s introduction as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace also brought in flashier movements from Chinese Wushu and bo staff combat. With lightsaber fights inevitably being life-or-death battles by their nature, both Jedi and Sith naturally employ fighting techniques of a much more aggressive nature.

Fighting unarmed, that’s a different story, at least certainly for a centered and peaceful warrior like Obi-Wan. As seen on Obi-Wan Kenobi, his fight scenes without his lightsaber show a keen understanding of the levels of combat. It is an intrinsic part of who Obi-Wan Kenobi is as a Jedi. As martial arts in the real world teach, particularly punishing or fatal techniques should not be wielded unless it is absolutely necessary, and Obi-Wan does exactly that with his unarmed methods of turning an opponent’s attack against them on Obi-Wan Kenobi.

NEXT: Kenobi's Last Two Star Wars Cameos Have Deep Meanings For Obi-Wan & Vader

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