Obi-Wan Kenobi's Complete Star Wars Timeline Explained

Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of Star Wars’ greatest characters, as evidenced by his extensive timeline of movies, TV shows, novels, and comic books. Since appearing in the first Star Wars movie in release order, Obi-Wan has been a staple of the franchise. Upcoming Star Wars movies are unlikely to include Kenobi directly, but there is no denying that his legacy as a Jedi Knight will endure in stories like Rey’s New Jedi Order.

Upcoming Star Wars TV shows could even continue this legacy should Luke Skywalker, his first student, return in the New Republic era. Although there are mysteries and things many might not know about Obi-Wan Kenobi, his lasting appeal across the Star Wars movies and TV shows has revealed a lot about his journey. With that in mind, it is worth exploring his exact timeline, from the beginning of his life to when Obi-Wan Kenobi was last seen in the Star Wars franchise.

Obi-Wan Was Born In 57 BBY

Obi-Wan’s Birth Date Comes Shortly Before The Prequel Trilogy

Interestingly, a lot of the mystery concerning Obi-Wan surrounds his early life. Given that Obi-Wan was taken to Coruscant and inducted into the Jedi Order at a young age, little is known of his home life. However, in the Star Wars: Timelines book, it was confirmed that Obi-Wan was born in 57 BBY, around 25 years before the beginning of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Similarly, it was confirmed that Obi-Wan was born on the planet of Stewjon.

Obi-Wan Became Qui-Gon Jinn’s Padawan

Obi-Wan Found His Own Master

Around 13 years later, in 44 BBY, Obi-Wan was assigned to Qui-Gon Jinn as a Padawan. In the early years of their time together, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi had some issues. While the latter strived to be a good student and the former an approachable master, their ideals somewhat clashed. However, a trip to Kashyyyk saw Obi-Wan save Qui-Gon from Trandoshan hunters before an assignment on the planet of Mandalore brought Kenobi closer not only to his master but also to a character who appears in the timeline of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

The character in question is Duchess Satine Kryze, with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon being tasked with protecting her from Mandalorian insurgents. The trio lived as fugitives, meaning their lives were less than comfortable. During this hardship, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan became closer, while the latter fell in love with Satine. However, Obi-Wan reiterated his commitment to the Jedi, and the two parted ways, despite their feelings for one another. After this, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan underwent a lot of missions together, including one depicted in the book Star Wars: The Living Force.

Obi-Wan Was 25 Years Old When He Became A Jedi Knight

The First Star Wars Movie Saw Obi-Wan Forego The Padawan Braid

12 years after becoming Qui-Gon Jinn’s Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi first appeared in live-action in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. This film saw Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan investigating the invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation while reckoning with the changes they feel within the Force. From the introduction of Anakin Skywalker as the Chosen One of the Force to the emergence of the Sith, The Phantom Menace is the first major step in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s live-action journey.

This is highlighted in the film’s ending, with Kenobi finally becoming a Jedi Knight, 25 years after his birth. As many who have seen the movie will be aware, this upgrade stems from tragedy. Qui-Gon Jinn is fatally wounded by Darth Maul during the climactic Duel of the Fates, leading Obi-Wan to promise his dying master that he will train Anakin as a Jedi. After the Council reluctantly agrees, Obi-Wan is risen to the rank of Jedi Knight, and Anakin Skywalker becomes his Padawan.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

2.5

The beginning of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace sees young Anakin Skywalker put on his path to discovering his ability to influence the Force. While attempting to thwart the nefarious Trade Federation in their plans for the planet of Naboo, two Jedi discover an exceptionally-gifted slave with the ability to wield the Force. Little do they know, rescuing him is just the beginning of a saga that will span generations of the Skywalker family.  

Release Date

May 19, 1999

Cast

Ewan McGregor , Liam Neeson , Natalie Portman , Jake Lloyd , Ahmed Best , Ian McDiarmid , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , Pernilla August , Frank Oz , Ray Park , Samuel L. Jackson

Runtime

133 minutes

Obi-Wan’s Apprentice “Graduated” 10 Years Later, After Attack Of The Clones

Attack Of The Clones Saw Obi-Wan’s Time As Master Come To An End

For a decade, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker grew as master and Padawan, going on many missions together across the galaxy. This led to Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in which the mystery of the Sith is further unveiled, Obi-Wan discovers a clone army and a Sith-inclined Count Dooku, and Anakin begins to fall in love with Padmé Amidala. At the end of the movie, Obi-Wan’s relationship with Anakin takes another step forward.

With the onset of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order became more militaristic. Those who held the rank of Jedi Knight or Master became generals of the Grand Army of the Republic, while Padawans were seen as commanders. Anakin, being the strongest fighter in the Jedi Order, was promoted to Jedi Knight, effectively ending his and Obi-Wan’s master-Padawan relationship. While this dynamic is hard-broken and naturally continued, 22 BBY saw the next major development in Kenobi’s Star Wars journey, leading into the Clone Wars.

Related

8 Ways The Clone Wars Improved Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Story

Though Star Wars: The Clone Wars was largely focused on Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s character was improved by the animated show as well.

Obi-Wan Was 38 When He Dueled Anakin On Mustafar

Three Years Of War Led To Anakin Skywalker’s Downfall

After fighting in the Clone Wars between 22 BBY and 19 BBY, Anakin Skywalker was corrupted by the dark side and Darth Sidious. Obi-Wan Kenobi was away fighting General Grievous in the waning days of the war, before being targeted by Star Wars’ tragic Order 66. The clones turned on their Jedi commanders as shown in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, with Kenobi surviving and making his way back to Coruscant. After learning of what had become of Anakin, Obi-Wan traveled to Mustafar to face his old Padawan.

The face-off between Anakin and Obi-Wan is known as the Battle of Heroes and one of Star Wars’ greatest-ever action scenes. This battle raged across the lava planet before Obi-Wan managed to subdue Anakin. After cutting off his Padawan’s legs and arms, Obi-Wan takes his lightsaber and leaves the newly-crowned Darth Vader to die. Afterward, Kenobi hides Anakin’s twin children before going into hiding himself on the planet of Tatooine.

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

3.5

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is the sixth film in the Star Wars franchise and chronologically the third in the Skywalker Saga. Set three years after the events of Attack of the Clones, Anakin Skywalker is tasked with keeping an eye on Chancellor Palpatine while other Jedi battle across the galaxy. In the background, however, a mysterious Sith lord begins to make their move to destroy the Jedi once and for all.

Release Date

May 19, 2005

Cast

Ewan McGregor , Natalie Portman , Hayden Christensen , Ian McDiarmid , Samuel L. Jackson , Christopher Lee , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , Frank Oz , Ahmed Best , Temuera Morrison

Runtime

140 Minutes

Obi-Wan Fought Darth Vader Again When He Was 48

Obi-Wan & Vader Had A Fateful Rematch

Despite being a central character in the Star Wars franchise, Kenobi’s only solo story came in 2022 with Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Star Wars Disney+ show detailed the character’s time in exile between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, where Kenobi was shown working day-to-day and protecting a young Luke Skywalker from a distance. After a call from Bail Organa, Kenobi leaves Tatooine to save Luke’s sister, Leia, after she was kidnapped to lure the Jedi out of hiding.

Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s ending saw the titular Jedi confront his old Padawan once more. Darth Vader, hellbent on killing Kenobi, faced down his former master a decade after their fateful clash on Mustafar. Kenobi gained the upper hand in the fight, giving himself time to apologize to Anakin for his own failures, before leaving and connecting with his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, through the Force.

Obi-Wan Died When He Was Just 57 Years Old

Kenobi’s First Release Order Appearance Is One Of His Last Chronologically

As alluded to, the first appearance Kenobi ever made in the franchise was in 1977’s Star Wars, later retitled A New Hope. Despite this being first in release order, it showcases the end of Kenobi’s long timeline in chronological order. Kenobi comes out of hiding once more to help both Luke and Leia as they grapple against the Empire and his former apprentice. After confronting Vader once more to secure their escape, Kenobi willingly sacrifices himself and becomes one with the Force.

Obi-Wan Became A Force Ghost, Meaning He Is Now Immortal

Obi-Wan Lives On In The Cosmic Force

The final few chronological appearances of Kenobi in the Star Wars timeline come in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, and The Rise of Skywalker. The latter two are only brief voice appearances but stem from how he returned in the former two. After his death, Kenobi became one with the Cosmic Force and lived on as one of Star Wars’ Force ghosts. This renders him essentially immortal, as his spirit can return and guide those who come after him, like Luke and Rey Skywalker, in the Star Wars franchise.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

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.

Died

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Alias

Ben, Rako Hardeen

Alliance

Jedi

Race

Human

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