WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Jedi Knights #1-2From their first appearance as master and padawan in Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, the close dynamic between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi was evident. Though most masters and apprentices share a special relationship, Obi-Wan ultimately was loyal to and respected Qui-Gon more than the entirety of the Jedi Order.

Throughout The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan is shown to be a dutiful and dedicated apprentice. He heeds his master’s advice, but does not blindly agree. In fact, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon have very differing opinions when it comes to Anakin Skywalker and whether it is a wise choice to train him as a Jedi.

However, Obi-Wan has a change of heart when it comes to Anakin, as Qui-Gon asks Obi-Wan to promise he would train the boy with his dying breath. As it turns out, this was a promise that Obi-Wan took more seriously than anyone realized.

Obi-Wan Was Prepared To Train Anakin Illegally, Away From Coruscant

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

In the Obi-Wan & Anakin comic miniseries by Charles Soule and Marco Checchetto, a pivotal moment reveals the depth of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s commitment to his dying master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Following Qui-Gon’s last wish on Naboo, Obi-Wan felt an unbreakable obligation to train Anakin Skywalker, the boy Qui-Gon believed to be the Chosen One. This commitment placed Obi-Wan in direct conflict with the Jedi Council, who harbored significant reservations about Anakin’s age, powerful connection to the Force, and the lingering attachments from his life as a slave.

Despite the Council's unease and their initial reluctance to allow Anakin’s training, Obi-Wan stood firm. In a powerful exchange with Master Yoda, depicted in the comic, Obi-Wan explicitly stated his unwavering intention to guide Anakin in the ways of the Force. If Anakin chose to leave the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan would follow him and continue to train him outside the confines of the system. Obi-Wan went so far as to say that he did not care that such actions were illegal if it meant fulfilling his solemn vow to Qui-Gon, highlighting the profound respect and loyalty he held for his fallen master.

This bold stance from Obi-Wan underscores the significant weight of Qui-Gon's final request. Qui-Gon's conviction that Anakin was destined to bring balance to the Force resonated deeply with Obi-Wan, overriding his typically steadfast adherence to the Jedi Code and the Council's directives. Obi-Wan's willingness to potentially forsake his place within the Jedi Order demonstrates the strength of his promise and his burgeoning belief in Anakin’s potential, even in the face of the Council's apprehension and the risks associated with training someone so powerful and emotionally vulnerable.

Even In His Youth, Obi-Wan Prioritized Qui-Gon Over The Jedi Code

Jedi Knights, Written By Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov

In Jedi Knights by Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov, readers see a younger version of Obi-Wan beside his master; even younger than he was during The Phantom Menace. In Jedi Knights #1, Obi-Wan has a powerful precognitive vision of his beloved master being assassinated by an unknown foe. The Force vision is so visceral that Obi-Wan cannot stop ruminating on it; a fact which Master Yoda notices and asks about during their training. Obi-Wan explains what he has seen, while Yoda assures him not to worry, as Force visions are very hard to interpret and can represent many things.

Though Obi-Wan listens to Yoda, Jedi Knights #2 reveals that he did not accept or abide by the Jedi Master’s instructions. In fact, Obi-Wan did the opposite, dwelling more on his vision out of fear of losing Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan’s obsession with the possible future he glimpsed led him to the Jedi Archives, where he was able to track down the person he saw assassinating Qui-Gon. When he brings this information and the truth about this vision to Qui-Gon himself, Qui-Gon reiterates Yoda’s sentiment about Force visions being unreliable, but Obi-Wan stands firm.

Obi-Wan’s decision to deliberately disobey Yoda, of all the Jedi, illustrates just how far he is willing to go for Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan’s actions are a significant breach of Jedi protocol and respect for authority, which is something he rarely does in Star Wars canon. Obi-Wan is always viewed as the prime example of what a Jedi should be, but his actions in Jedi Knights underscore the strength of Obi-Wan's emotional attachment to Qui-Gon.

Ultimately, Obi-Wan's actions in Jedi Knights reveal a young Jedi whose loyalty to his master is profound and deeply personal.

Sharing his findings with Qui-Gon himself, despite Qui-Gon echoing Yoda's skepticism about Force visions, further emphasizes Obi-Wan’s unwavering concern. He is not simply seeking to understand the vision for his own sake, but is driven by a desire to protect his master. This proactive and almost protective stance, even as a young Padawan, highlights a bond that transcends the typical master-apprentice relationship. There is a deep affection and a sense of responsibility for Qui-Gon's safety that overrides Obi-Wan’s obedience to even the most revered Jedi Master.

Ultimately, Obi-Wan's actions in Jedi Knights reveal a young Jedi whose loyalty to his master is profound and deeply personal. His willingness to defy Yoda's direct guidance, driven by fear and a desire to prevent the tragic future he glimpsed, illustrates that his connection with Qui-Gon held a special place in Obi-Wan’s heart, even eclipsing his adherence to strict Jedi principles at this stage of his training. This early instance foreshadows the later lengths Obi-Wan would go to in honoring Qui-Gon’s final wish regarding Anakin, establishing a pattern of prioritizing his commitment to his master's well-being and legacy.

Obi-Wan's Loyalty Lied Elsewhere, And He Made It Clear When Necessary

He Put Loyalty Ahead Of All Else

Both the Obi-Wan & Anakin and Jedi Knights comic series vividly illustrate Obi-Wan Kenobi's profound loyalty to his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, often placing this bond above the strictures of the Jedi Order. In Obi-Wan & Anakin, this is evident in Obi-Wan’s declaration to Yoda that he would defy the Council and even leave the Jedi to train Anakin, fulfilling Qui-Gon's dying wish. This act of potential insubordination, which is extremely out-of-character for Obi-Wan, highlights the immense weight Obi-Wan placed on his promise and loyalty to his fallen master.

Similarly, Jedi Knights, Obi-Wan’s inability to dismiss his premonition and his active pursuit of its meaning, driven by fear of losing Qui-Gon, show his willingness to disregard not only the Jedi Code, but direct instructions from one of the Jedi's most revered figures. In both instances, Obi-Wan prioritizes his connection to Qui-Gon and honors his last request in one case, while striving to protect him in the other, even if it means challenging the Jedi Council. Obi-Wan’s actions reveal a deep-seated and unwavering devotion to Qui-Gon that superseded his devotion to being a Jedi.