One of the most highly anticipated Disney Plus original series of 2022 is theObi-Wan KenobiTV show, in which Prequel Trilogy star Ewan McGregor will make his triumphant return to a galaxy far, far away. Ever since his debut all the way back in the original 1977Star Wars, Obi-Wan has been one of the most iconic characters in the legendary sci-fi franchise — however, some of his greatest exploits won’t be found in the Skywalker Saga.
Long before his live-action spin-off show was announced, Obi-Wan was a main character of theStar Wars: The Clone Warsanimated series, which originally ran from 2008 to 2014 before eventually receiving one last season in 2020. And while some may assume thatThe Clone Warsis nothingmore than a kids’ cartoon,many of its episodes are every bit as compelling and well-written as theStar Warsfilms at their absolute best. So if you’re hungry for more Obi-Wan before his solo series drops, here are just a few of his finest animated adventures that you can check out right now on Disney Plus.
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The Mandalore Plot
This Season 2 episode is the first in a three-parter, followed by “Voyage of Temptation” and “Duchess of Mandalore”. And while the arc is best known for the worldbuilding it introduces around the Mandalorians — including the Darksaber weapon, which would go on to feature heavily inThe Mandalorian— it’s also a very important arc for Obi-Wan.
Kenobi’srivalry with rogue Mandalorianswas already established by his encounter with Jango and Boba Fett back inAttack of the Clones, but this arc reveals that his Mandalorian connections go further than that. In fact, the ruler of Mandalore, Duchess Satine Kryze, is an old flame of Obi-Wan’s, to the point that he once considered leaving the Jedi Order to be with her. It’s a revelation that adds a new layer to Obi-Wan’s character, and further contrasts him with Anakin as well.
Deception
This Season 4 episode kicks off an epic four-part saga, which is continued with “Friends and Enemies”, “The Box”, and “Crisis on Naboo”. In an extended homage to the Nicolas Cage movieFace/Offof all things, Obi-Wan fakes his death and goes undercover as his own supposed killer, the bounty hunter Rako Hardeen.
While disguised as Rako, Obi-Wancrosses paths with Boba Fett,Cad Bane, and even a vengeful Anakin and Ahsoka before eventually being hired by Count Dooku himself to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine. While it may not be the most important arc in the grand scheme of things, the “Deception” arc is still a thrilling ride packed with plenty of twists and turns.
Revenge
While just about everyStar Warsfan these days knows that Darth Maul survived his Duel of the Fates with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon back inThe Phantom Menace, the beloved Sith Lord’s return was a major surprise when he first appeared inThe Clone Wars.But after being rescued by his brother Savage Opress (voiced by Clancy Brown) in the preceding episode “Brothers”, Maul is finally ready to exact his vengeance on the Jedi who defeated him in the Season 4 finale, “Revenge”.
Not only is the rematch between these two bitter nemeses just as exciting as one would hope, it also sets the stage for the reimagined Maul, who quickly becomes a much more fleshed-out and complex character than the stoic henchman he was inEpisode I. And indeed, while this was Obi-Wan and Maul’s first grudge match inThe Clone Wars, it would certainly not be their last.
The Lawless
After another battle with Obi-Wan in the Season 5 premiere “Revival”, Maul chooses to bide his time before challenging his arch-enemy once again. The formerSith takes center stagelater in Season 5 with the Shadow Collective arc, in which Maul and Savage accrue greater power by uniting the galaxy’s deadliest criminal organizations under a single banner. The Hutts, the Black Sun, the Pykes, and even Death Watch fall under Maul’s control, and he soon launches a coup to claim Mandalore as his own.
In the arc’s climax, “The Lawless”, Obi-Wan arrives on Mandalore to defeat Maul and rescue Duchess Satine. But despite Kenobi’s best efforts, Maul strikes Satine down with the Darksaber, claiming his ultimate revenge as Obi-Wan’s true love dies in his arms. However, Maul’s victory doesn’t last long once Darth Sidious arrives on Mandalore to teach his rogue apprentice a lesson…
Twin Suns
While “The Lawless” is Kenobiand Maul’s final encounterinThe Clone Wars, it’s not the last time the legendary rivals would duel. In this Season 3 episode ofStar Wars: Rebels— the sequel show toThe Clone Warstaking place in the time of the Empire — series protagonist Ezra Bridger tracks Maul to Tatooine, seeking out the aging Jedi Master Kenobi in order to enlist his aid.
And sure enough, the episode culminates in the final battle between Obi-Wan and Maul… which is over in three blows. The battle ends with Obi-Wan cradling his dying foe in his arms, offering his fallen foe one last spark of hope — the promise that the Chosen One will someday bring an endto Maul’s treacherous master.
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