“You’re the closest thing I have to a father.” – Anakin to Obi-Wan in Attack of the Clones

On Mother’s Day, I decided to give a shout out to Mother Talzin, the leader of the Nightsisters of Dathomir and mother of Darth Maul. Well, today is Father’s Day and it’s time to honor a father-figure in the Star Wars galaxy.

Of course, the obvious choice to receive such honors is Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Then again, though he might be the biological father of Luke and Leia, he, ah, sorta sucked at the job of fatherhood. I mean, he knowingly cut off his son’s arm and then had the audacity to be all like “join me and rule the galaxy!”

No, I think someone else in the Star Wars universe is a bit more deserving of today’s honor. That someone is Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Now, I know what you are saying: “But Mr. Imperial Talker sir, Obi-Wan Kenobi had no children of his own.” Yes, well, that is true and all, but then again, biological fatherhood is hardly the only form of fatherhood. Besides, if the standard for fatherhood is just biology, then Vader set a REALLY low bar for being a good father.

No, Obi-Wan may not have had any children of his own, but he still exhibited a number of the positive traits expected of a father-figure. And while Obi-Wan may have been “overly critical” and “never listened” to Anakin, Kenobi was still “the closest thing to a father” Anakin ever had.

Obi-Wan and Luke on Tatooine
Photo Credit – Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

In fact, it is worth mentioning that while Obi-Wan was father to Anakin, he was also, by both extension and action, the grandfather to Luke.

So sure, there are lots of fathers and father-figures in the Star Wars universe that we could praise today, and in the future I will give them some love, but I believe Obi-Wan is the most fatherly of them all.

Happy Father’s Day, Obi-Wan Kenobi!