Have you ever noticed something interesting in ‘Revenge of the Sith’?
Anakin uses the same move against Obi-Wan that Obi-Wan used in his fight with Maul in ‘The Phantom Menace’. It’s a special move used when the opponent has the high ground.
But you might wonder, when and how did Anakin learn this? Well, you’re in luck! Stick with me, and I’ll unravel this mystery for you.
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Obi-Wan Strategy Against Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace
Qui-Gon Jinn and his student, Obi-Wan Kenobi, were sent back to Naboo by the Jedi Council. Their job was to keep Senator Amidala safe as she tried to get her planet back.
They ran into the Sith, Darth Maul, again.
During their fight with Maul, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan used the Ataru attack style, showing their Jedi training and understanding of the Jedi code.
Maul, who was up against two skilled fighters, was mostly defending himself.Things changed when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan got separated.
Maul took this chance to quickly defeat Qui-Gon, and he did it right in front of Obi-Wan. Seeing his Jedi Master lose, Obi-Wan lost his calm.
From then on, Obi-Wan changed how he fought in the lightsaber duel.
He went from defending to attacking. In his intense state, Obi-Wan was able to turn off one side of Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber.
But even with this problem, Maul didn’t show any weakness.
Even with only one side of his lightsaber working, Maul was still a tough opponent for the young Obi-Wan.
Maul, using the room to his advantage, managed to disarm Obi-Wan by kicking his lightsaber into the pit of the Theed Generator Complex room. He then used the Force to push Obi-Wan into the pit as well.
But Obi-Wan was able to hold onto a small ledge inside the hole, stopping him from falling.
In this life-or-death moment, Obi-Wan stayed calm and focused. Knowing he didn’t have his lightsaber, he needed to surprise Maul.
Using the Force, Obi-Wan called Qui-Gon’s fallen lightsaber to his hand, then jumped out of the hole and over Darth Maul. In a quick and sure move, Obi-Wan cut Darth Maul in half, ending the intense duel.
Young Anakin Skywalker Learned Everything from Obi-Wan
After ‘The Phantom Menace’, Anakin was allowed to train as a Jedi under Obi-Wan Kenobi’s guidance.
This started the journey of one of the greatest Jedi master and student pairs ever, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.
While training with Obi-Wan, Anakin learned a lot. You might be surprised to know that Anakin even learned how Obi-Wan beat Darth Maul when Maul had the high ground.
To see this, check out the comic series ‘Obi-Wan & Anakin 2016’, issue #1.
The comic talks about how Obi-Wan became a Jedi Knight after beating Darth Maul.
A few years after his old Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, died on Naboo, Anakin started studying at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
During a lightsaber practice with a droid in front of Mace Windu, Obi-Wan, and Chancellor Palpatine, Anakin put a hologram of Darth Maul on the training droid.
Mace Windu and Chancellor Palpatine were surprised, and Obi-Wan said, “Anakin’s been asking me about the fight with the Sith on Naboo – very detailed questions.”
Anakin then did just like Obi-Wan did on Naboo, when Maul had the high ground.
Anakin jumped over the training droid under the hologram of Darth Maul, and cut the droid in half.
The Battle on Mustafar
We find ourselves at the climactic battle between Obi-Wan and his Padawan, Anakin. After an intense duel, Obi-Wan gains an advantage by securing a position on higher ground.
Let’s revisit that moment. Obi-Wan, having leapt from the lava to claim the high ground, warns Anakin, ‘It’s over Anakin, I have the high ground.’ Anakin defiantly responds, ‘You underestimate my power’ to which Obi-Wan counters, ‘Don’t try it.’
From the comic series I have mentioned above, Obi-Wan was well aware of Anakin’s capabilities and knew what Anakin would do when faced with an opponent who had the advantage of the high ground.
Indeed, Anakin’s only option was to jump over Obi-Wan, a move Obi-Wan had anticipated.
Rather than allowing Anakin to land and launch an attack, Obi-Wan seized the moment while Anakin was still in mid-air.
He cut off Anakin’s limb, effectively preventing Anakin from getting a chance to strike back.
Here’s a fun fact for you! Hayden Christensen, the actor who portrayed Anakin Skywalker, has shared his thoughts on this.
Hayden believes that Anakin was aware of how Obi-Wan had defeated Darth Maul and tried to use the same strategy. Unfortunately for Anakin, it didn’t quite work out the way he planned.
You can check out his answer in the video linked below. Enjoy watching!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C27msOeOuEX/?igsh=Nzg2enFpZGNqdXpl