When it comes to Cal Kestis and Kanan Jarrus, there’s a lot to unpack.
These two Jedi are survivors of the same devastating event, Order 66, and both managed to hold onto their ideals while growing in very different ways.
I’ve always found it interesting how their paths mirror and diverge, even though they’re so close in age.
So, are they really as similar as they seem? Let’s get into what sets them apart and what makes each of them unique.
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Are They Really Close in Age?
Technically, yeah – they’re pretty close in age.
Kanan, or Caleb Dume, was born around 33 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) and was a Padawan to Jedi Master Depa Billaba.
When Order 66 went down, he was likely around 13 or 14.
On the other hand, Cal doesn’t have an official birth year, but he’s thought to be around the same age, maybe within a year or so of Kanan.
So yeah, they were both young, barely teenagers, when the galaxy turned upside down for them. Now, while both were Padawans, there’s a difference in their levels of experience.
Kanan was a little further along in his training; he’d been in battles during the Clone Wars and had a bit more real-world Jedi experience.
Cal was with his Master, Jaro Tapal, on a Republic Star Destroyer, and while he saw some action, he wasn’t quite as seasoned as Kanan.
So, in terms of raw age, they’re almost identical, but Kanan had that slight edge in training.
Who’s Stronger? Cal or Kanan?
Alright, here’s where things get interesting. Both of them survived the same traumatic event, but they developed in very different ways afterward.
Let’s start with Kanan. By the time we see him in Star Wars Rebels, he’s got a lot of wisdom and maturity – he even takes on a Padawan, Ezra Bridger, which is a big deal for someone who never completed his own Jedi training.
He ends up taking on the Grand Inquisitor and eventually faces off with Darth Maul, where he gets permanently blinded.
But that doesn’t stop him; it actually deepens his connection to the Force. Kanan’s strength isn’t just in his fighting skills; it’s in his sense of purpose and sacrifice.
He ultimately gives his life to protect his friends, and in that moment, he even temporarily regains his sight to see them one last time.
Now, Cal Kestis has a bit of a different path. He’s definitely powerful, maybe even more so in terms of raw abilities.
By the time of Jedi: Survivor, he’s picked up some unique skills, like Psychometry, which lets him see memories attached to objects.
That’s a pretty rare Force power, and it gives him an edge in ways Kanan didn’t have.
Cal’s journey is also more hands-on; he’s faced Inquisitors, and even Darth Vader himself, and he’s walked a darker path at times, wrestling with emotions that bring him close to the dark side.
So, Who Comes Out on Top?
If we’re talking raw abilities, I’d say Cal has the upper hand with his unique Force powers and his skill with a lightsaber.
But Kanan’s strength is in his connection to the Force on a deeper level. After being blinded, he becomes even more attuned to it, almost like he’s seeing through the Force itself.
His sacrifice in Rebels is one of those moments that shows his growth and dedication as a Jedi – it’s powerful in a way that goes beyond just combat skills.
Ultimately, they both bring something unique to the table. Cal’s the fighter, with an impressive array of Force abilities and skills that make him one of the more versatile Jedi survivors.
Kanan, meanwhile, has that mentor vibe, a calm, centered connection to the Force that lets him train and protect others. Both had their challenges, and both came out as incredibly strong Jedi in their own ways.
So, in the end, while they’re close in age, they’re very different in strengths.
Kanan had the experience and wisdom that comes with age and mentorship, while Cal had a bit more firepower and unique abilities on his side.