Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars Series May Not Be Considered Canon, but to Me It Is Still the Best Illustration of a Jedi’s Power.

Before Star Wars: The Clone Wars hit Disney+, do you remember the groundbreaking 2D animated Clone Wars series by Genndy Tartakovsky? 

While it may no longer be considered canon, this series stands out to me as one of the best portrayals of the Jedi’s true power. 

It brought an unmatched intensity to the battles and gave us a deeper understanding of the Jedi’s capabilities.

Why Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars Stands Out

What makes this series stand out is its ability to portray the Jedi as the mythic, almost superhuman beings they are often described as. 

In Star Wars canon, Jedi are typically shown as being powerful but constrained within certain limits. 

We see them lift objects with the Force, deflect blaster bolts, and engage in intense lightsaber duels. Tartakovsky’s series, however, takes this to another level by unleashing the full potential of what a Jedi can do, all while maintaining a sense of narrative weight.

One of the key examples is the depiction of Mace Windu. In one memorable scene, he takes on an entire Separatist droid army without his lightsaber. 

Mace, using only the Force and his martial skills, moves with such fluidity and power that the battlefield seems like an extension of his own will. 

The way he tears through droids, disabling hundreds with a single punch, highlights the raw, physical connection the Jedi have with the Force in a way that’s rarely seen elsewhere. 

It captures what the Jedi Order has always hinted at—a warrior class whose power goes beyond the mere use of a lightsaber.

This depiction of Mace Windu isn’t an anomaly. Throughout the series, we see other Jedi like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker performing similarly jaw-dropping feats. 

In another episode, Obi-Wan leads the charge into battle while riding a massive creature, all while calmly deflecting laser fire. 

His calm and precision contrast beautifully with Anakin’s reckless, yet forceful, approach in the show’s climactic moments.

The Epic Nature of Jedi Combat

In Tartakovsky’s vision, battles between Jedi and Sith, or Jedi and droids, are treated like battles between titans. 

The Force is portrayed as an overwhelming, all-encompassing power that shapes not just individuals but entire battlefields. The series doesn’t shy away from showing the destructive capabilities of the Jedi.

One of the most defining moments in the series is the epic duel between Anakin Skywalker and Asajj Ventress on Yavin IV. 

Their lightsabers clash in a rain-soaked, jungle temple as the environment itself becomes part of their battle. 

Ventress’s acrobatics and Anakin’s raw power are on full display, and it’s during this duel that Anakin fully embraces his more aggressive tendencies. 

The fight feels like a true clash of titans, with every blow shaking the foundations of the jungle around them. 

You can feel the raw emotion and intensity emanating from the screen, and it’s this larger-than-life portrayal that makes the series so memorable.

Another prime example of the series’ epic scale and portrayal of Jedi power can be found in Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars during the Battle of Muunilinst, where Obi-Wan Kenobi faces off against the bounty hunter Durge. 

Durge, a formidable foe with regenerative abilities, leads a group of IG-lancer droids in a fast-paced and brutal assault on the Republic forces.

In this battle, Obi-Wan’s calm mastery of the Force and his lightsaber abilities are pushed to the limit. 

After a high-speed jousting match, Obi-Wan engages in close combat with Durge, who repeatedly regenerates and continues to fight despite being gravely injured. 

Obi-Wan shows an extraordinary level of physical power and control as he dismembers Durge, only for the bounty hunter to keep regenerating. 

Eventually, Obi-Wan uses the Force to literally tear Durge apart from the inside, showing just how powerful a Jedi can be when forced into extreme situations.

The Lasting Impact of Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars

Though Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars series is often overshadowed by the longer-running Star Wars: The Clone Wars that followed it, many fans continue to regard it as one of the best depictions of the Jedi’s true potential. 

It portrays the Jedi as both mystical warriors and fearsome combatants, capable of altering the course of galactic events with their prowess alone.

In the end, this series may not be canon, but it will always be remembered as one of the most compelling and visually striking portrayals of Jedi power in the Star Wars franchise. 

From the exaggerated action to the depth of character it provides, Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars is a perfect blend of myth and spectacle, encapsulating what makes the Jedi Order so legendary.

For those who haven’t experienced it, Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars is still a must-watch. 

Even in its short runtime, it delivers on the promise of Jedi grandeur in ways that are unforgettable.