When You Realize Sebulba Outlived Anakin

We may think that Sebulba declined as a podracer or even died soon after his loss to Anakin in The Phantom Menace. Yet, he went on to race again and even outlived Anakin. Sebulba continued as a champion podracer and transitioned to battle racing after Anakin/Vader’s demise. 

Sebulba Lived On

As the “well-known archrival” of fellow podracer Anakin, Sebulba had become a “star racer” before his infamous race in Phantom. Because of his trickery and reckless driving, Sebulba was responsible for the death and injury of many podracers. However, he didn’t die in his final race against Anakin.

In the race scene from the movie, Sebulba closed in on Anakin from behind and looked like he would knock him into the canyon walls. After Anakin recovered, they jostled and rammed into each other until Sebulba crashed and was left in the desert. 

Instead of that moment being his decline, Sebulba continued his racing. His loss to Anakin only temporarily set him back, and Sebulba bought Anakin’s podrace and won the Vinta Harvest Classic. At this circuit, he faced off against many of the same podracers from the Boonta Eve Classic, such as Gasgano, Durundo, and Wan Sandage. 

Soon thereafter, Sebulba won the next race at the Phoebos Memorial Classic on his home planet. He continued to use his ruthless tactics to edge out his competitors and put the loss to Anakin behind him. 

As this short video recaps, the Clone Wars series spotlighted how Sebulba continued as “a famous racer” who signed fan autographs and contended with Ben Quadinaros as his new rival. We may remember Quadrinaros for his comic relief in Phantom, but as he later gained more experience, he became a skilled racer who challenged Sebulba.

During the Clone Wars, Sebulba emerged as a celebrity podracer, while Anakin moved on to become Vader and ultimately fall with the Empire.

Sebulba the Battle Racer

As fans recognize here, Sebulba is part of the action in a new Star Wars racing game in the Outer Rim after the collapse of the Empire. According to the Galactic Racer trailer, “the galaxy needs racing”, and Sebulba is pictured at the end of the clip as someone who can help lead the effort. 

As articles like this one emphasize, it seems that Sebulba may get “the last laugh” after all. Since the trailer focuses on a race on Jakku through ruined Star Destroyers, we know it occurs after the Battle of Jakku and the end of the Empire. Sebulba’s presence in the game helps reflect how “survival is often the most important victory of all.”

As the Galactic Racer game likewise reveals, Sebulba shifted to battle racing after the Empire collapsed. This type of racing purposely favors combat and take-down strategies against other racers, coinciding with Sebulba’s style. This video reminds us how Sebulba was already practicing the chaotic, weapons-based approach that coincides with battle racing.

That Sebulba pursued a line of racing similar to riot racing may not sound like a strategy for survival. Yet, he thrived on this type of fast-paced, win-by-force racing, and making that move appears to have paid off better than Anakin’s turn to the dark side.  

Sebulba’s Longevity

Although Sebulba appeared to suffer a devastating defeat to Anakin in The Phantom Menace, he continued with his racing career with great success. Perhaps his cutthroat nature helped lay a foundation for his longevity in podracing and battle racing. He indeed managed to outlive his former podracer rival.