Who Do You Guys Think Hated Obi-Wan Most? Maul or Vader

During his time serving the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan Kenobi earned a reputation as one of its greatest Jedi. 

However, his excellence on the battlefield and loyalty to the light side made him a target of hatred among some of the galaxy’s most infamous villains—most notably Maul and Darth Vader.

This has led many to wonder: who hated Obi-Wan more? Was it Maul, consumed by revenge after his defeat? Or Vader, whose feelings were rooted in betrayal and the pain of their former friendship?

Let’s explore this fascinating rivalry and find out who despised Obi-Wan the most.

Maul’s Unrelenting Hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi

As we all know, the root of Maul’s intense hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi began during their fateful encounter on Naboo. 

In The Phantom Menace, Maul was tasked with eliminating both Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan, but it was Obi-Wan who ultimately defeated him in a battle that would change the course of Maul’s life. 

After being cut in half and left for dead, Maul’s defeat at the hands of Obi-Wan became a source of unrelenting obsession. He blamed Obi-Wan not just for his physical suffering but for the loss of his place within the Sith.

Left for dead and isolated, Maul’s life became defined by his desire for revenge against Obi-Wan. 

We see this in The Clone Wars series, where Maul tracks Obi-Wan across the galaxy, repeatedly attempting to exact his vengeance.

In Star Wars Rebels, their rivalry culminates when Maul finally tracks Obi-Wan down on Tatooine. 

In their final confrontation, Obi-Wan remains calm and centered in the Force, while Maul is still driven by hatred. 

Their brief duel ends with Obi-Wan swiftly defeating Maul, but in a moment of irony, Maul dies in Obi-Wan’s arms. Even in his final moments, Maul’s obsession with Obi-Wan is evident, showing that his hatred never dissipated.

For Maul, Obi-Wan was not just an enemy—he was the sole focus of his entire being after his initial defeat.

Every decision Maul made after The Phantom Menace was driven by his desire to kill Obi-Wan. This single-minded obsession sets Maul’s hatred apart from others.

Yet, in this last encounter, Obi-Wan’s perspective on Maul is not one of hatred, but almost of pity. 

After all the years of chasing revenge, Obi-Wan still sees Maul as a victim—manipulated by the dark side and by Palpatine’s machinations. 

In his final moments, Obi-Wan comforts Maul, understanding that despite their long feud, Maul was as much a casualty of the Sith as anyone else. 

This final moment of compassion reflects Obi-Wan’s lasting adherence to the Jedi code, showing mercy even to a sworn enemy.

Vader’s Complex Hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi

On the other hand, Darth Vader’s hatred for Obi-Wan was more complex. 

Unlike Maul, who was fueled purely by revenge, Vader’s feelings toward Obi-Wan were rooted in betrayal, pain, and loss. 

Once, Anakin Skywalker saw Obi-Wan as a mentor, friend, and brother figure. 

As a Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan trained Anakin, and their bond was strong—until Anakin’s fall to the dark side.

In Revenge of the Sith, after Anakin turns to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader, Obi-Wan confronts him on Mustafar. 

This confrontation is one of the most emotionally charged moments in the entire saga. 

Vader feels that Obi-Wan betrayed him by not supporting his choices, particularly his decision to embrace the dark side in a desperate attempt to save Padmé. 

During their duel, Vader’s hatred for Obi-Wan reaches its peak, culminating in Obi-Wan leaving his former apprentice to die.

Unlike Maul’s straightforward desire for revenge, Vader’s hatred is layered with regret and inner conflict. He once loved Obi-Wan, and that bond makes his feelings more conflicted. 

In A New Hope, when Vader and Obi-Wan meet again after years of separation, Vader is still driven by a need to defeat Obi-Wan. 

However, by this point, he has become fully consumed by the dark side, making him more detached from the emotional core of his anger.

This internal conflict is further explored in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. When Vader confronts Obi-Wan for the first time since their duel on Mustafar, it’s clear that Vader’s hatred has intensified, but so has his pain. 

Their battle on Mapuzo is filled with raw emotion as Vader seeks not only to defeat Obi-Wan but to make him suffer.

“I am what you made me,” Vader tells Obi-Wan, revealing the deep scar that his former mentor’s betrayal left on him.

Who Hated Obi-Wan the Most?

So, who hated Obi-Wan the most? For me, it’s undoubtedly Maul. Maul’s hatred was purely fueled by vengeance—his life was completely derailed by Obi-Wan when he was defeated on Naboo. 

Being sliced in half and left for dead turned Maul’s obsession with revenge into the core of his existence. His entire drive after his survival was focused on one thing: getting even with Obi-Wan. 

The extent of Maul’s grudge is unmatched, as his quest for vengeance spanned years, crossing from The Clone Wars into Star Wars Rebels.

With Anakin, however, the hatred was more complicated. Anakin’s hatred wasn’t just directed at Obi-Wan—it was deeply rooted in self-loathing. 

After becoming Darth Vader, Anakin’s feelings toward Obi-Wan were laced with a sense of betrayal, but also guilt. 

When Obi-Wan apologizes in Obi-Wan Kenobi for his perceived failure as a mentor, Anakin’s response reveals this emotional complexity: “Anakin is gone. I’m not your failure, Obi-Wan. You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker. I did.” 

These words show that while Vader resents Obi-Wan, much of his anger is internal—hating himself for the choices that led him to the dark side.