08/08/2023
I loved watching the Obi-Wan Kenobi series recently! One thing in particular was the aikido themes running through it. Being careful to avoid big spoilers, here’s a breakdown of some key points I noticed:
Using aikido in fights:
I was watching the second episode, and in a fight scene I thought “that looks like aikido!” A quick Google search confirmed this, to my excitement. Notice how Obi-Wan uses his opponents’ own force to unbalance them.
Restoring peace, not winning at all costs and defeating your opponent:
In a flashback that shows Obi-Wan training Anakin in a lightsaber dual, he tells Anakin that his need to win is his downfall, and that he will remain a Padawan (basically a student, not a full Jedi) until he learns this. The founder of aikido said similar things, like his statement that if you try to learn aikido from the perspective of fighting, it will never reveal its secrets to you. The focus is on joining with your opponent, dissolving their resistance and restoring peace.
Compassion, protecting your opponent:
in that same scene, Obi-Wan mentions that the way of the Jedi is to protect life, not destroy it. In another scene when he is about to fight an enemy, this enemy asks Obi-Wan if he intends to destroy him, to which Obi-Wan replies, “I’ll do what I have to.” My aikido interpretation is that destroying his enemy is not his intention. In true aikido, the attacker receives what they give. The more determined they are to destroy you, the more energy comes back to them. You only return to them what they give to you. You do not give more force than is necessary. You do the minimum amount of harm needed to stop the fight. If Obi-Wan needs to destroy his opponent, he will. If he doesn’t, he won’t.
Joining with your opponent’s mind:
In a particular scene, Obi-Wan talks with an enemy and discovers what this enemy’s true motivations are. He then uses this to get this enemy on side with him.
Awesome series overall! What do you think? Did you notice anything else?
