Obi-Wan Kenobi memes are some of the greatest Star Wars memes there are, as he also just happened to be one of the best aspects of the prequel trilogy. Throughout Episodes I through III, Obi-Wan says some pretty amazing things, as Ewan McGregor manages to paint the otherwise strick Jedi in a totally sass-filled light.
But, Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan isn’t the only one who is totally meme-filled. There are some classic moments during the original trilogy that have become iconic due to the memes created with Sir Alec Guinness behind the Jedi robe. Obi-Wan is such an iconic character who has become beloved through his meme.
Hello There
“Hello There” is the classic Obi-Wan Kenobi meme and perhaps the most well-known meme in the Star Wars fandom. The Jedi Master says this during episode three, Revenge of the Sith, after falling down to face off against General Grievous. His remark and cadence when he says his greeting makes it feel like Obi-Wan is speaking to one of his closest friends, when really he’s about to fight against one of his greatest enemies who plagued him throughout the Clone Wars.
This variation of the meme is particularly funny due to the very J.J. Abrams-esque sun flares coming from his laser-beam eyes, perfectly encapsulating the many, many variations of “Hello There” memes that would follow the delivery of this line.
Like Your Twi’lek Girls
“Draw me like one of your French girls” is another classic pop culture reference that had been converted into a meme throughout pretty much every fandom. The quote originated from Titanic and was rephrased in this meme featuring Obi-Wan to be pertaining to Twi’lek girls.
Twi’leks are an alien race seen throughout the Star Wars universe, prominently seen as slave dancer girls in Jabba’s Palace and in the clubs on Coruscant. Hera Syndulla and Aalya Secura are also notable Twi’leks. Here, Ewan McGregor poses in a behind-the-scenes shot with his mock lightsaber in a very similar manner to how Rose posed in Titanic as she says this quote.
The High Ground
Everyone knows that Obi-Wan has a “thing” for the high ground, and that his odd obsession spells disaster for Anakin Skywalker. This meme perfectly sums up all of the “I have the high ground” Obi-Wan memes that came from that scene.
Because Obi-Wan had the clear advantage by having the high ground in their duel, he definitely bested his former Padawan, Anakin, who paid dearly for his lack of foresight in attacking his master from such a disadvantageous position.
What Christmas Is About
There are so many amazing memes about Jesus being Obi-Wan, and this is one of them. For a while, it became a trend for young fans to show this image of Obi-Wan to their unknowing grandmothers and tell them it was Jesus.
The grandmothers would, of course, believe them, and then become a viral sensation when seen hugging a picture of Obi-Wan Kenobi. This meme has all the essence of a grandma’s hug, as it just subtly says “don’t forget what Christmas is really about.”
Favorite Character
It seems like most fans of the prequel series think that Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan is the best part. This meme highlights that and makes Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan, slightly older, the two best characters in the trilogy. Obi-Wan Kenobi, but a little older, has seen a lot. He is a general by the ending of the Clone Wars and has been through a great number of battles yet still is able to smile.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a sassy Jedi who is forced to watch over Anakin, his young Padawan, as he swoons over the senator they are oathed to protect. Both versions of Obi-Wan are fan favorites and some of the best characters in Star Wars, rife with meme material at every step.
Politics
For many, it makes sense to stay out of politics at gatherings or family events due to endlessly varied differences of opinion. Nevertheless, it also seems like the moment alcohol gets involved, all semblance of civility goes directly out the window. One Star Wars meme relates to this phenomenon with a memorable line from Obi-Wan himself.
Obi-Wan says this during Revenge of the Sith, and it has become one of the greatest quotes of all time. The line has also come to be used for countless politically based memes, which attempt to draw humor out of a very serious subject.
You Were My Brother
One screencap takes an image from the final fight scene in Revenge of the Sith during the Anakin and Obi-Wan face-off and expands the latter’s face beyond all measures of human recognition. This is the exact moment when Obi-Wan yells at Anakin that he loved him and he was like a brother to him, killing any chance of the moment retaining any emotional relevancy.
This meme follows a common trend in meme culture in that it takes an appropriately emotional moment and blows it out of proportion, adding a level of dark and absurdist humor that makes it impossible for future viewings to be done with a straight face.
My Young Padawan
“Good call, my young Padawan” is another amazing Star Wars meme that fans still quote today, even in the most obscure situations. Obi-Wan says this to Anakin during Attack of the Clones after Anakin makes a surprisingly good call.
What is so great about this meme is the almost obnoxious level of meta-humor. It just rephrases Obi-Wan’s quote, adding a whole new layer to it. It helps that the look on Anakin’s face is absurd and hilarious at the same time.
Star Wars Bullies
Star Wars fans can be pretty big bullies when it comes to gatekeeping their favorite media. Some fans of the original trilogy and even fans of the prequels enjoy hating on fans who like the new content that the company is releasing, including the sequel trilogy, Rogue One, Solo, and even The Mandalorian. This Obi-Wan meme is the perfect example of why fans probably shouldn’t do that.
While Obi-Wan was referring to the Sith in his quote, it certainly also applies to bullies, shaming anyone who would ruin the Star Wars experience for someone else simply because they have a difference of opinion. Certain fans would do well to learn from Anakin Skywalker’s poor example and change their judgemental ways before the tides inevitably turn once more.
Judgemental Obi-Wan
There is no hiding the fact that, in the prequel trilogy, Obi-Wan Kenobi was a pretty judgemental guy. He judges Anakin all the time for his romance with Padme, for being reckless, and also for being pretty whiny.
His judgment is what fueled the memes of the prequels. This meme, and Obi-Wan’s face, say it all. If any fan rewatches the prequels and just watches Obi-Wan the entire time, there are sure to be judgmental side-eye glances at the rest of the Jedi Council, even Yoda.
The Fan Favorite
Fan excitement was through the roof when Lucasfilm finally announced that they would be producing the Obi-Wan Kenobi spinoff series on Disney+ with Ewan McGregor returning to the role. Naturally, the announcement brought about a surge of new memes and meme templates, all of which united the fanbase in sheer joy.
While it might seem initially odd that people would react so emotionally to this announcement, it is important to remember that many fans grew up watching Ewan McGregor’s performance as Obi-Wan, with his role becoming a major part in many fans’ childhoods. As a result, they formed an attachment to the actor that would last decades.
Not A Great Disguise
One Redditor devotes a commonly used Thor meme to call out Obi-Wan Kenobi for falling into a similar plot hole that many other stories do. Despite being on the run from the Empire, it would seem that the Jedi Master could not take the time to conjure a passable disguise to aid him in his escape.
Obi-Wan is certainly not the only hero to fall into this category. In fact, the Marvel superheroes have done it so often that the trend has been called out several times in the franchise, including in the above meme template and in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Nevertheless, it would seem that this trend has not died down despite recent fan attention to the matter.
Perfection
One Twitter user imagines a mini-crossover between Star Wars and the X-Men, with a common Magneto meme reminding fans of the sheer perfection behind Ewan McGregor’s performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
While Sir Alec Guinness is also beloved by the Star Wars fandom, even he has not outshone the performance of Ewan McGregor, who has become the standout star of the franchise. Fans are always eager for more content featuring the actor, especially if it involves him once more returning to the role that shot him to stardom.
His Allegiance
One cheeky Star Wars fan has a bit of fun at the expense of Obi-Wan in a meme that features the Jedi Master in his signature robes. Quoting one of Obi-Wan’s more memorable (and rather clunky) lines, they pretend as if all men of his political persuasions dress the same way.
Characters such as Obi-Wan have become so iconic that many of their famous lines have seeped into the public’s general consciousness. Star Wars fans get the reference without even thinking about it, laughing along to the slight fun had at Obi-Wan’s expense.
Tragic Character Development
Star Wars creator George Lucas said it best when he claimed that his franchise was “like poetry: it rhymes.” Throughout the series, certain events and lines repeat themselves, allowing the audience to see how the characters have changed in the time since. For Obi-Wan, it was the loss of his greatest friend and Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, that changed him the most.
The friendship between Obi-Wan and Anakin is one of the most tragic aspects of the Skywalker Saga. With the release of Obi-Wan Kenobi, fans were forced to watch as the eponymous Jedi Master finally learned to let go of his fallen friend, accepting that Anakin was truly dead–replaced by the villainous Darth Vader.
