Star Wars: 10 Greatest Jedi of All Time
The simple mention of Jedi conjures images of lightsabers, force abilities, cloaks, and out-of-this-galaxy duels. Star Wars and its Jedi have given kids and adults all over the world something to believe in and something to aspire to. Jedi come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and beings, with very few being better or more gifted than the others. Notice that I said very few?
There are some Jedi who are more remarkable than others. Some Jedi have captured the imagination of all who watch them. And some Jedi will go down as the greatest in history. But who are they? Who are the greatest Jedi in Star Wars? Good question. Take a look at our list of 10 most iconic Jedi in Star Wars history.
10. Ki-Adi Mundi
As one of the very few to sit on the Jedi Council before becoming a Master, Ki-Adi Mundi was a lock to make this list. Ki-Adi Mundi was held in such regard by the Jedi that he was permitted to break one of the most important rules of being a Jedi. Let me explain. Jedi are forbidden from attachment. This means that they can’t get married or fall in love.
Because Ki-Adi Mundi was from a species with a historically low birth rate, he was given special privileges that allowed him to have multiple partners and procreate. As far as his time as a Jedi, Ki-Adi Mundi never shied away from a battle. To find him on the battlefield meant that you had to look to the front lines. Although this trait got him killed after Order 66 was enacted, it also inspired those who served him.
9. Plo-Koon
Even though he was a capable duelist, Plo-Koon was most often found in a pilot’s chair. Watching him work the airways was like watching a dancer move perfectly in sync with the music around them. Different from most other Jedi, the first time he was asked to join the Council, he refused. He believed that the spot was better served by someone more in tune with The Force. That person, Qui-Gon Jinn, didn’t join, and he was asked again. This time, unlike the first, he accepted.
Plo-Koon was a master strategist who was often called upon during the Clone Wars. He commanded the 104th Battalion and was involved in both battles of Felucia, he was sent to rescue Master Adi Gallia on General Grievous’s ship, and was sent to the Citadel to rescue the remaining survivors.
8. Luminara Unduli
Luminara Unduli is as great as any Jedi. Here’s why. As the Clone Wars waged on, so too did her involvement. During the assault on Geonosis, it was Unduli, along with Mace Windu and a force of over 200 Jedi that were sent to rescue the apprehended Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, and Skywalker’s unknown love, Senator Padmé Amidala.
Throughout the remainder of the Clone Wars, Luminara Unduli became a prized member of the Jedi Council. Not only was she one of the most trusted and respected members, but she was sent on the most important of missions. These included the attack on Poggle The Lesser, the apprehension of Viceroy Nute Gunray, and a battle with the ever-so-dangerous Asajj Ventress.
Although she’s often only because of her apprentice Barriss Offee, Luminara Unduli was one of the most important and greatest Jedi during a time when the Jedi lost sight of who they were.
7. Kit Fisto
Even though Kit was known to the world, it wasn’t until the Clone Wars that the world awoke to how great he really was. Kit Fisto was a Jedi general who could fight on land and in the water. While he was a great Jedi on land, his abilities in the water solidified his spot on this list. Watching Kit Fisto move underwater was like watching the most graceful dance in history. It’s moving, beautiful, poetic, and fearsome all at the same time.
Kit Fisto will go down as one of the greatest Jedi in Star Wars, not because of his time in the Clone Wars. Kit Fisto will become one of the greatest Jedi in Star Wars because very few Jedi could fight underwater the way he fought.
6. Qui-Gon Jinn
Of all the Jedi in this list, none changed the course of the galaxy in the way that Qui-Gon Jinn did. Aside from training Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn discovered Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon Jinn insisted Anakin be trained when all the other Masters argued against him. And it was Qui-Gon Jinn that encountered the first Sith Lord in 1000 years when Darth Maul attacked him on Tatooine.
Plainly put, he was one of the most influential Jedi to have ever existed. He did what he thought was right and did it without explanation. Now, if none of the above convinces you of his spot on this list, remember this. Qui-Gon Jinn unlocked the secrets to becoming a Force Ghost.
5. Mace Windu
I’ll be honest with you. I’ve never really liked Mace Windu all that much. It’s true. For whatever reason, I can’t get over the fact that Samuel Jackson played him. However, for the purpose of this greatest Jedi in Star Wars list, I’ll try to put my feelings aside. Mace Windu was one of the most powerful Jedi to have ever sat on the High Council. His preferred fighting style (Vaapad) was one that very few mastered…and for a good reason.
Vaapad requires that the practitioner channel their inner darkness into the fight, as you can imagine for Force Wielders who practice on the light side; using the dark side while fighting is a dangerous game to play. It’s so dangerous that of all the Vaapad users, Mace Windu was the only one to not to fall to the Dark Side. Because of his understanding of Vaapad, Mace could fight his opponents in ways that other Jedi couldn’t.
4. Obi-Wan Kenobi
When it came to assembling a list of the greatest Jedi in Star Wars, no character was as quick to mind as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Both Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn trained Obi-Wan Kenobi. The training of these two proved to be fruitful for Kenobi as he was the first Jedi in 1000 years to defeat a Sith Lord in battle. Of course, I refer to his victory over Darth Maul on Naboo.
This victory didn’t come without a cost, however. The victory caused Maul to become obsessed with killing Obi-Wan, which lasted until his final day. Obi-Wan Kenobi was also the Jedi responsible for training two of the most influential Jedi in history. While one fell to the Dark Side (Anakin Skywalker), the other became the Jedi’s savior (Luke Skywalker).
3. Anakin Skywalker
Anakin Skywalker is here because his Force abilities are second to none. Known as the Chosen One, Anakin was trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi and raised in a time of great unrest. He fought in the Clone Wars, loved in secrecy, trained one of the most beloved Padawans in Star Wars history, and challenged everything it meant to be a Jedi.
Although he turned to the Dark Side, Anakin’s time as a Jedi was a time like no other. He fought for what he believed was right, led armies into and out of battle, and stood firmly at the side of his friends. Anakin Skywalker was stronger in the Force and more gifted than most of his peers. If there was ever a knock against him, it’s that he could not give up attachment…something that drove him to the Dark Side. That aside, there’s no denying his place as one of the greatest Jedi in Star Wars.
2. Yoda
Is there anyone who would question why Master Yoda makes this greatest Jedi in the Star Wars list? Not only did he live the longest, survived Order 66, and understood The Force in ways that very few did, but he was also responsible for training some of the greatest Jedi in existence. Luke Skywalker, Count Dooku, Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, and just about every youngling to enter Jedi training.
Although he felt he failed when the Sith rose to power (he actually didn’t), he found redemption after Luke Skywalker overthrew the Emperor and brought peace to the galaxy. I’d go as far as to argue that without him, a list like this couldn’t exist.
1. Luke Skywalker
A list counting down the greatest Jedi in Star Wars isn’t complete without Luke Skywalker. Luke Skywalker is arguably the most influential Jedi of all time. Not only did he bring down the Empire, but Luke also gave rise to a new era of Jedi and assumed the role of Grand Master.
Like Master Yoda, Luke Skywalker is as gifted with his lightsaber as he is with his mind. Although he didn’t learn patience until later in his training, after learning it, he applied it in a way that would make a tiger, spending days waiting for its prey, proud.
More than his companions, Luke Skywalker was the face of Star Wars for decades. Kids grew up wanting to be him, adults wished they were half as cool as him, and his name was the focus of 9 movies.
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