With the release of a new Star Wars book, some fans are wondering — did the franchise just make Obi-Wan Kenobi bisexual?
Padawan is a young adult entry into theStar Wars canon, written by Kiersten White and revolving around Obi-Wan’s attempts to prove himself while apprenticing under Qui-Gon Jinn.
The book was released on Tuesday, July 26, and already, one passage in particular has fans trying to determine what, if anything, the story is saying about the Jedi-in-training.
It features a conversation between Obi-Wan and another teenager, Casul, about romantic relationships. Obi-Wan doesn’t seem to have considered it an option for a Jedi, and ultimately becomes flustered when Casul says, “I don’t think love is in my future, either, and I’m fine with that. As long as I have the Power to keep my family safe, that’s enough for me. Though I will admit I’ve been curious about kissing and why Audj and Zae-Brii enjoy it so much. So if you’re ever curious, too, let me know.”
Obi-Wan blushes in response, saying, “I will. Let you know, I mean. Not that I will do that, right now, with you. Or anyone.”
The passage goes on to say he “couldn’t imagine just…kissing any of them,” and suggesting an inability to tell the difference between wanting to kiss someone and wanting to be like them.
To some fans, this read as an insinuation that Obi-Wan did have interest in men alongside women, while others took it as more of an indication that he was on asexual/aromantic spectrum.
Either way, it definitely drummed up a good amount of interest, even days before the book’s official release.
White has yet to comment on the interpretations of that passage, but in the meantime, fans who have always headcanoned Obi-Wan as queer are loving what they’ve read!
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