Though he appears in only a single Star Wars film (Episode I: The Phantom Menace) and a handful of animated series and Star Wars books, Qui-Gon Jinn is a standout character that has long fascinated fans. His unique perspective on the Force and his adherence to his own conscience differentiates him from other Jedi in the series. Rejecting strict fidelity to the Jedi Code and the leadership of the Jedi High Council, Qui-Gon was far more interested in viewing the galaxy with open-minded, present-focused empathy than following a set of arbitrary regulations.
Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for the Star Wars franchise. Please note that this character guide is based on the current canon as defined by Lucasfilm; film novelizations are canon only where they do not diverge from their on-screen counterparts.
Who is Qui-Gon Jinn?
Qui-Gon Jinn was a respected, independent Jedi Master who first located and identified Anakin Skywalker as the Chosen One foretold in the Jedi Prophecy. Born on Coruscant circa 80 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin), Qui-Gon trained as a Padawan under Jedi Master Count Dooku. At first, young Qui-Gon lacked confidence and exhibited a great deal of fear regarding the potential of failure. When Jinn was only a Padawan, Dooku piqued his pupil’s interest in prophecies by warning him of their alluring power and danger. This initial fascination led him to seek out and study a holocron housing ancient Jedi prophecies.
Eventually, Qui-Gon completed his training, became a Jedi Master, and took on a Padawan of his own: the steadfast Obi-Wan Kenobi. But despite his skills with the Force and his peaceful, discerning presence, Qui-Gon turned down an offer to sit on the Jedi High Council, a decision that vexed his young apprentice, who maintained strict commitment to the Jedi Code and revered the High Council. Qui-Gon believed in the concept of the Living Force, an understanding of the energy present in all life that encouraged him to stay in the moment rather than dwell on the possibilities or pitfalls the future might hold.
Around 32 BBY, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent on a diplomatic mission to Naboo, to assist in resolving tensions between the Republic and the Trade Federation. After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, the pair realize the nefarious intents of the Federation (which, unbeknownst to the galaxy, was under the sway of the evil Darth Sidious) and make their escape, along the way running into Gungan Jar Jar Binks. A rather peculiar character, Jar Jar felt indebted to Qui-Gon after the Jedi Master saved his life. Once back in the subaquatic Gungan City, Qui-Gon utilizes Jedi mind tricks to persuade their leader, Boss Nass, to aid the Jedi by allowing the use of a submarine. Thanks to this provision, they reach the capital city of Theed, where they rescue Queen Padmé Amidala, who had also been under threat of the Federation. While they escape the planet in a royal starship, the damage sustained from the blockade assault requires the newly banded group of heroes to seek shelter for necessary repairs.
On the desert planet Tatooine, Qui-Gon escapes the Federation but finds excitement anew. After visiting a junk shop run by the Toydorian Watto in search of parts, Qui-Gon and his comrades cross paths with a curious little slave boy, Anakin Skywalker, who invites the party to his home for refuge from an oncoming sandstorm. In talking with Skywalker's mother, Shmi, and observing the child closely, Qui-Gon senses there is something incredibly special about Anakin. He takes a sample of Anakin's blood to test his midi-chlorian count, and finds it is absolutely off the charts. This all but confirms Qui-Gon's suspicion: Anakin Skywalker is the Chosen One of the Jedi Prophecy.
A natural pilot, Anakin volunteers to compete in the Boonta Eve Classic podracing tournament in order to secure the prize money Qui-Gon needs to repair Padmé's ship. Prior to the race, Qui-Gon enters a bet with Watto that would secure Anakin's freedom. When Anakin narrowly wins the race, beating out vicious cheater Sebulba, he is released from slavery and brought to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. There, Qui-Gon appears before the Council and makes his case for Anakin's Jedi training, explaining the boy's remarkable strength in the Force and emphasizing that he believes Anakin Skywalker to be the Chosen One. The Council takes this into consideration and begins trials with Anakin, but finds the boy to be too old (most children trained as Jedi are removed from their home in infancy. whereas Skywalker was nine), too bogged down by emotional attachments, and too plagued by fear and doubt to be a successful Jedi. Qui-Gon, loyal to his beliefs and the will of the Force, rejects this assessment and maintains that he would take Anakin under his wing regardless of the Council's advisement.
Who was Qui-Gon Jinn’s Master?
Qui-Gon Jinn’s Master was Count Dooku. The relationship between Dooku and his Padawan was largely built on respect, though Jinn often found it difficult to get a read on his Master. Fans might recognize this instinct as a sound one: in Episode II: Attack of the Clones, it is revealed that Dooku had aligned with the Dark Side under the title Darth Tyranus. Dooku’s tutelage is most important to Qui-Gon’s character in that it is he who first introduces Jinn to the concept of prophecies, a fascination that will lead Qui-Gon to champion young Anakin Skywalker.
Who is Qui-Gon Jinn’s Apprentice?
Qui-Gon Jinn’s Apprentice was Obi-Wan Kenobi. While Jinn and Kenobi had a great deal of respect and care for one another, their differences in ideology created a tension between them. Obi-Wan preferred to adhere strictly to the Jedi Code whereas Qui-Gon was ultimately ruled by his own moral compass and strayed from doctrine according to his conscience.
How did Qui-Gon Jinn die?
Qui-Gon Jinn was killed by Darth Maul in a lightsaber duel on Naboo. At first, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan fought Maul side by side, with the Sith Lord deftly taking on both Jedi with his signature dual-sided lightsaber. But the Master and Apprentice get separated when Maul leads Qui-Gon through the Theed power generator plant towards the reactor and Obi-Wan is trapped behind an energy shield. Unable to assist, Obi-Wan watches helplessly as Maul uses the hilt of his lightsaber to hit Qui-Gon’s face, destabilizing his stance. Maul then drives his saber through Qui-Gon’s chest, and the Jedi Master falls, defeated.
After Qui-Gon’s death, Obi-Wan engages Maul and, after a spirited battle, Kenobi bisects Maul and leaves him to fall into the chasm of the reactor shaft. Obi-Wan then rushes to his Master who, in his last words, assures his Padawan that Anakin Skywalker is the prophesied Chosen One and must be trained. Having defeated his foe and avenged his fallen Master (though not for the last time, as any fan of Clone Wars or Rebels will tell you), Obi-Wan vows to respect Qui-Gon’s final wish; he will continue teaching Anakin the ways of the Force.
Who was the first Jedi to appear as a Force spirit?
Qui-Gon Jinn is canonically the first Jedi to ever appear as a Force spirit. Though Qui-Gon’s physical life came to an end following his battle with Maul, Qui-Gon’s training and insight into the Force allowed him to learn how to manifest his consciousness into what’s known as a Force spirit or a Force ghost. Qui-Gon mastered the ability to retain his sense of self and commune with others through the Force, a skill that would later be learned by deceased Force-wielders including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker.
The Best Qui-Gon Jinn Quotes
"It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I'll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light." — Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray
"Always remember: your focus determines your reality." — Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks
"The ability to speak does not make you intelligent." — Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks
"I’m coming to believe that we must all interpret the Code for ourselves...or it ceases to be a living pact and becomes nothing but a prison cell." — Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray
"There's always a bigger fish." — Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks
The Best Audiobooks for Qui-Gon Fans
Listen if: you want to hear more about Qui-Gon's relationship with Obi-Wan, his philosophy on the Force, and his tutelage under Count Dooku.
Listen if: you'd like to follow along as Qui-Gon meets young Anakin Skywalker and has his final fateful duel with Darth Maul.
Listen if: you want more context and backstory on Qui-Gon's Master, Count Dooku, and his descent into darkness.
