Kylo Ren (Rise of Skywalker)

This appearance encompasses the dual narrative arc of Kylo Ren throughout Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Initially ruling as the new Supreme Leader of the First Order following the demise of Snoke, Kylo Ren tracks down the resurrected Emperor Palpatine on the hidden Sith world of Exegol. Tasked with destroying the last Jedi, Kylo commands the First Order and leads his Knights of Ren across the galaxy, engaging in intense Force Dyad confrontations with Rey on Pasaana and Kijimi.

The emotional turning point of this appearance occurs amidst the stormy waters and wreckage of the Death Star II on Kef Bir. After a fiercely contested lightsaber duel with Rey and a visionary memory of his father, Han Solo, Kylo Ren casts his crimson crossguard lightsaber into the ocean and abandons his dark mantle. Reclaiming his identity as Ben Solo, he arrives on Exegol to stand with Rey. Using their Force Dyad bond to draw the Skywalker lightsaber from her, Ben swiftly slays his former Knights of Ren in hand-to-hand combat before confronting Emperor Palpatine.

The Rise of Skywalker appearance of Kylo Ren serves as the emotional and thematic climax of the sequel trilogy. As Supreme Leader, his attempt to assert independence by re-forging his shattered mask symbolizes his desire to master his destiny, yet it ultimately exposes his continued internal fracture. His story reveals the tragic betrayal of his command: unbeknownst to him, his trusted Knights of Ren were secretly bound in ultimate loyalty to Darth Sidious rather than to Kylo himself.

More importantly, this appearance represents the resolution of Ben Solo's long-running spiritual struggle. By shedding the dark attire and mask of Kylo Ren on Kef Bir, Ben chooses love and forgiveness over galactic domination. His redemption completes the Skywalker family legacy, as he uses the Jedi training of Luke Skywalker and the heroic resolve of his parents to aid Rey and sacrifice his remaining life force to restore her, permanently extinguishing the Sith threat.

Kylo Ren's aesthetic in Episode IX features two distinct visual phases reflecting his inner state. In his Supreme Leader persona, his signature element is the re-forged helmet repaired by Sith Alchemist Albrekh. Fused together using a crimson Sith alchemical bonding agent, the helmet displays glowing red fractures across its black faceplate—a design heavily inspired by the traditional Japanese art of kintsugi. He wears a heavy obsidian cape, dark textured tunics, high leather boots, and carries his volatile red crossguard lightsaber powered by a cracked kyber crystal.

Upon his redemption into Ben Solo on Kef Bir, the visual design shifts dramatically. Ben discards his cape, dark tunic, and re-cracked helmet entirely. He appears in a minimalist dark navy knit shirt and simple dark trousers. Unmasked and fluid in his movement, Ben's combat technique shifts from brute force to an agile, heroic style influenced by Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, wielding the repaired blue-bladed Skywalker lightsaber.