Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025: A Nation Central to the Saga

Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025: A Nation Central to the Saga

This weekend, more than 100,000 fans from over 125 countries are gathering for Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, a sold-out three-day event celebrating nearly 50 years of Star Wars storytelling, design, and fandom. The event is filled with exclusive panels, major reveals, and tributes to the special relationship between Star Wars and Japanese culture.

Attendees have the rare opportunity to hear from beloved stars including Diego Luna (Cassian Andor), Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), and more. Panels include previews of Star Wars: Starfighter, the Light & Magic Season 2 trailer, and a look at the future of the saga, including a glimpse at The Mandalorian and Grogu.

A Cultural Connection

According to Disney executive Carol Choi, Japan has a “very special symbiotic relationship” with Star Wars. From George Lucas’ early influences, such as Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress, to the samurai-inspired Jedi and Darth Vader’s armor, Japanese culture is deeply embedded in the Star Wars DNA.

“Elements like the Jedi, modeled after samurai, and the spiritual aspects of the Force, influenced by Bushido, highlight the profound impact of Japanese culture,” Choi shared.

Lucas Seastrom, a historian at Lucasfilm, added that the influence continues today. Shows like The Clone Wars evoke themes from Godzilla films, and The Mandalorian reflects the storytelling style of Japanese manga. With Star Wars: Visions, that exchange has come full circle, as Japanese anime studios bring their vision directly into the saga.

A Gateway to APAC

Chris Argyropoulos, VP of Franchise Assets & Publicity at Lucasfilm, emphasized how the Celebration connects fans across the Asia-Pacific region. Attendees have flown in from Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, further cementing Star Wars’ global reach.

The impact extends beyond film and TV. Disney Consumer Products partners with Japanese companies to develop Star Wars merchandise, blending Japanese craftsmanship with iconic storytelling to ensure fans everywhere can carry a piece of the saga.

What’s Ahead in the Galaxy

This year’s Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 featured a galaxy-sized lineup of major announcements and first looks, including:

• Star Wars: Starfighter, the next theatrical film directed by Shawn Levy, officially starts production this fall.
• A new trailer and cast panel for Andor Season 2 with Diego Luna and Tony Gilroy.
• The Mandalorian and Grogu movie teased with a special preview.
• Light & Magic Season 2 Unveiled, Celebrating 50 Years of ILM.
• Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 confirmed, plus a new anime spin-off series in development.
• LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy revealed new animated content, Pieces of the Past, and exclusive BrickHeadz.
• A new story, Maul: Shadow Lord, brings Darth Maul back into the spotlight.
• Young Jedi Adventures Season 3 announced for Disney+ this fall.
• Star Wars: Beyond Victory, a mixed reality playset, was introduced by ILMxLAB.
• Major updates from The High Republic Phase III and Lucasfilm Publishing.
• Celebration cosplay crowned Shogun Vader as Best in Show.
• Fortnite & Star Wars Collide Like Never Before
• And the next Star Wars Celebration is officially heading to Los Angeles in 2027.

Film and Streaming Reveals

From film and streaming reveals to immersive experiences and publishing announcements, this year’s event truly had something for every type of Star Wars fan.

• A 20th Anniversary panel for Revenge of the Sith with a theatrical re-release on April 25
• A look behind the scenes at Industrial Light & Magic as it marks 50 years
• The return of Andor Season 2
• New previews for Light & Magic Season 2

Whether you’re on the ground in Tokyo or following along from home, Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 is a shining example of the franchise’s global legacy and its deep-rooted cultural ties to Japan. The Force, truly, is with all of us.