Star Wars Celebration Japan presents the best of the Star Wars saga at the Makuhari-Messe Convention Center in Chiba, Japan. For three days, July 19-21, meet your fellow fans from Japan, Asia, and around the world to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars saga in Japan. Enjoy live entertainment, memorable exhibits, great Star Wars shopping, and days of events you’ll find no where else but here…
That’s how the official Celebration Japan site teased the weekend, but how did it really shape up? Was it a storming success like Celebration Europe? Did it pour down with rain? Was there a huge surprise appearance by George Lucas like Celebration 3, or would the magic of Star Wars reign supreme as it did at the first Celebration back in 1999? Fan Chris Gereke, Lucasfilm Events Manager Mary Franklin and artist Richard Chasemore were in attendance, and here’s what they had to say about the show….
Celebration Japan Art Show: Come see and purchase the works created by official Lucasfilm artists especially for this weekend. These beautiful Star Wars pieces will be available only at Celebration Japan. This is your opportunity to meet the artists and ask questions, too.
Lawrence Noble Sculpting Live: Star Wars artist Lawrence Noble, who has created sculpts and artwork for the Star Wars galaxy including personal sculpts for George Lucas, will be sculpting Luke Skywalker (actor Mark Hamill) live during Celebration Japan. Enter to win, and you might be drawn to receive this one-of-a-kind sculpture! One lucky fan will win it! Must be present to win.
Star Wars Photo Sets: Star Wars fans have created fantastic photos sets, including vehicles and creatures, that will make you feel like you are inside the Star Wars galaxy. Find them across the show, and stop to have your picture taken!
Celebration Store: The Celebration Japan Store features exclusive, collectible Star Wars items that you can only purchase here, plus more Star Wars treasures for sale. Do not miss shopping at Star Wars Celebration Japan.
The Vader Project: Pop culture and underground artists, including exciting artists from Japan, have created their own edgy variations on the iconic Darth Vader helmet. This exhibit is a must-see on your Celebration Japan schedule.
Celebration Japan Autographs: Official Pix, the licensed provider of official Star Wars photos and autographs, is hosting the Autograph Hall at Celebration Japan. Meet stars from the movies of the Saga, and get their autographs. Here’s who you can meet:
– Amy Allen (Aayla Secura, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith);
– Jeremy Bulloch: (Boba Fett, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi; Lt. Sheckil, The Empire Strikes Back; Captain Colton, Revenge of the Sith.);
– Anthony Daniels (C-3PO, all six Star Wars movies);
– Anthony Forrest (Fixer and Stormtrooper, A New Hope);
– Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker, original Star Wars trilogy);
– Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker, The Phantom Menace);
– Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett, Attack of the Clones);
– Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca, original Star Wars trilogy, and Revenge of the Sith);
– Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett, Attack of the Clones; Commander Cody and clone troopers, Revenge of the Sith);
– Ray Park (Darth Maul, The Phantom Menace);
– David Prowse (Darth Vader);
– Tim Rose (Return of the Jedi);
– Orli Shoshan (Shaak Ti, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith);
– Matthew Wood (General Grievous, Revenge of the Sith; Bib Fortuna, The Phantom Menace).Also meeting fans and providing complimentary autographs in the Official Pix area:
– Dave Filoni Saturday, 2:30pm – 5:00pm;
– John Knoll Sunday, 3:00pm – 4:30pm.Star Wars Family Area: Families will enjoy Star Wars crafts and activities, and a place to sit down and enjoy the Celebration together. Come take part in the interactive fun of being a Star Wars fan of any age!
Star Wars Jedi Training Stage: Young Padawans who want to learn the ways of the Jedi are invited to train at the Jedi Stage every day of Celebration Japan. Learn from the Jedi Master, and prepare to take on surprising challenges! Every day at 11am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm.
Celebration Japan Exhibit Hall: Makers of great Star Wars toys and collectibles will be showing and selling their wares in the exhibit hall. Find Star Wars treasures to buy in the dealer booths, too.
In the Fine Molds booth: Lorne Peterson, autographing each day of the show: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Star Wars Fan Tables: Learn what these great Star Wars fan clubs do, and maybe join the fun yourself!
Celebration Japan Fan Events:
Saturday, July 19th
1:00pm – 1:30pm: Rebel Legion & Jedi Order on Jedi Stage
2:00pm – 2:40pm: Preparation of 501st Parade – 501st Fan Table
2:40pm – 3:00pm: 501st ParadeSunday, July 20th
8:20am – 9:00am Preparation for 501st Legion Group Photo
9:00am – 9:30am 501st Legion Group Photo
10:00am – 5:01pm 501st Legion Droid hunt
1:00pm – 1:30pm: Rebel Legion & Jedi Order on Jedi Stage
2:00pm – 2:20pm: Preparation of Combined 501st Legion and Costume Contest Parade
2:20pm – 2:45pm: Costume ParadeMonday, July 21st
10:00am – 12:00 noon: Announcement of Droid hunt Prize – 501st Table
1:00 pm – 1:30pm: Rebel Legion & Jedi Order on Jedi Stage
2:00pm – 2:40pm: Preparation of 501st Parade – 501st Fan Table
2:40pm – 3:00pm: 501st Parade
Chris Gereke
“Star Wars Celebration Japan in Makuhari-Messe in Chiba. Celebration Japan standouts were The Clone Wars panels with Dave Filoni, Matt Wood and Takeuchi.”
“The 501st had a cool Silver Trooper guarding George Lucas in carbonite. Someone’s head will roll. Alongside the Rebel Legion modeling groups were set up with some amazing character and ship models as well as collector groups.”
“The Clone Wars footage was amazing. Three different clips were shown. Obi-Wan, Cody, Anakin, Rex and the clones battling countless Battle and Super Battle droids as well as spider droids on the world of Christophsis. Anakin and Rex make a very dramatic and unconventional flanking move to turn the tide of the battle against the droids. Several clones lost heads or limbs and became cannon fodder.
The next clip was a fun clip with Anakin and the new character Ahsoka. Anakin’s padawan (who rivals Padme and Leia with her wit and character) attacking a Separatist outpost atop of a mountain. “Race you to the top!” The massive AT-TE actually ascending the mountain, the battle droids are zany almost a stooge quality or a Gomer Pyle shtick. I loved how the battlefield is turned on its side as ‘sky guy’ and ‘snips’ race to the top. I think fans will love Ahsoka, she is a very cool character.
The third clip was Kenobi and Asajj Ventress in a fierce lightsaber duel with Kenobi’s famous quips that ended with Kenobi at the business end of Asajj’s lightsabers. The Clone Wars looks amazing…on all levels.”
“The Fetts, Vader, Chewie, Skywalker, John Knoll and Dave Filoni panels were great. Steve Sansweet mc’d most of them. The English to Japanese translation took a little patience and the Celebration Japan fans went wild for Mark Hamill.”
Mary Franklin
“Producing a Celebration in Japan was a unique challenge, because it was the first of the Celebrations in which most of the staff and crew did not speak English, and I do not speak Japanese. Even though we did not share a common language, we shared a common goal: putting on a great experience for Star Wars fans. We carried on together for the best possible outcome.”
Chris Gereke
“The front middle of the Celebration Japan floor was the family recreation area where families could do crafts or Lego and buy toys from the coin vending machine. Beside that was the Jedi training stage where padawans could test their Jedi skills against Darth Vader and two of his Stormtroopers.
The stage was lined by the Family Mart vendors where you could purchase food. Especially cool were the Pepsi Bear Kubricks that came with Pepsi.”
“From left to right as you looked onto the Celebration Japan convention floor was laid out with the Artist Alley. On the left was artist Matt Busch, Spencer Brinkerhoff III, Randy Martinez, JAKe, Ralph McQuarrie, Tsuneo Sanda, Nagano, Lawrence Noble, Malcolm Tween and Robert Hendrickson.”
Richard Chasemore
“Me drawing with a speeder helmet on!”
Chris Gereke
“There was a VIP party with the celebs with food, exclusives such as a Tsuneo Sanda print or Ewok hair. The con was adorned with Clone Wars posters and the Sanda Celebration Japan promo posters.”
“Official Pix did an extraordinary job with the autographs and VIP actors and guests. Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Amy Allen, Jake Lloyd, Orli Shoshan, Tim Rose, Ray Park, Dave Prowse, Daniel Logan, Temeura Morrison, Mike Edmonds and Matt Wood.”
“The Celebration Japan store had some cool Star Wars exclusives that should be available on starwarsshop.com soon. Bounty Hunter shirts, bottle caps, Kubrick shadow guard, Marc Ecko Stormtrooper and Boba Fett hoodies. Clone Wars tickets, CJ towels, dolls, McQuarrie print, bear ewok and Kubricks.”
“The Dewback Project was an amazing fan favorite. Goro the designer created an amazing likeness to the Dewback from A New Hope, maybe even better. You could ride or have a photo oportunity with the Dewback and or Yumi. And don’t forget the cute Celebration Japan Slave Leia.”
Mary Franklin
“There was no doubt in my mind that Star Wars was a cultural phenomenon in Japan, but my biggest concern in planning the programming was getting the mix of entertainment and exhibits just right for the audience. Based on what I have seen from Japan over the years – the different Star Wars collectibles, different Star Wars animation and costumes – the Japanese fans consistently add their own refreshing and unique spin on the saga. As we anticipated the majority of the audience would be Japanese, I really wanted the show to appeal to them. It was important it be a real Star Wars Celebration, but I believed it also specifically needed to be a Japanese celebration of Star Wars.”
Chris Gereke
“In a separate Clone Wars panel with Dave Filoni, Takuechi and Matt Wood they premiered the General Grievous episode from the TV series. The Clone Wars TV opening had a retro World War II newsreel opening and radio era voice instead of an opening crawl. This episode contained Kit Fisto and his clones, which look amazingly cool. They descend on a planet to apprehend Rune Haako. The episode had a cool dark suspenseful feel and a new Mon Cal Jedi Knight Nahdar Vebb who was Kit Fisto’s padawan. They descend into a lair only to discover Grievous’ pet Roggwart, named Gor. Very cool.”
“The exhibitor area had Disney Star Tours, the post office where you could purchase customized stamps, model areas, Wii, Lego, Hasbro, Sanyko and photo oportunities with Vader, Artoo and Threepio.
Larger than life pachinko and arcade type games were giving Vader postcards with signatures. Watches, JAL Vader and Stormtrooper samurai armor. Kotobuyika, Clone Wars figures, book sellers where Steve Sansweet signed his Vault and Star Wars Poster books which are a must for a Star Wars fan. And make room on the shelf for the Star Wars Encyclopedia.”
Richard Chasemore
“Lawrence Noble giving a prize of a bust he did of Luke! Amazing work and the Japanese girl that won it went mad when she found out!”
Chris Gereke
“Star Warriors was a documentary about the 501st and the Rose Bowl Parade starring Lucasfilms Steve Sansweet and Mary Franklin, George Lucas and the different personalities of the 501st.”
Mary Franklin
“The local fans from the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, and Star Wars collecting and building clubs were a tremendous resource. Not only were they readily willing to share their talents and time and ideas before the show, they took an active part in the show with fan tables, presentations, costumes, and entertainment. They were instrumental in a successful show that was “by the fans; for the fans.” Japanese guests, like The Clone Wars episodic director Atsushi Takeuchi, showcased national talent at the show as well.”
Chris Gereke
“Behind and beside the Artists Alley were the Belgian Props with the Millennium Falcon, Snowspeeder, speeder bike and Jabba. Behind that was the Digital Stage with Rex, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka guarding the entrance. Beside the digital stage was the Vader Helmet project which was amazing.”
Mary Franklin
“For the three days of the show I watched the fans have a great time, and take in every aspect of the programming and entertainment. I hope they felt it was a show created just for them, even while it celebrated the worldwide fandom of the Star Wars saga.”
Originally posted on Lightsabre.co.uk in 2008.
Listen to Collecting Tracks Episode 6: Revisiting Celebration Japan 2008 as Richard and Chris look back to the collectibles of the event ahead of our return to Japan in 2025.
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