Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025: Day One Highlights
- Frason Francis
- Apr 18
- 5 min read
The Force awakened in Tokyo as Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 kicked off its first day with spectacular panels, surprise announcements, and heartfelt moments that delighted fans from across the galaxy. This marks the first time Star Wars Celebration has been held in Japan, bringing together international fans and creators to celebrate the beloved franchise in a country that has deep connections to its origins.
The Force awakened in Tokyo as Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 kicked off its first day with spectacular panels, surprise announcements, and heartfelt moments that delighted fans from across the galaxy. This marks the first time Star Wars Celebration has been held in Japan, bringing together international fans and creators to celebrate the beloved franchise in a country that has deep connections to its origins.
Hayden Christensen Celebrates 20 Years of Revenge of the Sith
The celebration began with a powerful appearance by Hayden Christensen, who received a thunderous welcome as he commemorated the 20th anniversary of "Revenge of the Sith." Fans raised their lightsabers in tribute to the actor who portrayed Anakin Skywalker's journey from Jedi Knight to Sith Lord.
It's so nice to get to be back, Christensen shared with the audience. What's not to love about this? It's really just an awesome event that you guys do and such an amazing concentration of joy in one place. We all just come together and share in our love of Star Wars. It's really a beautiful thing.
Reflecting on the iconic Mustafar battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Christensen revealed the extensive preparation that went into creating what has become one of the most memorable lightsaber duels in Star Wars history. We trained for many months, and when it got to filming, it took us maybe a week or two to do. You and I were really having a go at each other, he said, noting how he and Ewan McGregor performed their own stunts for the sequence.
The actor also discussed his recent return to the character in "Obi-Wan Kenobi" and "Ahsoka," particularly highlighting his relationship with Rosario Dawson, who plays Ahsoka Tano. The relationship between Anakin and Ahsoka is, you know, there's such a rich history there and a really fun dynamic that Dave Filoni and George Lucas created in the animated world. And we really wanted to do that justice, he explained.
Japanese Director Takashi Yamazaki Joins the Celebration
Following Christensen, acclaimed Japanese director Takashi Yamazaki, known for his work on "Godzilla Minus One took the stage to share his passion for Star Wars. As the first Celebration in Japan, having a prominent Japanese filmmaker present highlighted the cultural exchange aspect of the event.
When I first saw it, I thought it was overwhelmingly superior to any VF that had come before, and I thought it was real," Yamazaki said, recalling his first experience with Star Wars. "The shot of the Star Destroyer constantly coming out of the head was so overwhelming.
Yamazaki spoke about visiting Lucasfilm headquarters last year, describing it as a sacred place for him. On Star Wars being celebrated in Japan, Yamazaki expressed, "I think it's a great honor, and I've heard that Kurosawa's films are one of its roots, so it's really wonderful that such a wonderful Star Wars event is being held in this place."
Jon Favreau and Sigourney Weaver Discuss "The Mandalorian and Grogu"
One of the day's biggest highlights was the appearance of Jon Favreau alongside Hollywood legend Sigourney Weaver, who received an incredibly warm welcome from fans. The duo discussed the upcoming feature film "The Mandalorian and Grogu" which will bring the beloved Disney+ characters to the big screen.
Favreau explained the differences between creating content for television versus film: In feature films, to get to be the director is a different process. The storyteller is there on set every day. We also had the opportunity to have a much larger span of time to tell the story.
She confessed to having a memorable reaction when meeting Grogu (Baby Yoda) for the first time. I did have to get used to being with something so adorable. I mean, I was fascinated by him. I don't think you can escape every little gesture and sound. He's very mischievous, so you have to keep your eye on him.
When asked about her character, Weaver revealed she plays a fighter pilot who "came up in the rebellion and now she's trying to protect the New Republic." She added that her character has "had the good sense to hire Mandalorian and this sidekick."
Favreau described the upcoming film as combining a swashbuckling fun romp with all of the complexity that came from the western and samurai film," staying true to George Lucas's original inspirations. Weaver summed up the movie as being "about action, it's about adventure, and it's about adorableness."
Ryan Gosling and Shawn Levy Announce "Star Wars: Starfighter"
Perhaps the most unexpected and exciting announcement came when director Shawn Levy and actor Ryan Gosling made their Star Wars Celebration debut to reveal their upcoming project, "Star Wars: Starfighter."
"I'm so glad we can finally say the words," Levy said about revealing the film's title. To be here, it's one thing to know about the passion of all of us as Star Wars fans, but to feel it here in Tokyo, all of us in the same space feeding off each other, it was worth the trip. Gosling shared his longtime connection to the franchise. His mother even sent in a photo of his Empire Strikes Back bed sheets from when he was five years old, emphasizing how Star Wars has been part of his life since childhood.
"I was dreaming about Star Wars before I ever saw it. It's always been there, it's sort of in the DNA of the culture. I think it framed my idea of what a movie even was," Gosling explained.
The duo confirmed that "Starfighter" is not in development but already in pre-production, with filming set to begin in fall 2025 for a May 27, 2027 release. They also revealed that the story takes place after the Battle of Exegol (post-Episode IX), featuring new characters and a new era of the Star Wars timeline.
It's a big galaxy out there, Levy noted, and it feels like there's an opportunity to do a movie that's not a prequel, that's not a sequel, and gives us the Star Wars DNA that we love but with an adventure that's all new.
Gosling concluded with a heartfelt message to fans: The force is a mysterious thing, but I think as I'm here, I feel like the force is the fans. All we can hope for is that may the fans be with us.
Looking Ahead
As the first day of Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 came to a close, the excitement was palpable. With the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith being commemorated, new details about "The Mandalorian and Grogu," and the surprise announcement of "Star Wars: Starfighter," fans have much to look forward to in the coming years.
The celebration continues to showcase the global appeal of Star Wars while honoring its connections to Japanese cinema and culture. As director Takashi Yamazaki noted, seeing Star Wars fans from around the world gather in Japan truly emphasizes how this franchise transcends cultural boundaries to bring people together in their shared love for these stories from a galaxy far, far away.
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