Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, held from April 18–20 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, delivered a wealth of announcements across film, television, animation, and publishing. Here’s a comprehensive summary of the major highlights:
Star Wars Film Announcements
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Star Wars: Starfighter: Lucasfilm unveiled a new standalone film titled Star Wars: Starfighter, set to premiere on May 28, 2027. Directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and starring Ryan Gosling, the film is set five years after The Rise of Skywalker and will introduce entirely new characters in a previously unexplored era of the Star Wars timeline. Production is scheduled to begin in fall 2025.
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The Mandalorian & Grogu: A theatrical continuation of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian was announced, with Pedro Pascal reprising his role as Din Djarin. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film is set to debut in theaters on May 22, 2026, and aims to be accessible to both newcomers and longtime fans.
Television and Streaming Updates
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Andor Season 2: Attendees were treated to the premiere of the first episode of Andor Season 2, which is set to directly lead into the events of Rogue One. Creator Tony Gilroy and star Diego Luna were present to discuss the upcoming season.
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Ahsoka Season 2: The second season of Ahsoka was confirmed, with notable announcements including Hayden Christensen’s return as Anakin Skywalker, Rory McCann taking over the role of Baylan Skoll, and the reappearance of Admiral Ackbar.
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Maul: Shadow Lord: A new animated series focusing on Darth Maul’s efforts to rebuild his criminal syndicate post-Clone Wars was announced. Sam Witwer will reprise his voice role as Maul, with the series expected to premiere in 2026.
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Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 & Visions Presents: The anthology series Star Wars: Visions will return for a third volume on October 29, 2025, featuring sequels to popular episodes and new shorts. Additionally, a spin-off titled Visions Presents was announced, starting with a long-form episode of The Ninth Jedi in 2026.
Cultural and Artistic Highlights
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Lucasfilm Animation’s 20th Anniversary: A special panel celebrated two decades of Lucasfilm Animation, with Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni and Vice President Athena Portillo reflecting on the studio’s critically acclaimed stories and beloved characters, while also teasing upcoming projects.
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Star Wars and Japanese Culture: A dedicated panel explored the deep connections between Star Wars and Japanese storytelling, art, and culture, highlighting influences that have shaped the franchise over nearly 50 years.
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Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 Art Show: The art show featured unique pieces blending Star Wars themes with Japanese artistic styles. Notable works included Tsuneo Sanda’s “Anakin’s Path,” exploring Anakin Skywalker’s internal conflict, and Tomoko Taniguchi’s “Love in the Galaxy,” which presented Star Wars characters in a Shojo manga style.
Star Wars Celebrity Appearances
The event boasted a star-studded lineup of guests, including:
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Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker)
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Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron)
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Diego Luna (Cassian Andor)
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Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano)
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Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks, Kelleran Beq)
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Mads Mikkelsen (Galen Erso)
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Alan Tudyk (K-2SO)
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Temuera Morrison (Jango/Boba Fett)
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Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
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Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars)
These appearances provided fans with opportunities for autographs, panels, and discussions about their roles in the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 showcased Lucasfilm’s commitment to expanding the Star Wars universe through diverse storytelling across various media, while honoring the franchise’s rich history and cultural influences.