From Wayang Kulit To Daddy Pedro: Here’s Everything Wizard We Experienced At Star Wars Celebration in Japan!

Fans from across the galaxy gathered under one roof for an unforgettable weekend at Star Wars Celebration, held from April 18 to 20 at the Makuhari Messe Convention Centre in Chiba, Tokyo. Simply, three galactic days of pure joy—Jedi robes swishing down the halls, lightsabers lighting up with photos galore, and Grogu backpacks peeking out in every direction.

From heart-pounding trailers to inspiring director/actor interviews and unexpected surprises (yes, that actor!), it truly felt like the Force was in full swing. Fans lined up for exclusive merch drops, panel discussions were packed with lore-loving diehards, and cosplay? Oh, it was next-level. We spotted everything from a Droideka rolling through the crowd, Cantina bands, to a full squad of Mandalorians—some of whom had clearly mastered the art of walking with the right amount of aura.

Whether you were there to get a glimpse of new canon-shaking announcements or just to vibe with fellow fans over blue milk and Wookiee hugs, Star Wars Celebration Japan delivered a galactic experience to remember. And in case you couldn’t make the hyperspace jump to Japan, don’t worry—we’ve got the full rundown right here.

So, why Japan? Well, simply because Star Wars owes a lot to it. George Lucas famously drew inspiration from Japanese cinema—especially Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress—which directly influenced the storytelling, visuals, and even the Jedi themselves in A New Hope. The DNA of the franchise is woven with elements of samurai films and Japanese aesthetics, so bringing Celebration to Tokyo felt less like a detour and more like a return to one of the saga’s spiritual homes.

Indeed, there was so much to do throughout the three days up till the binary sunset. Every corner of the convention centre offered something to explore—be it immersive exhibits, exclusive screenings, or spontaneous lightsaber duels breaking out between fans (all in good fun, of course). So much to see, so much to experience… but one thing’s for sure: it was totally ‘Wizard’!

The entire event was a whirlwind of pure Star Wars joy. It was the kind of weekend that reminds you why you fell in love with that galaxy far, far away in the first place.

First up, one of our favourite segments throughout the weekend was the live stage, where the crowd energy was buzzing with an electric passion. As actors and directors popped in throughout the day, each appearance was met with thunderous applause, lightsaber ignitions, and more than a few happy tears. Rosario Dawson brought her Ahsoka charm, Mads Mikkelsen was effortlessly cool (seriously, how does he do that?), and Andor star Diego Luna was his usual warm and humble self.

Of course, there were other passionate legends in attendance who brought just as much excitement to the celebration floor. The ever-charismatic Anthony Daniels was there, still charming the crowd like only the man behind C-3PO can. Sam Witwer—a.k.a. the living Holocron himself (his words, but honestly, we agree)—dropped by, radiating his usual encyclopedic knowledge of all things Star Wars. And then there was Ahmed Best, the man behind Jar Jar Binks, who had everyone cracking up as he proudly promoted the living legend Darth Jar Jar in Fortnite. And we were living for it!

And then came our favourite. The ‘Chosen’ one. The only. Hayden Christensen. The moment he stepped on stage? Absolute chills. Instant goosebumps. A sea of lightsabers lit up in pure reverence. The love for Hayden has only grown over the years, and seeing him bask in that warm fan energy was something truly special.

Oh, and we all got to wish him a very happy birthday, too. The crowd sang, cheered, and basically gave him the loudest birthday card in the galaxy.

And just when we thought we couldn’t be more starstruck, even the Mandalorian himself, Pedro ‘Zaddy’ Pascal, showed up—cool, calm, and somehow still full of energy despite what has clearly been a galaxy-sized week for the Chilean-born star. He was joined by none other than his The Mandalorian & Grogu co-star, the legendary Sigourney Weaver (yes, Ellen Ripley herself), in a crossover moment we didn’t know we needed but now can’t stop thinking about.

Oh, and they weren’t alone. Star Wars director powerhouses Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau also made an appearance, rounding out a stage lineup that had fans absolutely losing it.

We do have to point out—it’s been a week for Pedro. Not only did the trailer for Fantastic Four just drop (hello, Mr. Richards!), but The Last of Us Season 2 is already making waves online with its first two episodes, and now he’s casually showing up and walked the carpet for Thunderbolts*? Man’s booked, busy, and clearly thriving across every cinematic universe.

Now, in terms of surprises, of course the biggest one was Ryan Gosling! We’d heard the whispers in the air—rumours of him joining the Star Wars universe under the wing of director Shawn Levy—but seeing him actually walk on stage? That just blew our minds right there and then. And soon enough, it was revealed that the title of the film he was in was going to be called Star Wars: Starfighter.

Perhaps one of the most captivating—and certainly most meaningful—segments for us Malaysians at the Live Stage was a stunning shadow puppet performance by the group known as Fusion Wayang Kulit. Blending traditional Malaysian storytelling with the galaxy far, far away, the troupe delivered a powerful retelling of that iconic final sequence from Rogue One—you know the one, where the Rebels are frantically trying to get the Death Star plans to Princess Leia while Darth Vader looms right behind them like a nightmare in a cape.

The entire scene was brought to life through intricate wayang kulit silhouettes, set against dramatic lighting, music, and Malay narration that gave it a whole new kind of intensity. It was creative, heartfelt, and such a brilliant cultural fusion—definitely one of the most unexpected highlights of the weekend, and one that made us beam with Malaysian pride.

Speaking of Malaysian pride, our very own Royal Selangor made quite the impression with its exhibit. The renowned pewter company showcased and sold exclusive pieces from their Star Wars collection—and honestly, they looked absolutely stunning. From intricately detailed figurines to sleek, collectible chess pieces, the craftsmanship was next-level.

The booth drew a steady crowd throughout the weekend, with fans admiring the artistry and even picking up a few pieces to bring a little pewter-powered elegance to their shelves back home. It was such a proud moment to see a Malaysian brand standing tall on the international stage—and in the galaxy far, far away.

There was even a life-sized pewter Han Solo in carbonite crafted by Royal Selangor, and yes, it was every bit as jaw-dropping as it sounds. Fans couldn’t help but stop and gawk (us included), with many snapping selfies in front of the metallic masterpiece. It was equal parts art installation and fan tribute—an iconic moment frozen in time, now immortalised in pewter.

Of course, Royal Selangor wasn’t the only one bringing the heat. There were plenty of other brilliant displays from major toy manufacturers that had fans crowding the showcase floors. Bandai, Hasbro, and Lego all came in very strong, each showing off jaw-dropping figures and collectibles that had us hovering between admiration and financial ruin.

Hot Toys in particular? Their ultra-detailed figures had collectors buzzing—and scrambling to secure their favourites before they vanished. And certainly, the exclusives sold there were sights to behold. From a perfectly sculpted Sakura Stormtrooper variant to a rendition of Vader from the Revenge of The Jedi poster, this toy booth was by far the busiest (and most dangerous for wallets).

Besides all the toys and collectibles, there was also a dedicated exhibit that focused solely on Star Wars: Visions—and it was a total standout. The showcase leaned into the artistic roots and Japanese influence of the anthology series, with stunning concept art, character designs, and behind-the-scenes looks that highlighted just how much heart and imagination goes into every episode.

It was the perfect nod to the unique cultural exchange that Visions represents—Star Wars through the lens of anime and Japanese storytelling. For many fans, especially the locals, it felt like a meaningful celebration of homegrown artistry meeting intergalactic mythos. And let’s be honest, seeing The Duel or The Village Bride come to life in that setting was simply breathtaking.

Now, when it comes to cosplays—this was actually the first time we’d ever been to a convention where the entire cosplay scene was exclusively Star Wars-focused, and honestly? It was a heavenly sight to behold. From droids to Jedi, Inquisitors to Senators, every corner of the convention was packed with costumed fans showing their love for the galaxy far, far away in full force.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Star Wars con without some delightful chaos. One of the highlights? A full-on army of Willrow Hoods—yes, that mustachioed background legend from Empire Strikes Back running through Cloud City with what was essentially a glorified ice cream maker. Every single Hood was screaming for ice cream, and we couldn’t help but laugh (and join in, obviously).

Special shoutout to the crossover cosplays too, which added an extra layer of creative fun. We spotted a Ghostbuster Mandalorian, Clones disguised in Where’s Waldo colors (it took us way too long to spot them, fittingly), a Deadpool Jedi causing chaos, and more mashups that made us do double takes.

And since this was Japan, we have to mention the beautifully crafted cosplays that blended traditional Japanese cultural elements into Star Wars designs. Think Darth Maul with kabuki-style face paint, Jedi in ornate kimono robes, Mandalorians with shogun armor influences—it was all incredibly well-done, respectful, and just downright stunning. The creativity on display was off the charts!

This beautiful cultural fusion wasn’t just limited to the cosplay either—it extended into the official merch too. Several exclusive items were created just for Celebration Japan, blending iconic elements of Japanese tradition with Star Wars flair. We’re talking Tamagotchis featuring Star Wars characters (yes, really), daruma dolls with Jedi and Sith designs, collectible Beyblades, charming wooden dolls, and even hagoitas (decorative paddles) that looked straight out of a samurai duel in space.

They weren’t just souvenirs—they were tangible reminders of what this event was all about: connection, creativity, and celebrating Star Wars through the lens of local culture.

As we packed up our lightsabers (and merch hauls) and said goodbye to the Makuhari Messe Convention Centre, we couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. Star Wars Celebration Japan wasn’t just an event—it was a united dream of enthusiasts from every corner of the galaxy brought to life. For three glorious days, we got to live in a world where droids beeped around every corner, strangers became instant friends over Clone Wars trivia, and the love for Star Wars united people from all walks of life.

We traded stickers and friendship bracelets, danced with Fortnite Chewies, chanted “One way out!” with the Andor prisoners, it was just so beautiful.

And we have to say—one of the most heartwarming parts of the entire weekend was seeing Malaysian creators take the stage and shine. From the powerful shadow puppet retelling by Fusion Wayang Kulit to Royal Selangor’s stunning pewter showcase, our local talents weren’t just present—they were celebrated.

There was a real sense of pride seeing Malaysian artistry and storytelling stand tall on a global platform like Star Wars Celebration. It reminded us that creativity knows no borders—and that our stories, our culture, and our voices belong in galaxies far, far away too.

Whether you were there in person or following along from across the galaxy, one thing is clear: the Force is still strong, and the fandom is certainly more beautiful than ever.

To all who made it unforgettable—ありがとう。(Arigatou.)

Until the next Celebration… may the Force be with you.
フォースと共にあらんことを。 (Fōsu to tomo ni aran koto o.)

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