Convention - Star Wars Celebration 2025: A Galactic Renaissance Unfolds in Japan with Daring New Frontiers, Emotional Returns, and Cultural Immersion

By Mulder, Japon, Chiba, Makuhari Messe Convention Center, 20 april 2025

From the very first moment fans stepped into the convention center in Makuhari Messe, just outside Tokyo, it was clear that Star Wars Celebration 2025 wasn’t going to be business as usual. The sheer magnitude of emotion in the air, the thunderous applause erupting from packed panel rooms, the colorful waves of cosplayers ranging from Mandalorians in sakura-inspired armor to elegant Jedi robes adorned with traditional Japanese motifs—this wasn’t just a convention. It was a revival. A fusion of cultures, eras, and storytelling philosophies that reminded everyone why Star Wars is more than a franchise. It’s a legacy. This year’s Celebration, the first ever held in Japan, attracted over 105,000 fans from 125 countries, transforming the venue into a living galaxy of nostalgia and promise. With the looming 50th anniversary of A New Hope only two years away, Lucasfilm went all-in, pulling back the curtain on a truly staggering slate of projects designed not just to entertain, but to redefine what Star Wars means in 2025 and beyond.

Perhaps the biggest lightning bolt of the weekend was the formal unveiling of Star Wars: Starfighter, a brand-new feature film set to release on May 28, 2027. Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his deft mix of action and emotion in Stranger Things and Deadpool & Wolverine, the film will star none other than Ryan Gosling, a casting coup that sent a wave of giddy speculation across the fandom. What’s most exciting about Starfighter is its timeline—set five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, it represents Lucasfilm’s first true narrative step into uncharted territory after the Skywalker saga’s conclusion. Gone are the burdens of legacy characters and lore knots; in their place, a clean slate teeming with creative possibility. Levy teased a tone that blends gritty aerial combat with existential character drama, and Gosling’s character—shown in early concept art as a disillusioned ace pilot flying a sleek, battle-scarred fighter over a dying star—hints at something closer to Top Gun meets Children of Men than anything we’ve seen in Star Wars to date. The film is said to explore the aftermath of galactic war through the eyes of a man trying to stay neutral in a system still riddled with corruption, and fans are already calling it the most daring project since Rogue One.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Celebration without The Mandalorian making a triumphant return, and 2025 delivered with jaw-dropping details on The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is set to arrive in theaters on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni took the stage to thunderous applause, joined by Pedro Pascal—finally confirmed to appear on screen without his helmet for a significant portion of the film. The teaser screened exclusively for attendees featured Din Djarin and Grogu navigating a galaxy in flux, while dealing with internal doubts and political entanglements that hint at the emergence of a new threat to the fragile New Republic. One of the biggest surprises was the casting of Sigourney Weaver as a grizzled New Republic pilot who serves as an unexpected mentor figure to Djarin. Described as "a spiritual cousin to Mon Mothma, but with a blaster on her hip," her character is emblematic of the film’s hybrid tone—equal parts space western and high-stakes political thriller. Built from the ground up for IMAX, the film boasts large-scale practical sets and promises to showcase Grogu in ways that fans have never seen before. If The Mandalorian was about the bond between two outsiders, this film seems poised to explore what happens when that bond is tested by purpose, duty, and the ghosts of a war that never truly ended.

On the series front, Andor Season 2 was, unsurprisingly, the most critically lauded moment of the Celebration. The first full episode was shown to an utterly silent room—silent not from disinterest, but from awe. Diego Luna and showrunner Tony Gilroy were present to underline just how personal this final season has become. The narrative directly bridges into the events of Rogue One, but instead of simply building to a known ending, the season zeroes in on the emotional cost of resistance. Cassian Andor, now a hardened operative, is haunted by the morality of the rebellion he’s become a symbol for. Mon Mothma is on the verge of collapse, both politically and personally, and the new Imperial antagonist—a cold-blooded strategist played by Tilda Swinton—was met with instant fanfare. Gilroy made it clear: this is not fan service. This is Shakespearean tragedy set among the stars, and April 22, 2025, can’t come soon enough.

Ahsoka Season 2 also shared its moment in the twin suns, with confirmation that Rosario Dawson will continue as the titular Force-wielder, joined once again by Hayden Christensen in a blend of flashbacks, spiritual Force visions, and possibly even World Between Worlds interludes. One of the most talked-about announcements was the recasting of Baylan Skoll—now played by Rory McCann, best known as the Hound in Game of Thrones. It’s a heavy torch to carry after Ray Stevenson’s beloved performance, but early footage indicates that McCann’s version will lean even more into the character’s tragic, fallen-knight qualities. Additional reveals included the return of Admiral Ackbar and the teased introduction of a new Force cult known only as “The Shroud,” potentially linking to the ancient lore from The High Republic era. Filming is set to begin this summer, with Dave Filoni reportedly juggling this with preparations for his own upcoming feature film set in the New Republic era.

Animation also had its moment in the spotlight, particularly with the announcement of Maul: Shadow Lord, a new animated series releasing in 2026. Voiced once again by Sam Witwer, Darth Maul’s return to the screen is not just fan service—it’s a deep dive into the psyche of one of the saga’s most tragic figures. The series takes place after Maul’s escape from Crimson Dawn, where he begins training a mysterious new apprentice in a hidden Sith enclave. Described as Tales of the Jedi by way of Samurai Champloo, the series blends stylized combat with psychological introspection, and the trailer’s final shot—Maul staring into a cracked mirror while whispering his own name over and over—left chills throughout the arena.

And then there’s Star Wars: Visions – Volume 3, arriving October 29, 2025, which continues to push the boundaries of what Star Wars can look and feel like. Featuring nine new shorts from studios across South Korea, Brazil, France, and the UK, this third installment includes direct sequels to some of the anthology’s most beloved entries: “The Duel,” “The Village Bride,” and “The Ninth Jedi.” In fact, The Ninth Jedi is being spun off into its own full-length animated series set for 2026, marking the first time a Visions short has been promoted into a full-fledged narrative. Lucasfilm executives said this was a direct result of overwhelming fan engagement, proving that experimental storytelling can evolve into franchise pillars. The third volume is said to include everything from stop-motion horror to romantic musical samurai duels, and fans couldn’t be more excited for the tonal diversity it represents.

Outside of films and series, the Celebration overflowed with immersive fan experiences and cross-media collaborations. The Fortnite x Star Wars: Galactic Battle event launching May 2 was met with whooping enthusiasm, particularly for its wild new cosmetics like Darth Jar Jar Binks (yes, really), Mace Windu, and a fully customizable Mandalorian skin. Vehicles like X-Wings and TIE Fighters will be flyable across the map, and the event will feature a narrative arc culminating in a Death Star sabotage mission in early June. It’s not just a game update—it’s an event, crafted to keep Star Wars front-of-mind for younger fans who experience the franchise through a gaming lens first.

Lastly, but perhaps most profoundly, was the Celebration’s deep cultural integration with Japanese traditions, particularly in the Anime & Manga Pavilion. Studio Ghibli contributed rare concept art, including a now-viral image of Grogu playing with soot sprites under a Torii gate. Local artists recreated Jedi and Sith through the lens of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and an entire section was dedicated to bonsai arrangements inspired by the natural worlds of Naboo and Dagobah. Traditional artisans crafted Star Wars porcelain figurines using 17th-century Kutani ware techniques, bridging past and future in a way that felt authentically Star Wars. It was an emotional reminder that this universe doesn’t just belong to Hollywood—it belongs to the world.

As the final panels wrapped and fans trickled out beneath the paper lanterns and cherry blossoms outside the venue, one thing was clear: Star Wars isn’t just back. It’s reborn. With Celebration confirmed to return to Los Angeles in April 2027 for the 50th anniversary of the franchise, fans left Japan not just with exclusive merch and memories—but with renewed faith in the future of the galaxy far, far away.

Photos : Getty Images for The Walt Disney Company