Star Wars, the iconic entertainment saga beloved around the world, brought its largest official fan event—Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025—to Makuhari Messe in Chiba from April 18 to 20. This marks the second time the event has been held in Japan, with the last one taking place 17 years ago in 2008.

According to Lucasfilm, this year's Celebration sold out faster than any in history. The event drew over 105,000 fans from 125 countries and regions, transforming the venue into a galactic crossroads of fandom.

A Fan-Built “Chaya” Booth Steals the Show

Among the many attractions, one particular installation caught the attention of countless visitors: a handcrafted fan booth dubbed “Project Chaya,” set alongside the official Star Wars: Visions exhibit from Disney+.

The booth brought to life characters and droids from The Duel, a fan-favorite episode from Star Wars: Visions Volume 1, animated by Kamikaze Douga and directed by Takenobu Mizuno. The display was modeled after a traditional Japanese teahouse, offering a perfect photo spot and cultural homage to the episode’s roots.

A Labor of Love by Japanese Fans

The impressive setup was crafted by a special team of Japan-based Star Wars fans. The creators came from various backgrounds—some are company employees, others are illustrators, designers, or voice actors. They each contributed their expertise to faithfully recreate The Duel’s black-and-white, samurai-inspired world, down to the finest props, droids, and costumes.

We spoke with Kenichi Miyagawa, one of the project members who cosplayed the mysterious Ronin from The Duel throughout the Celebration.

Q: Looking back, how do you feel after these three days?
Miyagawa: When Japan was announced as the host two years ago, I wanted global fans to experience something truly Japanese. The first thing that came to mind was The Duel. We developed the idea and pitched it to Lucasfilm—and they gave us the green light for a fan corner. Seeing so many people enjoy it makes me genuinely happy. I think it was a great success.

Q: What was the most challenging part?
Miyagawa: The Duel is in black-and-white, so recreating that film noir vibe—reminiscent of a Kurosawa film—in a 3D space was really tough.

Q: Was there any particular reaction that stood out?
Miyagawa: We’re just regular Star Wars fans, like everyone else here. We love cosplaying and being part of the community. When Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, came by and said, “This is the best booth,” I was so honored… I nearly cried.

Q: Any hopes for the next Celebration in Los Angeles?
Miyagawa: I’d absolutely love to do something there too. Honestly, I’m already thinking about it!

Q: What’s the most lovable thing about Star Wars fans?
Miyagawa: Nationality, age, job—it doesn't matter. Just loving Star Wars brings people together from all over the world. That’s the real magic.

About Star Wars: Visions and The Duel

Star Wars: Visions debuted on Disney+ in 2021 as a groundbreaking anthology celebrating the influence of Japanese culture and animation on George Lucas’s creation. Nine short films from top Japanese studios reimagined the galaxy far, far away in unique and expressive ways, earning critical acclaim and fan devotion.

Among them, The Duel stood out for its monochrome visuals and samurai storytelling. It follows a mysterious Ronin and his droid companion as they encounter a village plagued by brutal raiders. When the villagers hire mercenaries to fight back, a fierce battle erupts—until a red parasol-wielding Sith emerges, flipping the odds. The Ronin steps forward to confront her in a duel that defines destiny.

In 2023, Volume 2 featured works by studios from the UK, Spain, Ireland, Chile, South Korea, France, India, the U.S., South Africa, and Japan. Now, Volume 3 is set to premiere on October 29, featuring nine new shorts from Japanese studios—including the direct sequel The Duel: Payback by Kamikaze Douga and ANIMA, again directed by Takenobu Mizuno.

Source : ORICON NEWS