Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 kicked off with a bang, and after staying up all night watching the livestream from Makuhari Messe, I can confidently say: Star Wars is alive and more exciting than it’s been in years.

Watching it live was a great experience—it felt electric, like being part of a global fandom all tuning in together like the minions we are. For me, the big headline was The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first theatrical Star Wars film since The Rise of Skywalker, hitting theaters May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni brought exclusive footage that teased a fun, high-energy adventure that feels like classic Star Wars with a heavy sense of adventure. Sigourney Weaver made a surprise appearance, joining the cast in what looks like a crowd-pleasing, globe-trotting space epic. Grogu—aka Baby Yoda—continues to be the cultural glue of the franchise, and this movie looks ready to solidify his legacy.

Another major surprise was the reveal of Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and starring Ryan Gosling, dropping May 28, 2027. The vibe is gritty and fast, focused on a new cast of pilots set a few years after the sequel trilogy, rumor has it! Gosling might be an unexpected pick, but there’s something about seeing him in this universe that just works. The title is damn perfect, evoking the scrappy energy of the original trilogy’s dogfights and of course It’s a name that is very familiar with the Star Wars gaming world. It’s clear Lucasfilm is ready to take risks again, and this film feels like a bold new chapter. Between these two projects, the cinematic future of Star Wars looks more adventurous and diverse than it has in over a decade.

But what really made Celebration Japan special was its deep integration of anime and Japanese storytelling. Panels like “Telling Stories Across Cultures: Star Wars and Japan” explored the franchise’s roots in samurai cinema and Japanese mythology, while the “Manga Mania!” panel teased upcoming manga series from top creators. We even got confirmation that a new season of Star Wars: Visions is in the works,  featuring episodes by renowned anime studios like Studio Trigger and Science SARU. This celebration wasn’t just about what’s next—it was a reminder of how global and collaborative Star Wars has become. Watching it unfold live, in real time, made that message feel all the more powerful.

Now time to watch Andor season 2!