When the three-day event opens at the Makuhari Messe center on July 19, attendees will be some of the first Star Wars fans in the world to glimpse never-before-seen, exclusive footage from the upcoming animated adventure Star Wars: The Clone Wars, created by Lucasfilm Animation. In a special digital theater that seats nearly 2,000 fans, special presentations will showcase brand-new footage from the animated feature that can be seen only in theaters beginning Aug. 23 in Japan and Aug. 15 in the United States and much of the rest of the world.
In addition, director Dave Filoni will be a special guest, bringing audiences fascinating new insight into the development, creation and design of the first-ever Star Wars animated movie. In addition to a chance to meet Filoni and see scenes from the upcoming movie, fans at Star Wars Celebration Japan will also get a glimpse of an episode of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series, which will begin airing this fall.
Famed Japanese animator Atsushi Takeuchi (Kô kaku kidô tai [Ghost in the Shell], Sukai kurora [The Sky Crawlers]), who serves as a guest director on an upcoming episode will join Filoni in a discussion of the singular design of the newest addition to the Star Wars galaxy.
But that's only the start of the fun and surprises for Star Wars fans at the first-ever Japanese Star Wars Celebration, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars in Japan in 1978. Star Wars Celebration Japan will bring the best of the Saga to the Makuhari-Messe Convention Center in Chiba, near Tokyo. For three full days fans and pop culture enthusiasts will enjoy live Star Wars-themed entertainment including celebrity appearances and autograph sessions, stage shows, shopping for exclusive collectibles, costume contests, and exhibits and displays that will be found only at Celebration Japan. Don't miss this landmark Star Wars fan event! Tickets for Celebration Japan are on sale now at http://www.celebrationjapan.com.
