Here’s the full schedule for the Star Wars Collecting Track taking place on the Collectors Stage at Star Wars Celebration Japan, between April 18th to 20th at Makuhari Messe, Tokyo.
Friday, April 18
Collectors Social
9:30am – 10:30am
The PBP First Shots Find
11:00am – 12:00pm
When the Empire Strikes Back was released in Spanish movie theaters on October 3, 1980, kids still weren’t able to get their hands on action figures from their favorite saga. They had to wait a few more months until May 1981 when the Spanish firm PBP began distributing the first figures in Spain. Luckily for collectors, one of the technicians involved in the toy line saved “first shots” and final product samples that were given to him by PBP in recognition for his work. We will review the history of the PBP Star Wars toys and this amazing find, covering previously unknown figures and the transition process in the manufacturing of these toys.
Star Wars Coins & Medallions
12:30pm – 1:30pm
As a global phenomenon, Star Wars has been immortalized in coins and medallions all around the world – from the familiar Power Of The Force Coins that accompanied Kenner’s Vintage Action Figures, through to the lesser-known Japanese Toho medallions and Kotobukiya ArtFX coins. Mark, Will & Gus will present a showcase of Star Wars coins from around the world through the last four decades.
Very Origin of Japanese Collectibles 1978
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Focused on The 1978 Japanese merchandising with truly rare collectibles as well as me myself providing General arrangement and Communication assistance.
How the Star Wars Collecting Age Began
3:30pm – 4:30pm
How the STAR WARS® Collecting Age Began- While still in production of ‘Star Wars – A New Hope’ George Lucas and Twentieth were seeking a toy partner for their licensing efforts. After being turned away by many of the larger toy manufacturers they pitched the movie to Kenner Toys, a middle tier company at Toy Fair in February 1977. Rather than rejecting the license because it was a science fiction ‘movie’ opening in just a few months the representatives from Kenner agreed to take a look. Waiting in Cincinnati was a designer that was primed to receive the license. Jim Swearingen was that designer. He was the first person at Kenner to read the screenplay and look through the accompanying book of photos from the completed live shooting.
Japanese Vintage Toy Oddities
5:00pm – 6:00pm
This is an interesting dig into the history of Star Wars toys & the origins of secretly produced Japanese vintage bootlegs.
Saturday, April 19
Collectors Social
9:30am – 10:30am
Homemade Star Wars Crafts: Tips and Tricks
11:00am – 12:00pm
Among the overwhelming choices of factory-made Star Wars collectibles, the hand crafted gift stands out. Small batches of items can be made, customized to a specific event, group, or individual. Not only do these items show a level of craftsmanship not often seen among mass-produced items, but they can be produced at a fraction of the cost. This panel will demonstrate the types of items that are possible to produce at home and on a budget, as well as how to create some of them. You don’t have to be an accomplished artist or professional designer. All that you need is a little time, a few common materials, and the desire to create something unique.
The Colorful World of Vintage Keshi Gomu (Rubber Erasers)
12:30pm – 1:30pm
When Star Wars came out in Japan in 1978, one of the core toy types was keshi gomu (rubber erasers). Because of their low cost, every family could afford them. And, their small size made them uniquely suited for Japan’s small homes. Keshi were made by well known toy companies including Takara and Maruka. They also appeared in Morinaga’s candy premium line. And, keshi were made in a spectacular variety of sculpts and colors by a range of bootleg operations. Despite their popularity, keshi remain one of the least documented areas of vintage Star Wars collecting. Over the decades, our panel of experts has painstakingly pieced together much of this collecting puzzle. We are ready to share our knowledge with the Star Wars collecting community for the first time. Panelists will provide photos that break down every vintage Japanese keshi line, both licensed and unlicensed. We will finish with a brief look at modern keshi, showing how keshi collecting carries on after nearly half a century.
GET!! Star Wars Bottle Caps
2:00pm – 3:00pm
I would like to look back on that “hot” summer when I drank cola with you again. Introducing STAR WARS × PEPSI’s amazing campaign in Japan.
Galactic Toy Story
3:30pm – 4:30pm
The panel explores why Stormtroopers are loved in Japan, featuring passionate fans and rare merchandise. It highlights a local cafe with the country’s only permanent Stormtrooper exhibit, with monthly cosplay events, and a Stormtrooper-themed Barbie outfit. Additionally, it includes two exclusive trailers, one featuring Brian Muir.
Vintage Japanese Diecast Delights
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Join us for a retrospective look at all things Japanese and diecast. Andy, Jason and Pete take a look at the wonderful world of Japanese diecast Star Wars toys from the 1970s and 1980s. We explore Kenner’s licensing of the Star Wars brand to Takara, and their Japanese range of diecast ships and key packaging changes; find out which toy advert changed colour just for the Japanese market and which US Kenner exclusive could be found as a Japanese bootleg. We also review Takara’s exclusive range of diecast and plastic rocket firing toys, and whether The Rise of Skywalker really was just an excuse to pay homage to Takara’s diecast C3PO. We discuss Takara’s Zetca range of finely detailed Space Alloy models, which would not look out of place in a 21st Century toy shop, and also take a look at Takara’s line of diecast pin badges and packaging. Takara weren’t the only player in town and we’ll also take a look through Tsukuda’s finely detailed metal model kits.
Sunday, April 20
I’m your father – Vintage Star Wars Toys vs. LEGO Star Wars
10:30am – 11:30am
Join long-time Swedish collector and collectible book author Mattias Rendahl, along with his son Elliot, as they discuss their journey of collecting Star Wars toys together. Hear how it all began and what it’s like to share a hobby and passion across generations. Most importantly, they’ll dive into an epic battle, comparing vintage Star Wars toys with LEGO Star Wars items, including some rare Japanese pieces from both categories. Which line had the best ship, figure, gift-with-purchase, exclusive, and more? It’s the old vs. the new generation of Star Wars collectors!
From Collecting to Visual Storytelling – Star Wars Toy Photography
11:45am – 12:45pm
Toy photography is a rapidly growing hobby and is becoming an art form in its own right. Some collectors get into it initially to share their latest haul, but soon find themselves drawn to the work of accomplished toy photographers and start down a path to taking the hobby more seriously. Panelists include popular toy photographers Trevor Williams (@onesix_shooter), Jax Navarro (@plasticaction), and Richee Chang (@noserain). Moderated by Susan Damon (@bloosusan), the panel will discuss the hobby itself and some of the forms it takes, and then delve into how to take your smartphone ‘snapshots’ to a higher level with the equipment, techniques, and tricks involved in the art. The panel will close with an audience Q&A.
Star Wars Around the House
1:00pm – 2:00pm
It seems that Star Wars really is forever…and it is everywhere! Many fans fill their homes and kitchens with products from a galaxy far far away. In this panel presented by Jonathan McElwain and Duncan Jenkins, you’ll learn about everyday products with a Star Wars twist. This is a fascinating area to collect, with many obscure items. Did you know that there was a Star Wars promotion on bottles of Pine Sol household cleaner? How about Star Wars toilet paper from Germany? Is your collection of vintage Dixie Cups complete? This panel will cover these and many other household and kitchen products.
Star Wars Fragile Items, Especially Ceramics
2:15pm – 3:15pm
Of all the Star Wars products, the figures, including Kenner, are the most famous and popular. There are also many things around us that are related to Star Wars. This time, we will focus on pottery that has a connection with Japan.
Check out all the schedules for Star Wars Celebration Japan here.
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