The memory systems of this R2 unit contain 55 Star-Wars-related articles and posts that I wrote while working as an independent contractor for the Death Star /Film and other sites. The links below cover an eight-year period, from December 2016, when Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hit theaters, to May 2024, when The Phantom Menace celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Much of my early Star Wars coverage explores how this piece of Americana has intersected with Japanese culture. Each section here runs in reverse chronological order, with the “Star Wars in Japan” one dating back furthest. I started out writing from a Japan-centric angle, branching out into broader film analysis over time. You’ll find general commentary in the “Features & Reviews” section.
This is where The Gaijin Ghost becomes an honorary Force ghost. Some of the old posts here refer to a “Star Wars in Japan” sidebar on the blog, but the sidebar is long gone and the links that were once under it have since migrated to this post.
Star Wars in Japan
‘Star Wars’ Cinema Concert at the Tokyo International Forum
‘Star Wars: Visions’ Volume 2 Still Offers a Taste of Tokyo Anime
The Star Wars Tour of Japan (With ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ and ‘Andor’ Thoughts)
You Can Watch the Full ‘Star Wars’ Kabuki Play Online (/Film Article)
The video link is dead now, but you can see the full Star Wars kabuki play with English subtitles here.
Closing the Book on ‘Star Wars’ in Japan
Dance On Over to Koenji for the Awa Odori Festival and Vintage ‘Star Wars’ Memorabilia
'Star Wars' Brings International Visibility to Japanese Local Festivals (Japan Today Article)
At 40, 'Star Wars' and Its Relationship with Japan Only Deepens (GaijinPot Article)
'The Last Jedi' Press Tour Comes to Tokyo
Johnson himself liked my tweet about this one.
Floats & Food in Hakata, Fukuoka (Towering ‘Star Wars’ Float Included)
Exploring the Japanese Roots of 'Star Wars' (/Film Article)
An Overview of Star Wars Events & Festivals in Japan (TDR Explorer Article)
'Snow Star Wars,' ANA’s C-3PO Jet, Droids Rice Paddy in Aomori, and More
The Sapporo Snow Festival's 'White Star Wars' Snow Sculpture
‘Star Wars’ in Japan - Menu of Off-Blog Content
Photo Tour of Star Tours at Tokyo Disneyland
The Nebuta Room - Aomori's ‘Star Wars’ Parade Floats
'The World of Star Wars' Exhibition & Taco Bell in Japan
‘Star Wars’ in Japan - Preface
Features & Reviews
Return of the Jedi Gave the Original Star Wars Trilogy the Ending It Needed (/Film Article)
‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 Treads the Living Waters
After Over 40 Years, Boba Fett Is Finally a Star Wars Lead (/Film Article)
What Is the Best ‘Star Wars’ Movie? The Runner-Up in Our Poll Might Surprise You (/Film Article)
‘American Graffiti’ at 45: Revisiting George Lucas’ Pre-‘Star Wars’ Masterpiece (/Film Article)
‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ - The Gaijin Ghost Review
James Mangold's Past Movies Make Him an Inspired Choice to Direct a Boba Fett Film (/Film Article)
Written after The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Mangold would be helming a Boba Fett movie. That project ultimately fell through and what we got instead was the Disney+ series, The Book of Boba Fett. Mangold moved on to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny for Lucasfilm, but he has another Star Wars project, Dawn of the Jedi, currently in development.
‘Star Wars’ at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Addressing the Four Biggest 'The Last Jedi' Fan Complaints (/Film Article)
Unlearn What You Have Learned: Luke Skywalker Is the Greatest 'Star Wars' Character (/Film Article)
The Greatest ‘Star Wars’ Music Video That Never Was
News, Lists & SEO
The 100 Greatest ‘Star Wars’ Moments
J.J. Abrams Fully Intended On Declining Star Wars: The Force Awakens (/Film Article)
Harrison Ford Wasn't Always A Fan Of George Lucas' Star Wars Writing (/Film Article)
Andor Created A 'Direct Link' To A New Hope's Torture Sequence [Exclusive] (/Film Article)
James Earl Jones Has Stepped Away From Voicing Darth Vader (/Film Article)
Andor Trailer: The Rebellion Needs All The Heroes It Can Get (/Film Article)
The Lightsaber Umbrella In Star Wars: Visions Explained (/Film Article)
These last few links will take you to some different listicles I’ve written for /Film where one or more sections were devoted to a Star Wars movie or TV show:
For the record, my ranking of the Star Wars movies (from least favorite to favorite) is as follows:
11. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
10. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
9. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
8. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
7. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
4. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
3. Return of the Jedi (1983)
2. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)