As I reflect on my time at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, I’ve found that I learned one major Star Wars lesson that the entire fandom needs to learn, too. Over the years, the reputation of the Star Wars fandom has only seemed to get worse and worse. This comes after review-bombings of projects such as The Acolyte and even Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and campaigns to harᴀss actors like John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, and Amandla Stenberg.

Long story short, the Star Wars fandom is now often cited as being one of the most toxic fandoms that exists today. As someone who’s been active in it for many years, I’ve witnessed some of these incredibly disappointing moments for the fandom, though I’ve also witnessed some of its highest highs, too. Nothing, however, compares to what I learned about the fandom at Star Wars Celebration Japan this year. In fact, it gave me a lot more hope for this fandom.

The Star Wars Fandom In Person Is Nothing Like The Fandom Online

There Couldn’t Have Been A Starker Contrast Between The Two

Being surrounded by thousands of Star Wars fans at Star Wars Celebration may sound like your worst nightmare if your only impression of the fandom is through its presence online, but in reality, it was the most generous, safest space I’ve ever been in. Handmade swag was being handed out left and right, from stickers to friendship bracelets and even 3D-printed creations, and despite any language barriers, compliments were often pᴀssed on outfits, accessories, cosplays, and more.

What I both witnessed and experienced at Star Wars Celebration Japan was a fandom that was nothing like that which I’ve only seen online. These fans were grateful for every single opportunity they had to be in the presence of other fans, Star Wars creators, and more, celebrating every single announcement with the utmost enthusiasm. I failed to catch even a single negative vibe from anyone the entire weekend, aside from some grumblings about the event’s actual organization.

I wasn’t present for this particular event, but Manny Jacinto’s presence on the live stage urged the crowd to chant enthusiastically for The Acolyte season 2, something the online fandom would have you believe no one would ever want. There were cosplays of just about every character you could ever dream of, even those the online Star Wars fandom insists are worthless additions to the franchise. In the Celebration space, these characters and properties received their due love and credit.

Every Star Wars Fan Needs To Experience Something Like Celebration

It Completely Changes Your View Of What The Star Wars Fandom REALLY Is

As someone who’s now been lucky enough to attend a Star Wars Celebration and has had my perspective on the fandom refreshed in the best way possible, it’s my personal belief that every Star Wars fan ought to experience something like Celebration at least once in their lives. Not only is it immensely special for all Star Wars fans, but it also allows you to experience the fandom in the way fandom as a culture was always meant to be experienced.

It’s all pure love and pᴀssion for the franchise on display at Celebration. No one has any screen names or fake pictures to hide behind; they own their love of Star Wars fully, and while they may have some H๏τ takes or aspects of the franchise that they don’t enjoy as much, they’re not constantly voicing those opinions. Instead, they’re celebrating the things they do love, and that was the most beautiful part of Celebration for me.

Your Entire Opinion Of The Star Wars Fandom Changes IRL

I Appreciate The Fandom So Much More Now Than Before

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Don’t get me wrong, though. The online Star Wars fandom as a whole isn’t bad. In fact, at Celebration, I got to meet some of my incredible online Star Wars friends (shoutout Athena, Maya, and Monica!) and even attended some panels and other events with them – and that was perhaps the best part of the weekend as a whole. Without the online Star Wars fandom, I wouldn’t have even met them, so I’m endlessly grateful for it.

The IRL (in real life) fandom, however, is something completely different. There’s a true, genuine appreciation for Star Wars that you just can’t, and don’t, get from the online fandom anymore. While everyone is enтιтled to their opinions of Star Wars content, even their negative ones, that’s not what the IRL fandom dwells on. Instead, everyone unites to celebrate the things they love. It’s completely changed my entire view on the Star Wars fandom, and I hope more people get to experience something like this, too.

Star Wars

Created by

George Lucas

First Film

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Cast

Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal

TV Show(s)

The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions

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