“STAR WARS” (1977) – ORIGINAL JAPANESE B0 “EKI‑BARI” BILLBOARD POSTER – “MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU” COLLAGE STYLE | Extremely Rare | First Japanese Release Campaign (1978) | c. 100 × 160 cm (c. 39 × 63 in)

A monumental, first‑release Japanese “billboard / station display” (駅貼り・eki‑bari) poster for the very first Star Wars film—printed for the 1978 Japanese theatrical campaign in a true wall-dominating B0 format. This is the dramatic Japanese collage design crowned by the iconic English tagline at top: “MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.”

For collectors, this is one of the most elusive categories of Star Wars paper in existence: Japanese B0 billboards were working advertising, produced in far smaller quantities than standard theatrical sizes and almost never preserved due to their sheer scale. In our experience, this format is exceptionally hard to encounter—especially for a title as universally chased as Star Wars. We have not seen another example offered publicly in the market, and we have been unable to locate any meaningful online sales trail for this exact B0 billboard.

Sourced in Japan, this is a rare chance to acquire a first‑release Star Wars display piece with the kind of museum-scale presence that simply does not exist in standard formats.

Date & Japanese Theatrical Release (Context)

Star Wars arrived in Japan as a major event release in 1978, with marketing that emphasized both the film’s phenomenon status and its awards momentum. This billboard’s lower-left “Oscar statuette” presentation is a perfect period tell: it’s the kind of pride-of-place awards callout used to sell the film as the global blockbuster of the moment.

The Film & Its Place in Cinema History

Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars (later marketed as Episode IV – A New Hope) is among the most influential films ever made—redefining modern visual effects, blockbuster distribution, franchise storytelling, and global fan culture. Few films have generated a collecting category as large and enduring as Star Wars—and first-release Japanese paper is especially prized for its distinctive campaign choices and exceptional design standards.

Design Notes

This Japanese B0 billboard is a high-impact collage composition designed to read instantly at distance—packed with iconic imagery while remaining remarkably clean and legible.

Key elements visible on the sheet:

• The English tagline “MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU” across the star field

• A looming Darth Vader presence centered in the sky

• X‑wings and battle action streaking across the composition

• Character and set‑piece montage including Luke, Leia, Han, C‑3PO, R2‑D2, Chewbacca, stormtroopers, and a corridor/prison‑block scene

• Bold blue STAR WARS logo with the Japanese title スター・ウォーズ beneath

• Period technical / release marks including 70MM and DOLBY SYSTEM, plus the Eirin (映倫) mark and 20th Century Fox credit line

• A lower-left awards block featuring seven Oscar statuettes and Japanese text indicating “7 categories”

About the “7 Oscars” callout:
Period advertising commonly counts Star Wars as “seven” Academy Award wins by combining six competitive Oscars with the Academy’s Special Achievement Award—a practice frequently seen in vintage marketing materials of the era.

The Japanese B0 “Billboard” Format and Why It’s So Hard to Find

Japan’s standard theatrical poster size is B2, and smaller items like chirashi were far easier for audiences and collectors to store. The B0 billboard (駅貼り / eki‑bari) format is a different category entirely:

• Installed for public display (often in high-traffic venues such as stations and major theatres)

• Handled hard and typically discarded after short runs

• Exceptionally difficult to store due to its huge footprint, which strongly suppresses survival

The result: even for extremely popular films, B0 billboards can be far rarer today than many collectors ever expect to encounter—especially in genuinely high-grade condition.

Condition Report

Overall presentation: Excellent, unused condition.
This poster presents as an unused / never-displayed example with no tears and no pinholes, which is extraordinary for a B0 station/billboard format. Any light edge or handling traces are minimal and consistent with careful storage of a very large vintage sheet.

Authenticity: Original 1978 Japanese release billboard poster — not a reproduction or modern reprint.
Documentation: Certificate of Authenticity included.

(Please refer to the images provided — this is the exact poster offered. Additional imagery is available on request.)

Please note the price is fixed for this item. It is not included in any of our periodic sales (e.g. Black Friday)!