This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical release poster, printed in 1980 for the film’s first release in Japan. Issued in the impressive B1 cinema-display format — approximately twice the size of the standard Japanese B2 poster — this is a highly desirable large-format piece from one of the most beloved chapters in the Star Wars saga.
The design has tremendous impact in this size: Darth Vader dominates the upper half of the composition, looming behind Cloud City, while a dynamic montage of characters and scenes — including Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia, Lando Calrissian, C-3PO, R2-D2, Boba Fett, and battle imagery from Hoth — captures the darker, more expansive tone of the film. The bold red Japanese title and the vivid orange banner across the top announcing the second installment in the Star Wars series give the poster a striking period look that is unmistakably tied to the original Japanese release campaign.
The B1 format is especially important here. While the standard B2 Japanese poster for The Empire Strikes Back appears with some regularity, this much larger B1 theatrical version is considerably harder to find and offers a far more commanding display presence. For collectors of original Star Wars paper, large-format Japanese release posters are among the most attractive and increasingly elusive pieces from the era.
Condition
Offered here in very good, unrestored condition, with signs of use consistent with age and original theatrical handling. There is some edge wear, visible fold / crease wear, and other minor signs of use, as shown in the photographs. The poster also has a few very small tears repaired on the reverse with tape by a previous owner / at some earlier stage, not by us. Despite these issues, the poster still displays very strongly, and we have fully taken the condition into account when pricing.
A scarce and highly displayable first-release Japanese B1 from the original 1980 campaign — and a superb large-format piece for collectors wanting something far harder to find than the regular Japanese poster size.
This is not a reproduction or reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
