“Star Wars” / 「スター・ウォーズ」, Original Japanese King Records Promotional Poster c. 1977–1978, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) — T179

This is a rare original Japanese B2 King Records promotional poster advertising Star Wars record releases during the film’s original release era.

Designed for record-shop advertising, this striking poster brings together an X-wing, a TIE fighter and the Death Star in a dramatic space-battle composition. It represents a distinctive part of the Japanese Star Wars campaign, connecting the film’s imagery with the records that brought its music and story into listeners’ homes.

Film background

Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars introduced audiences to Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and the struggle between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire.

Its combination of space adventure, memorable characters and groundbreaking visual effects was complemented by John Williams’s orchestral score, which became an essential part of the film’s identity.

Record releases played an important role in extending that experience beyond the cinema. Soundtrack albums and narrated story recordings allowed audiences to revisit the film before home video became widely available. In Japan, King Records promoted these releases through distinctive retail advertising such as this poster.

Poster design

The composition concentrates on the film’s spacecraft and spectacular action.

A large X-wing fighter sweeps diagonally across the upper-right and central portions of the sheet, its wings spread in attack formation. Long red-orange laser beams cut across the dark background, giving the image a strong sense of direction and speed.

Below, a TIE fighter with angled wing panels approaches from the lower-left corner. Its compact silhouette contrasts with the extended wings and pointed nose of the X-wing.

The enormous curved surface of the Death Star occupies the upper-left background, with its recessed superlaser dish clearly visible. Scattered stars and deep blue-black space surround the spacecraft, allowing their pale surfaces and the vivid laser streaks to stand out.

The outlined STAR WARS logo anchors the lower-right corner. Beneath it are the record catalogue references:

FML-95 / FML-96 / FMW-37–38

These appear alongside KING RECORDS, the 20th Century-Fox record branding, and the 1977 film copyright notice.

The catalogue numbers and record-company identification establish the poster’s music-retail promotional purpose. Its uncluttered composition gives the spacecraft artwork particular prominence.

Rarity and significance

This is an uncommon and difficult-to-find promotional design, considerably less frequently encountered than the standard Japanese theatrical Star Wars posters.

Its appeal lies in both the dramatic artwork and its connection to the film’s original Japanese record marketing. For collectors, it offers a distinctive companion to theatrical advertising, documenting how Star Wars reached audiences through record shops as well as cinemas.

It is particularly appealing to collectors of Star Wars, Japanese promotional posters, soundtrack memorabilia and King Records advertising.

Release and format note

This is a Japanese B2-format promotional poster, measuring approximately:

51.5 × 72.8 cm / 20.3 × 28.7 inches

It is catalogued here as circa 1977–1978, reflecting its original-release-era King Records promotion. The printed ©1977 notice identifies the film copyright and does not, by itself, establish the poster’s precise printing date.

Condition

Very good condition.

The poster has multiple signs of wear consistent with its intended use as a shop advertising display. These include visible creasing, surface wear, edge wear, small tears and losses, and punctures. The reverse also shows marks, staining and old tape repairs.

The spacecraft imagery and title remain clearly readable, and the composition retains strong visual impact.

We have taken the condition into consideration when pricing. Once framed, this poster will display very well.

Please review all photographs, including the close-ups and reverse, as they show the exact poster for sale.

Reference: T179.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.