Original Japanese Star Wars Movie Posters

Explore Japan Poster Shop’s exceptional collection of original Japanese Star Wars movie posters, featuring rare first-release theatrical artwork, celebrated Japanese illustrations and some of the most elusive promotional formats produced for one of cinema’s most influential franchises.

Since its original Japanese theatrical release in 1978, George Lucas’s Star Wars has occupied a remarkable place in Japanese popular culture. The Japanese advertising campaigns for the original trilogy produced some of the most distinctive and highly sought-after poster designs in the history of science-fiction cinema, combining dramatic illustration, innovative compositions and unmistakable Japanese typography.

Our collection encompasses original Japanese theatrical posters for Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), including exceptionally rare first-release examples, alternative designs, advance promotional material and unusual advertising formats. We also offer original Japanese posters from the prequel trilogy, sequel trilogy and other productions within the Star Wars universe.

Of particular significance are the celebrated Japanese illustrations of Noriyoshi Ohrai (生頼範義), whose extraordinary compositions for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi have become among the most recognisable and desirable examples of Japanese Star Wars poster art. These designs are admired internationally for their intricate detail, cinematic scale and exceptional artistic quality.

Our holdings include original Japanese B2 and B1 theatrical posters, rare B3 nakazuri advertisements, exceptionally scarce STB Tatekan formats, advance promotional designs, unused examples and monumental large-format theatrical billboards. Many of these unusual formats were produced for specific advertising campaigns and survive in considerably smaller numbers than standard theatrical posters.

Among the most remarkable examples associated with our collection are extraordinarily rare Japanese Star Wars billboards and large-format posters, including designs measuring several metres across. These monumental pieces represent an important and seldom-seen aspect of the original Japanese theatrical campaigns, with surviving examples of exceptional scarcity and historical significance.

Original Japanese Star Wars posters are particularly prized by collectors because their artwork frequently differs substantially from the American and European campaigns. From the iconic imagery of the original 1978 Japanese release to the elaborate illustrated compositions of the 1980s, these posters represent an important intersection of cinema history, Japanese graphic design and international popular culture.

Every poster offered by Japan Poster Shop is an authentic original, carefully sourced in Japan and individually catalogued. We do not sell reproductions. All posters are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, with worldwide DHL Express shipping available from our gallery in Tokyo.