"Return of the Jedi", AKA Starfall, Special Poster Produced Under License to Yamakatsu, Noriyoshi Ohrai, 1983 (71 x 51 cm) O48

This is an ultra-rare licensed Japanese B2 poster for Return of the Jedi (スター・ウォーズ／ジェダイの帰還), issued in 1983 by Yamakatsu under official license from Lucasfilm. The artwork is by the legendary illustrator Noriyoshi Ohrai, whose association with Star Wars began with Japanese commissions such as this and later expanded into globally famous poster art.

This poster is 100% an original. There are many reproductions for this design being sold online so please be careful!

Poster design
Ohrai’s striking composition features C-3PO and R2-D2 standing before a fiery red nebula of exploding suns, bordered dramatically by twin vertical lightsaber beams of red and green. The cosmic energy and painterly detail exemplify Ohrai’s talent for rendering science fiction in bold, almost mythological terms. The Yamakatsu mark and Ohrai’s printed signature appear at the lower right margin, confirming its authenticity.

Rarity
Unlike Toho’s theatrical B2s, these Yamakatsu-licensed posters were sold in very small numbers through specialty outlets, making them considerably rarer on today’s collector market. They are prized as some of Ohrai’s earliest Star Wars work, preceding his rise as Lucasfilm’s go-to Japanese illustrator.

Details

• Country: Japan

• Year: 1983

• Artist: Noriyoshi Ohrai

• Publisher: Yamakatsu (licensed issue)

• Size: B2 — 51 × 73 cm

• Notes on poster: Yamakatsu credit and Ohrai’s signature printed at lower right

Condition
Very good / excellent with light handling wear at edges and minor creasing consistent with age. Please review the photos (front and back); they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 41 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.