“Star Wars” (スター・ウォーズ), 1982 Japanese‑Dubbed Re‑Release Nakazuri Movie Poster, B3 Size (c. 36 × 51 cm) O554
This is an original Japanese B3 nakazuri poster printed in 1982 for the special Japanese‑dubbed re‑release of Star Wars (1977).
In Japan, B3 posters (also known as nakazuri) are smaller railway and bus‑interior posters, roughly half the size of the standard B2, designed to hang from ceilings and inside carriages. Because they were printed in far smaller numbers and were usually discarded after use, surviving examples like this are highly collectible.
This size is much rarer than the B2 - it is the first time that we have had it in our gallery.
Film background
George Lucas’s Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) needs little introduction: a space‑fantasy adventure following Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and the Rebel Alliance as they battle the evil Galactic Empire and its planet‑killing Death Star. The film became a global phenomenon on its original release, revolutionising special effects, merchandising and blockbuster filmmaking.
In Japan it first opened in 1978 in subtitled form. The enormous popularity of the film led to this 1982 revival, this time with a brand‑new Japanese dub and a fresh marketing push aimed at both new audiences and fans eager to experience the film again in their own language.
Poster design
This B3 features Tom Jung’s iconic “Style A” artwork, with Luke brandishing his lightsaber above his head, Leia posed at his side, the Death Star and a formation of X‑wings sweeping toward Darth Vader’s looming mask in the background. The right side of the design is given over to bold English and Japanese titling, with the large blue STAR WARS logo and vivid red 「スター・ウォーズ」, plus the Oscar statuette celebrating the film’s Academy Award wins. At the top, the English slogan “It’s Back!” announces the return of Star Wars to Japanese cinemas, while the Japanese text highlights that this is the Japanese‑language version supervised by George Lucas.
Rarity and condition
Nakazuri posters were never meant to be kept; they were advertising ephemera for trains and buses, and very few survive today, especially for major titles like Star Wars. This 1982 B3 is therefore an ultra‑rare format for the film and a perfect complement to full‑size B2 or international one‑sheet designs.
The poster is in very good condition for its age (please refer to the imagery of the exact poster for sale).
It is over 43 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
