The stage is set for Star Wars Celebration Japan. In exactly one month, the doors will open at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba, Japan, and inside there will be plenty of news about what’s next for fans in a galaxy far, far away.
You can never tell exactly what’s going to be announced or revealed but the first big hints come with the panel schedule, which was released last week. With it was confirmation of big panels for four of Star Wars‘ most highly anticipated upcoming projects, as well as teases of news from the world of games, books, toys, and more.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a panel dedicated to the future of Star Wars movies, nor will there be a big celebration for the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith. Nevertheless, there will be plenty of fun to be had.
Here are the 11 panels we’re most excited for at Star Wars Celebration Japan.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
While we apparently won’t get news of any Star Wars movies beyond summer 2026, there is a hugely exciting one coming then and its panel is by far the most highly anticipated at the convention. Director Jon Favreau showed a brief clip at the D23 Expo last year, but with an hour-long panel, we can expect to learn much more, see more footage, and maybe get a tease of the future.
When: Friday, April 18 from 10-11 a.m. local time. (9-10 p.m. ET)
Lucasfilm Animation’s 20th Anniversary
Yes, this panel will primarily be celebrating 20 years of unforgettable Star Wars animation. But the description also says it will include “a sneak peek at what’s to come.” Sounds like whatever Lucasfilm’s next animated series is after the conclusion of The Bad Batch will be announced here.
When: Friday, April 18 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. local time. (2:30-3:30 a.m. ET on April 19)
Bit Reactor Developer Panel featuring Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games
There are several Star Wars games on the horizon but this panel is focusing on one we don’t yet know anything specific about: a turned-based game from the team behind XCom and Midnight Suns. That, in Star Wars, should be amazing.
When: Saturday, April 19 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. local time. (3:30-4:30 a.m. ET on April 20)
Andor: A Star Wars Story
In this panel taking place just three days before the official premiere of Andor season two, we can expect a full-court press of information regarding the coming season. And, you have to think, there’s a small chance of a secret screening at some point too.
When: Saturday, April 19 from 10-11 a.m. local time. (9-10 p.m. ET)
Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories From a Galaxy Far, Far Away….
Star Wars publishing has been cooking of late, telling stories from seemingly every era of Star Wars while also wrapping up a multi-year arc in The High Republic. What’s next? Here’s when we’ll find out.
When: Friday, April 18 from 2-3 p.m. local time. (1-2 a.m. ET on April 19)
Ahsoka
If this panel was about the upcoming second season of Ahsoka, it would be much higher on the list. However, it’s specifically described as a “look back at the first season.” Even so, creator and showrunner Dave Filoni can’t come to Star Wars Celebration, hold an Ahsoka panel, and not have some news about season two.
When: Saturday, April 19 from 1-2 p.m. local time. (12-1 a.m. ET on April 20)
First Look – Star Wars: Visions Volume 3
While it’s not as popular as the movies or live-action shows, the anime anthology series Star Wars: Visions has had some of the best Star Wars storytelling in recent memory. As a result, this panel is certain to have the most actual news about an upcoming project of the entire event.
When: Sunday, April 20 from 10-11 a.m. local time. (9-10 p.m. ET)
A Conversation with Oscar Isaac
Poe Dameron himself will take the stage at Star Wars Celebration to talk about being one of the galaxy’s best pilots and, hopefully, be asked if he’d ever come back.
When: Saturday, April 19 from 2:45-3:45 p.m. local time. (1:45-2:45 a.m. ET on April 20)
Hasbro Star Wars Panel
In previous years, we here at io9 have gotten incredibly excited about Hasbro panels because of all the possibilities of what could be revealed. In many of those years though, we’ve left disappointed. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen this year.
When: Friday, April 18 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. local time. (10:30-11:30 p.m. ET)
Light & Magic
Light & Magic is a dynamite documentary series about ILM on Disney+ and this panel will discuss its new episodes coming soon.
When: Friday, April 18 from 1-2 p.m. local time. (12-1 a.m. ET on April 19)
Disney Experiences: Building the Galaxy with Walt Disney Imagineering
After the confusion earlier this month about what, exactly, is happening in theme park ride Millennium Falcon :Smugglers Run, we’re hoping this panel clears it up as well as digging into the relationship between Disney’s park creators and Lucasfilm.
When: Sunday, April 20 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. local time. (10:30-11:30 p.m. ET)
And that’s not all. For the list of all the major panels, click here. And for information on everything happening at the convention, visit the official website. io9 will be on the ground in Japan and Star Wars will be covering it all live on its YouTube.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
