Speculation and strategy for guest photos and autographs at Celebration Japan
Star Wars Celebration Japan is fast approaching! One of the biggest draws for fans that gets me hyped is the chance to meet our favourite actors through photo opportunities and autographs. However, with a wide selection of guests emerging, and a structured booking system, deciding when and who to book is proving more of a challenge than usual.
How the Booking System Works
Guest announcements typically happen on a Tuesday at 7pm EST (midnight BST), with bookings opening shortly afterward on the official Celebration website. To secure your spot, you’ll enter a virtual queue due to the web traffic, and once inside, you can view which guests are available, which days they will be attending, and what types of experiences they offer for what price (autographs, photos, or both).
Currently, almost nothing has sold out other than one day of Diego Luna’s photo opps, meaning fans still have time to make choices. However, unlike previous years, you cannot exchange an autograph or photo session for a different guest after booking. It is expected, though, that you will be able to swap your appointment to a different time or day if needed. This should hopefully be possible once more specific time slots are revealed closer to the event.
Some actors are charging premium add-ons for their autographs, such as paying extra for a character name or signing on oversized items. Notably, Rosario Dawson, Diego Luna, and Oscar Isaac have comparably expensive add-ons, while Ahmed Best, Daniel Logan, Doug Chiang (his first time signing), Temuera Morrison and others have no additional fees, making them look like excellent value. This adds to the decision making.
My Current Bookings & Considerations
So far, we’ve locked in Temuera Morrison and Doug Chiang for both autographs and photos. Temuera is an absolute legend in Star Wars that I’ve wanted to meet for years, and Doug Chiang’s design work has shaped so much of the look of the galaxy and he’s a first time signer, so meeting them was an easy decision.
I’m tempted by Ahmed Best, Manny Jacinto, and Oscar Isaac, but I’m waiting to see if bigger names get announced before committing. With this being a Force Awakens anniversary year, I think we have a strong chance of seeing Daisy Ridley and John Boyega join the lineup. Maybe even Adam Driver??
Another real possibility is Mark Hamill, who has been actively signing recently. If he’s announced, he’ll likely be one of the biggest draws of the event. Jude Law and the Skeleton Crew cast are also potential guests, and with the show’s enthusiastic reception recently, they would be hugely popular. Hayden Christan is also a real possibility as this is a Revenge of the Sith anniversary year too, though Ewan Mcgreggor is highly unlikely given theatre commitments in the UK on the dates. There’s an outside chance of massive surprises like Natalie Portman too.
Balancing My Schedule
Since we are attending all three days, I want to make sure I don’t overcommit and still have time to enjoy everything Celebration has to offer. I’ve set a probable personal limit of one autograph or one photo one in the morning and one in the afternoon of each day. This ensures I have time to explore the show floor, attend panels, and take in the full experience without feeling rushed. Or missing out on an opportunity due to long queues which can happen.
Should You Book Now or Wait?
With more guests still to be announced, deciding when to book is a calculated gamble. Some actors may sell out in the coming weeks, while others may be announced later, changing your plans or order of priority. But with all sales being final this won’t be easy to address.
Key Factors to Consider:
Your Budget – Some guests offer more value than others, so keep an eye on pricing and add-ons.
Must-See Guests – If your favorite actor is already confirmed, securing their autograph or photo early is probably advisable.
Scheduling Conflicts – Since exchanges aren’t allowed, make sure your bookings don’t overlap.
Potential for Big Names – If Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, or others important to me join the lineup, I’ll want to save some slots for them.
The Walk-Up Gamble
One last option is gambling on walk-ups. Some guests allow you to pay at the table on the day, meaning you don’t have to book in advance. However, this is risky, as their slots could sell out before you get the chance, or your favourites might not do this. If you’re hoping to meet a guest who isn’t a guaranteed sellout, this might be worth considering as a bonus.
Right now, I’m playing it safe by booking key guests while keeping my schedule open for potential big announcements. Whether you choose to lock in your plans now or wait for the full guest list, a little strategy will help ensure you get the most out of your Celebration experience!
MTFBWY
