Shogun Vader Wins Best in Show at Star Wars Celebration Japan Cosplay
Where in the galaxy can you see Jocasta Nu, Enfys Nest, Baze Malbus, Omega and Emperor Palpatine in the same place at the same time?
Only at the festival Star Wars Celebration in Japan!
The Cosplay Showcase brought together cosplayers from all over the world to showcase their amazing handiwork, attention to detail and craftsmanship. The judges were faced with an almost impossible decision in selecting only a few that stood out among all the talented participants, as the passion for Star Warsbehind each cosplay was evident.
"Being a judge at the Cosplay Showcase was one of my favorite experiences of the entire weekend," Ashley Eckstein told StarWars.com. “This truly embodies what Star Wars Celebration is all about: celebrating what we love together. Star Warsis a universal language, and seeing all the fans from all over the world on stage showing off their beautiful cosplay was exciting for me.It was truly a special event and I really enjoyed being a part of it.”
Congratulations to the category winners!
Under 13 years
- 2nd place: Shea as a speeder
- 1st place: Ringo as Anakin Skywalker
The most difficult
- 3rd place: Bella as Satele Shan
- 2nd place: Gyaban as Luke Skywalker riding on tauntaun
- 1st place: Momo as Amidala from Day of the Dead
Best of Show
- Stephen Wong as Shogun Vader
All of the costumes on display at the Star WarsCelebration Japan were impressive—especially impressive—including the best-in-show Shogun Vader costume by Stephen Wong. Wong from
from San Francisco, California, made his first trip to Japan to attend the third Celebration.
Wong gave Darth Vader the features of a shogun thanks to a katana-shaped lightsaber purchased many years ago.
“I decided I needed a suit that would go with a lightsaber,” he says. Wong made an early version of the costume and then used what he learned from the build process to create a new cosplay for the Star WarsCelebration Japan.
“The latest version [was] made over the last year or so, just based on what I've done before. I would have to do it all over again if I was going to Japan,” says Wong. “The main part of the chest is made of leather and I have a friend who made it to my specifications. For the helmet, I used ABS plastic and molded it myself. My little tip is to use boiling water.Bend it to the desired shape, boil it a little, let it harden, and then it will be good.”
With Empress Vader by his side both during the convention and during the panel, Shogun Vader made a big impression on the judges and audience at the Cosplay Showcase. In fact, other fans on horseback is one of Wong's favorite things about Star WarsCelebration, especially his fellow samurai cosplayers.
“It's like seeing old friends and meeting new ones. That's why I come - to meet like-minded people and just be surrounded by other talented cosplayers."