Bachi Makoo provided a fantastic experience at Celebration Japan. The various clubs, under the leadership of the 501, created a highly immersive and playful trading post, with each club having its booth arranged around a central square. This design allowed for both viewing and interaction. The area was enclosed by a grand gate that invited people to enter, enhancing the feeling of stepping into an actual trading post.
The work accomplished is truly commendable, particularly considering the challenges of building and storing installations in a country where large private outdoor spaces are uncommon. In Japan, private properties tend to be smaller and often lack expansive gardens or backyard areas that would facilitate large-scale construction or gatherings. It is also not typical for neighbors to experience the noise of sizable crowds gathering in backyards, making the organization of such events even more complex.
In recent years, we’ve seen increasingly immersive landscapes built for different conventions, especially at Megacon. However, the area dedicated to the clubs during London Celebration was often crowded and challenging to navigate. In contrast, the setup at Celebration Japan featured a spacious central square that allowed for easy movement. This likely contributed to the even larger attendance, which exceeded my previous experiences at past Celebration. The club area was listed as a destination on the official Celebration app, for the first time it had to open hyper lanes to facilitate more organized traffic flow.
Another remarkable aspect of the trading post was how it incorporated a strong sense of local culture, resonating with experiences one might encounter while visiting villages in Japan. Elements such as a noodle shop and a police station were integrated beautifully within the Star Wars universe, creating an immersive blend of both the Star Wars aesthetic and Japanese culture—an experience that was truly unique.
Having attended many Celebrations, participating in Bachi Makoo for three days was refreshing. I believe this experience will serve as a roadmap for future Celebration club areas, offering fans a distinctive experience. It has the potential to become a highlight of the show, akin to how the main stage serves as a highlight of the event.
