Watch Star Wars translated into Japanese cultural experience – CNET

Star Wars creator George Lucas was heavily influenced by Japanese movies like Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress and Seven Samurai as he made the Original Trilogy, and a one-off performance brought a galaxy far, far away back to Japan Thursday. You can check out Star Wars kabuki on YouTube right now, to get a different take on the story as we get hyped for The Rise of Skywalker.

The one-night only dance-drama performance (which starts at 12:35 and lasts around 40 minutes) is based on the new movies and is all in Japanese, but fans will be able to follow the familiar events. The depiction of the moment when Kylo Ren — whose name is translated as “Kairen” — betrays Supreme Leader Snoke is a visual highlight.

Ichikawa Ebizo XI plays Kylo Ren, and his son portrayed Princess Leia (“Leian”). There are no female actors in kabuki, so men play all the roles, Kotaku noted.

First published at 5:22 a.m. PT.
Updated at 5:35 a.m. PT: Adds more detail.