Star Wars fans and their Freaky Collections

The premiere of the new episode of "Star Wars", which took place last week, caused a considerable stir both among ordinary fans of good movies and among real fans of the famous space saga. Reuters photographers recently went in search of the most devoted "Star Wars" fans in Japan, England and the United States to shoot their precious collections, tattoos and costumes, as well as learn their stories.

1. James Burns, 44, poses with part of his collection in London. "I've met a lot of wonderful people all over the world. This is a very cool community of like-minded people with a common interest - "Star Wars". It doesn't look like anything."

2. Chris Pellitteri, 45 years old (left, in a Stormtrooper costume), with his wife Christina, 36 years old (right in a Royal Guard costume), son Jay, 8 years old (Stormtrooper), and daughter Lily, 6 years old (Ewok), pose for a photo at their home in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chris first saw "Star Wars" in 1977 in a car cinema, then he was 7 years old. "Friends and other family members think it's a little crazy to dress up in all these costumes, but since they know that everything we do is mostly for charity... they generally approve."

3. Postal worker Dave Oldbury, 47, shows off some of his Star Wars-themed tattoos in Southampton, UK. "This is the story of my whole life, seriously. I have traveled the world, met people who are hardly normal. What unites us is that we all love these films."

4. A man with the nickname Ikemasa, 37 years old, who refused to give his real name, poses in a Darth Vader costume against the background of his collection at home in Tokyo. Ikemasa says that when his two-year-old son sees Darth Vader on TV, he always shouts, "Daddy!"

5. Long-distance truck driver Richard Mitchell, 46, in his bedroom, where his collection is partially stored, in Buckinghamshire, England. Mitchell once paid more than $1,100 for a Princess Leia figurine. He calls "Star Wars" a way of life.

6. Carpenter and builder Matt Warner, 42, shows off his tattoos in London. "Star Wars is like my favorite rock band, my favorite car, my favorite part of my life. When I need them, they are always there. It's a way of life, I suppose." The heroes of "Star Wars" make up 90% of his tattoos.

7. Yusuke Yamana, 41 (right), and his wife Anna, 33, from Minnesota, USA, pose in sand people costumes against the background of a collection at their home in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. Yusuke and Anna met at a "Star Wars" fan meeting held in Japan in 2011, and got married in 2015.

8. A man with the nickname Tsukikage, 42 years old, who wished to remain anonymous, poses with a lightsaber against the background of his collection at home in Kawasaki, south Tokyo. Tsukikage mainly collects items related to his favorite character, Yoda.

9. Simon Wilkie poses with a mask from his C-3PO droid suit in Norwich, England. Dressing up as this Star Wars character, Wilkie has already raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

10. Matt Booker, 38, is photographed with part of his collection at home in Corsham, Wiltshire. Matt says that his collection includes more than 8000 items related to his favorite character — Boba Fett.

11. Businessman Testuyuki Nakagawa, 50, poses in a Darth Vader costume against the backdrop of his impressive collection at home in Tokyo. Nakagawa says that his wife absolutely does not understand why he buys so many lightsabers.

12. Graphic designer Julian Peacock, 44, poses with his life-size Stormtrooper in the window of his home in south London. Peacock says that "Star Wars" for him is an opportunity to escape to the innocent times of his childhood, to be in a happier place. "My fiancee doesn't mind. She's quite happy that I have my own crazy little world of collectible toys."