Welcome to the very first episode of Adventures Assemble! I’m Ryan Hecht, and I’m heading to Japan for Star Wars Celebration 2025—and no, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing.

This podcast isn’t a polished guide from a seasoned world traveler—it’s a real-time journey from someone figuring it out as he goes. In this episode, I introduce the show, talk about what Adventures Assemble is all about, share the chaos of prepping for a major international nerd trip, and explain why buying tickets before you’re ready might be the secret to actually making things happen.

Whether you're a fellow fandom traveler or just want to hear what it's like to plan a trip to Japan without a clue, you're in the right place.

In This Episode:

• What is Adventures Assemble and who the heck is Ryan?
• Why I’m going to Japan (and why I booked it before figuring anything out)
• A quick look back at my past Star Wars Celebration experiences (2019, 2022)
• What we know (and don’t know) about Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo
• My very loose plans: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, ramen, egg salad sandwiches
• The myth of “I’ll go someday” and why action beats perfection
• My promise: I’m learning as I go, and you’re coming with me

Resources Mentioned:

• Zoodletron.com – Blog + guide for Star Wars Celebration 2025
• YouTube Channel (Coming Soon)
• Translator apps & Suica cards
• YouTube channel recommendation: Kensho Quest

Next Episode:
I’ll dig into figuring out where I’m going to stay, what I’m going to eat, and whether Tokyo Disney is happening. Also: more nerdy stuff!