From life-size replicas to lightsabers, see the collections of 12 'Star Wars' superfans

Darth Vader Ukraine
Darth Mykolaiovych Vader lives in Odessa, Ukraine and spends his days dressed as the iconic "Star Wars" villain. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens in theaters this week, but for many people around the world, passion for the galaxy far, far away runs much deeper.

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Reuters tracked down 12 of the biggest "Star Wars" collectors around the world. From a lightsaber aficionado in Japan to a cosplaying family in California, these people might just be some of the biggest fans on the planet. 

Keep reading to learn more about the insane world of "Star Wars" collecting. 

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James Burns, 44, lives in London. Check out his "Star Wars" spread.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Paul Hackett

Matt Warner, 42, also hails from London. "Star Wars is like my favorite band, my favorite car, my favorite bit of life," Warner told Reuters about his tattoo inspiration.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Paul Hackett
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Dave Oldbury, 47, from Southampton, England, also sports a few galactic-inspired tattoos. Check out Emperor Palpatine on his arm.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Paul Hackett

Julian Peacock, 44, and his life-size stormtrooper are shown inside his London home. "My fiancee, she puts up with it," Peacock told Reuters.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Paul Hackett
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Matt Booker's house in Wiltshire, England, is home to over 8,000 items of Boba Fett memorabilia. That's a serious Fett bounty.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Paul Hackett

"Star Wars" is a family affair for the Pellitteris in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

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REUTERS/Mike Blake
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The Force is strong with this 37-year-old fan, who lives in Japan and asked to remain anonymous.

Star Wars collectors
REUTERS/Issei Kato

This couple met at a fan event in Japan in 2011. They got married this year.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Issei Kato
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"A way of life," is what Richard Mitchell, 46, of Buckinghamshire, England, calls "Star Wars." Mitchell once paid over $1000 for a Princess Leia figure.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Paul Hackett

Testuyuki Nakagawa, 50, says his wife doesn't understand his lightsaber buying habit.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Issei Kato
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Simon Wilkie of Norwich, England, has raised thousands of pounds for charity dressed as C-3PO.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Paul Hackett

This anonymous fan from Tokyo is a seriously committed Yoda follower. Check out that green lightsaber.

Star Wars collectors Reuters
REUTERS/Issei Kato
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