Hi Julie:
Light Soy Sauce is usually just the plain Soy Sauce that you find. You can try the low salt soy sauce and they should be fine. Its more to your taste. When you Master Sauce is ready. Just slurp a teaspoon and see if you like the taste, it should be a little bit saltier than what you are use to, but not too overpowering. Sometimes I add Fish Sauce in my Master Sauce Soy Bath for a change of taste.

As for the Star Anise, I only use that. I think the other ones might be fine but try it and see, please post and let me know. I sometimes add a dried tangerine peel if I am short of Start Anise. I think Star Anise has a licorice like taste. Throw in some fennel, the flavor will be similar.