A question about Japanese pressings

... Did / do all the CDs, pressed in Japan, come with an obi strip, or
is it possible, that they were originally released without it (and it
wasn't lost through the years)?

I could be wrong, and someone may feel free to correct me if I am, but I believe all Japanese pressings come with an OBI strip as it is the Japanese version of a UPC. If it doesn't have one, and it wasn't lost, chances are (as far as I know) it's a bootleg.

Just thought of this; if that album was an independent release then maybe it wouldn't have an OBI. That's the only reason I could think of, though.

For example, I have Priest in the East CD without OBI, and it has the
UPC (bar code) pressed on the CD - back insert. I know that there's
another version, with OBI, and also with different barcode number etc.

I'm just listening to Fabulous Disaster CD, which was released by CBS
Sony Records (that Judas Priest CD was by Epic / Sony), and I also got
it without OBI, but it has the barcode (I bought it from pricekillers).
Same goes with the Japanese version of Twisted into Form, which I
recently won on ebay (haven't received it yet)



I guess that it was also released on Sony, as all have the same design
of the back insert (the black part with barcode on the right). However,
I also saw a copy once on ebay, which had the obi, so either the seller
lost it or it is another one (which makes another version of my
favorite album to get haha - this is my sixth )

I have bought a few foreign albums off of the Internet that did not have bar codes on the album spine, but on a UPC sticker on the back. I guess it's a country kind of thing.

Hey Sov - I believe if the album is licenced to a Japanese label, and they are re-issuing it Japan, then they basically will just add the Japanese lyric book, and maybe some info at the bottom of the tray liner. I have some "Shark" stuff that also has the UPC (I think) AND obi.

ps - You are gonna want to check out my auctions this week!!!

Bump. I am curious why a Japanese OBI makes an album so much more valuable? Especially if it contains no additional or bonus tracks. Would it not just be another import, or are Japanes imports more valuable some how due the pressing numbers?

325ad wrote:

Bump. I am curious why a Japanese OBI makes an album so much more valuable? Especially if it contains no additional or bonus tracks. Would it not just be another import, or are Japanes imports more valuable some how due the pressing numbers?

I think its mostly about the completeness factor. To some collectors, having no OBI strip for a jap pressing is almost as bad as missing the front or back insert from the case.


Japanese imports usually have much better sound than the north american or european pressings in my experience.

Stender wrote:

325ad wrote:

Bump. I am curious why a Japanese OBI makes an album so much more valuable? Especially if it contains no additional or bonus tracks. Would it not just be another import, or are Japanes imports more valuable some how due the pressing numbers?

I think its mostly about the completeness factor. To some collectors, having no OBI strip for a jap pressing is almost as bad as missing the front or back insert from the case.


Japanese imports usually have much better sound than the north american or european pressings in my experience.

Really, I did not know that. I was interested in knowing why there is such a difference in Japanese pressing of Renascent - Through Darkness on King Records vs The Metal Union version. Personally I like the Metal Union version better.

To the hardcore collector, a Japanese album/CD without the OBI strip is like a comic book without the cover.