Have I bought a fake album?
 

Hi everyone.
I'm wondering if someone can help me answer my question. I recently bought Ayu's Next Level album CD/DVD blue case version from ebay. It was sealed and looked valid, however it doesn't have the "avex trax" logo inside on the case itself. Does this mean I bought a fake album? Can I somehow check based on the album's print number?
Thank you to anyone who has an answer

Are you able to upload any photos of your NEXT LEVEL album copy or if possible , post the Ebay link ?

Back when NEXT LEVEL was released , the 1st press of each album's version was different coloured cases

For CD + DVD , it was blue

It's highly unlikely not a fake copy you purchased from Ebay

I'm not sure if you know about the album's 1st press aspect but I assume it's a no ?

I was aiming to get the 1st press copy of the album, so it should be the blue case, which I got, so there's no issue with that.
Here's the ebay link: https://www.ebay.de/itm/255427148352

My concern is that when opening the case, I noticed that the insides of the case don't have the avex trax logo print in the corners. I own some original albums and all of them have the avex logo on the case inside.

I took pictures of my own NEXT LEVEL album copy

https://i.postimg.cc/ZYsH2tDL/IMG20230113013216.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/15gBZCk1/IMG-20230113-013309.jpg

My copy is Taiwan press but avex Taiwan kept the 1st press aspect intact when they released the album back then

The CD case does not have the avex trax logo so it probably be the same for what you purchased

I don't think it's something for you to worry about

Thank you so much for taking the time to check and taking pictures!! You're most likely right and I purchased a Taiwanese press instead of the Japanese press :) that would explain the cheap price too and the missing logo :) thank you once again!

In the bootlegs I have the "avex trax" logo is never displayed so I take that for proof that yours' not a bootleg

No problem it's the least I can do

Most of the Ayu studio albums I own are Taiwan press & years ago Taiwan press was considered a lot more cheaper than Japan press unlike now

Also avex Taiwan kept the 1st press intact of Ayu's studio albums intact

Looking at the auction pictures it´s a Japan Press, the price is normal, Ayu albums don´t go for much anymore on ebay

What's your opinion about the missing avex logo on the case? As I checked my other Japanese press albums, each had the logo inside.
As for the price I thought it's too cheap to be true :D so I got a little suspicious, but good to know

The NEXT LEVEL cd casing is different from the others most likely is due to the special colour requirement for the theme and they didn’t get the casing specially made. Instead, they got ready stock from the market. My cd is the same as yours so rest assured that the casing is normal. All legal cds should have the IFPI laser print on the back of the cd if you’re worried of scam.

You shouldn't rely on missing avex trax logo on the CD case to determine if an Ayu release or a non Ayu release to be authentic or fake

You should look at other traits like the release's catalogue number

Also some artistes not just Ayu also have Taiwan press of their releases made

Taiwan press quality is just as good as Japan press & definitely not inferior quality

Only difference is the inclusion of Japanese to Traditional Mandarin lyrics sheet translation & also if the song titles are in Japanese , they will be translated to Mandarin

And also the DVD region code

Japan - 2
Taiwan - 3

Thank you all for your insights! :)
I wouldn't have minded a Taiwanese press either, but the offer said it's Japanese. Either way, I'm just very happy with this purchase - back when it was released I couldn't afford buying either version so now I'm just incredibly happy to get the first press release finally :)

It's better late than never for you to get the 1st press copy of NEXT LEVEL

And yes from the photos uploaded on https://www.ebay.de/itm/255427148352 , it's Japan press

I remembered the good 'ol days when NEXT LEVEL was released especially the limited version with the inclusion of the USB thumbdrive

It was so high in demand until avex had to reissued it but without the inclusion of the 1st press yellow coloured casing

Those were the days x)

omg I still remember the drama about the first press USB version xD
and I also think that it´s like kinix said that due to the colored cases they just took some common cases without their logo

^ :laugh :laugh :laugh

Oh yes that was and is still so epic xD

Good times , ha