What do you do with the obi on Japanese CDs?

[explodingbird]

Well, since it seems to be exclusive to Japanese albums (or Japanese versions of any album), i must ask - after seeing so much obsessio over te things:

What is so damn SPECIAL about the obi strip? You know, that little strip of paper that wraps around the spine of an album, on the left side (if viewed from the front). It does nothing, it doesn't exactly seem to have much purpose in being there except to say "HEY THIS CD IS FROM JAPAN" (which, again: Why such a big deal? It's not like it's the only country that makes good music), and it looks ugly more often than not.

I usually just throw mine away.

So, again, I must ask: Why such a brouhaha for the obi strip?

[Terri]

You know, I never knew that even existed until I leisurely clicked this thread.

[realize_!]

I dunno. It's sentimental to me. The fact the Americans don't do it makes it that much more special. Besides some are worth keeping(ie. Kuu's 12 singles). unless it's overseas, I though it away... doesn't look as pretty

[explodingbird]

Okay, in the case of Kuu's 12 Singles - I can see why a collector, or a Kuu fan, or a horny pervert, or what-have-you... I can see why people would keep those. But the rest just... I dunno. It seems like a very pointless thing. Why were they even made? Then again, I tend to enjoy my CD spines more (as I lvoe looking at them lined up) more if they're varied and colorful. I am... had the cool wraparound alternate back cover, but the spine was so bland and boring and didn't fit the album if I left the obi on.

[chocopockymaster]

Well, Ayu's singles are just a clear jewel case with an insert (I can never tell which is which just sitting here staring at my CD shelf), so the OBI helps identify them from the side when they're still wrapped...I dunno, I think they're pretty nifty myself.

[Calico]

Lots of times, especially if you have a limited edition CD, it boosts the value of it should you want to resell it, because people tend to prefer the "whole" package instead of otherwise.

I dunno, I think they look cool. I keep all of mine. It helps me to differentiate where my Japanese CDs start and end on my shelf anyway. If I lose one though, it sucks, but whatever.

[Fair Wind]

Originally Posted by explodingbird

Well, since it seems to be exclusive to Japanese albums (or Japanese versions of any album)

Not necessarily. There are a few Kpop cds that have obi's.

[truehappiness]

What is an obi strip?
Obi has a couple of meanings.

On this site it IS NOT an article of Japanese clothing (a sash or belt for securing and decorating a kimono).

On this site it is the small piece of paper included with a CD or LP usually wrapped around the left hand spine of the item. (See also promo obi.)

An obi strip is, for all intents and purposes, a disposable item. It provides information to the seller and to the buyer (mostly in Japanese) about the item being sold. Once the item has been sold to the consumer it is basically useless (it has served its purpose).

As with other types of ephemera (dispoable paper items such as postage stamps and cigarette and bubble gum cards), obis are collectable items.

It's basically useless. But if you get a cool one, like Daybreak's shiny sparkleplastic one, I think it's worth keeping.

[minkAYuko]

I like obis I never knew they existed after I bought japanese music

it has technical info and the bar code... the difference is that in occident they print the bar code in the back, the obi is the place to print it in asia (or at least in japan)

thats why japanese CDs look really pretty from any angle! lol

[emi♡]

They are only there for all that information, so they don't have to put it all on the CD i guess, that's what I remember.

But yeah, basically useless, but for some reason, after being here for a year and a half, I have this wierd state of mind that obis are so priceless lol like you have to keep it in tact, with the cd...i dont know...everyone here always just valued theirs...I won't buy a used cd without one...

[truehappiness]

I keep them because I freakin' spent like 20 bucks on the single /40 bucks for the album. I'm not throwing anything away anything that came with it >[

Even stickers.

[emi♡]

^ the best reason ever.

[chocopockymaster]

I rip all the stickers off the plastic and stick them on my closet mirror...<333

I just keep mine.. just because.

:S

I'm not sure why I do.

Because i'm pathetic maybe..hmm.. that might be why.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by ~ayu-cake~

Because i'm pathetic maybe..hmm.. that might be why.

Even though I never saved any I don't think it's pathetic. You paid for that damn piece of paper so might as well love it

ZOMG. You're sig is a hot *****.

[emi♡]

^exactly...that piece of paper just added about $15 onto that product.

True.
True, I keep everything from the sticker to the packet it came in =/

Terri~ Why thankyou darrrhling.

[Xianghua]

Do the Japanese people just throw theirs away? I'd find it funny if they did, and then, say, they come to western countries and see us saving them. They'd think we were crazy.

I just keep mine because, I dunno, it would just feel weird to me to throw them out. I have no idea why. I guess I'm just fascinated with them since we don't have them here.

[LacusClyne]

i like obis. they are nice to look at.

well, obis seem to be very important to the japan market. see in the local HMV, if you want to exchange your japan version cd(if there's something wrong with it), you must have the obi, or they can't exchange for you! the japan companies want the full product back!

[truehappiness]

It's probably because without the OBI, when they repackage it, it won't look like a brand new product :p

Used places do this, I think.