Domestic or Import anime soundtracks

[Shaka Beach]

just basically what do you buy.
also im thinking baout buying some, but is it worth it to get the domestic.

[Sora N]

I personally buy the original Japanese releases…imports are expensive (usually around $32-$50 Plus) however I personally think it’s worth it. I have a few domestic OST’s that came with some starter boxes, limited editions or complete series (.hack//Sign, Witch Hunter Robin, Cowboy Bebop, Wolfs Rain etc.)

Just be careful when buying imports there is a lot of bootleg Anime OST’s, J-pop/J-rock and Game OST’s out there; so research sites and local shops before you buy.

[tenshi_a]

I usually buy Japanese CDs, via the internet. I don't live in America so for me, usually it's an import either way.

I only own a handful of "domestic" releases. Usually only when they come free with a box set or they are going on special offer, priced down. The choice in the domestic market is very limited, I find.

As Sora N mentioned, you have to be careful you don't get a bootleg. I don't know why they don't just copy the original CDs perfectly - a lot of the bootleg albums I have are lower quality than the regular version. As though they were ripped to 128kbps then burned to CD. They just don't have the quality of the genuine product. Seems bizarre that they would do this as CDs are really easy to copy, but this is what I have found. I have only ever bought bootleg CDs when the original CD is incredibly rare and I have been searching for several years.

If you need to buy an album on ebay or other source where you are unsure of the authenticity of the product, look for a catalogue number and google it. If it turns up on a credible website, especially the official website for the album, you know it's most likely to be a genuine product. Avoid labels like Sonmay.

[HatsumiShinogu]

I buy the original Japanese releases almost all the time. The only domestic OSTs I own are those of Fafner.

[loplop]

The only domestic releases I've ever bought were the FLCL soundtrack CDs and the one for the first Appleseed movie. I do have some others, but they came packaged with various DVD and Boxset releases. Everything else came from trusted sites or when we've visited family from time in Japan

[Gibb]

Back when Geneon was releasing a plethora of domestic anime OSTs and Jpop cds, I used to buy them all the time. Getting them for $8-$12 domestically sure beats $25-$35 to import them.

It seems like the amount of domestic releases coming out nowadays has dwindled, so I have to import a lot of stuff. I usually import Jpop albums from bands I know really well, such as Rurutia, Round Table, the Indigo, KOKIA, etc. I also usually peruse youtube for the songs that are on those albums to make sure the album is good before I get it. I'd hate to drop $30 on an import album to not like it at all.

[Shaka Beach]

Back when Geneon was releasing a plethora of domestic anime OSTs and Jpop cds, I used to buy them all the time. Getting them for $8-$12 domestically sure beats $25-$35 to import them.

It seems like the amount of domestic releases coming out nowadays has dwindled, so I have to import a lot of stuff. I usually import Jpop albums from bands I know really well, such as Rurutia, Round Table, the Indigo, KOKIA, etc. I also usually peruse youtube for the songs that are on those albums to make sure the album is good before I get it. I'd hate to drop $30 on an import album to not like it at all.

where do u usually buy your imports also, do you buy alot of soundtracks and are they wrth buying

[Gibb]

where do u usually buy your imports also, do you buy alot of soundtracks and are they wrth buying

It's kind of against the rules to discuss other retailers besides animenation here.

As for soundtracks, they're hit or miss a lot of times. Sometimes you'll only find 1 or 2 songs out of 30 that you like, other times the entire OST is worth listening to. I have certain composers I usually keep an eye out for; Taku Iwasaki (Kenshin, R.O.D.), Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts, Parasite Eve, Legend of Mana), Yuki Kajiura (.hack, Noir, Kara no Kyoukai), Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Lumines Arc II, Xenogears), etc.

Currently I really want to snag the disc 2 OST for "Fragile ~sayonara tsuki no haikyo~" which just came out in Japan this week, but it's $36 or higher, and that's a lot of money, even tho this one is 42 tracks long.

[Meson]

It depends of the domestic has an extra track or two. The US releases sometimes have full length versions or extra tracks that were sold only as singles in Japan.



Also, the domestics give me DMCA license protection. RIAA >>> RIAJ!