When a CD is NEW, UNOPENED, the CD is being sold at CD-shops with the OBI, and it's fun to collect a series of CDs with the same-designed OBI. A music fan who is not a collector in Japan usually does NOT keep the OBI.

Mar 1, 2010 · An obi strip is a piece of paper wrapped around the spine of Japanese CDs, DVDs, movies, or books sometimes referred to as a "spine card".

An "Obi strip" refers to a paper strip or band that is commonly found wrapped around the spine or packaging of Japanese releases of records, CDs, and other media. The term "Obi" is derived from the Japanese word for a sash or belt.

An obi (Japanese: 帯) is a strip of paper looped around a book or other product. This extends the term obi used for Japanese clothing; it is written with the same kanji. It is also referred to as a tasuki (襷, another kimono accessory), or more narrowly as obigami (帯紙, "belt paper").

Jul 20, 2022 · I have been purchasing CDs from an artist who is based in Japan. Most of CD’s I bought came brand new: including the OBI strip. Some of them are quite small while others cover the entire side and back of the jewel case.

May 31, 2012 · Each CD that was released in Japan has a PAPER STRIP (small PAPER SHEET) called OBI-STRIP when the CD is NEW/UNOPENED although there are some CDs which don't have it from the first. OBI originally means, in Japanese, a WIDE BELT to bind Japanese traditional clothes called KIMONO.

If the Obi insert came originally with the record or CD, then it is a part of the music media - in its entirety, whole and originality. A missing Obi insert will deem the music media from Japan as "incomplete", thereby a lower value in the eyes + perception of a "serious" collector.

Japanese releases do have the advantage of bonus tracks, at least in the rock world, my experience with Italo Disco pales in comparison in all honesty. But the Obi itself is just a kinda cute bit of card with info and pretty graphics on it and technical info.

An obi is a strip that is looped over one side or folded over the top or bottom of jackets, books, cd and dvd cases, and video games.

Aug 28, 2022 · Having an OBI complete with the CD adds a fair chunk onto the sales price. Is this because it's less likely to be a counterfeit copy? or simply because more complete = more valuable. Or do OBIs actually have a whole value on their own?