Records of Anime: Collecting Anime Vinyl (Anime NYC 2024)
We had the pleasure of attending Records of Anime: Collecting Anime Vinyl Panel for two years in a row. Our host loves this stuff, It’s easy to tell with how knowledgeable she is about Japanese Music and Vinyl Collecting. Providing us with a ton of information including shopping tips, discount codes, and more.
A fun fact that I learned was that most Anime Vinyls are pressed out West. In a situation where you are looking for something printed by a Japanese Label, it’s better to hold out for repress than purchase second-hand. Resellers always up the price. Here are some places where you can find them.
List of Companies / Labels that Press Anime Vinyls
Tigerlabs
Microids Records (France)
Black Screen Records (Germany)
Odd Anime (UK based)
Milan Records
Very Ok Vinyl (Canada)
Materia Collector (Seattle)
CD Japan / Play Asia
All The Anime
Anime international
Collecting Anime Vinyl (New Releases)
Our gracious host came very prepared. Took the time to go over up-and-coming releases from the companies listed above. There was a nice mix of newer releases and Retro anime. Like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Kaiju 8, and Spy x Family Code: White. To Eyeshield 21, One Piece, Summer Wars, Pom Poko, and Whisper of the Hearts.
Moreover, this leads us to other announces, that are a bit rarer. For instance, the Dragonball Z Best Collection ( featuring all vocal songs), Macross 7 ( with Vocal songs), an Exclusive Promare Soundtrack, Belle (with Both English and Japanese Vocal Songs), and even a Godzilla soundtrack.
During the presentation, I saw quite a few vinyls that I would love to have in my collection. The Nana (Vocal Vinyl), and Cowboy Bebop (Seatbelts). Yoko Kanno is one of my favorite composers. The Inuyasha Vinly, Inuyasha was the anime that got me into Japanese Music. To piggyback off the topic, other vinyl I would love to add to my collection Kingdoms Hearts 1 or 2. Dearly Beloved is a fire in all renditions. On vinyl, I know it’s gotta go crazy. I would love to experience that. Since we are on the topic of video games. Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack on vinyl would be amazing. Not sure, if it’s available but I’d love to have it.
Tips for Collecting Anime Vinyl
I’d also love to own some City Pop Albums. The sleeve artwork is always stunning but instrumentation and warmed of the voice from Anri or Cindy on wax. Remembering Summer Days (feels like summer) or Watashitachi o Shinjite Ite. Thinking about it conceptually makes me happy. So single’s work or the whole project.
This year’s panel was different because it featured a special guest. A musician by the name of Fried Rice. He’s a multi-instrumentalist who does lo-fi Hip-Hop and jazz-inspired covers of Japanese Music (from his favorite anime). Siting Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop as some of his favorites. Also newer ones like Girl Band Cry and Bochi The Rock. Due to the popularity of his covers, like KickBack from Chainsaw Man. Eventually, this led him to start pressing the vinyl of his covers.
Did I mention there were prizes? Free Vinyls! Donated by Milan Records, Materia Collector, and a few others. This panel was so chill and overall I had a good time. Do you collect Anime vinyl? If so, which ones would you like to add to your collection? Let me know in the comment section below.
Stay tuned for more from Anime NYC 2024.
