First Press Guide
Japanese soundtrack listings use a handful of terms — 初回生産限定盤, 通常盤, 初回特典, 店舗特典 — that decide what is actually in the box. This guide explains them and how to check a listing before you order.
The edition terms you'll see
| Japanese | Common English label | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 通常盤 | Regular / Standard Edition | The ongoing edition. It may be pressed again later under the same catalog number. |
| 初回生産限定盤 / 初回限定盤 | First Press Limited Edition | A separate edition (normally its own catalog number) produced only in the first run, often with different packaging or an extra disc. |
| 初回仕様 / 初回プレス | First press (of the regular edition) | The first run of a regular edition carrying an extra — e.g. a slipcase or insert. Later runs drop it but keep the catalog number. |
| 完全生産限定盤 | Complete Limited Production | Produced in a single limited run; not repressed once sold out. |
| 初回特典 | First-press bonus | An extra included only in the first run, while stock lasts. |
| 店舗特典 / 予約特典 | Store bonus / pre-order bonus | An extra handed out by a specific shop (often a postcard, sticker or acrylic item), usually for pre-orders and while supplies last. It is not part of the product itself. |
The exact wording differs between labels. When a label page and a retailer page disagree, the label page is what we record.
Reading a catalog number
Japanese releases carry a catalog number (品番) such as SQEX-11255: a label prefix and a number. Multi-disc sets often show a range, e.g. SQEX-11240~3 for a four-disc set numbered 11240 to 11243. Different editions of the same album normally get different catalog numbers, which is why the number is the most reliable way to tell editions apart.
What the catalog number does not tell you is whether a given copy is from the first press. That's a property of the stock a shop has on hand.
Same catalog number ≠ same bonus
CDJapan's help page on first-press and external bonuses says that, usually, all item details — including catalog number and price — remain the same after the first-press edition sells out. Once the first press is gone, the shop sends the regular pressing, and the description may still mention the bonus even though it is no longer included. Store-exclusive bonuses from one shop are also not available from another.
Source: CDJapan — First Press / External Bonus (checked 2026-10-05).
That's why this archive stores bonuses per edition with the date we checked the official page, and never treats a matching catalog number as proof that a bonus is still available.
Before you order: a checklist
- Match the catalog number on the retailer page with the label's official page (we link it on every edition).
- Check the edition name — 通常盤 vs 初回生産限定盤 — not just the cover image.
- Look for a first-press status on the retailer page (e.g. “First Press” vs “First Press Sold Out”).
- Separate store bonuses from the product. A postcard from one shop doesn't come with an order from another.
- Check media and disc count. A limited edition may swap CDs for Blu-ray audio, which needs a Blu-ray player.
See it applied: FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Original Soundtrack — editions compared.
Where to buy
These retailers sell Japanese releases to overseas buyers. We don't list prices or stock because they change daily; check the retailer directly.
- CDJapan — Japanese CD/Blu-ray retailer that ships internationally and lists first-press and CDJapan-exclusive bonuses per item.
- Play-Asia — Online retailer for Asian games and media that ships internationally.
- Amazon.co.jp — Amazon Japan. International shipping depends on the item and seller.
We have no affiliate relationship with these retailers yet. If that changes, links will be marked “Affiliate links”. See our Affiliate Disclosure.