Why Japanese anime Blu-rays are worth importing — and how to do it

You've found a show you love. Maybe it's Evangelion, maybe it's Vinland Saga, maybe it's something more obscure that never got a Western release at all. You want to own it properly — not stream it, not pirate it, own it — and someone online told you to "just import the Japanese Blu-ray." So now you're staring at a product listing on a Japanese website, wondering what half the text means, whether it'll actually work in your player, and whether you're about to waste $80 (around £63 / €74).

We've been there. Here's everything you need to know.

Why Japanese Blu-rays Are Actually Worth the Premium

Think of it like this: when a film gets shown in a big multiplex versus a small independent cinema, sometimes the print quality is just better in one place. The film is the same, but what you're experiencing isn't. Japanese anime Blu-rays are often the "master print" — the version closest to what the studio actually made.

Here's what you tend to get that Western releases often drop or compress:

• Lossless audio tracks — Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA, not the compressed versions that end up on cheaper Western releases
• Higher bitrate video — especially noticeable on fast action scenes or detailed backgrounds
• Bonus content — creditless opening and ending sequences, original Japanese commercials, audio commentaries from the cast
• Collector packaging — chipboard boxes, booklets, art cards. Japanese studios still treat physical releases like they matter.

And for some shows? The Japanese release is the only Blu-ray release. Full stop. If you want a physical copy of certain older or niche series, Japan is your only option.

The Region Problem — And Why It's Easier to Solve Than You Think

Here's the slightly annoying bit. Blu-ray discs use a region system. The world is split into three zones:

• Region A — North America, South America, East Asia (including Japan)
• Region B — Europe, Australia, Africa, Middle East
• Region C — Central and South Asia, Russia, China

So here's the good news if you're in the US or Canada: Japan is also Region A. Japanese Blu-rays will play on any standard North American player with zero modifications needed. You just buy the disc and it works.

If you're in Europe, Australia, or the UK — that's where it gets fiddly. Japanese discs are Region A, and your player is almost certainly Region B. They won't work together straight out of the box.

The Fix: A Region-Free Player

The solution is a region-free Blu-ray player. These are players that have either been manufactured without region locks, or modified to ignore them. They're completely legal to own and use — the region coding is a commercial restriction, not a law.

You can pick up a decent region-free player for around $80–$120 (about £65–£95 / €75–€110). Brands like Panasonic and Sony sell modified versions through specialist retailers, or you can buy a purpose-built region-free unit. Our buying guide covers the best options right now — that's the companion piece to this article and worth reading before you spend anything.

Alternatively, the original PlayStation 3 plays Blu-rays from any region, with no modification needed. If you have one gathering dust, plug it in. It's one of the best region-free players ever made, accidentally.

Where to Actually Buy Japanese Anime Blu-rays

A few retailers that ship internationally and are trustworthy:

• CDJapan — reliable, good English interface, ships worldwide
• Anime Corner Store — US-based importer, handles customs headaches for you
• Rakuten Japan / Amazon Japan — cheapest prices, but shipping and customs are your problem
• Nippon-Yasan — good for limited editions and pre-orders

Expect to pay more than Western releases. A standard two-episode volume can run $35–$60 (around £28–£47 / €32–€55). Complete box sets, when they exist, are better value. Factor in shipping — CDJapan's EMS shipping to Europe or Australia typically adds $15–$25 (about £12–£20 / €14–€23) depending on weight.

A Word on Subtitles

Most Japanese domestic Blu-rays do not include English subtitles. They're made for a Japanese audience. So if your Japanese isn't up to scratch, check the product listing carefully before buying. Some releases — particularly for internationally popular shows — do include English subs. CDJapan usually flags this clearly. When in doubt, check fan databases like Anime News Network, or just ask in the relevant subreddit. The community generally knows.

Our Honest Recommendation

If you're in North America, there's almost no reason not to do this. Your player already works. Buy from CDJapan, pay the shipping, enjoy genuinely superior audio and video. It's worth it for any show you care about.

If you're in Europe or Australia, the extra step of getting a region-free player is a one-time cost that pays for itself fast — especially if you collect physical media. Get the player first, then go wild. Check our region-free player guide for a shortlist of what we'd actually recommend buying right now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will a Japanese Blu-ray work in my PS4 or PS5?

No. Unlike the PS3, the PS4 and PS5 both have region locks on Blu-ray playback. They follow standard region coding, so a Region A disc won't play on a Region B console. The PS3 is the exception, not the rule.

Do I need to pay customs or import duty?

Possibly, yes. If you're in the EU or UK, packages above a certain value trigger import VAT and sometimes a handling fee. The threshold varies by country — in the UK it's £135, in the EU it depends on the member state but is often €150. Retailers like Anime Corner Store who ship from within the US can sometimes help avoid this for American buyers, but if you're ordering direct from Japan, budget for it.

Is it legal to import Blu-rays from Japan?

Yes, completely. Importing physical media for personal use is legal in virtually every country. You're buying a legitimate product from a legitimate store. The region coding is a manufacturer restriction, not a legal one.

What if the menus are in Japanese?

They will be. That's just part of the experience. Most Blu-ray menus are simple enough to figure out even without reading Japanese — Play, Chapters, Audio, Subtitles. After the first disc, you'll know the layout cold. Some collector editions include English menu overlays, but don't count on it.

Are there cheaper ways to get the same quality?

Sometimes. A handful of shows get premium Western releases with lossless audio and strong extras — Ghost in the Shell and several Ghibli titles have excellent UK and US editions. But for newer seasonal anime or anything niche, the Japanese release is still the gold standard. It's worth checking before you import, but don't be surprised if the domestic option just doesn't exist.