Magazines and Photobooks - Recommendations and Reviews

[sweetwater]

Update on "Regrowth":

For some reason, Yuzu is not credited as an author anymore.

The publisher called it an "公式 (official)" photo book at some point, but the "公式" has been removed from the product details as well.

"アフロ" (Aflo) displayed next to "-著" is the name of the photo agency that provide the photos, and they have been JFS's official photo agency since last November. So naturally, the publisher cannot use Aflo's photographs without the consent of JSF, at least, but anyway, at the moment, it is not clear if Yuzu has been involved in this book in any way.

[birnasan]

1 hour ago, hananistellata said:

My birthday is on November 27th and I wanna get myself Yuzuru's first autobiography as a gift. However, since I am not very experinced with online shopping I would appreaciate some tips and advice. 

 

I was thinking about ordering the book from CDJapan since I've heard a lot of people talking about the site but since is it a company from abroad I still have many questions and probably a lot of problems that I will run into. 

 

Currently I can see that there is only one in stock. How often do they restock the book? I know that the second book is the hardest to find but I think the first one is much more accesible.

 

Is paying on arrival accepted? If not, do they accept PayPal payment? Do I need to convert the euros in yen?

 

Are shipping services such as DHL, EMS, Registered Airmail and Airmail trustworthy? This is the first time I hear about them. I don't even know if we have those in Greece but they say that they are the only ones available after I did shipping calculations for my country so I'm assuming that I just haven't noticed them yet.

 

In the scenario that they take a while to restock, or in the scenario in which shipment is not available in Greece, are there any other trustworthy websites that I can purchase the book from? Sadly Amazon is already out of the picture, they can't ship stuff here.

 

I think this is all for now. Hopefully this one goes well. I haven't tried buying anything from abroad before. :'D

I have a bought from CD Japan three times and it is very easy, you don't even have to create an account. I don't know if you can pay on arrival, but paypal is accepted. Paypal automatically converts euros to yen. 

 

For me (living in Germany), shipping from Japan with DHL has always worked very well. I don't know good their service is in your country, but I'd say DHL is trustworthy. They have full online tracking, so it is easy to see if something get's lost (didn't happen to me). DHL is a German shipping company that also operates internationally. Their website is here: https://www.dhl.com/gr-en/home.html

 

I don't see any problems that you can run into, the only issue is that when importing goods from outside the EU, you may have to pay import taxes. Normally I don't have to pay import taxes when I order something cheap like a book, but maybe it's different in your country. In any case, the taxes will not be more than a few euros. The only time I had to pay import taxes, I got an email from DHL and was able to pay the taxes with paypal. 

 

I can't tell you how often CD Japan restocks the book, so if you want to have it - buy it. It would make a wonderful birthday gift for yourself.

[birnasan]

31 minutes ago, hananistellata said:

Thank you so much for the information! I'll keep it all in mind. 

 

By the way, if there is an import tax, do they automatically get the money from PayPal or do they need confirmation? Is there a time limit? 

You are welcome. No, they can't get the money automatically, they will send you a link to paypal and you will have to confirm. There probably is a time limit, I guess maybe something like one week? If you check your emails once a day, you will be fine. Maybe the whole process is a bit different in your country, but I am sure there will be an easy way to pay the taxes, if necessary.
 

[NachoTofu]

Hi there! I recently just joined here

So, a brief intro about myself : I've been following Yuzu since 2014 and then during 2015-2019 I was on hiatus because of University :') 

To catch up, I just bought the Hochi Photobook (secondhand) and was planning to buy a couple more photobooks just to keep up with what I missed during those 4 years...

 

My options are:

- YUZURU or YUZURU II 

- Yuzuru the Real

- Hanyu Yuzuru Tamashii no Program (Photo Book)

- Yuzu'll be Back I, II or III

- Be the Light

* I was considering the ice jewels series but it's just so much xD I probably might get it in the future as a pack or sth.

 

Out of the 7, I was wondering which do you think I should get first? I'm currently interested in looking at progress (so like during his training etc.) and most importantly, I don't want the books to be sold out so idk should I buy in order of release? 

 

I have all the books bookmarked in CDJapan :') 

 

Thanks so much in advance!! 

[lajoitko]

59 minutes ago, NachoTofu said:

Hi there! I recently just joined here

So, a brief intro about myself : I've been following Yuzu since 2014 and then during 2015-2019 I was on hiatus because of University :') 

To catch up, I just bought the Hochi Photobook (secondhand) and was planning to buy a couple more photobooks just to keep up with what I missed during those 4 years...

 

My options are:

- YUZURU or YUZURU II 

- Yuzuru the Real

- Hanyu Yuzuru Tamashii no Program (Photo Book)

- Yuzu'll be Back I, II or III

- Be the Light

* I was considering the ice jewels series but it's just so much xD I probably might get it in the future as a pack or sth.

 

Out of the 7, I was wondering which do you think I should get first? I'm currently interested in looking at progress (so like during his training etc.) and most importantly, I don't want the books to be sold out so idk should I buy in order of release? 

 

I have all the books bookmarked in CDJapan :') 

 

Thanks so much in advance!! 

 

Yuzuru I and II cover all his career from the junior days to Olympics 2018. I highly recommend those but I think they have also the best availability in the long run.

Yuzuru the Real concentrates on practices and have some (really cute) off ice photo shoots. It also covers a lot of his career. I highly recommend it.

I have also Hanyu Yuzuru Tamashii no Program photobook but can not find it right now. If I remember right, it covers all his programs and has all the program names, music and choreographers (in Japanese) in the end of the book. And you also get a clear file if you are into those.

I have Yuzu'll be Back II and III. I really love the III (or maybe I just love the programs). It covers the season 2020-2021. For the season 2019-2020 you already hit the jackpot with Hochi photobook (in my opinion).

Be the Light concentrates on gala programs, so it might be not for you although the book itself is just beautiful and worth of its price.

And I recommend those Ice Jewel photobooks, but I think their availability should be quite good.

 

I hope this helps you!

[NachoTofu]

2 hours ago, lajoitko said:

 

Yuzuru I and II cover all his career from the junior days to Olympics 2018. I highly recommend those but I think they have also the best availability in the long run.

Yuzuru the Real concentrates on practices and have some (really cute) off ice photo shoots. It also covers a lot of his career. I highly recommend it.

I have also Hanyu Yuzuru Tamashii no Program photobook but can not find it right now. If I remember right, it covers all his programs and has all the program names, music and choreographers (in Japanese) in the end of the book. And you also get a clear file if you are into those.

I have Yuzu'll be Back II and III. I really love the III (or maybe I just love the programs). It covers the season 2020-2021. For the season 2019-2020 you already hit the jackpot with Hochi photobook (in my opinion).

Be the Light concentrates on gala programs, so it might be not for you although the book itself is just beautiful and worth of its price.

And I recommend those Ice Jewel photobooks, but I think their availability should be quite good.

 

I hope this helps you!

Hi! Thank you so much for your reply!

I can buy Yuzuru I and II some other time because it will be available in the long run right?

 

So (correct me if i'm wrong), for season 2019-2020, is the Hochi photo book is enough/the best out of all photo books released in that season? Like I probably can skip Yuzu'll be Back II and just get the 3rd book (2020-2021) yea?

 

For the Ice Jewels books, which season do you recommend? I saw a lot of reviews for 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 (not sure about the rest) 

 

I'm planning on getting Be the Light some time this year but not now cuz I need to save up (I recently bought Aoi Hono 1 and 2; Yuzu Pooh Tissue Box Cover and the Hochi photo book) Do you think it'll still be available by then?

 

Also, I would like to purchase photo books that credits Yuzu as the author cuz then I'll know the proceeds will obv go to him  Are the books I mentioned have Yuzu credited as an author??

 

Thanks in advance!!

[lajoitko]

1 hour ago, NachoTofu said:

I can buy Yuzuru I and II some other time because it will be available in the long run right?

 

I checked Amazon and they still have both available even though they are so old and the shipping will take time. Also they are quite easy to get second hand (but in that case, Yuzu won't get the royalties). I can't guarantee anything, but if I were you, I would prioritize the other books first.

2 hours ago, NachoTofu said:

So (correct me if i'm wrong), for season 2019-2020, is the Hochi photo book is enough/the best out of all photo books released in that season? Like I probably can skip Yuzu'll be Back II and just get the 3rd book (2020-2021) yea?

 

Now you made me look those books again and Yuzu'll be back II is quite lovely too with some amazing photos... The question is, how much variety you want: one book of each season or do you have favorite programs/competitions in which to prioritize?

2 hours ago, NachoTofu said:

For the Ice Jewels books, which season do you recommend? I saw a lot of reviews for 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 (not sure about the rest)

 

The same answer as to previous question. I would say that season 2015-2016 was "a practice run" and the book series found their own style in later seasons. The first photobook includes photos from FaOI and DOI 2015 plus some off ice photos from TCC.

Season 2016-2017 photobook is just lovely (or I personally have so good memories from that season, I can not be sure), lots of backstage photos and some photos from FaOI 2017 and Sendai monument revealing.

Season 2017-2018 photobook is a must have. It includes Olympics and fantastic photos from Continue with Wings. If I had to choose just one, this would be it.

Season 2018-2019 photobook includes photos from FaOI 2018 and Heroes&Future (I am not sure about the name?) show. Yuzu was glowing in that summer, so the photos are just amazing. There are also photos from the second monument revealing in spring 2019.

Season 2019-2020 photobook includes photos from FaOI 2019, so if you want some photos from Masquerade or Chrystal memories, go for it.

Season 2020-2021 was very short for the obvious reasons and there were just three competitions, but the photos are once again amazing and the book is worth of its prize.

2 hours ago, NachoTofu said:

I'm planning on getting Be the Light some time this year but not now cuz I need to save up (I recently bought Aoi Hono 1 and 2; Yuzu Pooh Tissue Box Cover and the Hochi photo book) Do you think it'll still be available by then?

 

I checked just now Amazon and it is out of stock, so I don't know. I got it right away and haven't really paid attention to how easy it is to get. And it is the most expensive of all the photobooks, so it's understandable to thought about it before purchasing. I still remember the feeling when I clicked the "buy" button. I have no regrets, but it is a lot of money.

2 hours ago, NachoTofu said:

Also, I would like to purchase photo books that credits Yuzu as the author cuz then I'll know the proceeds will obv go to him  Are the books I mentioned have Yuzu credited as an author??

My Japanese is not good enough to be sure, but I have always checked if the book has his signature and/or message from him. I take it as his seal of approval. The books on your list that has it are Yuzuru I and II, Yuzuru the real, Yuzu'll be back III, Be the Light and all the Ice Jewel photobooks.

 

Hopefully this helps you!

[NachoTofu]

On 2/26/2022 at 11:03 PM, lajoitko said:

 

I checked Amazon and they still have both available even though they are so old and the shipping will take time. Also they are quite easy to get second hand (but in that case, Yuzu won't get the royalties). I can't guarantee anything, but if I were you, I would prioritize the other books first.

 

Now you made me look those books again and Yuzu'll be back II is quite lovely too with some amazing photos... The question is, how much variety you want: one book of each season or do you have favorite programs/competitions in which to prioritize?

 

The same answer as to previous question. I would say that season 2015-2016 was "a practice run" and the book series found their own style in later seasons. The first photobook includes photos from FaOI and DOI 2015 plus some off ice photos from TCC.

Season 2016-2017 photobook is just lovely (or I personally have so good memories from that season, I can not be sure), lots of backstage photos and some photos from FaOI 2017 and Sendai monument revealing.

Season 2017-2018 photobook is a must have. It includes Olympics and fantastic photos from Continue with Wings. If I had to choose just one, this would be it.

Season 2018-2019 photobook includes photos from FaOI 2018 and Heroes&Future (I am not sure about the name?) show. Yuzu was glowing in that summer, so the photos are just amazing. There are also photos from the second monument revealing in spring 2019.

Season 2019-2020 photobook includes photos from FaOI 2019, so if you want some photos from Masquerade or Chrystal memories, go for it.

Season 2020-2021 was very short for the obvious reasons and there were just three competitions, but the photos are once again amazing and the book is worth of its prize.

 

I checked just now Amazon and it is out of stock, so I don't know. I got it right away and haven't really paid attention to how easy it is to get. And it is the most expensive of all the photobooks, so it's understandable to thought about it before purchasing. I still remember the feeling when I clicked the "buy" button. I have no regrets, but it is a lot of money.

My Japanese is not good enough to be sure, but I have always checked if the book has his signature and/or message from him. I take it as his seal of approval. The books on your list that has it are Yuzuru I and II, Yuzuru the real, Yuzu'll be back III, Be the Light and all the Ice Jewel photobooks.

 

Hopefully this helps you!

Thanks so much for your reply! You're right about personal preferences on fav programs etc.  My current faves are Hana ni Nare, Haru yo Koi, Notte Stellata, Seimei and Ten to chi to (tbh all of his programs are amazing so if there's one photo book with ALL of it, i'd buy it in a heartbeat!)

 

So after further research, I decided to get the books that shows Yuzu's training phase so like YUZURU I and II , Yuzuru the Real and Tamashii no Program (because there's a recap of all his programs till PC 2018) cuz I'd like to learn about his progress and experiences for now. I've also recently purchased Aoi Hono 1 and 2 too! It's amazing to see him grow as a person/athlete! 

 

For the second phase (don't know when i'll purchase the next set of photo books cuz I'm pretty sure there will be more recent photo books for this season), I was thinking of getting Be the Light (just in case before it sells out) + Yuzu'll be Back II and III + Ice Jewels 2017-2018

*Ofc if there are newer photo books e.g. if Sunao Noto releases Yuzuru III i'm going to get that first before the second phase xD 

 

The third phase will be just to complete the Ice Jewels Series, but I think i'll pick out my fave seasons  

 

What do you think? Is it too much :') Should I take some time to collect them slowly?

[lajoitko]

17 hours ago, NachoTofu said:

Thanks so much for your reply! You're right about personal preferences on fav programs etc.  My current faves are Hana ni Nare, Haru yo Koi, Notte Stellata, Seimei and Ten to chi to (tbh all of his programs are amazing so if there's one photo book with ALL of it, i'd buy it in a heartbeat!)

 

So after further research, I decided to get the books that shows Yuzu's training phase so like YUZURU I and II , Yuzuru the Real and Tamashii no Program (because there's a recap of all his programs till PC 2018) cuz I'd like to learn about his progress and experiences for now. I've also recently purchased Aoi Hono 1 and 2 too! It's amazing to see him grow as a person/athlete! 

 

For the second phase (don't know when i'll purchase the next set of photo books cuz I'm pretty sure there will be more recent photo books for this season), I was thinking of getting Be the Light (just in case before it sells out) + Yuzu'll be Back II and III + Ice Jewels 2017-2018

*Ofc if there are newer photo books e.g. if Sunao Noto releases Yuzuru III i'm going to get that first before the second phase xD 

 

The third phase will be just to complete the Ice Jewels Series, but I think i'll pick out my fave seasons  

 

What do you think? Is it too much :') Should I take some time to collect them slowly?

 

Yes, your first picks sounds like a good "starter pack". In the end it all depends on how much money are you willing to spent. I have made the purchases over the years so it does not feel so much unless you start to calculate. And the shipping costs are more expensive now compering to a few years ago, so I have started to think more carefully what to buy. One more thing to consider is the space. These books are quite big and heavy (Be the Light is perhaps the biggest book I have ever owned) so think in advance where to keep them. The new photobooks are usually published during the summer, so keep your eyes open. There may be coming some covering his whole career or the Olympic quad (this is just my own speculation) that could change your plans.

[sarfael]

On 2/26/2022 at 9:08 PM, NachoTofu said:

Also, I would like to purchase photo books that credits Yuzu as the author cuz then I'll know the proceeds will obv go to him  Are the books I mentioned have Yuzu credited as an author??

yuzuru l&ll, hanyu yuzuru tamashii no program, be the light.only these 4 photobooks have Yuzu credited as author. Others only credited to respective photographers.

[NachoTofu]

8 hours ago, lajoitko said:

 

Yes, your first picks sounds like a good "starter pack". In the end it all depends on how much money are you willing to spent. I have made the purchases over the years so it does not feel so much unless you start to calculate. And the shipping costs are more expensive now compering to a few years ago, so I have started to think more carefully what to buy. One more thing to consider is the space. These books are quite big and heavy (Be the Light is perhaps the biggest book I have ever owned) so think in advance where to keep them. The new photobooks are usually published during the summer, so keep your eyes open. There may be coming some covering his whole career or the Olympic quad (this is just my own speculation) that could change your plans.

Ah noted! Will keep an eye out in summer for new photobooks 😬👌🏻
 

 

[NachoTofu]

2 hours ago, sarfael said:

yuzuru l&ll, hanyu yuzuru tamashii no program, be the light.only these 4 photobooks have Yuzu credited as author. Others only credited to respective photographers.

Ohhh so even though Yuzu wrote short messages in some of the other photo books, it doesn’t mean it’s credited to Yuzu?? I guess he probably approved/allowed it to publish??

[Xiupia]

For the veterans who have been buying magazines and kept an eye on the quality, what publications are you prioritising now with Beijing pics? 

I'm tempted in pre-ordering the anan one on amazon, but maybe I should focus on Figure Skate (not the Life one) instead...  

 

[lajoitko]

3 hours ago, Xiupia said:

For the veterans who have been buying magazines and kept an eye on the quality, what publications are you prioritising now with Beijing pics? 

I'm tempted in pre-ordering the anan one on amazon, but maybe I should focus on Figure Skate (not the Life one) instead...  

 

 

I am still waiting and reading reviews. For example, フィギュアスケートマガジン2021-2022 vol.4 北京五輪男子特集号 (B.B.MOOK1559) has all the interviews that Yuzu gave in the mixed zone and 90% of the magazine is Yuzu content whereas フィギュア・スケーターズ25 has just 50% of Yuzu. The new Kiss&Cry (TVガイド特別編集 KISS&CRY Vol.43 北京五輪Premium号(仮) (TOKYO NEWS MOOK 979号)) advertises to have 10 posters and previously the content has been 90% Yuzu. I am not sure about Anan, but have pre-ordered it because it is cheap and has had some nice pictures previously. And if there is other content, you can always practice your Japanese with it. I have very few auto-buys, but anything published by Ice Jewels is one of those. The magazine has only 50% Yuzu content, but those percents are usually pure gold and interviews are always very good. But I am still waiting for Yuzu-only photobooks. The first one seems to be 羽生結弦 北京オリンピック2022 フォトブックby Tanaka-san.

 

 

 

[meowmeownyan]

is フィギュアスケートマガジン2021-2022 vol.4 北京五輪男子特集号 (B.B.MOOK1559) or フィギュアスケートマガジン2021-2022 vol.5 北京五輪総集編 (B.B.MOOK1562)  better? the reviews for both are good on amazon! I can only buy 1