Image Forum Japanese chirashi poster

Chirashi are mini-posters/ flyers used to advertise movies in Japan. Due to the fact they are only available from movie theaters while the movie is showing, they are collectible movie memorabilia and rise in value based on age and scarcity. They are often printed on high quality paper, and are usually a single sheet (2 sides) or 2-page “gatefold” (4 sides). These are B5 size (7″x10″/18cmx26cm). Due to their handy size and low cost, they are by far the most popular size of poster amongst Japanese collectors. Unlike larger movie posters, you can collect a wide selection and store them easily in an A4 or B5 sized folder, or display a selection on your wall (without requiring a huge wall to fit them!).

The Japanese poster will often look quite different to the artwork available in other countries, since it is created with Japanese design in mind for the Japanese market. In many cases the design is superior, and some innovative releases include fold-out posters and specialty prints you won’t find anywhere else.