Poster Info


B2 poster ("hansai") Size: approximately 20" x 28.5" (52 x 73.5 cm) B2-sized posters are the most widely used format for movie posters in Japan. They were not automatically folded after printing, although some have light fold lines due to the way the were stored. B2 posters are printed single-sided and often several artwork versions were created for the same film.
B1 poster ("B-Zen") Size: approximately 28.5" x 40" (73 x 102 cm) B1 posters are twice as large as B2 posters. Their artwork can be vertical or horizontal. If the artwork is vertical, it often replicates one of the B2 versions, just on a bigger scale. Horizontal B-1 posters on the other hand bear a unique design. Most B1 posters were printed single-sided, but recently double-sided posters have appeared.
B-bai poster ("two sheet") Size: approximately 40" x 58" (102 x 147 cm) B-Bai posters are the size of two B1 sheets and are also called "two sheets". Their design can be vertical or horizontal. If the design is vertical, it often replicates one of the B2 version, just on a bigger scale. Horizontal B-Zen posters on the other hand bear a unique design.
Tatekan posters (vertical two-sheets) Tatekan posters consist of two B2 sheets, one on top of the other, which feature highly unique artwork. Because only a small number were printed for each title, they are quite rare and much more valuable than B2 sheets. Tatekan posters were only issued until around 1976 for Japanese movies, and ca. 1973 for foreign movies. They were reportedly banned because of environmental concerns. As they were displayed out in the open along streets they would often litter the area where they were placed.
Nakazuri Size: Size: approximately 20" x 14" (51 x 37) cm Nakazuri are used to advertise a movie inside public transportation. They are generally one-sided and often carry information about the cinema that shows the movie on them. Nakazuri used not to carry Eirin Marks, but recently some studios started printing the Eirin Mark on releases.
Speed Posters Speed posters were used to announce films before they opened in the cinemas. Their size is generally almost half of a B2 in width and same in length (ca. 73 x 26 cm), but shorter versions do exist. Some Speed posters for Japanese movies of the 60’s are hybrids, i.e. they function as a Speed poster on one side, while on the backside they are designed as Press Sheets (see: Press Sheets). Cinemas would therefore display them before a film ran, and then use the press sheet information on the back to advertise the film in local newspapers. Speed posters issued in or after 1966 carry Eirin Marks (see: Eirin Marks) and can therefore be easily dated. They were produced predominantly for Japanese films and only until the late 70’s. Some odd Speed Poster from 80’s or even the 90’s occasionally appears, but these are exceptions. Often Speed posters would feature artwork that is very similar to the Tatekan design of the same film. The Toei studio also printed speed posters for some movies that are about half the size of a B1 poster.
Horizontal Three Sheets Three sheets were issued until the late 60’s and are now very rare. They consist of three separate B1 sheets that together form a horizontal design.
Many thanks to Sean Linkenback of www.platinumposters.com for providing additional information