The publication of The Book and Typography Annual 2025 was sparked by a chance yet profound inspiration: one day, the image of the 1954 film Godzilla poster suddenly resurfaced in the editor’s mind — particularly the striking title logo “ゴジラ.” Rendered in extremely bold handwritten katakana, this iconic text remains visually powerful even as a faint memory. More than the monster itself, it is these letters that have shaped our collective impression of Godzilla, seemingly etched into our subconscious.
This realization prompted a reexamination of the relationship between print media and typographic design. In much of today’s printed matter, typography has been relegated to a supporting role—merely explanatory copy that accompanies dominant visuals. Yet, comparing early forms of lettering—handwritten scripts, metal type, phototypesetting—to contemporary digital fonts, we see that while technology has advanced, it has also cost us something irreplaceable: the natural “vibrations” and “noise” embedded in older text forms are gradually disappearing.
These subtle fluctuations and visual noise, while imperfect and difficult to standardize, give typography its organic, emotional quality. They embody texture, trace, and the warmth of the human hand. This book raises a question: In an age of digital precision, can we recapture that unstable yet captivating texture of type?
The Book and Typography Annual 2025 is more than a yearly compilation of typographic achievements—it is a stage created for type designers to explore, express, and question. Through the contributions and insights of creators from various fields, this book showcases the diversity and evolving potential of contemporary typography. It serves as both a window into the present and an experimental inquiry into what letters are—and what they could become.
Starting with a nostalgic poster and returning to the essence of design, this annual hopes to reawaken our sensitivity to the visual power of letters. It encourages creators to consider how typography can be more than just a vehicle for content, but a vital force that carries emotion, memory, and identity.