I've now completed my collection of the magazine "Libertin DUNE" (pronounced "riberutandun"). That said, only issue 8 has been published so far.

This week, I had some free time before the end-of-year party, so I went to Book Off and found volume 1 of the magazine, which I promptly bought. The next day, I went to Daikanyama Tsutaya Books and they were having a back issue sale, so I ended up buying volumes 3 through 8, lol (I'd previously bought volume 2 at Book Off). This was the first time in my life that I've ever bought so many issues at once. It was like a birthday and Christmas present for myself.

I also collect its predecessor, "DUNE." Whenever I go to Book Off, I always start by looking for DUNE. Tsutaya had back issues of DUNE, but they were priced at vintage prices, so I gave up on them.

This magazine fascinates me. It's like the feeling of the editor going all out! It's irresistible. It was founded by the late Fumihiro Hayashi. Since his death, his wife, Kazumi, has been leading the magazine as editor-in-chief. Originally a fashion magazine, it now feels more like a culture and arts magazine. The editorial team's preferences and network, including its interview subjects and contributors, are clearly visible. Sofia Coppola, Naruyama Gallery, Mario Sorrenti, and Olivier Zahm often appear. In an interview, Sofia wrote that her masterpiece, "Lost in Translation," was inspired by seeing Hayashi belt out "God Save the Queen" by the Sex Pistols. There's actually a scene in the book where he sings it at karaoke. DUNE features photobook-like visual pages as well as extensive interview pages. It's incredibly wordy, and compelling, because the subject matter and content are fascinating. As an aside, I was recently speaking with the editor-in-chief of a magazine, and we discussed the crucial difference between print and web: the amount of text. Digital media can contain any amount of text, but eye fatigue and device convenience limit the amount of text that can be read, necessitating a limited amount. In today's smartphone age, the optimal text length is around 500 characters. While print media may seem limited by page width, simply increasing the number of pages allows for the full text to be included, with less strain on the reader. While 3,000 characters would require five or six pages on a smartphone, it fits in a two-page spread. Back to the original topic: DUNE's style remains unchanged even after its hiatus in 2008 and its revival in 2011 with the addition of "Libertin" (liberal, ruffian). And its ideology continues to live on even after the death of its founder. Regarding the launch of Libertin DUNE, Hayashi wrote, "We must seriously consider freedom of thought and freedom of expression." This approach inspires readers and solidifies its significance as a unique publication.

As an aside, a certain editor-in-chief I met the other day (different from the former; both of them are currently being interviewed for Part 3 of Mode Magazine Chronicle) said the following: "I tell my staff to just pursue what they love. That's all I say." Same as on the left. It's simple, ultimate, and the most difficult thing to do.

It's December, and I turn the pages remembering the late, great man who put this into practice, and head to the used bookstore with anticipation in my heart.