1.
shelved; buried; never released; put away permanently
Describes a project, work, plan, or product that was completed or nearly completed but never made public or was permanently set aside.
あの映画はお蔵入りになった。
That movie was shelved.
企画がお蔵入りにならないといいけど。
I hope the project doesn't get shelved.
撮影は終わっていたが、問題が発覚してお蔵入りになった。
Filming was finished, but problems came to light and it was shelved.
Literally "put into the storehouse." The 蔵 was a traditional storehouse where things were kept out of sight. The お prefix adds a slightly formal or set-phrase quality. Commonly used in the entertainment industry for unreleased works.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お蔵入りになる: to be shelved
- お蔵入りにする: to shelve (something)
- 長年お蔵入りだった: had been shelved for years
- お蔵入り作品: a shelved work
USAGE:
Frequently used for movies, TV episodes, albums, or projects that were completed but never released, typically due to scandals, legal issues, quality concerns, or changes in circumstances. Also used more broadly for any plan or idea that gets permanently set aside.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ボツになる: to be rejected, scrapped — implies the idea was actively rejected before completion
- お蔵入り implies something completed but withheld from release