Okuma stepped up their saltwater spinning reels with the Azores a couple years ago, and then doubled down with the excellent Coronado bait feeder series of reels last year.  At ICAST 2018 they showed off the Japanese market version of the Azores, and based upon dealer feedback decided to bring these to the USA market. Like the other Azores, these reels feature the precision Dual Force Drag system, precision click drag adjustment, multi-disc Carbonite and felt drag washers, 6 1 corrosion resistant stainless steel bearings, quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing, dual anti-reverse system for maximum security, precision machine cut brass pinion gear, rigid diecast aluminum body, sideplate and rotor, machined anodized aluminum spool, hydro block water tight drag seal…

There are some specific differences between the Japanese and standard versions of the Azores reels. The Blue models offer getter gears, longer lasting, with greater pulling power given their larger size. Please click on the Okuma document at the right for more details. The new 2019 BLUE Azores are a significant upgrade product (which is an excellent reel anywhere near it’s price), but these Japanese market Okuma reels don’t have the expected “upgrade” price.  I’d say get ’em before the guys at Okuma realize they came to market too low…