The trends in perpendicular magnetic recording research are discussed, placing emphasis on clarifying the trend of research on recording media, their materials and head materials as well. Among numerous proposed perpendicular recording media materials, barium ferrite powder and evaporated Co-Cr films seem to lead in practical applications, since their mass-production seems to be very successful. There still exist crucial points for the development. However, improvements are continuously undertaken in many respects. Other candidate perpendicular recording media for a device, which has a ring head are also discussed. It is concluded that, for future high density magnetic recording, ways to utilize fully the perpendicular component of media magnetization will furnish the key to success. © 1990 IEEE