Our recent study on a challenge of new materials for next generation's magnetic recording approaching an ultra high areal recording density beyond 1 Tbit/in.(2) is overviewed. We proposed novel methods for fabricating high performance magnetic recording heads and media by making the best use of wet (electro- and electroless-deposition) and dry (sputtering) processes. We believe that these results contribute significantly to the progress in magnetic recording and constitute a breakthrough for materializing an unexplored areal recording density beyond I Tbit/in.2. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.