Comiket
Comic Market: Comiket
Comic Market, commonly known as Comiket, is the world's largest fan convention dedicated to self-published works, known as doujinshi. It is a biannual event held in Tokyo, Japan, organized by the volunteer-led Comic Market Preparatory Committee. It takes place at Tokyo Big Sight, the city's largest convention center, during the summer in August and the winter in December.
History and Purpose
Comiket was first launched in 1975 as a platform for aspiring manga artists and writers to present and sell their work. Initially, it had 32 participating circles and around 700 attendees. Today, the event showcases around 35,000 circles per convention, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees from around the globe. The primary purpose of Comiket is to create a grassroots market that focuses on the sale and promotion of self-published works, or doujinshi, which often includes manga, novels, music, and games.
Structure and Participants
The convention is divided into two main events known as Summer Comic Market (Natsukomi) and Winter Comic Market (Fuyukomi). Each edition of Comiket is organized into different sections, with circles that produce similar types of content grouped together. This organization allows for efficient navigation and an enriched experience for attendees interested in specific franchises or genres.
A unique aspect of Comiket is its circle participation system, where a 'circle' refers to an individual or group that creates doujin works. These circles can range from amateur creators to well-known professionals, including companies such as Key and 07th Expansion, which have frequently been part of the event. Popular series like the Touhou Project often have significant representation due to their dedicated fanbase.
Cultural Impact and Influence
Comiket has become a cultural phenomenon, playing a significant role in the expansion and globalization of Japanese pop culture. The event is a fertile ground for discovering emerging artists and trends within the doujin community. Many successful creators have used Comiket as a launching pad for their careers, including individuals like ZUN, the mind behind the Touhou Project.
The convention has also inspired similar events around the world, spreading the ethos of fan-driven creativity and self-publishing to international audiences. The influence of Comiket can be seen in the growth of independent productions and fan conventions globally.