If you're a pop culture fan, you're certainly familiar with major conventions such as the Japan Expo from Paris or even the Comic-Con from San Diego. But are you familiar with Comiket? MAlthough less well-known, it attracts a much larger audience.
Discovering doujinshi (同人誌)
THE Comic Market (コミックマーケット Komikku Māketto), or simply Comiket, is a biannual convention held in Tokyo that celebrates doujinshi (同人誌).
Doujinshi (同人誌These are independent productions. They are self-published by an individual or by teams called circles. They are similar to fanzines or fan art and encompass both original works and manga and illustrations inspired by existing productions.
More information about doujinshi (同人誌) ? It's by here!
History of Comiket
The first Comiket was held on December 21st… 1975! Its creators, students at Meiji University, aimed to develop manga culture by providing a space for people to gather around their passion for manga. The innovation was that Comiket was open to everyone, unlike the conventions of the time which only showcased professionals.
Little by little, the doujinshi (同人誌) became a true phenomenon deeply rooted in society. And proof of this: from a few hundred visitors at its first edition, Comiket reached 560,000 visitors in 2012, establishing itself as the largest fan convention in the world. By comparison, Japan Expo Paris in 2019 attracted "only" 250,000 visitors.
Why visit Comiket?
Obviously, if you like the doujinshi genre (同人誌Comiket is an absolutely unmissable event. That said, this convention also caters to independent art enthusiasts, as it brings together thousands of works by artists with very different styles. A great opportunity to leave with some beautiful, original pieces!
Cosplay is also a major focus at Comiket. Thousands, even tens of thousands of people dress up in costumes from the universe of their favorite characters. They don't hesitate to strike a pose, providing the opportunity to take home some truly unique photos!
Finally, this convention is interesting from a social and cultural point of view, since it is the biggest event otaku to the world. And the icing on the cake is that entry is completely free!
