As usual, you decide to take a trip, visit the Japanese country, and find yourself walking through Tokyo when suddenly you’re surprised by a huge crowd of people all heading to the same place. As you wonder what it’s about, you decide to question less and enjoy more… After all, over half a million people attending the same site can’t be wrong, right?
What is Comic Market (Comiket)?
Comic Market, also known as Comiket, is a biannual convention centered around manga, doujinshi (self-published works), and otaku culture, held in Tokyo, Japan. Since its inception in 1975, Comiket has become the largest comic convention in the world, with attendance exceeding 590,000 people. This event takes place at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan’s largest convention center, and is crucial for the launch of new works by independent artists and for the exchange of Japanese pop culture.
Comiket started as a small gathering of fans and has grown enormously in size and significance. It was founded by Yoshihiro Yonezawa and a group of friends from Meiji University, who saw the need for a space where creators could showcase their work without the constraints of commercial publishers. This convention not only allows artists to sell their creations directly to fans but also offers a unique platform for creative expression and innovation in manga and related arts.
The convention has also been noted for its significant impact on the manga industry and the local economy. It attracts a large number of tourists to Tokyo, benefiting local businesses, from hotels to restaurants and shops. Moreover, Comiket has influenced how media and other comic conventions operate, highlighting the value of direct interaction between creators and consumers.
Over the years, Comiket has been a barometer of trends in the manga and animation world, showcasing changing consumer preferences and new directions in manga content. Its continued popularity and growth reflect the vibrant manga culture and how events like Comiket can serve as cultural and economic catalysts in modern society.
Comic Market in History
It seems the organizers of the Comic Market event like surprises, which is perhaps why it’s very hard to find information about confirmed guests for this year, or panels and activities, so you’ll have to go and discover it in person! …However, you might get an idea of what you’ll find there if you take a look at its past appearances:
Over the years, Comic Market has been an important space not just for the sale of doujinshi, but also for the participation of various personalities from the world of manga, anime, and general pop culture. Here’s a list of some of the notable figures who have been present at past editions:
- Yoshiki Takaya – Creator of the manga and anime “Guyver,” participated in Comiket in the 1980s, shortly after the launch of his series.
- Ken Akamatsu – Famous for his manga “Love Hina,” was at Comiket during the 90s, where he sold doujinshi of his own works.
- CLAMP – This artist collective, known for “Cardcaptor Sakura” and “xxxHolic,” has been a frequent participant in Comiket since the late 80s.
- Keiko Takemiya – One of the pioneers of modern manga with works like “Kaze to Ki no Uta,” has participated in several Comikets, offering panels and discussions.
- Tite Kubo – The creator of “Bleach” has been a guest on several occasions, sharing insights about manga creation.
- Naoko Takeuchi – Known worldwide for “Sailor Moon,” has made appearances at Comiket, especially in the 90s during the peak of her series’ popularity.
- Hajime Isayama – Before “Attack on Titan” became a global phenomenon, Isayama sold his doujinshi at Comiket.
- One – The creator of “One Punch Man,” attended Comiket before his work was adapted into an anime series and gained international fame.
These personalities have used Comiket as a platform to interact directly with fans and to sell unique works not available elsewhere. The convention has been and continues to be a crucial place for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work and receive direct feedback from their audience.
Significant events and announcements have also occurred at past Comiket editions. Here’s a brief list of some of the most notable moments:
- Premiere of “Urotsukidoji” (1986) – This controversial anime debuted as an OVA at Comiket before its official release. The event marked a pivotal moment for adult anime in Japan.
- Presentation of Hardware and Software (Comiket 76, 2009) – Comiket has been an important platform for companies wishing to showcase their latest technological developments, especially software and hardware related to digital art and manga.
- Anime Series Announcements (Comiket 84, 2013) – Some anime series have taken advantage of Comiket to announce new seasons or projects, such as “Kantai Collection,” which revealed details about its anime adaptation during the event.
- Indie Video Game Releases (Comiket 85, 2013) – Comiket is not only focused on manga and anime but has also been a launching pad for indie video games. In this edition, several independent developers released their new titles.
- Attendance Records (Comiket 90, 2016) – The event reached a record number of visitors, with more than 530,000 attendees over three days, highlighting its importance and magnitude within the otaku culture.
- Special Exhibitions (Comiket 92, 2017) – Special exhibitions were held to celebrate anniversaries of significant manga and anime franchises, providing a space for fans to celebrate and rediscover classic series.
- High Participation in Cosplay (Comiket 94, 2018) – Comiket is famous for its cosplay events, and this edition was notable for the extraordinary participation and creativity of the costumes, reflecting trends from both classic and contemporary works.
- Copyright Discussion Panel (Comiket 98, 2019) – An important panel discussion on copyright issues in the context of doujinshi and independent creation was held, highlighting the legal and ethical challenges for creators.
And… Will There Be Cosplayers?
Well… YES, Comic Market (Comiket) includes cosplay contests as part of its activities. Cosplayers play a fundamental role in the event, where many attendees take the opportunity to show off their costumes, ranging from detailed recreations of popular characters to original creations. Although Comiket is better known for its doujinshi sales and its exhibition of otaku art and culture, cosplay is one of the most visually striking and photographed attractions of the event. Participants often gather in designated cosplay areas, where they can pose for photographs and engage in impromptu photo sessions.
One of the highlights in terms of cosplay contests at Comic Market (Comiket) occurred during the Comiket 90 edition in 2016. Although specifically Comiket does not organize a “cosplay contest” in the traditional sense (like those that might have judges and prizes), the convention is a monumental event for cosplayers, who come in large numbers to display their costumes.
During Comiket 90, it was estimated that a total of more than 530,000 people attended over the three days of the event, making it one of the largest cosplay events in terms of participation and attendance. The convention provides designated areas where cosplayers can showcase themselves and be photographed, attracting a huge number of photographers and pop culture fans.
This edition was particularly notable not only for the number of participants but also for the diversity and creativity of the costumes presented, reflecting a wide range of influences from anime, manga, video games, and more. Each year, Comiket serves as a barometer of popular trends within otaku culture, and the cosplay sessions are a vibrant and colorful reflection of this phenomenon.
So…
Literally, you have no reasons to miss Comic Market 2024, as long as you can be in Tokyo, Japan, on those dates, of course! Perhaps the largest convention of its kind in that part of the world, and the most long-standing, it is undoubtedly an event you cannot afford to miss for anything in the world! So, you know what to do, stop by the comments and let us know your thoughts on this wonderful proposal! Or your experiences from previous years if you have them, because, you know Otaku, we’ll be reading! 🙂
