What is a Doujinshi?
The term “doujin” comes from Japanese ACG (Anime, Comics, Games) culture and is generally defined as a publication created by people who share common interests or goals. As the doujinshi culture has expanded, the term has taken on a broader meaning, referring to independent, non-commercial creations.
Doujinshi can be divided into “original doujinshi” and “derivative doujinshi.” There are also distinctions such as “personal zines,” “collaborative zines,” and “general doujinshi.” An “original doujinshi” is entirely created by the author, while a “derivative doujinshi” is based on an existing work, where the author can make modifications or add new elements, including rewriting the ending (many people, after crying over sad endings, have survived thanks to the “happy endings” created by fans). “Personal zines” or “two-person zines” refer to works created by one or two people. “General doujinshi” are those organized by hosts, where several contributors work around a common theme.
What is the difference with traditional comics?
The opposite of “doujin” could be “commercial” or “original,” but in reality, both doujinshi and commercial comics include “original” and “derivative” categories. The main difference lies in the creation process and the methods of distribution, among other things.
Based on what we know about “doujin,” we can understand that doujinshi are “self-published works,” without publishers or editorial houses. Everything, from creation to printing, and sometimes even to sales, is handled directly by the author. There are few restrictions, which makes it an extremely free model. In other words, it primarily relies on the passion for creation.
Commercial comics, on the other hand, are the exact opposite.An author who wants to publish their original comic in a major magazine must submit their manuscript to an editor, who will review it to determine if the work aligns with the magazine’s editorial direction and whether it has the potential to appeal to the audience. Once these criteria are approved, the publication can begin. During the creative process, the editor often provides feedback on the content, which means the author cannot always follow their own ideas without restrictions.
Youth Audience / Adult Audience
We know that for many fans, the main motivation is to “support couples” (a small clarification: a “couple” (cp) is not limited to love, but also includes friendships or other emotional relationships, as well as more personal or family-centered creations). Under Japan’s strict age classification system, doujinshi authors, along with other creators, often add a visible R-18 label on the cover of their works to signify their commitment to their beliefs.
Doujinshi Recommendations
How to Buy Doujinshi?
Doujinshi are often sold at doujinshi events, such as the largest of them all in Japan, the “Comic Market,” where every year, a large number of ACG culture enthusiasts gather to participate.
However, for those who can’t attend these events, there’s no need to worry. In addition to sales at conventions, many authors also entrust the distribution of their doujinshi to specialized bookstores. Doujinshi available in bookstores can be purchased not only in physical stores but also directly on the bookstore’s website.
Within this vast doujinshi culture, specialized bookstores continue to grow. Here’s an introduction to some of the most famous doujinshi bookstores in Japan!
Booth is an online marketplace for creators, owned by Pixiv. You can log in directly to Booth with your Pixiv account, or access the artist’s product page via their personal page. The model of Booth is very similar to Taobao in China, and it’s not limited to illustrations, manga, or novels. In fact, almost all digital products can be purchased on this platform.
➤ https://www.melonbooks.co.jp/
Known as “Melon Books,” this bookstore is a subsidiary of Animate and one of the most popular chains specializing in doujinshi in Japan, with over 40 locations. It offers a wide range of doujinshi products, including manga, doujin games, and merchandise. Melon Books places great importance on popular IPs and also offers a wide variety of works for all ages.
Known as “Toranoana,” this bookstore is divided into male-oriented and female-oriented shops. To date, over 100,000 doujinshi circles have published their works on Toranoana, making it the largest retailer of female-oriented products in the industry, with over 50,000 titles in stock. It also offers rarer doujinshi products. In addition to doujinshi, Toranoana sells manga volumes, DVDs, and official merchandise. However, due to the pandemic, only physical stores primarily selling female-oriented doujinshi, such as the Ikebukuro location, remain open, while others have closed. Fortunately, the online store remains operational and allows for normal purchases.
In addition to the three doujinshi bookstores mentioned above, there are also second-hand websites like “Suruga-ya” and “Mercari,” where you can find treasures: doujinshi that have been discontinued or are no longer available. This is known as “digging for coal”, and who knows, you might stumble upon a rare doujinshi or one at a great price!
Doujinshi creation is primarily driven by passion. Whether for the authors of doujinshi or their readers, it is this shared love that brings us together in this world. So, let’s enjoy it together!
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