Tokyo Big Site – The Home of Comiket

One can never be too old for comic books. This has been proven by the Japanese, as seen from thousands of attendees of comic book conventions and cosplay events in various parts of the country.  These people have 3 Cs to look forward to, particularly this summer: comic books, cosplay, Comiket. This year, comic book and anime fans gathered up once again at Comiket 82, the largest comic book fair held at the Tokyo Big Site convention center from August 10-12, 2012.

Comiket (コミケ Komike), otherwise known as the Comic Market (コミックマーケット Komikku Māketto), is the world’s largest self-published comic book fair, held twice a year in Tokyo, Japan.

What is Comiket?

Comiket was founded by Yoshihiro Yonezawa and his friends including Teruo Harada and Jun Aniwa, while they were studying at Meiji University. It has since then, attracted manga fans and publishers who wish to market their products and launch their new characters to the public. Comiket primarily focuses on acting as a communal exchange place for self-published books, known as dojinshi. This event is held twice a year in August and December.

Attending Comiket 

Unless there’s a change being planned, Comikets have always been free of charge. Others say that you have to pay a fee for the cosplay guidebook and sticker for the Cosplay Area. Without the cosplayer guidebook, you will not be allowed to enter the Cosplay Area while wearing a costume. Any costume theme is acceptable but there are restrictions on props, costumes and where photos can be taken.

Merchandise

Aside from cosplayers, Comiket features amateur and professional works. By “works” it does not just cover printed materials. There are also figurines, dolls, trinkets, CDs, games, cards, stationery and lots of collectibles. Comics can cost from 100 to 3,000 yen while CDs, figurines and other collectibles may cost more. These items cost more because not everything sold at the event will be sold again at shops or ever be placed online.  Again, the majority of works being sold at Comikets are done by casual artists and writers, who are just passionate fans expressing themselves through anime and manga.

Cosplay

Speaking of expression, Comiket is also a time to express yourself through fashion. Not only does Comiket features regular cosplayers but this is also the chance for some designers to display their own original anime or manga-inspired clothing.

The next Comiket will be held in December and fans are already psyched about it because aside from more merchandise from amateur animators and publishers, it’s going to be held in a cooler, less humid month. But be it summer or winter, Comiket always brings together thousands of people who share the same passion. Whoever said summer isn’t “cool?”

Photos by: tokyofashion, yukix and Matteasu via Flickr Creative Commons