Doujinshi is a world that can be difficult to understand for anyone who is not Japanese, and who has not had much to do with it. Getting into doujinshi has a much steeper “learning curve”, if you will, than in manga. Their world is complex, with special conditions and rules – and not exactly English-friendly.
We are here to help you take your first steps into the world of doujinshi and discover a whole new part of anime culture. We will show you what doujinshi are, how they are made and teach you a little bit about their culture in Japan. Finally, we’ll tell you what to expect when buying and reading doujinshi, and where to buy your own doujinshi to get started on the hobby.
What are Doujinshi?
Let’s start slow; if you’ve never heard of the term “doujinshi,” it’s the Japanese word for fan-published printed works like manga and novels. They’re like fanfiction in that they’re produced by fans about works that already exist, tweaking the stories, characters, settings, and more to their liking. What makes doujinshi special is that they are actually printed and sold in stores and markets and can make a profit, while fanfiction usually stays online and free.
That’s right, fans can make real money from doujinshi. The legal system in Japan regarding these self-printed works is a bit complicated. Under Japanese law, doujinshi are considered 親告罪, or “shinkokuzai,” meaning they remain legal unless the copyright holder disputes. Since doujinshi can’t even compete with the revenue of licensed anime goods, copyright holders tend to turn a blind eye. Some people in the manga industry even praise doujinshi as good for the industry because it allows amateur artists to practice and major publishing houses recruit the best of them to their team.
In order not to raise red flags and attract the attention of someone they don’t want, most doujinshi are only published in small quantities. This reduces the risk of them making too much money and thus stepping out of the shinkokuzai realm. Because of this, doujinshi are often extremely limited, with only a few hundred to a thousand made of even the most popular. Getting your hands on this popular doujinshi is a challenge in itself, and getting hold of a copy gives fans a sense of achievement.
Many doujinshi artists are part of ‘circles’, which are groups of artists who work together to publish and sell their works. Some great artists also have their own personal circle, where they are the only artist. Circles usually sell their work together at events in Japan, and some of the most famous circles have lines of hundreds of people queuing up to buy their very limited goods. Being part of a well-known circle in the community is the best way for emerging artists to become successful in the doujinshi world.
What can you expect in Doujinshi?
We mentioned that doujinshi is a lot like fanfiction, but what exactly can you expect from reading a doujinshi? Well, the most popular take a closer look at the stories of famous anime and games, explore relationships between characters, alternate choices and settings, and more. There is a reputation that doujinshi is quite pornographic, and this is not entirely untrue. Of course there are many doujinshi that are acceptable for all audiences to read – but a large number are also erotic. These are easily identified by the “17+” on the cover and are always sold sealed.
Like western fanfiction, the most popular topic for doujinshi is the exploration of “ships” (short for relationships), especially those that don’t appear in the canon source material. Many doujinshi focus on LGBTQ+ relationships, the vast majority of which are yaoi or boy love stories. The largest target audience for this doujinshi is young women. There are doujinshi that are not just about romance, but they are in the minority compared to those that are.
Where can you buy Doujinshi?
Buying doujinshi in Japan is easy. If you’re looking for the latest works from the hottest circles, Comiket is a huge market that takes place twice a year in Tokyo and attracts tens of thousands of fans. While cosplay is also a draw for some people, the main event at Comiket, literally short for “comic market,” is doujinshi. The biggest artists and circles all sell their latest works on Comiket, and it’s often their biggest profit of the year.
Smaller markets also take place year-round in Japan, allowing doujinshi artists to sell their work. Many doujinshi are also resold after fans have finished using them to thrift stores, where they can be bought by someone else. These stores are the best places to find older anime and games, and great deals on popular fandoms. The best-known chains for buying doujinshi in Japan are Mandarake and MelonBooks, both of which have different locations and have many varieties of doujinshi for sale. Be warned, regardless of your appearance you will likely be carded if you try to buy erotic work.
What language is Doujinshi in?
The biggest hurdle to buying doujinshi for western fans will be the language. Since doujinshi is not official, it is almost never translated like manga. And since it’s all sold in Japan, it will be in Japanese. However, depending on what you want to get out of your doujinshi experience, that doesn’t mean it’s the end.
If you’re just looking for great artwork from your favorite characters or ships, the story itself is less important – and can often be guessed from the pictures anyway. Today, translation devices on phones have also come a long way. Chances are, if you find a doujinshi you’re really interested in, you can read the story with a little extra help from your phone.
If fanfiction isn’t enough for you, doujinshi is a brand new way to appreciate your favorite fandoms. It has all new stories and art waiting for you to enjoy. And not only is buying it completely legal, it also supports amateur artists who are fans of the same anime and games as you. You never know, they might one day become a real manga artist, and you contributed to their humble beginnings. Don’t let the Japanese hold you back – get out there and start exploring the world of doujinshi. You never know what you may find.
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