同人誌doujinshi
Quick definition:Doujinshi are self-published magazines, comics and books created by fans or amateur artists, often sold at events and shops, and they range from original stories to fan works based on existing series.
Meaning
Doujinshi means self-published work, and the word is used for books made outside the commercial publishing system. Many are fan comics that tell new stories about favourite characters, while others are original manga, art collections, novels or guides. The makers are called doujin creators, and a group working together is a doujin circle, usually a small team of friends or hobbyists.
Doujinshi are sold at events and in specialist shops, and the largest gathering is Comiket, a huge convention held twice a year in Tokyo. Print runs vary from a few copies to many thousands. Doujin culture also includes games, music and other works made independently.
Because many doujinshi use characters owned by publishers, they sit in a legal grey area, and companies often tolerate small-scale fan circles. Many professional artists began as doujin creators, using these events to build an audience before joining a publisher.
Origin:Doujinshi combines doujin, meaning people who share the same purpose, with shi, meaning magazine or publication. The word was first used in Japan for literary magazines produced by groups of writers with similar interests, and later came to mean fan-made and independently published comics and books.
Example:At a convention table, a small circle of three friends sells a printed booklet of short comics about a popular sports anime, with a hand-drawn cover and a stapled spine. Visitors browse the tables, buy several books and chat with the artists about their favourite characters.
Did you know?Comiket, the largest doujin event, attracts crowds of hundreds of thousands over its days, with many fans arriving before dawn to queue. Despite its size, it is organised mostly by volunteers and run as a non-profit event.
