So, I hit Comiket this past Friday. For those not in the know, it's the biggest comics related convention in the world. I think something like 350,000+ people converge on this one convention centre on the outskirts of Tokyo to buy, sell and totally soak themselves in all that is comics. Amateur comics that is. And most of it being porn related. If it's freakin' you out just think of it as it's own genre. There IS a corporate section in it's own hall but they are also in the business of selling amateur work and to promote some pro creations of their own. To help you understand the scope of this thing here's a floor plan:
There's also that corporate room and another room for cosplayers.
Anyway, I didn't really have a goal in mind for this thing. I figured it would be good to see it and immerse myself in the event. After a quick scan of what was around, I made a more thorough review of the work. First off, the print quality of the books there were outstanding. I'm used to zines made Kinko's-style at cons backhome but rarely did I see that quick and easy level of publishing. 80-90% of books were square bound and on good stock. Some even went as far as having glossy or holographic covers, protected in a plastic bag or in cellophane. Some nice, nice design work for the covers, too.
Secondly, there were people. Lots of people. Getting in wasn't a big deal since I arrived late but once inside, I was shoulder-to-shoulder pretty much the entire time. Luckily, it's winter and I didn't have to deal with gusts of eau-de-sweaty-stinky-dude. The main central area of the hall was where various manga groups and individuals had tables but against the walls were where the more well-known creators seemed to be. Some dudes had line-ups trailing out the cargo doors and flooding onto the parking lots outside. 500 people easy for one line-up with helpers armed with megaphones directing traffic. I've seen big line-ups to see artists before but this was on a whole other level. And the crazy thing was it's for an amateur artist.
So, there were lots of people but one thing to note is about half of them were chicks. Yes, girls read comics. There's a big boys love (guy-on-guy. not explicit mind you) genre goin' on right now so I'd suspect a good chunk of them were into that stuff. Ahh, romance.
Outside was the cosplayer area which I briskly checked out. Well, I actually couldn't find where to enter. I woulda had some better pictures to show if I did.
Anyway, back to the books themselves. It may have been the day I went (it's a 3 day show with themed days and interchanging creators) or something but the general quality of the work was, well, underwhelming? Yeah. I didn't go in expecting anything but I was hoping to find a few books that I would be compelled to buy. Unfortunately, after walking around and browsing the hundreds of aisles, I ended up only buying 1 book. Maybe I'm just a jilted old bastard (which is most likely the reason) but most of what I saw was similar to fan artists backhome. Just on a grander scale with better quality print. I mean, endless rows of Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Prince of Tennis and Rurouni Kenshin inspired books not drawn as good, paved the tables. I guess that's what sells 'em. Sorta like using a marketable superhero to sell a title or using sex to titilate. Wait. Fuck. This is just like back home... Whatever. As a comics convention it's one of the best. Perhaps THE best. No video games or movies or ladies in skimpy outfits (aside from the cosplayers) or toys were involved and I have great respect for that. No stoopidly over-the-top displays or vertical banners or loud obnoxious music or pandering giveaways and I give huge props to that. It's a place for amateurs to come, show and sell. It's a place to nurture talent, to make connections and to remind ourselves that comics can work. They DO work. And there are lots and lots of people that read and love them. Admission was free and it proves that when you give, you get lots back.
So, yeah. Good or bad, it was still fun. Thanks to Paul for the invite and chatting while we wandered.
TAK
There's also that corporate room and another room for cosplayers.
Anyway, I didn't really have a goal in mind for this thing. I figured it would be good to see it and immerse myself in the event. After a quick scan of what was around, I made a more thorough review of the work. First off, the print quality of the books there were outstanding. I'm used to zines made Kinko's-style at cons backhome but rarely did I see that quick and easy level of publishing. 80-90% of books were square bound and on good stock. Some even went as far as having glossy or holographic covers, protected in a plastic bag or in cellophane. Some nice, nice design work for the covers, too.
Secondly, there were people. Lots of people. Getting in wasn't a big deal since I arrived late but once inside, I was shoulder-to-shoulder pretty much the entire time. Luckily, it's winter and I didn't have to deal with gusts of eau-de-sweaty-stinky-dude. The main central area of the hall was where various manga groups and individuals had tables but against the walls were where the more well-known creators seemed to be. Some dudes had line-ups trailing out the cargo doors and flooding onto the parking lots outside. 500 people easy for one line-up with helpers armed with megaphones directing traffic. I've seen big line-ups to see artists before but this was on a whole other level. And the crazy thing was it's for an amateur artist.So, there were lots of people but one thing to note is about half of them were chicks. Yes, girls read comics. There's a big boys love (guy-on-guy. not explicit mind you) genre goin' on right now so I'd suspect a good chunk of them were into that stuff. Ahh, romance.
Outside was the cosplayer area which I briskly checked out. Well, I actually couldn't find where to enter. I woulda had some better pictures to show if I did.Anyway, back to the books themselves. It may have been the day I went (it's a 3 day show with themed days and interchanging creators) or something but the general quality of the work was, well, underwhelming? Yeah. I didn't go in expecting anything but I was hoping to find a few books that I would be compelled to buy. Unfortunately, after walking around and browsing the hundreds of aisles, I ended up only buying 1 book. Maybe I'm just a jilted old bastard (which is most likely the reason) but most of what I saw was similar to fan artists backhome. Just on a grander scale with better quality print. I mean, endless rows of Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Prince of Tennis and Rurouni Kenshin inspired books not drawn as good, paved the tables. I guess that's what sells 'em. Sorta like using a marketable superhero to sell a title or using sex to titilate. Wait. Fuck. This is just like back home... Whatever. As a comics convention it's one of the best. Perhaps THE best. No video games or movies or ladies in skimpy outfits (aside from the cosplayers) or toys were involved and I have great respect for that. No stoopidly over-the-top displays or vertical banners or loud obnoxious music or pandering giveaways and I give huge props to that. It's a place for amateurs to come, show and sell. It's a place to nurture talent, to make connections and to remind ourselves that comics can work. They DO work. And there are lots and lots of people that read and love them. Admission was free and it proves that when you give, you get lots back.
So, yeah. Good or bad, it was still fun. Thanks to Paul for the invite and chatting while we wandered.
TAK
posted by TAK at 1:16 AM
