Comiket Celebrates 50th Anniversary: A Half-Century of Manga, Anime, and Doujin Culture

World’s Largest Fan Convention Marks Historic Milestone

Tokyo’s Koto Ward came alive this week as hundreds of thousands of manga and anime enthusiasts gathered for the Comic Market, affectionately known as Comiket. This year’s winter edition holds special significance as the event celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades since a small gathering of roughly 700 people first convened in Tokyo’s Toranomon district in 1975. Today, Comiket stands as the world’s largest fan convention, recognized by Guinness World Records, with attendance figures reaching approximately 750,000 during its three-day summer event in 2019.

Visitors began lining up outside Tokyo Big Sight well before the 10:30 a.m. opening time, forming long queues that stretched through the venue’s grounds. The energy was palpable as attendees prepared to explore more than 12,000 circles showcasing and selling self-published works. These offerings include both original creations and derivative works based on popular anime characters, representing the creative heart of Japan’s doujinshi culture.

A special commemorative section has been established where visitors can write messages marking this golden anniversary. Many notes expressed heartfelt wishes for Comiket to continue thriving for many years to come, reflecting the deep emotional connection participants have with this twice-yearly tradition.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Phenomenon

The story of Comiket begins with a group of university students who sought to create a space dedicated to self-published works. In December 1975, Yoshihiro Yonezawa, Teruo Harada, and Jun Aniwa founded Meikyu (Labyrinth), a doujin circle that organized the first Comic Market. That initial event featured approximately 32 circles and 700 attendees, operating during a period of significant upheaval in the manga world.

The founding of Comiket was catalyzed by a 1975 incident in which a doujin creator was refused admission to the Nihon Manga Taikai after criticizing the convention’s focus on professional guests rather than doujin creators. This experience highlighted the need for a fan-run event that prioritized amateur creativity and freedom of expression above commercial interests.

A Volunteer-Driven Legacy

What makes Comiket remarkable is its organizational structure. It remains a not-for-profit fan convention administered entirely by the volunteer-run Comic Market Preparatory Committee. Approximately 3,380 volunteers work tirelessly to ensure each event runs smoothly, managing everything from crowd control to booth assignments. This volunteer spirit has kept Comiket true to its grassroots origins even as it has grown exponentially.

Ichikawa Koichi, co-head of the Comic Market Preparatory Committee, reflected on the event’s longevity in an interview with NHK. He explained that Comiket has endured because it constantly creates new trends, new comics, and new encounters every time it is held.

“We are very touched that this has continued for 50 years. We are thinking of various projects and merchandise,” Ichikawa said, expressing hope that the event will continue past its 100th anniversary.

The Heart of Doujinshi Culture

At its core, Comiket is focused primarily on the sale of doujin: non-commercial, self-published works that form the backbone of Japan’s creative fan community. Approximately 35,000 circles participate in each edition of Comiket, though different circles exhibit on different days. Organizers group circles producing works on common subjects, such as particular media franchises or manga genres, on the same day to help visitors navigate the vast offerings.

The most common items sold at Comiket are doujinshi, which encompass self-published comics, novels, or magazines. However, the marketplace has expanded significantly over the years. A smaller number of circles now sell doujin soft (independent video games), analog games including board and card games, music, clothing, and various other goods. Many of these works are derivative fan creations based on existing anime, video games, and media properties, a practice that remains legal under Japanese law through the concept of shinkokuzai.

Financial reality for most circle participants is surprisingly modest. According to Comiket’s own surveys, approximately 70% of participating circles actually lose money on their involvement, while only 15% manage to turn a profit. Despite this financial imbalance, creators continue to participate. A 2011 poll revealed that nearly half participated simply because attending the event and showcasing their work brings them enjoyment, while a significant percentage aimed to spread their work to the public.

Gender Demographics and Participation

The demographics of Comiket participants offer interesting insights into Japan’s fan culture. The majority of circle participants are female, with women composing 57% of participating circles at Comiket 84. However, general attendees tend to skew male, with men comprising 64% of attendees at Comiket 78. This gender split reflects different engagement patterns within otaku culture, with women often more active as creators while men may be more active as consumers.

Most circles are small operations. In 2010, 59% of participating circles were one-person operations, with two-person circles accounting for 20% and three-person circles making up 8%. These individual creators and small teams form the creative engine of Comiket, producing an incredible diversity of work that ranges from polished professional-quality publications to experimental pieces that push artistic boundaries.

Cosplay: The Living Art of Comiket

Beyond the marketplace of printed works and merchandise, Comiket serves as a major gathering point for cosplay enthusiasts. The event features dedicated cosplay areas in the East, West, and South Halls of Tokyo Big Sight, providing spaces where cosplayers can pose for photographs and interact with fans. These zones create spectacular displays where beloved characters come to life, with cosplayers recreating figures from classic series like Sailor Moon and Fullmetal Alchemist alongside popular new shows like Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man.

Cosplay at Comiket is a demanding art form that requires immense talent, time, and dedication. Creators focus on every detail, from makeup and props to mastering the posture and gestures of their chosen characters. Since Comiket 80 in 2011, restrictions on cosplaying have gradually evolved, shifting from regulating specific objects to regulating behavior. Current guidelines prohibit wearing clothes that are too revealing, forbid imitating uniformed officers, and require attendees to be out of cosplay when arriving at or departing from the venue.

The cosplay areas operate under specific etiquette rules designed to ensure respectful interactions between cosplayers and photographers. To capture exclusive photos of popular cosplayers, photographers typically form organized lines and wait their turn. Importantly, taking a photograph is not the same as sharing it, and photographers are encouraged to ask permission before uploading images of cosplayers to social media platforms.

For those interested in participating as cosplayers, special tickets are available. The Early Changing-Room Ticket, priced at 3,000 yen plus a 330 yen system fee, allows cosplayers to change into costume before the event opens. This ticket includes the 500 yen cosplay registration fee and provides access to changing facilities in the TFT building before moving to the outdoor Garden Cosplay Area.

Navigating the Massive Scale

The scale of Comiket presents unique logistical challenges. The event draws such massive crowds that mobile phone companies install temporary antennas to handle the increased network demand, while the Tokyo Metro makes special arrangements to accommodate the surge in passengers. Hour-long queues to enter Comiket during peak hours are common, with some dedicated attendees arriving up to five hours before opening to ensure early admission.

Popular circles frequently receive placement near the venue’s loading docks specifically so their queues can extend outside without obstructing interior walkways. For first-time attendees, Comiket organizers recommend arriving in the afternoon to avoid the longest morning queues. This strategy can significantly reduce waiting times while still providing ample opportunity to explore the offerings.

To help attendees navigate the overwhelming variety of content, Comiket publishes a comprehensive catalog before each event. The catalog contains information about all participating circles, maps of the convention layout, directions to and from the venue, convention rules, results from participant surveys, and articles relevant to doujinshi creators. Most importantly, it includes one to two “circle cuts” (small preview images) for every participating circle.

The catalog is available in print and DVD-ROM format, and since Comiket 83, has been available online behind a partial paywall. The print version is roughly the size of a phone book, while the DVD-ROM version offers advanced search functions and a clickable map. While no full English edition exists, the catalog does contain a four-page basic guide for attending Comiket in English, Chinese, and Korean to assist international visitors.

Ticketing Changes and Venue Constraints

In recent years, Comiket has implemented significant changes to its admission system. Starting with Comiket 96, admission has required the purchase of a wristband, marking the first time in Comiket’s history that the event was not free to attend. This change was implemented to offset the costs of running the event across four days and to help manage attendance when venue space was reduced due to construction.

For Comiket 107, the 50th anniversary winter event, various ticket options are available through a lottery system. General admission tickets cost between 440 and 5,000 yen, while Early Entry Tickets, priced at 5,000 yen plus fees, allow entry before the general crowd. All tickets are lottery-only and cannot be canceled, refunded, or reissued if lost or damaged. Each day requires its own ticket, and names are printed on tickets to prevent unauthorized resale.

Challenges and Resilience Over Five Decades

Comiket’s 50-year history has not been without significant challenges. The event has changed venues numerous times throughout the late 1980s and 1990s as Japan’s bubble economy led to an upsurge in trade shows that made securing consistent venue space difficult. The murders committed by Tsutomu Miyazaki and the subsequent moral panic against otaku culture in the late 1980s further complicated the event’s ability to secure locations.

Perhaps the most significant challenge came in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. Comiket 98, planned for August 2020, became the first cancellation in the event’s history. Comiket 99, originally scheduled for December 2020, was postponed and eventually held in December 2021 as a reduced two-day event with entry limited to 55,000 people per day. These pandemic-related disruptions forced organizers to implement new health and safety protocols that have since become standard practice.

Security concerns have also shaped Comiket’s evolution. In 1998, an arsonist placed incendiary devices in the venue the day before Comiket 54. Fortunately, the devices were noticed and neutralized with no major damage, allowing the event to proceed with heightened security. The arsonist was apprehended at the following event. More recently, in 2012, anonymous threats against circles creating works related to Kuroko’s Basketball led Comiket to prohibit the sale of all related items at Comiket 85, resulting in significant financial loss for the organizers.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

Despite these challenges, Comiket has maintained a commitment to social responsibility. Since 1993, the Comic Market Preparatory Committee has donated over 60 million yen to sustainable forest management to offset paper used in the production of doujinshi. This environmental initiative reflects the organizers’ awareness of the ecological impact of producing millions of printed publications.

Since 2007, Comiket has partnered with the Japanese Red Cross Society to organize bloodmobiles at events. Donors receive Comiket-exclusive posters featuring characters from anime and video games, providing an incentive that has helped the Red Cross receive an estimated 1,500 blood donations at each Comiket. This initiative demonstrates how the event leverages otaku culture to contribute to broader social needs.

Special 50th Anniversary Celebrations

The 50th anniversary Comiket features numerous special projects and collaborations designed to mark this historic milestone. Organizers have rolled out various initiatives throughout the “50th Anniversary Year,” which extends into next summer, ensuring that celebrations are accessible to all attendees regardless of which edition they attend.

One notable collaboration involves Snow Miku Sky Town, the official Hatsune Miku shop from Hokkaido, which is setting up a pop-up booth at Comiket 107 for the first time. Under the theme “CELEBRATION!”, the booth features newly commissioned artwork of Hatsune Miku and Snow Miku by popular illustrators, along with limited-edition merchandise. This collaboration brings together regional character promotion with Comiket’s doujin culture, creating a unique cross-promotional opportunity.

Visual Arts, the company behind popular visual novel brands like Key, is also participating with a special “VA Winter Fes 2025” at Comiket 107. This festival includes merchandise for series like Summer Pockets, CLANNAD, and AIR, along with stage events featuring voice actors and creators. The company’s presence demonstrates how commercial entities continue to find value in participating alongside independent creators.

Historical retrospective panels displaying catalog covers from all 106 previous Comikets have been set up throughout Tokyo Big Sight, allowing attendees to visually trace the event’s evolution. These displays serve as both educational tools for newer fans and nostalgia-inducing reminders for long-time participants who have watched the convention grow over the decades.

Generational Connections

The anniversary has sparked meaningful reflections on how Comiket has connected generations of fans. One attendee in his 20s shared a poignant personal story with NHK reporters, explaining that his father participated in Comiket more than 20 years ago through cosplay. He expressed how meaningful it felt to participate in the convention’s 50th anniversary, continuing a family tradition of engagement with fan culture. This multigenerational appeal speaks to Comiket’s success in creating lasting cultural touchstones that resonate across different age groups.

The sentiment of continuity was echoed in many of the messages written by visitors in the commemorative section. Notes expressed hopes that Comiket will continue for many years to come, suggesting that attendees see themselves as part of an ongoing tradition rather than merely consumers of a commercial product.

International Appeal and Global Reach

Comiket has evolved from a domestic Japanese event into a destination for international fans and creators. The event now sees participation from creators abroad, while international visitors travel to Tokyo specifically to experience Comiket’s unique atmosphere. This global reach has prompted organizers to enhance support for non-Japanese attendees.

The International Otaku Expo Association (IOEA) maintains a presence at Comiket, supporting global networking among organizers of anime-related events. At their booth, international attendees can find information about major anime conventions and events happening in various countries and regions worldwide. For organizers planning anime-related events outside Japan, the IOEA offers promotional assistance, helping to build a global community of fan convention organizers.

Comiket provides multilingual support at International Desks located in both the East and West exhibition halls. These desks offer information in English, Chinese, and Korean, helping international visitors navigate the complex venue, find specific genres or booth locations, and answer general questions about the event.

Advice for International Visitors

For international attendees planning to visit Comiket, preparation is essential. Ichikawa Koichi, co-representative of the Comic Market Committee, emphasized the importance of advance preparation. He strongly recommends that international guests carefully read information on the official website and review the event catalog beforehand to maximize their experience.

Practical considerations include checking ticket requirements, as tickets must now be purchased in advance from designated anime shops and are not sold at the venue. International visitors should be aware of which day their favorite circles will be exhibiting, as many participants only attend one of the multi-day event’s dates. Given Comiket’s schedule during Tokyo’s summer, precautions against heatstroke are crucial, including staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and bringing protective gear like hats or parasols.

The sheer variety of genres and thousands of exhibitors can be overwhelming for first-time international visitors. Organizers suggest setting clear goals for what to see and prioritizing visits to favorite genres or circles first. This strategy ensures attendees achieve their primary objectives before popular items sell out or crowds become difficult to navigate.

The Corporate Presence Within a Fan-Run Event

While Comiket’s primary purpose remains supporting independent creators, approximately 100 publishing companies and major anime and game franchises maintain corporate booths at each event. Located typically on the fourth floor of the West and South Halls, these commercial areas allow fans seeking official merchandise to find products from their favorite series. Corporate booths also host shows and small-scale events, adding another layer of entertainment to the convention.

This corporate presence exists in delicate balance with Comiket’s grassroots identity. Events like Anime Japan are dedicated specifically to major commercial anime works, making Comiket’s primary focus distinctly different. The limited scope of the corporate area reflects organizers’ commitment to prioritizing original creators while still acknowledging the commercial ecosystem that surrounds fan culture.

Notably, the relationship between professional creators and the doujin community has evolved over time. Manga creator Ken Akamatsu, known for works like Love Hina and Negima! Magister Negi Magi, has historically participated in Comiket. However, since entering politics and becoming Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2024, Akamatsu has declined to appear at Comiket due to regulations related to his government position. His absence highlights how the lines between professional creation, fan activity, and broader social roles continue to intersect and sometimes conflict.

Looking Toward the Next Half-Century

As Comiket celebrates its 50th anniversary, organizers and participants alike are looking toward the future. The event has demonstrated remarkable resilience through economic downturns, venue changes, moral panics, and global pandemics. This adaptability suggests that Comiket will continue evolving to meet the changing needs of fan communities while maintaining its core principles of freedom of expression and support for independent creators.

Discussions about potentially returning to a four-day format, as was the case prior to the pandemic, indicate that organizers see room for continued growth. However, ongoing renovations at Tokyo Big Sight present logistical challenges that must be addressed. The balance between managing crowd sizes and maintaining accessibility will likely remain a key consideration for future planning.

Ichikawa Koichi’s vision of Comiket continuing past its 100th anniversary reflects confidence in the enduring appeal of doujin culture. As digital distribution methods evolve and new forms of creative expression emerge, Comiket will need to adapt while preserving the physical gathering experience that has made it special for five decades.

The fundamental spirit of Comiket remains unchanged from its founding. As Ichikawa explained in an interview, while the event has grown from 40 participating circles and 700 attendees to 23,000 circles and more than 200,000 visitors, the core principle of freedom of expression has never changed. This unwavering commitment to creative liberty, coupled with the respect attendees show for this freedom, constitutes the true spirit of Comiket.

The Bottom Line

• Comiket is celebrating its 50th anniversary in December 2025, marking five decades since the first event gathered 700 participants in Toranomon.
• The event has grown to become the world’s largest fan convention, with approximately 750,000 attendees at its peak in 2019.
• Over 12,000 circles showcase self-published works including doujinshi, games, music, and merchandise during each event.
• Comiket operates as a not-for-profit organization run by approximately 3,380 volunteers.
• Attendance is now managed through a ticketing system requiring advance purchase, with various options including early entry and cosplay access.
• Special 50th anniversary collaborations include a Snow Miku Sky Town pop-up booth and historical retrospective displays.
• The event continues to serve as a major gathering for cosplayers, with dedicated photography areas and changing facilities.
• International visitors can access multilingual support and should prepare by checking official websites and event catalogs.
• Despite challenges including venue changes, moral panics, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Comiket has maintained its commitment to freedom of expression for creators.