COMITIA

COMITIA (コミティア, Komitia) is a doujinshi convention for original doujin (self-published) works held in various locations across Japan. COMITIA is typically held four times per year in Tokyo, and 2–3 times per year in Niigata (since 1991), Nagoya (since January 1993), and the Kansai region (since April 1993). Less regular events are also hosted in Sapporo (since 2014), Tōhoku (since 2015), and Kitakyushu (since 2017).^[4] As an event series focusing on non-derivative work, the sale of fan art, fanzines, fan fiction, and other parody material of existing copyrighted franchises is prohibited. It is the largest convention focused completely on original works in Japan.^[3]

Various high-profile manga artists, such as Keiichi Arawi, Kenshin Shinzato, and Barasui have previously exhibited at COMITIA.^[5][6][7][8]

History

Since 1984, COMITIA has been hosted regularly by the COMITIA Organizational Committee, a not-for-profit volunteer organization.^[9] Events in Tokyo are referred to as Tokyo COMITIA while other cities feature conventions known as Regional COMITIA (地方コミティア, Chihō Komitia), which are organized by other volunteer-run groups.^[4] The Niigata event shares an organizational team with the Niigata Comic Market. Events in Kansai alternate between being held in Osaka and Kyoto, while the Michinoku event alternates between Sendai and Fukushima.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of multiple COMITIA events. A crowdfunding campaign was held in late 2020 and resulted in over ¥100 million (US$960,000) being raised to cover administrative expenses, venue fees, and the purchase of personal protective equipment for use during future events.^[10][11]

Recent & upcoming conventions

Past conventions

References

1. ^ "COMITIA150開催情報" (in Japanese). www.comitia.co.jp. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
2. ^ "COMITIA150 レポート" (in Japanese). www.comitia.co.jp. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
3. ^ "コミティアの歴史" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. September 4, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
4. ^ "地方コミティア" (in Japanese). comitia.co.jp. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
5. ^ "『日常』のあらゐけいいち描き下ろし作品を収録『コミティア魂 漫画と同人誌の40年』3/2発売。同人誌と漫画業界の歴史がこの一冊に" (in Japanese). Famitsu. February 27, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
6. ^ Arawi, Keiichi (March 3, 2012). "とりあえずコミティア１００に申し込んでみました". No. 175944988415373314. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
7. ^ "「命ある限り描き続ける」77歳でコミティアに挑戦した漫画家・新里堅進 沖縄戦を伝える唯一無二の存在感" (in Japanese). TBS News. February 14, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
8. ^ "コミティア11/17出ます 東4 あ59a よろしくおねがいします". No. 1846593888381030886. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
9. ^ "For Visitors（コミティア英語案内）". comitia.co.jp. Archived February 29, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
10. ^ "Doujinshi Convention Comitia to Return on November 23 After Successful Crowdfunding Campaign". Anime News Network. September 7, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
11. ^ Tolentino, Josh (August 16, 2020). "Japanese Doujin Festival Comitia Begins Crowdfunding to Survive to 2021". Siliconera. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
12. ^ "関西コミティア – 創作漫画同人誌即売会" (in Japanese). k-comitia.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
13. ^ "名古屋コミティア" (in Japanese). n-comitia.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
14. ^ "開催スケジュール" (in Japanese). comitia.co.jp. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
15. ^ "新潟コミティア59" (in Japanese). ガタケット. June 20, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
16. ^ "北海道COMITIA" (in Japanese). エリシアンオフィス. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
17. ^ "みちのくCOMITIA13" (in Japanese). adv-kikaku.com. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
18. ^ "九州コミティア8". 九州コミティア. Retrieved February 2, 2025.

External links

• COMITIA main website (in Japanese)
• Niigata COMITIA website (in Japanese)
• Nagoya COMITIA website (in Japanese)
• Kansai COMITIA website (in Japanese)
• Hokkaido COMITIA website (in Japanese)
• Michinoku COMITIA website (in Japanese)
• Kyushu COMITIA website (in Japanese)