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Comiket

Comiket, short for Comic Market, is a semiannual doujinshi convention held in Tokyo, Japan.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Comiket, short for Comic Market, is a semiannual doujinshi convention held in Tokyo, Japan. It began in 1975 as a grassroots, volunteer-run marketplace for self-published works and has grown into the world’s largest fan convention.

History

Comiket began on 21 December 1975 as a small gathering for creators and fans of doujin works. It expanded steadily over time and became a major recurring event in Tokyo.

Format and focus

The convention centres on doujinshi and other self-published material, including manga, anime, games, novels, and related fan works. It is described as a grassroots marketplace rather than a commercial trade show.

Schedule and venue

Comiket is usually held twice a year, in summer and winter, and has been based at Tokyo Big Sight since the mid-1990s. The event typically spans several days and occupies the exhibition complex extensively.

Scale and significance

Comiket is widely described as the world’s largest fan convention and the largest doujinshi fair. Its large attendance and long history make it a central event in Japanese fan culture.

Key facts

  • Comiket is a nonprofit fan convention focused on the sale of doujin works, especially self-published manga and related media.
  • It is held twice a year, usually as a summer and winter event in August and December.
  • The convention is generally held at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Tokyo.
  • The first Comiket was held in 1975 with about 700 attendees.
  • By 2019, reported attendance had reached about 750,000, making it the largest fan convention in the world.
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Canadian context

Comiket is relevant to Canadian readers as a major global fan convention that attracts international manga, anime, and doujin culture enthusiasts, including attendees and creators from outside Japan.[10][11]

Frequently asked questions

What is Comiket?
Comiket is a twice-yearly doujinshi convention in Tokyo, officially called Comic Market.
When was Comiket first held?
The first Comiket was held on 21 December 1975.
Where is Comiket held?
It is typically held at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Tokyo, Japan.
How often does Comiket take place?
It is usually held twice a year, in August and December.
What is sold at Comiket?
The event focuses on doujinshi and other self-published works, especially manga, anime, game, and related fan creations.
How large is Comiket?
It has been described as the world’s largest fan convention, with reported attendance of about 750,000 in 2019.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comiket
    Supports: Event name, type, history, venue, frequency, organizer, and 2019 attendance estimate.
  2. Comic Market — https://www.comiket.co.jp/info-c/IdealsAndVision.html
    Supports: Official description of Comiket as a doujinshi marketplace founded in 1975 for creative expression and fan communication.
  3. Comic Market — https://www.comiket.co.jp/info-a/WhatIsEng201401.pdf
    Supports: Official English description of the event, its focus on self-published works, organizer, and venue details.
  4. Government of Japan — https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/august_2024/august_2024-06.html
    Supports: Comiket as the world’s largest comic exhibition and sale of doujinshi and its twice-yearly schedule.
  5. nippon.com — https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01805/
    Supports: General significance, growth since 1975, and appeal to manga and anime fans.