Comiket Back Then – Where All Kinds of Otaku Gathered
When people hear “Comiket,” they usually think of Japan’s largest doujinshi event, held twice a year at Tokyo Big Sight.
Back when I was a teenager, it was a wild gathering of otaku from all walks of life—boys, girls, and everyone in between—united by one purpose: to hunt for doujinshi.
The event spans two to three days, and depending on the genre you’re after, the day you attend really matters. For example, male-oriented and female-oriented genres are separated by day.
That system still remains the same today: you go on the day your OTP lives.
Comiket Today – Through the Eyes of a Fujoshi
However, over time, the demographics of Comiket have shifted.
Today, it has become primarily a male-oriented event.
The current main attractions are doujinshi for male audiences, commercial booths selling anime/game merchandise, and massive cosplay showcases.
While BL circles still exist, they are no longer the central focus.
So then—where do fujoshi go to buy doujinshi now?
Where do fujoshi go to buy doujinshi now?
As it turns out, there’s another event that runs around the same time as Comiket—Comic City, a slightly smaller but highly important convention, especially for fujoshi.
Unlike Comiket, Comic City has always been focused on female-oriented content since its early days.
And nowadays, it has become the go-to place for buying BL and other women-oriented doujinshi.
Comic City (or “ComiCity” for short) is held throughout the year in various cities across Japan, but the largest events take place twice a year in Tokyo and Osaka.
The next major Tokyo event will be held on August 31, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight.
(Yes, I’ll definitely be attending!)
Can’t Attend Comic City? Here’s Where You Can Still Get Doujinshi
Can’t make it to Comic City in person? Don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to get your hands on BL doujinshi from anywhere in the world.
💻 Online Platforms
Many artists now sell their works digitally or by mail through platforms like:
- BOOTH (part of Pixiv) – Easy to use, supports international shipping via Tenso or Buyee
- Melonbooks and Toranoana – Popular among Japanese fans, though not all circles use them
- DLsite – Great for digital versions of doujinshi (especially R18)
📦 Proxy & Reshipping Services
If a circle doesn’t ship overseas, services like Tenso, White Rabbit Express, or From Japan can help forward your order internationally.
Some even help you buy directly from Comiket or Comic City!
🏢 Physical Shops in Japan
If you’re ever in Japan, visit stores like K-BOOKS, Mandarake, or Lashinbang in areas like Ikebukuro or Akihabara.
These places are literal treasure troves of second-hand and rare doujinshi, including out-of-print gems.
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