|
Doujinshi are Japanese comic books (manga) drawn by fans rather than by
professional artists (see fan fiction). The term is derived from doujin (同人)
or a literary group, which was its original means of production, and shi (誌)
which means magazine or distribution.
Some are considered fan work, but many (CLAMP started with doujinshi) are
just small-press manga. Usually they draw from popular manga or anime series
but can include older titles or even the artists' original characters.
Stories usually consist of a parody or just an original story using the
characters from the particular anime in question.
Adult oriented stories and drawings seem like they dominate this field of
anime art, but many are, in fact, not necessarily adult-oriented, but are
made by people who prefer to print their own comics and/or are looking for
the so-called 'big break.' Artists and illustrators of doujinshi, either
individual or with the backing of a circle can range from amateurs to
professional artists. Avid fans of doujinshi art attend a semiannual
doujinshi convention called Comiket (Comic Market) held in the summer and
winter in Tokyo. Here, all the new doujinshi and even old doujinshi are
bought sold and traded by any and everyone. Doujinshi artists are only
allowed to print small numbers of books due to copyright laws. This makes a
talented artists' or circles' doujinshi a coveted commodity as only the fast
or the lucky will be able to get them before they sell out.
There are a few prevalent categories of doujinshi. Seinen doujinshi
usually contain adult material and target adult males over 18. Yaoi and
shounen-ai doujinshi feature graphic and not so graphic depiction's of male
homosexuality and usually target adult women; yuri and shoujo-ai are the
lesbian equivalent. Ippan doujinshi do not contain adult material and are
usually suitable for even younger audiences.
There is no set size for Doujinshi as each artist or circle is free to
make it whatever size they want. Prices for doujinshi can range from $1.00
to as much as several hundred dollars. This form of art has expanded by
leaps and bounds over the last decade because it promotes free form art and
attracts thousands of talented artists and fans alike.
|
