Basic Knowledge for those going to Comiket for the first time

[Jason]

Comic Market in Winter, so called "Fuyukomi", will be held from Dec. 29 to Dec 31. For those who are interested in Comic Market but have never been to one, the author summarized the basic knowledges to participate Comic Market for first time.

The top picture was taken by Mr. Kobak at the 62nd Comic Market.

At first, Comic Market is the largest dojiinshi (magazines published by fans) event held by Comic Market Preparation Committee. It is held twice a year, in August and in Decempber, at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Site), and it lasts two or three days. Fuyukomi that will start on Dec 29, 2006, is the 71st event.

Comiket is short for Comic Market, and they call "Natsu Komi" as the summer event, and "Fuyu Komi" as the winter one.

In the site, they not only sell dojinshi, but there are sometimes cosplayers who participate in the event.

To participate in Comic Market is to go there during the event. You don’t need to buy a ticket. However, to enjoy yourself at Comic Market, here’s a list you should know.

1. Buy the catalogue
When Comic Market is approaching, they begin to sell Comiket Catalogue. You should buy it because the following things are printed in the catalogue.

• What kinds of groups will participate, and what kinds of books they will sell.
• Where will they sell?
• A map of the groups in the event place.

By the way, you can't buy Comic Catalogue at normal bookstore, you should check the following link. You can also buy it at the event place.

http://www.comiket.co.jp/info-a/CatalogShop.html

2. Bring cash
It depends on the book, but most of them are sold at the price of a few hundreds yen. For smooth purchase, you should bring money so that they don't need to give you change. Because it is very hard to withdraw money from ATM at the place, you should bring more money than necessary providing in case you will find good items you didn't expect.

3. Bring transportation prepaid cards
Because the traffic will be congested during the event, you should buy prepaid card such as Passnet or Suica in advance.

You'd better check the following links to know how to access to the event place, Tokyo International Exhibition Center.

http://www.bigsight.jp/

4. Do not stay up all night
Because of security reason, they prohibit participants from staying up all night to wait the event. It is said that those participants are attacked for their money. You may as well take the earliest train there, even if they sell the goods you desperately want.

5. Be careful that you don't get exhausted by heat
The participants must wait outside, but both Fuyu Komi and Natsu Komi are held when the weather become harsh, and many people get sick because of exhaustion from heat or cold. It is better to always bring iced water or a pocket warmer.

The following links explain about the Comic Market in detail (in Japanese).

http://www.comiket.co.jp/
http://human-dust.kdn.gr.jp/doujin/gocomiket/

Translated from Gigazine
Translated by masahiko