Tokyo's 2013 winter Comic Market, or Comiket, drew 180,000 manga lovers -- and that was just on the first of its three days! Video reporter Steve Ross gives us a closer look. (Full transcript below.)
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TRANSCRIPT:
STEVE ROSS: We're here in Tokyo at this year's winter Comiket, the comic market that is the destination deluxe for Japanese manga comic book artists, their fans, and the costumed "cosplayers" who bring the characters to life. As usual, the crowds are legion. Let's check it out...
Comiket is dedicated to self-expression, most especially that of the "dōjinshi," amateur manga artists, writers, and publishers. Dōjinshi artist "MARB" and writer "FACTORIAN" expressed their inspiration, and motivation, for making manga.
"MARB" (Dōjinshi Artist): "As for inspiration, up 'til now, I've gotten it from daily life; things that moved me, things that hurt, a lot of these are in my manga."
"FACTORIAN" (Dōjinshi Writer): "I want to show interesting things to everybody. When I sense something interesting in everyday life, I try to put it in my manga, I try to express myself by doing so."
NARRATION: No matter how the economy is doing, Comiket continues to surge, with dōjinshi filling up the event's phone directory-sized catalog. Organizers estimated some 180,000 attendees on the first day of the three day event, which is good news for those who manage manga sales.
Yuichiro NAKAZAWA ("Colorful Palette" Dōjinshi Manager): "I think that this year's earnings are better than usual. People come here to buy what they want. They aren't concerned with the public economy. Our proceeds aren't related with the economy; even if it is bad, it's not bad here."
NARRATION: Many artists and organizers arrive at Comiket at dawn to prepare their wares, but they say it's worth it...
"Minami" (Dōjinshi Artist): "It's the most fun to see the customers who buy our products. Of course, I love to draw. Preparing manga is so fun, that's why I keep doing it."
NARRATION: Cosplayers hold court in their reserved outdoor area, selected to provide space for the packs of amateur paparazzi who put photographic snap into this cold weather Comiket.
And this cosplayer battalion looks ready to fight for the love of manga.
Ren SHIMIZU (Cosplayer): "Well, I love to buy various goods here. Many 'cosplayers' are here, and it's fun to take pictures of them."
Kanae SATO (Cosplayer): "Everyone wears the costume of a favorite character. Workers of different occupations, everyone from the young to the old, men or women can communicate with each other because they love the same manga. I think it's great."
NARRATION: Civic minded Comiket attendees also donate blood, and in return, receive character-themed posters. It's just another way they put their hearts into manga.
"Okimiya" (Cosplayer): "Well, it's very fun to become my favorite character. The feeling of entering my favorite anime is what I love best."
NARRATION: For The Japan News, Steve Ross reporting.
