Japan's biggest fan convention, Comic Market (Comiket, C108), is set to kick off from August 15-16 at Tokyo Big Sight. Many are undoubtedly gearing up for a massive shopping spree to support their favorite creators.
On the flip side, countless creators and circles who've poured their hearts into securing a booth are now sweating over their inventory. Recently, a veteran exhibitor on X (formerly Twitter) shared their past ordeal of "printing 3,000 copies and still having 2,300 left over," yet they made it through. This has sparked a lively discussion about the eternal question: "Will my booth actually sell out?"
The post that ignited the conversation came from artist Yukari Fumishiro (@fumisiro_yukari). Her comic perfectly captures the Comiket booth experience: diligently selling doujinshi, only to be left with a mountain of unsold new releases and merchandise by the end of the event. It seems to have struck a chord with many exhibitors.
Meanwhile, popular artist Takanasu05 (@takanasu05) recounted their first Comiket experience, a "print 3,000, sell 700, take home 2,300" nightmare. Just getting everything back home was a monumental task. They still remember the chilling, stinging sensation of sweat freezing on their skin, but hey, they made it through! Now, they're thriving.
Deciding how many copies of a doujinshi to print is a perpetual headache for circle leaders. Print too few, and you might sell out instantly; print too many, and you're staring down a mountain of unsold stock.
One seasoned doujin creator even shared that they still have inventory from 16 years ago, which has practically become part of their furniture now.
Other creators chimed in, saying that even though they weren't the ones involved, seeing such posts made them break out in a cold sweat and feel like throwing up – a total nightmare flashback.
On the other hand, some argued that selling 700 copies out of 3,000, especially for a first-timer, is "monster-level" impressive! One person lamented participating for over a decade and only ever selling 30 copies – now that's heartbreaking.
Despite the inventory pressure and sales uncertainty, many maintain a positive outlook, firmly believing that "making doujinshi itself is a joyful experience." Even if a pile of stock remains, the act of completing a work they wanted to draw or create holds its own profound meaning.
As C108 looms, circle leaders are simultaneously fretting over potential sales and boosting each other's spirits by sharing their triumphs and tribulations. The anxiety of "how much to print and whether it will sell out" is a pre-event ritual, but the pure joy of "creating something you love" is the true fuel that keeps them going.