By updatenewsnow3
Hey there, have you come across the term doujindesu and wondered what exactly it means? Well, doujindesu refers to self-published works from Japan, typically manga, anime, games, and novels. Doujindesu is created by amateur creators, known as doujinshi, who are passionate fans inspired to make their own stories and art featuring characters from popular media.
As a fan, diving into the world of doujindesu is a great way to explore new content from your favorite shows, movies or games. You’ll find everything from comedy to romance to action and beyond. The variety and creativity in doujindesu is amazing. Best of all, since doujindesu is self-published, you’re directly supporting up and coming artists.
So whether you’re already familiar with popular anime and manga or just discovering Japanese pop culture, doujindesu has something for every fan. In this article we’ll explore the different types of doujindesu, where you can find it, and how it has become a huge part of fandom in Japan. Join us to learn all about this unique fan-created content!
What Exactly Is Doujindesu?
Doujindesu refers to self-published works, typically manga, anime, games, and novels. Doujinshi are self-published works based on existing franchises, while doujin games and doujin novels feature original characters and stories.
Doujin creators are amateurs who do it for fun in their spare time. Some doujin works end up becoming popular and even turn commercial, though most remain obscure. The word “doujin” comes from the Japanese meaning “same person” or “amateur.”
Doujin works are usually produced in small quantities and distributed at special doujin events. The largest is Comiket, held biannually in Tokyo. At these comic markets, hundreds of doujin circles sell their works directly to fans.
Some well-known franchises originated as doujin works, including Touhou Project and Fate/stay night. The doujin market has grown into a huge industry, though most doujinshi are still noncommercial.
Creating doujin works is a popular hobby in Japan. Aspiring manga artists, illustrators, writers, and game designers use it to build their skills and gain experience. Doujin culture fosters creativity and a devoted fanbase.
Though often associated with anime-style works, doujin can include any self-published creation. Photobooks, films, music, crafts, and more. The essence of doujin is producing for the love of it, not for profit.
Doujin works offer a glimpse into the diverse talents and passions of amateur creators. They contain a spirit of freedom and individuality you don’t often find in mainstream media. For fans, doujinshi provide more adventures with favorite characters or new tales to discover.
The History and Origins of Doujindesu Culture
Doujinshi culture has been around in Japan since the 1970s. Doujinshi are self-published works, usually manga, created by amateur artists and sold at conventions called doujinshi markets.
The first doujinshi conventions started in 1975 as ways for amateur artists to sell their self-published manga. These events grew quickly in popularity and size. Today, the largest doujinshi convention, Comiket, attracts over half a million attendees twice a year in Tokyo.
The Rise of Fandom Culture
A major factor in the rise of doujinshi was the growth of fandom culture in Japan. As popular manga, anime, video game, and novel series gained devoted followings, fans wanted to create and share their own stories and art based on their favorite characters and worlds.
Doujinshi allowed them to do just that. Artists would create their own manga, called fancomics, using characters and settings from popular series. Other fans could then buy these doujinshi and enjoy new stories featuring characters they loved.
This fusion of fandom and self-publishing was a perfect fit for the flourishing otaku culture in Japan at the time. Otaku, meaning fans with an obsessive interest, especially in anime and manga, drove the growth of doujinshi markets and have kept the culture thriving.
Over time, doujinshi culture has spread outside Japan, with doujinshi conventions and artists appearing worldwide. But Japan remains the center of this fan-driven self-publishing movement. Doujinshi culture has had a huge impact on fandom, allowing fans all over the world to share their passion for their fandoms in creative ways.
Popular Genres and Themes in Doujindesu Works
Doujindesu works span many genres, but a few themes dominate.
Romance and relationships
Romantic stories make up a large portion of doujindesu. These usually focus on relationships between characters – whether canon or original. They explore dating, crushes, and the progression of feelings between two people.
Comedy and parody
Doujinshi authors often use comedy and parody to poke fun at popular manga, anime and game characters in over the top ways. Absurdist or slapstick situations place the characters in silly scenarios that exaggerate their traits and relationships. These doujindesu are meant purely for laughs and entertainment.
Drama and angst
Not all doujindesu are lighthearted. Many explore more serious themes involving drama, hurt, comfort or angst between characters. They deal with unrequited love, loss, bullying or identity issues. While still fictional, these stories aim to portray the characters in a more realistic emotional struggle.
Adventure and action
Some doujinshi authors choose to develop original storylines and adventures for the characters to embark on, rather than just romantic encounters. They feature fantasy quests, mysteries to solve or battles to fight. These action-packed tales show a different side to the characters and their hidden strengths, skills and heroism.
Within these popular genres, doujindesu works also frequently:
•Focus on “shipping” – romantically pairing up favorite characters.
• Imagine “what if” scenarios that diverge from the original story.
•Portray characters in an idealized or exaggerated way (especially physically).
• Explore LGBTQ+ relationships and identities.
•Feature original characters set in the same universe as the source material.
With so many options, there are doujindesu tales to suit almost every taste. The variety and creativity within the doujindesu community is truly impressive.
Where to Find and Access Doujindesu Content
Doujindesu content can be found and accessed in several places online. Many doujin circles and indie creators distribute their works on dedicated doujin websites. Two of the most popular are Comiket and Pixiv.
Comiket
Comiket, short for Comic Market, is a massive biannual doujinshi fair held in Tokyo. Over 35,000 creators come together to buy, sell and trade self-published works. Most doujindesu on Comiket are published in physical form, like manga, art books, music CDs, and more. However, many creators also offer digital downloads on their personal websites or through Comiket’s online store. You’ll have to navigate Comiket’s website in Japanese, but it offers a huge selection of doujindesu in every genre imaginable.
Pixiv
Pixiv is Japan’s largest online community for artists. It features over 50 million works from both professional and amateur creators. A large portion of content on Pixiv is doujindesu, including illustrations, manga, novels, music, and videos. Pixiv has a dedicated section just for doujindesu where you can find fanworks for popular anime, games, TV shows, idols, and more.
Unlike Comiket which focuses on physical works, most content on Pixiv is digital and available to view or download for free. Some creators also offer paid fan club memberships for exclusive content and the ability to buy physical copies of their doujindesu. Pixiv’s website is offered in both Japanese and English, making it more accessible to international fans.
Other places to find doujindesu online include:
- Doujin websites like Toranoana, Melonbooks, and DLSite
- Anime streaming and download sites like Nyaa Torrents and Sukebei
- Art hosting communities like DeviantArt, Tumblr, and Twitter
- Discord servers and Telegram channels dedicated to sharing doujindesu
With some searching, you can find a wide range of doujindesu content on the open web. But be aware that since doujindesu is self-published, not all works may follow standard content rating guidelines. Viewer discretion is advised!
The Legal Gray Areas Around Doujindesu – What You Need to Know
Doujinshi culture occupies a legal gray area in many countries. While doujinshi are a creative outlet for many fans, they do involve using characters and properties that technically belong to media companies. However, most companies tolerate doujinshi, and some even support the community. It’s a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides.
Copyright Concerns
The biggest legal issue around doujinshi is potential copyright infringement. Doujinshi creators borrow characters, worlds, and other elements from popular media without official permission. In a strict sense, this could be seen as a violation of the original creators’ intellectual property rights.
However, doujinshi are usually considered “derivative works” that transform the original properties into something new. They are also produced by fans for fans, not for commercial gain. These factors lean in favor of considering doujinshi as “fair use” that should be permitted under copyright law.
Commercial vs Non-Commercial
Most doujinshi are distributed for free among fans, so they are considered non-commercial works. As long as doujinshi remain non-commercial, most media companies appear to tolerate them or even appreciate the enthusiasm of fans. The legal issues become more complex if doujinshi creators try to sell their works for profit. Some popular doujinshi do get picked up by mainstream publishers, but creators usually have to make significant changes to avoid copyright problems.
Company Policies Vary
Different media companies have different policies on doujinshi and fan works. Some take a hard line against any use of their properties, while others openly support doujinshi communities. Companies that depend heavily on passionate fandoms tend to be more permissive. But policies can also change based on media trends and leadership.
Overall, while doujinshi culture resides in a legal gray area, it continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of fans and the general goodwill of media companies. But as with any derivative work, doujinshi creators should be aware of potential copyright issues and the policies of the companies that own the original properties. Creating doujinshi is unlikely to lead to legal trouble, but selling or distributing them commercially is riskier legally speaking. If in doubt, it’s best for doujinshi artists to stay non-commercial.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a complete crash course on the world of doujindesu. Now you’re armed with the knowledge to dive into this creative fandom and start discovering new works or even creating your own. Whether you just read or get inspired to write and draw, doujindesu offers a fun way to connect with like-minded fans. Don’t forget to support the creators by purchasing books at conventions or online. Who knows, you may just find your new obsession or hidden talent. Doujindesu brings people together through a shared love of characters and storytelling. Now go forth, explore, and unleash your imagination! The doujindesu community welcomes you.