A Guide to Your First-Time at COMITIA as a General Attendee

COMITIA is an independent comic exhibition event (自主制作漫画誌展示即売会) in Japan that specifically celebrates original creations: unlike similar events that focus on fan works (creations based off of pre-existing series), COMITIA exclusively features each creators’ original creativity and content. The upcoming COMITIA (as of the time this article is written) will be COMITIA152, taking place on the 1st of June, at the convention venue of Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall 1, 2, 3, and 8. Here’s everything you need to know when participating in COMITIA!

niuhi-wakana•
COMITIA

Courtesy of COMITIA
Courtesy of COMITIA

Artist alleys are considered the section within an anime convention where creators display their artworks through the forms of artbooks, posters or the many different types of merchandise. Despite the diversity, it is often perceived as a “side-dish” compared to the “main-dish” of enterprise booths in bigger, neighboring halls. However, at Japanese conventions, the situation might be the exact opposite, and is certainly the case for the event we’re introducing today: COMITIA.

COMITIA is an independent comic exhibition event (自主制作漫画誌展示即売会) in Japan that specifically celebrates original creations: unlike similar events that focus on fan works (creations based off of pre-existing series), COMITIA exclusively features each creators’ original creativity and content. The upcoming COMITIA (as of the time this article is written) will be COMITIA152, taking place on the 1st of June, at the convention venue of Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall 1, 2, 3, and 8. Here’s everything you need to know when participating in COMITIA! What’s more is that NIUHI will also be participating in COMITIA! We’ll be hosting a live-drawing session, so be sure to come check out our booth at the venue!

For General Attendees (一般参加者向け)

Here are a few things that you can look forward to doing at COMITIA:

  • Discover thousands of original manga, novels, artbooks, and more!
  • Enjoy direct interaction with independent creators.
  • Experience a wide variety of genres and artistic styles not found in commercial publications.

How to Join

Pre-registration is not needed for general attendees. Simply buy the official COMITIA catalog (also named TIA’s Magazine), and it’ll serve as your entrance ticket. Purchase it at bookstores or online in advance for a slightly better deal at 1300 JPY or directly at the venue for the official price of 1500 JPY. Please note that on-site availability may be limited.

Courtesy of COMITIA
Courtesy of COMITIA

Cash Only – No Electronic Payment

Most circles only accept cash payments. Be sure to bring plenty of small change (100 yen and 500 yen coins) as many circles might not have the change for larger bills. Electronic payments like PayPay or credit cards are very rarely accepted. In case you are running low on cash, there are ATMs located throughout the venue at Tokyo Big Sight and most of them accept foreign credit cards for cash withdrawals!

What is a "Circle"?

At doujin events, a circle refers to an organization that consists of a creator or a group of creators who have joined together to create their original works. Here are a few different types of circles:

  • Manga Circles: The most common, featuring original comics in the form of doujinshi.
  • Illustration Circles: Artists selling illustrations through the forms of artbooks, postcards, tapestry, prints, etc.
  • Novel Circles: Focused on prose works, often with romance, mystery, fantasy or sci-fi themes.
  • Miscellaneous Goods Circles: Selling accessories, apparel, or hand-crafted items based on creators’ skillset.

The circles’ names act as a point of reference when venue staff is asked the location of the circle or the end of the queue. As for how the queuing system works at the event, here are some points to be aware of:

Queuing & Venue Etiquette

  • Expect long queues, especially early in the morning. The event opens around 11:00 AM, but early arrivals will be directed to line up in the designated outdoor waiting areas.
  • After making it into the event, there will be lines designated to different circles, especially the ones with a famous creator or a popular series.
  • Be sure to follow staff instructions and do not block aisles inside the venue.
  • Photography is generally not allowed unless explicitly permitted by the circle.

Signing Events

One special feature of COMITIA compared to other events of the same category (e.g. Comic Market, Sunshine Creation, etc.) is that professional artists and other well-known creators host signing sessions during COMITIA.

These occasions are not officially announced but rather mentioned on individual creators’ social media platforms, possibly even just through a sign or word of mouth on the event day. It often occurs in the later parts of the day, when sales of doujinshis or merchandise are finished, and the artists are available for signing. One famous past example includes Reki Kawahara, the author of the “Sword Art Online” series, who held a signing for the derivative novel he sold on the day of the event. These signings are often based on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to keep an eye on circles that are on your list.

Conclusion

Get ready for possibly one of your most unique convention experiences! Remember to bring an extra bottle of water or two as sunny days in Japan’s June are already hot enough to cause heat strokes, especially for travelers who aren’t accustomed to the Japanese weather. We also have another guide targeted towards creators participating in the event, so be sure to check that out if you are a creator yourself!

Some of the amazing artists who publish their manga on NIUHI — like Umaika and Kyosuke Kuromaru— will also be exhibiting at Comitia! If you’re planning to attend, definitely check out their booths and say hello! We will see you at our NIUHI booth at COMITIA 152 on June 1st, 2025!