FAQ
What is doujinshi?Doujinshi, in general, refers to fan manga, although this isn't the actual definition. Doujinshi are mostly created based on anime, video games, and manga, although there are other types, too, like ones based on real life people (e.g., J-pop and J-rock groups) and books and movies (e.g., Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings doujinshi are quite popular). The copyright issue of doujinshi is a bit iffy in Japan, but since doujinshi is generally priced only to cover the expenses of printing them (i.e., not-for-profit), most companies and mangaka tolerate them. In fact, many mangaka started out making doujinshi, and many mangaka and some famous anime character designers still release their own doujinshi (both original and fan). Are you selling any of these doujinshi? Will you trade?
None of the ones listed on the site are for sale, theoretically. Ones that I want to sell will be indicated as such, but they're more likely to be sold on eBay than through direct sale. I am much more willing to trade certain titles for others, and you can also see my wishlist for information. But if I have something you desperately want, then let me know. I got one of my to-kill-for doujinshi by just asking someone if they'd be willing to sell or trade <3 Unless you're rude or demanding, I'm not going to be offended (though I will probably be slow in replying). Keep in mind, though, that if I go into great detail about how much I adore a book, it's probably for a reason. Where do you buy doujinshi?
Most of my doujinshi is purchsed online through online stores and online auction sites. Will you scan "this title" for me?
The only pictures that I will scan are the covers and backs. Doujinshi on this site that don't have images will have their covers scanned eventually... probably. I won't scan the insides for several reasons: (1) I don't have the time, (2) I've damaged several of my doujinshi that way, and (3) doujinshika generally don't like it. I can't find "this title" anywhere.
Most doujinshi are printed in limited quantities and are often sold only at specific doujinshi conventions or via the circle's website. Once a circle runs out of copies of its books, that's it. Sometimes titles are reprinted, sometimes they're remixed into new books, and sometimes they may appear in published anthologies, but there are only so many copies of every doujinshi. Also, if a title is really good or if the circle is very well-known, then there's obviously going to be high demand for those books. I don't know how to order "this title" from "this circle's" website.
As far as I know, most Japanese circles won't ship to places outside of Japan. It's expensive and inconvenient, especially with the language barrier and problems with payment. Of course, you can try e-mailing them and asking, but I don't think many are fluent in English, so you'd probably be best off writing in Japanese. Doujinshi is so expensive.
Yeah, it can be, especially because of the low quantities of doujinshi that are printed. Note, however, that these profits normally go to a middleman, not the original artists of the doujinshi. Circles sell doujinshi for fixed prices (again, usually enough to cover the printing costs, from $2-$10 or so depending on length, size, and paper quality). Someone else may make money by selling doujinshi that they've purchased, but that person isn't the circle. In general, there are also huge mark-ups for doujinshi sold outside of Japan. Still, even in Japan, certain hard-to-find titles by popular artists will sell for a lot.