A special documentary about Comic Market (Comiket), Japan's largest doujinshi sales event, "Our History of Comiket: 50 Years Spun by Love," will be broadcast on NHK General TV from 11:00 PM on March 1st. With the full cooperation of the Comic Market Preparation Committee, which organizes Comiket, the program will thoroughly explore the secrets behind the enthusiasm and appeal of Comiket, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. Valuable materials will be made public for the first time, and nostalgic footage of Comiket that remains on NHK's premises will also be introduced. Voice actress Sumire Uesaka will be the narrator.
Comiket 107, held in the winter of 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of the event, attracted approximately 300,000 visitors over two days. The program not only covers the two days of Comiket itself, but also closely follows everything from the setup that took place the day before to the post-event review meeting. It also includes in-depth interviews with those involved, including the Comic Market Preparation Committee, exhibitors, volunteers, longtime fans, and participating cosplayers.
Popular cosplayer Enako, manga artist Kazuhiko Shimamoto, anime and special effects researcher Ryusuke Hikawa, and critic Tsunehiro Uno will appear as "witnesses" to the history of Comiket. The program will feature background music from popular works such as the "Gundam" series, the "Evangelion" series, and "Sakura Wars."
◇ Comment from Enako
I'm very happy to be appearing on this special program looking back on the history of "50 Years of Comiket." With the cooperation of the preparation committee, I was able to cosplay for the first time in six years at the Winter Comiket at the end of the year, and for me as an otaku and cosplayer, Comiket is truly a place like "●●." It means a place where I feel safe and want to come back to. Please tune in to find out what goes in "●●"! Look forward to it!
◇Comment from Sumire Uesaka
I've been going to Comiket since I was a student, and it's like a "paradise of love and forgiveness" where feelings of love are allowed to flow freely. I think you'll be able to feel that unique atmosphere once again in this program. I haven't seen many programs that deal with Comiket in such a systematic way, so I learned a lot myself. Those who have been will be able to relate and say "I know what you mean!", and even those who are watching for the first time will surely want to go. Be sure to check out the background music that will lift the spirits of anime fans!
◇Comment from Kazuhiko Shimamoto
I've exhibited at Comiket 51 times over the past 26 years, and I consider it a "testing ground" for me. When you're drawing manga to suit editors and magazines, sometimes you lose track of what's interesting. But at Comiket, I can just show off what I find interesting, and when people are surprised by how well it turns out, I think, "This feeling is fine." That's why I feel like Comiket is a place where everyone's creativity can collide, like a terrifyingly high arena.
