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'''Doujinshi''' (同人誌) are Japanese works in [[manga]] or novel form that are not created for or by the professional market; that is, they are produced by amateurs. Many but not all doujinshi are [[fancomic]]s, and sometimes the term is used as a synonym for "fancomic in a manga style".  

'''Doujinshi''' (同人誌) are Japanese works in [[manga]] or novel form that are not created for or by the professional market; that is, they are produced by amateurs. Many but not all doujinshi are [[fancomic]]s, and sometimes the term is used as a synonym for "fancomic in a manga style".  

Doujinshi are similar to, or an example of, [[fanzine]]s, though they have developed independently and have distinct styles. Western doujinshi fandom notably uses different terminology which is mostly derived from Japanese. Creating doujinshi/fanzines is also a vastly more prevalent fan activity in Japan than in the West.

Doujinshi are similar to, or an example of, [[fanzine]]s, though they have developed independently and have distinct styles. Western doujinshi fandom notably uses different terminology which is mostly derived from Japanese. Creating doujinshi/fanzines is also a vastly more prevalent [[Fanac|fan activity]] in Japan than in the West.

== Terminology ==

== Terminology ==

=== Doujinshi Types ===

=== Doujinshi Types ===

* [[Manga]] - When a doujinshi is comic/manga-style, it can also be referred to as manga in Japanese. In English, a manga-style doujinshi is practically synonymous with the term "doujinshi" itself, since other kinds of doujinshi (e.g. novels) seldom appear in Western fandom.

* [[Manga]] - When a doujinshi is comic/manga-style, it can also be referred to as manga in Japanese. In English, a manga-style doujinshi is practically synonymous with the term "doujinshi" itself, since other kinds of doujinshi (e.g. novels) seldom appear in Western [[fandom]].

* '''Novel''' (ノベル or 小説 ''shousetsu'') - When a doujinshi includes/is a novel, it means it is printed fiction (including [[fanfiction]]).

* '''Novel''' (ノベル or 小説 ''shousetsu'') - When a doujinshi includes/is a novel, it means it is printed fiction (including [[fanfiction]]).

* '''Reprint collection''' (再録集 ''sairoku shuu'') - When a circle has released several doujinshi, she might reprint them together in one doujinshi booklet, known as a reprint collection. Reprint collections can be either the size of a regular doujinshi, or the size of an anthology which is smaller.

* '''Reprint collection''' (再録集 ''sairoku shuu'') - When a circle has released several doujinshi, she might reprint them together in one doujinshi booklet, known as a reprint collection. Reprint collections can be either the size of a regular doujinshi, or the size of an anthology which is smaller.

* '''For women''' (女性向け, ''joseimuke'') - Aimed at female fans. Very often but not always [[yaoi]].

* '''For women''' (女性向け, ''joseimuke'') - Aimed at female fans. Very often but not always [[yaoi]].

* '''Yaoi''' (やおい) - Containing male/male relationships, like in Western [[slash]].

* '''[[Yaoi]]''' (やおい) - Containing male/male relationships, like in Western [[slash]].

* '''For men''' (男性向, ''danseimuke'') - Aimed at male fans. ''Danseimuke'' is often conflated with [[hentai]], but although many danseimuke doujinshi are sexually explicit, there are also very many danseimuke works that are [[gen]].

* '''For men''' (男性向, ''danseimuke'') - Aimed at male fans. ''Danseimuke'' is often conflated with [[hentai]], but although many danseimuke doujinshi are sexually explicit, there are also very many danseimuke works that are [[gen]].

* '''Gag''' (ギャグ) - Absurd or silly elements for comedic effect; similar to [[crack]] humor.

* '''Gag''' (ギャグ) - Absurd or silly elements for comedic effect; similar to [[crack]] humor.

* '''Serious''' (シリアス) - A serious tone; a story which handles the subject matter seriously. Possibly similar to "drama" or [[angst]].

* '''Serious''' (シリアス) - A serious tone; a story which handles the subject matter seriously. Possibly similar to "drama" or [[angst]].

* '''Parallel''' (パラレル) - As in parallel universe; see [[AU|alternate universe]].

* '''Parallel''' (パラレル) - As in parallel universe; see [[Alternate Universe|alternate universe]].

* '''Honobono''' (ほのぼの meaning ''heartwarming'') - A light, heartwarming tone, sometimes similar to [[fluff]].

* '''Honobono''' (ほのぼの meaning ''heartwarming'') - A light, heartwarming tone, sometimes similar to [[fluff]].

* '''Original''' (創作, ''sousaku'') - Doujinshi containing [[sousaku|original stories]] instead of fanworks.

* '''Original''' (創作, ''sousaku'') - Doujinshi containing [[sousaku|original stories]] instead of fanworks.

* '''Original June''' (創作JUNE、''sousaku june''） - Original [[BL]]/[[yaoi]] stories, named after the first yaoi magazine June.

* '''Original June''' (創作JUNE、''sousaku june''） - Original [[BL]]/[[yaoi]] stories, named after the first yaoi magazine June.

* '''Critique''' (評論, ''hyouron'') - Meta, usually in text but sometimes also in manga format.

* '''Critique''' (評論, ''hyouron'') - [[Meta]], usually in text but sometimes also in manga format.

=== Other ===

=== Other ===

Doujinshi fandom commonly uses an "x" between character names (e.g. Naruto x Sasuke) to show the focus of the story is between two characters. This may or may not mean a [[pairing]], which can lead to some confusion.

Doujinshi fandom commonly uses an "x" between character names (e.g. [[Naruto x Sasuke]]) to show the focus of the story is between two characters. This may or may not mean a [[pairing]], which can lead to some confusion.

Doujinshi fandom commonly uses a name smoosh for pairings, e.g. Naruto x Sasuke becomes NaruSasu. See also [[Pairing Name#In Japanese Fandoms]].

Doujinshi fandom commonly uses a [[name smoosh]] for pairings, e.g. Naruto x Sasuke becomes NaruSasu. See also [[Pairing Name#In Japanese Fandoms]].

== Doujinshi in Western Fandom ==

== Doujinshi in Western Fandom ==

Japanese doujinshi is a large part of Western [[anime]]/[[manga]]/[[video game]] fandom, where it is highly popular; many fans buy and sell doujinshi imported from Japan and share translations, [[scanlations]], and preview images: see for example the [http://community.livejournal.com/doujinshi_club doujinshi_club] community on LiveJournal.  

Japanese doujinshi is a large part of Western [[anime]]/[[manga]]/[[video game]] fandom, where it is highly popular; many fans buy and sell doujinshi imported from Japan and share translations, [[scanlations]], and preview images: see for example the [http://community.livejournal.com/doujinshi_club doujinshi_club] [[community]] on [[LiveJournal]].  

Doujinshi does not usually have a big presence in non-Japanese Western fandoms, with the exception of [[Harry Potter]] where it is quite popular. Doujinshi has a small presence in a few others, such as [[Supernatural]].<ref>See the [http://dean-sam.livejournal.com/tag/japanese%20comic Japanese Comic] tag at the DeanxSam LJ community.</ref>

Doujinshi does not usually have a big presence in non-Japanese Western fandoms, with the exception of [[Harry Potter]] where it is quite popular. Doujinshi has a small presence in a few others, such as [[Supernatural]].<ref>See the [http://dean-sam.livejournal.com/tag/japanese%20comic Japanese Comic] tag at the DeanxSam LJ community.</ref>

Importing doujinshi from Japan can be extremely expensive, and serious collectors spend hundreds of dollars a year on doujinshi. In Japan, doujinshi are sold for 200-1000 yen or about $2-10 USD, but non-Japanese online stores commonly triple (or more) that price and doujinshi are commonly listed on places like ebay for $50 or more. The relative rarity for specific titles coupled with demand for certain skilled artists will drive up the prices. A few notable bids went as high as $200 and $300. Shipping prices can also be rather expensive, $10-25 to ship one book. Due to the high cost of even just one doujinshi, many fans outside of Japan cannot afford to buy them.  

Importing doujinshi from Japan can be extremely expensive, and serious collectors spend hundreds of dollars a year on doujinshi. In Japan, doujinshi are sold for 200-1000 yen or about $2-10 USD, but non-Japanese online stores commonly triple (or more) that price and doujinshi are commonly listed on places like ebay for $50 or more. The relative rarity for specific titles coupled with demand for certain skilled artists will drive up the prices. A few notable bids went as high as $200 and $300. Shipping prices can also be rather expensive, $10-25 to ship one book. Due to the high cost of even just one doujinshi, many fans outside of Japan cannot afford to buy them.  

Fanworks created in a manga style by Western artists are sometimes referred to as doujinshi, and their creators sometimes see themselves as [[doujinka]].<ref name=doj_circle>[http://community.livejournal.com/dojinshi_circle dojinshi_circle livejournal community], originally a group of artists from New York.</ref> Due to the prevalence and acceptability of transformative works in anime/manga/game fandom and the Japanese manga market in general, Western doujinshi artists are more likely to create and publish [[fancomic]]s than comic artists working in more traditional Western media.

[[Fanwork]]s created in a manga style by Western artists are sometimes referred to as doujinshi, and their creators sometimes see themselves as [[doujinka]].<ref name=doj_circle>[http://community.livejournal.com/dojinshi_circle dojinshi_circle livejournal community], originally a group of artists from New York.</ref> Due to the prevalence and acceptability of transformative works in anime/manga/game fandom and the Japanese manga market in general, Western doujinshi artists are more likely to create and publish [[fancomic]]s than comic artists working in more traditional Western media.

== Source Texts ==

== Source Texts ==

Doujinshi are most often based on [[canon|sources]] originating in Japan, such as [[manga]], [[anime]], and Japanese [[video games]]. Doujinshi can also be original works, and "original June" (original [[BL]] doujinshi) is a popular genre. General terms for original dojinshi are ''orijinaru'' or ''sousaku''.

Doujinshi are most often based on [[canon|sources]] originating in Japan, such as [[manga]], [[anime]], and Japanese [[video games]]. Doujinshi can also be original works, and "original June" (original [[BL]] doujinshi) is a popular genre. General terms for original doujinshi are ''orijinaru'' or ''sousaku''.

There are also doujinshi based on Western-originating source texts, particularly [[Harry Potter]]<ref name=hp>[http://community.livejournal.com/fancomiccentral/tag/harry%20potter Harry Potter Doujinshi] tag at fancomiccentral LJ community.</ref><ref>[http://community.livejournal.com/hp_scanlation/ HP_Scanlation] LJ community for scanlated Harry Potter doujinshi.</ref> which has a noticeably substantial amount of doujinshi. Others includes [[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Star Wars]], [[Pirates of the Caribbean]], [[Supernatural]], and more.  [[RPF]] has a presence in Japanese doujinshi fandom as well, such as [[J2]]<ref>See [[Supernatural/Fanzines#Doujinshi]] which includes several J2 doujinshi.</ref> and [[Lotrips]].<ref>This editor distinctly remembers seeing a Viggo Mortensen x Orland Bloom doujinshi, but is unnable to find it to give a proper source.</ref>

There are also doujinshi based on Western-originating source texts, particularly [[Harry Potter]]<ref name=hp>[http://community.livejournal.com/fancomiccentral/tag/harry%20potter Harry Potter Doujinshi] tag at fancomiccentral LJ community.</ref><ref>[http://community.livejournal.com/hp_scanlation/ HP_Scanlation] LJ community for scanlated Harry Potter doujinshi.</ref> which has a noticeably substantial amount of doujinshi. Others includes [[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Star Wars]], [[Pirates of the Caribbean]], [[Supernatural]], and more.  [[RPF]] has a presence in Japanese doujinshi fandom as well, such as [[J2]]<ref>See [[Supernatural/Fanzines#Doujinshi]] which includes several J2 doujinshi.</ref> and [[Lotrips]].<ref>This editor distinctly remembers seeing a Viggo Mortensen x Orland Bloom doujinshi, but is unnable to find it to give a proper source.</ref>

=== Conventions ===

=== Conventions ===

Conventions are the most established and common distribution channel for doujinshi. Circles reserve a small booth ("space", usually half a table) for themselves and sell their works directly to other fans. Hundreds of conventions take place throughout Japan every year, from large-scale regular conventions to small one-time events. A few notable conventions are:

[[Convention]]s are the most established and common distribution channel for doujinshi. Circles reserve a small booth ("space", usually half a table) for themselves and sell their works directly to other fans. Hundreds of conventions take place throughout Japan every year, from large-scale regular conventions to small one-time events. A few notable conventions are:

* [[Comiket]] is the largest doujinshi convention in Japan, and the largest convention for self-published works in the world.

* [[Comiket]] is the largest doujinshi convention in Japan, and the largest convention for self-published works in the world.