Attending FanimeCon 2026? Love Indie Comics and Manga?
Don't miss the first Original English Language Doujinshi market in the USA, MANGA ICHIBA, An event focused on self-published manga and comics for an English-Speaking Audience!
I’m super excited to be tabling at this event in May (representing my own problematic medieval RPF yaoiz from @angevinyaoiz ) so excited that I made my own personalized promotion graphic above <3. I hope that anyone attending Fanime this year can have fun checking out everyone’s hard work!
There will be people selling both original and fanworks, All Ages works in the daytime and 18+ works in the evening. This will be at the Doubletree hotel, which is separate from the main Convention Center, and also hosts the popular Night Market!
Fanime was one of the very first local anime and manga events I attended as a teenager. What encouraged me to apply to this event, as a longtime attendee and tabler at local zinefests and small book fairs, is that it focuses specifically on creating and sharing independent comics and manga, rather than on prints and merchandise (which are wonderful to see, but more specific to the Artist Alley.) My hope is that Manga Ichiba can encourage similar events to pop up across the country.
Spreading the Good Word of Doujinshi
So far, I haven’t seen very much promotion of this event from official sources, so it feels like a lot of the promotion has been from word of mouth. Well, I’m doing my part! I feel that there is a great hunger for these kinds of events, so I hope there can be some more discussion and anticipation. Feel free to post about the event if you’re attending or interested, and feel free to use/repost my unofficial promotion doodle as well if you’d like to share with others!
I have also heard that there is still some need for extra staffing at this event. If anyone is interested, feel free to comment or message (or email, at [email protected]) and I can put you in contact with more direct sources.
Anyone else planning on attending, either as a vendor or as a curious visitor? It will doubtlessly be a busy time, but I’d love to say hi to anyone who comes by. While I can’t guarantee it at this time (I’m still busy working on my actual comic…) I’d love to make some little giveaways or something for folks who make it!