Into its seventh iteration, Doujin Market played home to over 360 artists, creators and designers from all around the world. The two-day event drew a record amount of visitors, with some 19,600 event-goers showing up to support Singapore’s biggest celebration of creator culture. 

Doujin Market was powered this year by industry partners Wacom, Pentel and EpicGear.sg, DanLim Print Lab and Oki Data. Supporting the event’s Networking Night was next-gen anime studio Blockpunk and FavePay, while leading creators stepped up to mentor newer ones through a series of seminars that ranged the gamut from boothing and merchandising tips to storytelling for webtoons.

“It’s heartening to see industry insiders give back to the communities they care about,” said Jason Koh, account director of Neo Tokyo Project and the founder of Doujin Market. “Doujima has proven itself to be the platform of choice for new and established creators to share their boundless passion for pop culture art.”

“We will continue working closely with industry partners and keep our ears close to the ground. That way, we can continue leading the market and pioneer a more robust ecosystem for aspiring creators at our event,” Jason added. 

Event newcomer RPG Day Singapore drew a crowd of its own. Sponsored by Geekified and supported by Game Academia and Games@PI, this segment showcased numerous local tabletop game designers and hobby groups. 

Singapore’s Dungeons & Dragons community was out in force to introduce new players to the game and to play an exclusive convention Epic — a multi-table raid where more than a hundred players banded together to save a fabled hero from the clutches of his dragon nemesis. 

Ten artists competed in the inaugural Wacom Art Arena, duking it out in a speed drawing challenge where they designed original characters based on the theme “Imagination is Power”. 

The two finalists later went head to head in a battle to create their own interpretation of ‘Doujinma’, the machine goddess of inspiration and creativity invented by Doujin Market’s fan community. Mints, a CG artist, walked away with the grand prize of a Wacom Cintiq 16 for her amazingly polished rendition of Doujinma. 

Mints’ creation will feature in the Tabula project, an initiative by Doujin Market to create an open source RPG world that artists can populate with their original characters and to tell their own stories. A webtoon about Tabula will also be released at Doujin Market next year, with art by Carillus, the creator of Singapore’s leading webtoon ExCo. 

“We wanted to do something more than retail, something to empower these young artists with the right tools to support their creativity,” said Mr. Adriel Chan, Wacom’s Manager of Geo Marketing for Southeast Asia. “We were astounded by the talent and skill they displayed during the contest, and we’re proud to support this growing community.”

Next year’s Doujin Market will feature brand-new content including workshops and masterclasses for creators of all levels seeking a more focused experience. Portfolio reviews will also make a return, together with a renewed focus on education and empowerment. 

Doujin Market’s 8th iteration takes place on 9-10 May 2020. To ensure creators have more time to prepare for next year’s event, registration will open from 1st June thru 31 December 2019, with special rates and priority booth placements for Super Early Bird applicants.

Further Information

For more information about Doujin Market, please visit http://www.doujimasg.com or www.facebook.com/doujima.sg

Video Highlights from Doujin Market 2019

Doujin Market 2019 Highlights

We had a great show this year, and we'd like to thank you for making 2019 such a wonderful success!

Posted by Doujin Market – Doujima on Monday, May 27, 2019

A new hall, a slew of fresh content, and renewed focus on education and empowerment were just some of the elements that cemented Doujin Market 2018’s position as Singapore’s defining pop culture arts & illustration event.

The two-day extravaganza of original and derivative fan content saw some 18,000 visitors flocking to Hall 406 of Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre last weekend, and featured over 250 creators from 13 countries around the region including Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.

It was a weekend with seminars and portfolio reviews – a key feature of Doujin Market – coming to the fore, powered by industry players such as Wacom, 3dsense Media School and Collateral Damage Studios.

It was also the first time that celebrated veteran artist Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau graced Doujin Market, where he held a two-hour panel titled ‘Building Your Fanbase and Finding Your Style’, inspiring an audience of 200 aspiring creators.

This year, Doujin Market also celebrated the launch of passion projects by creators in the local scene, including artbooks, original tabletop games, game supplements and miniatures, webcomics and visual novels.

Opportunities for industry collaboration were also crystallized in Pentel’s Colour Brush Manga Contest and GameStart Asia’s Mascot Design Contest, and a networking session sponsored by homegrown illustration studio CDS and Artblovk.

“We have a responsibility to help youth artists develop not just their talents, but to refine their craft and to equip them with the skills they need to usher in a new age for comics and self-publishing in Singapore,” said Jason Koh, convention producer for Doujin Market and account director of Neo Tokyo Project. “We want them to take ownership of this creative space, to challenge the norm, the dated, to become disruptors (in the art scene). After all, they are poised to be the movers and shakers of the comic industry of tomorrow.”

Doujin Market 2018 was supported by Noise Movement, a part of Noise Singapore’s efforts which supports organisers whose initiatives encourage arts creation and participation among youth.

Next year’s Doujin Market will take place on 4-5 May 2019, in Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Halls 401/402.

Registration to exhibit at the event will begin early November 2018.

Further Information

For more information about Doujin Market, please visit http://www.doujimasg.com or www.facebook.com/doujima.sg

Video Highlights from Doujin Market 2018

We’re moving into a bigger, better location at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center this year, and here’s a quick guide to help you get to the show.

1. Getting to Suntec

Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center is THE go-to venue where all the cool pop culture shows are, and that’s where you’ll find us. Simply click on the handy map below to find out how you can get there.

2. Where do I go from here? 

There are two routes to The Concourse (L3) once you get to Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center.

Route A: From the Drop Off Point

Route B: Through the mall

You can take Route B if you’re heading through the mall from the MRT station.

Was that easy to follow? See you this weekend! :3

Singapore – Creators who intend to make art a sustainable career need look no further than Doujin Market 2017.

This year, the show will host over a dozen key players and startups who aim to pave the way towards a more robust creative scene through seminars, portfolio reviews and networking opportunities.

In its fifth iteration, Doujin Market will focus on preparing young creatives for the demands of the real world, equipping them with essential skills to survive in a competitive market where talent needs to constantly differentiate itself while capitalizing on the latest trends and disruptive technologies.

“Pop culture startups are uniquely placed to empower the local arts scene,” said Jason Koh, account director of Neo Tokyo Project and convention producer for Doujin Market. “They’ve blazed a trail other fans can follow and we’re certain that their success stories can inspire those hoping to transition from creating content as a hobby to making it a full time career.”

One such startup is Animeludium, an independent transmedia publisher that aims to enliven the digital and print space.

“We believe that developing a culture of exploration – one where creatives can innovate, polish and refine their work before putting it to market – is vital,” said Yee Cheng Xuan, director of Animeludium. “We want to give them a chance – whether they’re artists, game designers, musicians or writers, and to help them excel.”

Echoing his sentiment is Alwyn Liang, founder of InkInk Collectibles. The gallery is one of Doujin Market’s anchor patrons, and will be presenting an exhibition by four regional artists famous for their unique take on illustration and character design – Puppeteer Lee, Zeen Chin, Kael Ngu and Danial Kamarudin. These guest artists will also conduct seminars and a series of portfolio reviews at the show.

“There’s a definite demand for quality, pop culture themed art. We’re here to help artists raise the bar on their work, and to help them make it a sustainable career,” he said.

With increasing synergies between art and video games, Doujin Market will also see independent studios Gazia Games and Kaiju Den making an appearance alongside GameStart Asia, Southeast Asia’s premier gaming convention.

“We have seen Doujin Market’s growth and success since they started, and appreciate how they are helping to bring the artist community in Southeast Asia together,” said Elicia Lee, founder of GameStart Asia. “GameStart Asia also focuses on spotlighting the talent in our region, and we are excited to be exhibiting for the first time at Doujin Market this year.”

The event will be launching a competition where artists are invited to recreate Alyse, GameStart’s mascot, in a brand-new ‘Cyberpunk’-inspired theme. Winning entries will receive prizes including a booth at the Doujin Market x GameStart artist alley in October.

Portfolio reviews are back in force this year, with more than five opportunities for creators to impress industry insiders including Afterthought Studios, which pioneered this segment last year. Aspiring writers will also have the chance to have their manuscripts reviewed by BooksActually, an independent local bookstore and publisher known for innovating new ways to encourage a love of literature.

Participants can also look forward to a networking party presented by Collateral Damage Studios and Artblovk Gallery, offering yet more opportunities for artists and stakeholders to rub shoulders and cement collaboration. 

Doujin Market is supported by Noise Movement, a part of Noise Singapore’s efforts which supports organisers whose initiatives encourage arts creation and participation among youth.

It takes place on 6 and 7 May 2017, and doors open from 11 am to 7 pm daily. Admission to Doujin Market is FREE.

Show Highlights

World Doujin Day

Doujin Market inaugurates World Doujin Day this year, an international celebration of self-publishing and creativity that takes place on the first Saturday of May each year. Creators are encouraged to use the #worlddoujin hashtag to connect with their peers and to tell their personal stories. Singapore Doujin Archive Singapore’s only Doujin Archive will be created as part of the celebrations,to chronicle the history of self-publishing and derivative fan content by youth here. Creators are invited to submit a sample of their work as well a original work depicting their personal artistic journey, which will be placed in a time capsule. Works in the capsule will be exhibited 5 years from now, at Doujin Market’s 10th Anniversary.

 

GameStart 2017 Alyse Design Contest
	Doujin Market 2017 kicks off the opening of submissions for GameStart 2017’s Alyse Design Contest. Contestants must redesign Alyse, GameStart Asia’s android mascot, with a cool new ‘Cyberpunk’ theme. Winners walk away with cash prizes and a free booth at the GameStart x Doujin Market artist alley in October.

 

Skill Development
Seminars
Day 1 (6 May 2017)	On Visual Novels and Kickstarter, presented by Afterthought Studios and Precatio Afterthought Studios and Precatio, two local visual novel studios with projects published on both Kickstarter and Steam, will share knowledge of this brave, new medium as well as some tips and tricks for getting funding on Kickstarter. Character Concept and Speed Painting for Special Effects, presented by Lionheart Studio Dreadjim from Lionheart Studio will demonstrate techniques for painting over a photograph of an audience member and creating special effects like clouds, energy flashes and lightning in real time. Artist Journey of Rachta Lin Rachta shares her experiences since becoming a full time artist, the adventures of her artist travels and insights on successfully publishing her first ever art book on Kickstarter. Skills Seminar, presented by MAGES Institute of Excellence Skills Seminar, presented by InkInk Collectibles
Day 2 (7 May 2017)	Publishing your Graphic Novel, presented by BooksActually Art X Social Media: Utilizing social media to your advantage!, presented by Daiyaku Jamie from Daiyaku will share tips and tricks on using social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help kickstart your circle’s online presence and to promote your art globally. You are worth it: The Art of Pricing, presented by Collateral Damage Studios KC Ng, account manager of CDS, sheds light on strategies artists can use to better market, price and promote their art for both doujin and commercial audiences and to turn their hobbies into a sustainable career. Panel: Art and the Video Games Industry Skills Seminar, presented by InkInk Collectibles
Portfolio Reviews
Artists	Afterthought Studios Collateral Damage Studios InkInk Collectibles Lionheart Studio
Authors	Afterthought Studios BooksActually

 

Networking
	Networking Party Hosted by Artblovk Gallery and CDS, the pizza party and networking session is only open to pre-registered participants. Industry insiders and creators alike can mingle in a relaxed environment, fostering a free exchange of ideas and collaboration opportunities.

 

Doujin Market (Doujima) 2016, Singapore’s largest celebration of popculture inspired art, illustration and self-publishing, drew to a resounding close last weekend.

Taking place on 7th and 8th May, the two-day event at Suntec City saw some 13,000 fans of anime, comics and manga, as well as trade and industry visitors, up from 8,000 at *SCAPE the year before.

It also played host to some 100 artists and creators from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan and USA, and included myriad activities to engage, excite and inspire youth artists such as seminars, networking opportunities and Singapore’s first Visual Novel Hub.

“We knew the move to Suntec City was the right choice,” said Jason Koh, convention producer for Doujin Market and Account Director of Neo Tokyo Project. “We were amazed by the outpouring of interest from artists, stakeholders and fans. It’s affirmation that there’s real demand for Doujin Market, and we are committed to making it the region’s definitive pop-culture inspired art, illustration and self-publishing event.”

Supporting Doujin Market this year was Noise Movement, an initiative of the National Arts Council which provides seed funding to ground-up programs to catalyze arts creation, participation and appreciation among young people. The event has also been recognized by the International Otaku Expo Association (I.O.E.A.) of Japan as a premier exhibition in Singapore.

“It has been an honor to exhibit at what is arguably Singapore’s largest youth arts event,” said Mr. Darren Kwok, director of Afterthought Studios and publisher of Singapore’s first successfully crowd-funded visual novel game. In addition to presenting the Visual Novel Hub, Afterthought Studios also held some 50 portfolio reviews for those aspiring to produce their own content.

“We met many young talents, and gave them sound advice on how to take their art to the next level,” he said. “There’s a lot of potential here – just a lack of mentors willing to entertain new ideas and new avenues for self-expression. We hope our presence changes that,“ Darren added.

Ten seminars that covered topics including starting an art collective, publishing, script-writing and social media marketing were held as part of Doujin Market’s efforts to spur youth entrepreneurship in the arts. These seminars featured industry professionals and homegrown illustration studios such as CDS and Daiyaku, and saw a full house crowd.

“The doujin movement, as well as demand for self-published content, is growing,” said Jason. “Singapore is poised to be the regional hub for these activities, and we hope to engage not just communities here, but also those beyond our borders.”

Doujin Market next year will take place on the first weekend of May in conjunction with World Doujin Day. Some programs slated for next year will include more skills-based seminars, fan activities, as well as a manga drawing challenge.

While Doujin Market isn’t a cosplay event, it IS cosplayer friendly. That’s because we’re cosplayers too, and we appreciate the passion and artistry behind the craft.

If you intend to come to Doujin Market this weekend in costume, here are some tips to make your time with us fuss-free!

1. A Potion A Day

Keeping hydrated is one of the most important parts of being in costume, and we’re glad to say that the great folks at Pokka have you covered!

Be sure to grab your free can of Gabu Gabu at the show and also PLENISH, a tasty isotonic drink that’s perfect for (re)PLENISH-ing those lost electrolytes!

2. Heroes never die (unless they’re killed)

If you’re going to cosplay at Doujima, you definitely want to bring a repair kit just in case!

Costume malfunctions happen to the best of us, having a sewing kit or glue on hand may make all the difference between suiting down early or having more time in costume.

3. You know the rules and so do I

Doujima’s a cosplay-friendly convention, so our usual house rules apply. Remember to keep them in mind while you’re having fun (and we’re sure you will)!

– Visitors are allowed to cosplay characters from any genre. There is no stipulation or limitation on the characters you can cosplay. However, cosplayers are reminded to practice positive convention etiquette.

– As this is a family friendly event, cosplayers are reminded to be mindful and to dress appropriately for the venue. Exceptionally revealing costumes and costumes that expose the underboob, pubic area and/or buttocks are strictly NOT allowed.

– Exposed metal props and/or props with sharp blades and/or sharp edges are strictly NOT allowed at the convention. Should you have a metal prop, the prop must be ‘peace-bonded’ (i.e. secured) in a bag or in it’s scabbard at all times. The organizer reserves the right to routinely inspect props with impunity for safety reasons.

– Props constructed out of wood, foam and other light materials are allowed as per normal.

– All gun props MUST have orange safety tips and/or clearly defined toy brands/labels and/or must be readily identifiable as a toy. Props capable of firing projectiles e.g. crossbow toys and NERF guns, must NOT be loaded at ALL times.

– You are NOT allowed to swing and/or brandish cosplay weapons, or act in a threatening and/or unruly manner with cosplay weapons while at the convention.

– Make use of the Chill Out Zone, which has been allocated for fans, visitors and cosplayers to hang out, but remember to take care of your belongings and your personal safety at all times!

And that’s all folks, thanks for reading our survival guides.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask on our event page or PM us on Facebook!

Doujin Market 2016 at Suntec City is a grand adventure and like all grand adventures, it’s dangerous to go alone and unprepared! 😮

Here are some tips that will help you beat the crowds and get through the weekend.

1. War, War Never Changes

… but how we fight it certainly has. If you’re preparing your plan of attack for the convention, you can start by reading Part 1 of our Doujima Survival Guide so that you know how to get to the convention.

Also, don’t forget to download our event map!

Aside from having a ton of booths with us this year, we also have plenty of seminars and portfolio reviews, as well as Singapore’s first Visual Novel Hub!

Check out what seminars we have lined up here and learn more about the Visual Novel Hub here.

We also recommend checking out some of your favorite artists before the show to get a sneak peek at what they’ll be selling, just to get a better idea of how much your wallet is going to cry. ^^;;

2. We require more minerals

We know it’s a no-brainer, but you definitely want to bring plenty of $2 and $10 notes when heading down to the con.

If you need to break up your bigger notes at nearby stores before buying from the artists, do it!

We’re sure that they’ll appreciate not having to run around trying to break your change.

(And if you’re an artist, be sure to bring change for your loyal supplicants… errr… fans, and do bring a float to help with your first few sales!)

3. I have the power (bank)

Charge your batteries! There will be no power outlets provided for visitor use, so to keep from getting flat at the event, you’ll want to make sure you have a power bank equipped.

Better make sure it’s fully-charged too – you don’t want to make that mistake. We’ve been there, trust us.

4. Stay awhile and listen

If you’re attending our seminars, be prepared to take notes (since photography and recording is not allowed)!

Bring whatever your note-taking tool of choice is, and remember to turn up early since seats are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also, remember to bring a sample of your work so it’s easier to get feedback if you’re attending Portfolio Review sessions.

P.S. Don’t forget to bring your namecards!

5. Transform and roll out!

Now that you’ve read our list, remember to finish packing the day before the con so you won’t forget anything essential!

All done reading our guide? Great, because we can’t wait to see you at Doujima this weekend!

 

With Doujin Market just days away, we’ve decided to put together some handy guides to help you better your convention experience.

This year, Doujin Market takes place at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center, which makes this our biggest show to date. The event will be held at the Crescent (Level 2), which is accessible both through the mall, and from the convention center. 

Simply follow the picture references and instructions below.

Route 1: From Taxi Stand/Convention Center

 

Route 2: From MRT/Mall Access

Be sure to bookmark this page if you think you’ll need to refer to these instructions again!

Also, look out for Part 2 and Part 3 of our Doujima Survival Guide for more tips and tricks to make the most of your Doujima weekend!

With Doujima being at Suntec this year, there’s a lot more space for even more content and we have a lot more to offer this year!

Check out this list of 5 things you definitely don’t want to miss at our event!

1. Doujin Booths

As always, Doujima is a great place to check out the latest wares that your favourite doujin circles are selling. From local artists to those from around the region, we’re sure that you’ll find something to spend on!

2. Cosplayer Rest Area

Fear not, cosplayers! Doujima will also play host to a cosplayer rest area to beat the heat!

We’ll have chilled Gabu Gabu on hand while stocks last, so remember to ‘Like’ their page here. :3

3. Seminars and Workshops

We have even more free seminars this year, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible! From crowdfunding to paneling and writing workshops, you’ll definitely find something you’re interested in.

Check here for the list of seminars and their timeslots!

4. Visual Novel Hub

You’ll definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for the Visual Novel Hub, brought to you by Afterthought Studios!

Try playing hands-on demos of visual novels from Afterthought Studios, Naïve Sprites, Star Maiden Games and Weeev; buy merchandise from your favorite game or get your hands on harmonicblend’s latest album!

5. Portfolio Reviews

Aspiring developer or artist? Why not bring your work to ask someone in the industry for tips and tricks to improve?

Afterthought Studios will be conducting portfolio reviews at the Visual Novel Hub, as will the Association of Comic Artists (Singapore) at their booth, so be sure to grab your portfolio and head on down!

Doujin Market’s definitely shaping up to be a fun and exciting one this year, so be sure to save the date alright?

We’ll see you 7-8 May at Suntec City!