Hold your breaths as Doujin Market – Singapore’s definitive pop culture themed youth arts and illustration event – returns for its fifth iteration!

Taking place at The Concourse, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre on 6th and 7th May, Doujin Market 2017 will spotlight creative circles from around the region including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan, each exhibiting an eclectic mix of original and derivative fan content.

With three wings aptly named Imagination, Innovation and Inspiration, the convention will play home to some 200 creators – more than twice the number last year.

The Inspiration wing will also feature seminars by key players in the anime, comic and game publishing sectors aimed at spurring arts entrepreneurship, fueling creativity and encouraging skills-based learning, as well as portfolio reviews and networking opportunities for youth artists aspiring to break into the industry.

“Many circles exhibiting at Doujima are already popular online and their work has global appeal,” said Jason Koh, account director of Neo Tokyo Project and convention producer for Doujin Market. “They’ve accomplished what many of their predecessors have failed to do – innovate new content and keep audiences engaged while developing their own IPs and creating full-time. We want to highlight their many successes this year.”

With the support of the community, Doujin Market 2017 will inaugurate World Doujin Day – an international celebration of self-publishing and creativity set to take place on the first Saturday of May each year. It is a chance for creators to connect with their peers, and share inspiration using the #worlddoujin hashtag on social media.

The World Doujin Day logo.

The movement will also mark the establishment of Singapore’s first ever Doujin Archive – a time capsule dedicated to chronicling the history of self-published original and derivative fan content by youth artists here.

Participating circles will be invited to submit samples of their work to the Archive annually, and to create original pieces depicting their personal artistic journey.

Works in the capsule will be exhibited at Doujin Market’s 10th Anniversary five years from now, as testament to the growth and sustainability of Singapore’s self-publishing scene.

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. 

Press materials are available upon request.