Not A Copycat

The Japanese Government Ministry for Cultural Affairs (Bunkacho) funded the production of the Not a Copycat, which was then exhibited as part of the Japan Media Arts Festival 2020 in the show “ENCOUNTERS” in Tokyu Plaza (Ginza) in Tokyo, Japan. The exhibition was situated in one of the busiest areas of Tokyo – Ginza – in Tokyu Plaza which is a typical Japanese-style hybrid mall with courts for separate purposes, including retail, food and culture. The culture section of the mall is located in a modular formation between food and shopping, therefore working as a thoroughfare for any visitor. It can be safely estimated that significant thoroughfare of 1000 persons would visit the event per day.

Notable members of the comics industry, such as Tezuka Award-winning manga artists Daisuke Nishijima and Shiriagari Kotobuki attended and reported back favourably, with Daisuke Nishijima reviewing the event via his popular personal website.

The presentation of the work included all 10 pages on the iPad, including two original pages, demonstrating the traditional doujinshi techniques, involving screen tone and manual ink work.

This exhibition concluded this section of the project, and documents the findings from the research, reportage and workshops. The first 10 pages of the publication, successfully communicates the issue of Comiket festival as a legal paradox, whilst using the practical examples gleaned from the workshops to effectively argue for the utility of doujinshi as a robust method for learning the craft of comics and manga.