Comic Party Anime Review

Comic Party
Komikku Pati
The Right Stuf Int'l
Complete Collection - 4 discs
463 mins. - 13 episodes
$49.99 (2006) Thinpak
$99.95 (2004)
$29.95 (2004) Vol. 1-4/ea.
$39.95 (2004) w/Artbox
ISBN 742617201721
English/Japanese Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Norihiko Sudo
Studio - Oriental Light and Magic/KSS

Synopsis: Kazuki Sendo is a high school student unsure of what he wants to do with his life.  His friend talks him into going to the 'Comic Party' - a massive doujinshi convention where Kazuki learns of the world of self-published comics and meets some of the creators.  He enjoys the experience, has some artistic talent, and embarks on the road to creating his very own doujinshi!

Kazuki anguishes over what to do with his life

Along the way he is supported by girl friend (not girlfriend) Mizuki Takase who is ambivalent to the whole doujinshi culture along with the grandiose otaku-boy Taishi Kuhonbutsu.  He befriends the passionate artist girl Yu Inagawa (aka Hot Springs Panda), popular artist girl Eimi Ooba (head of doujin circle "Cat or Fish?!"), shy artist girl Aya Hasabe, Comic Party staffer Minami Makimura, printer Chisa Tsukamoto, and his very first fan Ikumi Tachikawa.  Will Kazuki manage to get his doujinshi out on time, make any money, or sink in the exciting world of doujinshi?!

As a doujinshi artist Kazuki gets to meet creepy man-boy fanboys like this guy

Pros: Right Stuf included a booklet detailing all of the numerous parodies only the most diehard otaku would notice, interesting look at the self-published comic 'industry' in Japan, four special mini-episodes, some very mild fan-service

Beach episode including dark, scary cave mystery

Cons: Slow-paced, pretty simple plot, not terribly exciting

Eimi mocks poor Kazuki's noob status

Mike Tells It Straight: Welcome to the Comic Party!  It was originally a dating sim game, but the anime focused instead on the doujinshi (self-published comic) aspect of the story.  Here's a glimpse into Japan's self-published comics industry.  You'll get a nice slice-of-life story about a hopeful young doujinshi artist and the relationships he makes along the way.  The otaku in-jokes are seriously hardcore (for Americans) and would be completely lost without Right Stuf's judiciously added cheat sheet.  Comic Party is a mellow show and perfect for young/beginning anime fans.

Taishi says buy more comics now!

TO BUY and Recommendations: