So, I finally hit up Sousaku Market as a general attendee.
To be honest, I’m still a total rookie when it comes to doujin events. The last time I went to one was just for a casual stroll at COMIC CITY 30 last year. But this time, one of my favorite artists was participating, so I decided it was time to actually show up and buy some merch.
Here’s a look at my first real experience and the haul I managed to snag. (Note: I’ve checked with all the artists about posting these photos, but if there are any issues, please let me know.)
The Rookie Mistake: Wrong Side of the Map
The venue was MyDome Osaka. I’d never been there and didn’t bother checking the map beforehand—classic mistake. I was chilling at a cafe having breakfast, thinking I was all set, only to realize I was on the complete opposite side of the area.
When I saw I was still 920m away, I was lowkey devastated. I hurried over and arrived at 11:10 AM, but the line was already massive. I thought I’d messed up for sure, but I still ended up finding some incredible stuff.
The Haul
Mugen no Lamp KoBo：Pieris✥
The main reason I went. I’ve been following them on BlueSky because I love their style. When I heard they were dropping an artbook at Sousaku Market, I knew I had to be there. The lighting and the soft atmosphere in their work is just next level. Seeing characters like Anni and Lilianna in print was so satisfying.
Hadami Hanasazu Hanasarezu：Yuzuki Itsugu
I wasn’t planning on buying manga, but this art style really caught my eye. I ended up getting the new release plus a couple of older books. Turns out they have a huge following—over 20k? It makes total sense once you read their work.
Rakujitsu-rondo：Zanmi Imu
I went for the magnets but ended up with stickers and polaroids too. I tried their venue-exclusive gacha and somehow pulled the same polaroid twice. The artist was super cool about it and let me swap.
Emua
The pink aesthetic here is so good. I meant to just get a postcard, but after seeing the artbook and keychains in person, I couldn’t help myself.
Fuwatoro-Omelet rice：KURE✦
The keychains and buttons are adorable. I’m already planning to set up a display board in my room specifically for these.
Dainana-sanchi：Dainanati
Their style is very soft and dreamy, which I’m a big fan of. I was a bit nervous flipping through the book right in front of the artist, but I’m glad I picked it up.
Sanada Shiro
Total impulse buy. I’m not usually into “furry” art, but the expression on the character’s face on the cover was just too good to pass up.
Yomogi-to-Tanuki：Null
Saw their work in a retweet and had to see it in person. Everything was so cute, though I realized later I forgot to grab the freebie they were handing out. My bad.
Kobana-toKoBo：Kobana
I walked past this booth a few times trying to resist. Eventually, the keychains won. I went back and got the whole set. Definitely no regrets there.
Wrap-up: A New Obsession
I get it now—these events are addictive. Seeing art online is cool, but holding the physical work is a game changer.
I also had a realization: I’m apparently obsessed with chibi (mini) characters. Most of what I bought fits that vibe. I usually practice drawing more realistic proportions, but now I’m super inspired to try drawing some cute chibis of my own characters.
Sousaku Market was a blast. Huge thanks to all the creators for the amazing work. I’m going to keep practicing so that one day, my art can make someone feel as hyped as I do right now.
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