Heading to Comiket 89? You may be in for a long wait…
Comiket
89 will take over Tokyo Big Sight in a matter of weeks, drawing half a million people eager to buy exclusive merchandise and support their favorite dōjin circles. The mass conglomeration of people in one area can mean one thing: lines. The Morinaga Candy company posted a video for this summer’s event giving useful advice so visitors could avoid heat stroke while waiting to get in.
Now those lines might be longer thanks to increased security concerns by police to prevent a terrorist attack. Police requested an increase in the event’s security measures. To comply with the request, visitors will have to submit to a baggage check and no hazardous materials, firearms, or swords that violate the Firearms and Sword Possession Control Law will be allowed. Personal belongings should not be left unattended, either.
Terror attacks in Paris and mass shootings in the U.S. have overtaken recent news reports. Japanese police arrested a 27-year-old South Korean man earlier this month on the suspicion that he placed a bomb in the bathroom of the Yasukuni shrine on November 27. The shrine memorializes Japanese war dead, including war criminals from World War II. The bomb detonated and blew a hole in the ceiling of the bathroom.
Comiket previously required a bag check at its Comiket 83 event in 2012 in the wake of threats targeting Kuroko’s Basketball dōjin events and the creator himself. Comiket cancelled all circles related to Kuroko’s Basketball and refunded the participating circle’s entrance fees. The Sankei Shimbun reported the event lost more than 10 million yen (about US$117,900) as a result.
The perpetrator of the Kuroko’s Basketball threats and blackmail was arrested in 2013.
[Via Kai-You]
More from Anime News Network:
Which corporate booths wooed otaku with the best Comiket freebies?
Can Comiket take much more? Crazy crowds push facilities to the limits once again
Cancelled summer Comiket goes digital with first ever Air Comiket, as the otaku spirit lives on
Manga artist fails to sell a single book at Comiket, still considers the day a major success
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
This Japanese chopping board sanitising bag might be the handy kitchen gadget we never knew we needed
Studio Ghibli unveils new finger puppets featuring anime characters from My Neighbour Totoro
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】