A doujinshi copybook or copybon (コピー本) is a self-published and self-made work of fan or original fiction published using a copy machine.

Types

Copybooks are usually fan fiction featuring characters that are not the artist's own, however copybooks can often feature original characters and situations. H-Copybooks are erotic. (The letter 'H' usually stands for erotic content in Japan.) Most copybooks are erotic hentai

Hentai

is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...

, or Japanese drawn erotic comics. Some copybooks are hand drawn, these types are rare. Most books consist of hand drawn comics with very little screen tones.

Printing and Binding

Copybooks are self printed by the doujinshi-ka (Doujinshi artist) and self bound. The most common type are printed on copy paper using a Xerox

Xerox

Xerox Corporation is an American multinational document management corporation that produced and sells a range of color and black-and-white printers, multifunction systems, photo copiers, digital production printing presses, and related consulting services and supplies...

 machine or other home copy device. They are usually bound together with staples down the front or in the middle. Some are bound with glue and tape.

Reception and Value

Because copybooks are printed in such few number (usually 10 to 20) their value increases over time. Rare copybooks by well-known doujinshi circles are coveted collector's items and bring in quite an impressive revenue. Many doujinshi artists and circles begin, and build reputations with copybooks. Japan produces most copybook doujinshi, which can be found at Comiket

Comiket

, otherwise known as the , is the world's largest self-published comic book fair, held twice a year in Tokyo, Japan. The first Comiket was held on December 21, 1975, with only about 32 participating circles and an estimated 600 attendees. Attendance has since swelled to over a half million people....

or any other doujinshi convention. American copybooks are extremely rare due to strict American copyright laws and few books in circulation. These are high in value. Famous copybook circles include Fresh Fruits and Momonga Club.