Comic Market 85: Digital Lover / D.L. Action 82 & 83 / Yuka Nakajima

The doujinshi James Brown plunges fast and deep at C85

The hardest-working artist in the ecchi parody doujinshi business, Digital Lover's Yuka Nakajima has started to reveal some of the goods the circle will be featuring for sale at Comic Market 85.  Already once dashed upon the rocks by the sirens of Kantai Collection, Nakajima has thus far revealed a 60cm x 120 cm bath towel featuring two of the Kongou sisters enjoying a good hull-debarnacling, and what looks to be a small desk-sized calendar with super-deformed versions of an assortment of the girls.  If past performance can be used as an indicator of future results, I'll be not at all surprised to see a pair of ero doujin unleashed by the circle between now and then, though what series shall be lampooned is anyone's guess at this time.

Update 1, 9:01 am 12/12/13:  Yuka Nakajima has released more images of the desk calendar her circle will be selling at Comiket 85, and it certainly seems there's far more than just chibified Kanmusu in fans' future.  Many series lampooned by the circle in the past (Index/Railgun, SAO, Evangelion, OreImo, Monogatari) join girls that have yet to receive their own D.L. Action title (Madoka Magica, Attack on Titan), and a few series for which Nakajima designed the characters (Papakiki, Amagi Brilliant Park) on the pages of the calendar.  The only one I can't identify is the one in the bottom left--any helpers out there?

Update 2, 1:43 pm 12/16/13:  The latest reveal of goods offered by Digital Lover at Comic Market 85 showcases that most robust of the Kanmusu, Atago, on a clear file.  Similar to the treatment Shimakaze got at Sunshine Creation 61 in October, Atago's uniform is perfectly intact on the outside, obscuring her post-skirmish condition on the interior.

Update 3, 12:45 pm 12/23/13:  To the surprise of not a single person paying attention, as revealed today by Yuka Nakajima, D.L. Action 82 will indeed return to the waters of the Kantai Collection universe.  Shimakaze's presence carries over from D.L. Action 81, but she's joined on the cover this time by Kongou and the Submarine I-19.  Nakajima seemed to confirm that the same shota inexperienced admiral from the circle's previous Kan Colle parody book will repeat his performance in this edition.

Update 4, 10:12 am 12/27/13:  And there's the surprise release we've come to expect from Digital Lover--time to reach behind the Rock Band drum set, dust off the Nerve Gear, and plug back into the world of Sword Art Online, as Asuna Yuuki graces the cover of D.L. Action 83.  While it seems like forever ago that SAO was in the forefront of fandom's collective mind, it was only back in February 2013 that Asuna last appeared on the cover of a Yuka Nakajima doujin, on Sankuri 58's D.L. Action 74.

Comic Market 85: Raijinkai / 雷神会 / Harukigenia

Kill la Killing them softly at Comiket 85

Whether out of mercy, disinterest, or trying to stay ahead of the curve, Raijinkai has early-released their newest book, presumably to be sold at Comic Market 85 but already available through retailers, and, sound the bells, it is NOT a Kantai Collection parody (perhaps already getting it out of his system via Sankuri 61's Shimakaze-starring ero work)!  Ryuuko Matoi of the Fall anime season's critical darling, Kill la Kill, sheds most of Senketsu and gives a glimpse of her bashful side on the cover of the circle's offering.

Comic Market 85: Abgrund / Yusa Saikawa

Kan Colle's premier doujinka disciple going in guns blazing at C85

In all of doujinshidom, one would be hard-pressed to find a more devoted fan of Kantai Collection than Yusa Saikawa of Abgrund.  Seemingly nightly, one can expect Saikawa's Twitter to be littered with updates regarding the latest additions to her fleet of girls, statistics, battle results, and the like.  Already with two Kan Colle parodies under her belt, debuting at Comiket 84 and Sankuri 61 respectively, Saikawa has confirmed that a continuation of her latest book featuring that unmistakable flagship of the Japanese fleet, Yamato, will be sold at Tokyo Big Sight this December.  It looks like there'll be goods for sale as well, including what looks like a clipboard featuring Yamato, and, well, something featuring the destroyer Yuugumo.  

Comic Market 85: TIES / Takei Ooki

Kantai Collectionogatari?

With sparse and occasional exceptions, the work of Takei Ooki's TIES has focused on the supernatural harem orbiting Koyomi Araragi in NisiOisin's Monogatari series, and with Monogatari Series Second Season's airing currently, one would not be at all surprised to see another romp in the hay with Nadeko, Tsukihi, Hitagi, et. al. in the works from this most gifted doujin-ka.  Something else no doujinshi fan would be surprised by at this winter's Comiket?  You guessed it--a Kantai Collection parody.  While an official indication is forthcoming, it's surely no great stretch to project as much, as Ooki posted this sketch of the light cruiser Yahagi to his Twitter account not long ago.

Update 1, 11:08 am 12/24/13:  How could I have overlooked Ooki's affinity for sister acts?  After long plying in the trade of the Monogatari series' Araragi girls, TIES will feature Kan Colle's Kongou sisters on the cover of their C85 release, with Suzuya and Izakuchi getting in on the scene as well!  No word yet on whether this will be a strictly yuri release, or if an admiral will be assigned to this particular flotilla...Update 3, 4:01 pm 12/28/13:  Preview pages confirm there is what we'll call a less experienced admiral at the help of this particular fleet.

Update 2, 3:52 pm 12/28/13:  A somewhat late reveal by Takei Ooki today via Twitter--a fifth kanmusu has come under his auspices at Comiket 85 in the form of an additional doujinshi.  Kan Colle's Zuihou is the star of what is described as an "extra book"--short-form, roughly done omake books are not uncommon in TIES' past, but typically they are titled Extra! vol. #.  Perhaps this one is more complete, and therefore exempt from the typical nomenclature?

Comic Market 85: Mugen@WORKS / むげん＠WORKS / Akiduki Akina

All Kongou, no Kurtz at C85

Mugen@WORKS' Akiduki Akina was among the earliest doujin artists to start milking the cash cow that is Kantai Collection, managing to eke out a full-length book in less than three weeks for Comic Market 84, but unlike most artists' eagerness to exploit the vastness of the game's roster, Akina has found his girl and stuck with her.  The personification of the battleship Kongou will make her third consecutive cover appearance for Mugen@WORKS book at Comic Market 85 with the release of Kon-Colle 03--frequent readers will also note the artist's continued proclivity toward considerably kyonyuu'd covergirls squeezing, grasping, clutching, and otherwise manipulating themselves for the reader's titillation.  

Update 1, 6:48 pm 12/22/13:  In a completely unheralded move, Akiduki Akina revealed yesterday that Mugen@WORKS would have a second book for sale at Comiket 85.  Kongou will be joined by the kanmusu aircraft cruiser Suzuya in the waters around Odaiba, though it looks like she may need some assistance replacing a gasket, of the cover is to be believed....

Comic Market 85: Clesta / Cle Masahiro / CL-orz 33

Masahiro's Kantai Collection goods seek to liberate yen at C85

Add Clesta's Cle Masahiro to the roster of doujin-ka seeking to cash in on the naval naifs of Kantai Collection at Comic Market 85 in December.  While book plans are still forthcoming, Masahiro's Twitter feed has included a slew of fleet members in varied and compromised states, including a calendar and a delectable depiction of the battleship Nagato in dakimakura form to be offered for sale.

Update 1, 11:02 am 12/24/13:  Not content to merely dakimakurize the dreadnought, Cle Masahiro revealed today that Nagato will be the star of the circle's ero parody doujin offering, CL-orz 33.

Comic Market 85: Shoujo Kishidan / 少女騎士団 / Oyari Ashito

Singing, dancing, seafaring?--Ashito's idol complex faces fleet of frigates at C85

Prolific erotic stick figure artist Oyari Ashito has been an awfully busy man as of late, with an art exhibit and the publishing of career retrospective artbook Little World 2 giving reason to revisit and retouch some of his old favorites, and the release of world- and heroine-conquering strategy RPG Eiyuu*Senki Gold coming out in January, but it seems that Ashito has had some opportunity to squeeze in a little doujin work, AND flex his admiralty skills as well in the lead-up to Comic Market 85.

For quite some time, Ashito's oeuvre has been dominated by that novel, uniquely Japanese female identity construct, the idol, and C85 currently projects to be no different.  Ashito's two latest doujinshi have focused on the rescuing angels of Otonokizaka Academy from Love Live! School Idol Project--April's gravure-style Kawaikute shikata ga nai! and August's intercourse-heavy followup, Midsummer Night Dream.  Images of μ's Eri Ayase and Niko Yazawa have appeared on Ashito's Twitter feed recently, certainly suggesting a third book is in the works.

Not to be forgotten, it would be no surprise if Ashito's most frequent targets, the girls of iDOLM@STER's 765 Productions, were included in the festivities this December as well.  Ashito posted a sketch of four-time covergirl Iori Minase to his Twitter account not long ago.

Like what certainly seems to be a majority of his doujinka cohorts, it also seems like Ashito will seek to cash in on the popularity of Kantai Collection at C85, if these recently posted images of Inazuma are any indication.

Update 1, 11:15 am 12/9/13:  More evidence from Oyari Ashito's Twitter feed today certainly seems to assert the presence of a Kan Colle parody ero doujin from Shoujo Kishidan at C85--it looks like the diminuitive Inazuma's sharing drydock space with the heavy cruiser Atago!







Update 2, 11:04 am 12/11/13:  Via his Twitter feed, Oyari Ashito confirmed this as the work-in-progress cover of his Kantai Collection parody doujinshi at Comic Market 85.  Certainly an interesting choice, keeping the ports along either side of Inazuma's spine there...







Update 3, 3:28 pm 12/14/13:  Another update from Ashito's Twitter feed today reveals the book's title, Maiden Voyage.









Update 4, 6:41 pm 12/22/13:  Oyari Ashito has confirmed the final version of his Kantai Collection ero parody doujin, Maiden Voyage.  As has been previously indicated, it stars the kanmusu Atago and Inazuma, and of perhaps greater interest, it makes a point of naming those two and those two alone--could it be that Ashito's Christmas gift to fans is a first-ever yuri release?  I, for one, can't wait for preview pages to be released to find out!  Update 5, 10:04 am 12/27/13:  Ashito revealed preview pages on his website today and in doing so confirmed this is definitely not a yuri release.

Radially arched Copperplate Gothic...have the Golden State Warriors been notified of this?

Update 6, 10:06 am 12/27/13:  Via his Twitter feed, Ashito has finally revealed his plans for the Love Live and iM@S sketches he'd posted in the previous month or so--the circle's trying to produce an omake book to be offered at C85, rather than a full-fledged second release.  Love Live's Maki Nishikino graces the cover of the bonus book.

Sunshine Creation 61: Alpha to Yukaina Nakamatachi / 有葉と愉快な仲間たち

More sweet stuff from Alpha's kitchen

The steady stream of confectioneries continues from the kitchen of Alpha to Yukaina Nakamatachi at Sunshine Creation 61 this weekend with Cheese Cake Position, the 6th iteration of their sweets-titled omake books.  The circle's mascot character graces an adorable nekomimi'd hooded towel that the circle originally sold at Sankuri 60 earlier this year.  

Sunshine Creation 61: Raijinkai / 雷神会 / Harukigenia

A warm Island Wind blows 

Raijinkai will bring Kan Colle's Shimakaze into drydock to check instrument sensitivity, fluid levels, and reload ammunition at Sunshine Creation 61 this weekend.  

Sunshine Creation 61: Abgrund / Yusa Saikawa

Early adopter Saikawa pays tribute to the vanguard of the fleet

The futility of being Japanese-illiterate and following doujin-ka on Twitter cannot be understated, but one does manage to glean some information.  Exhibit A?  Man oh man does Abgrund's Yusa Saikawa love Kantai Collection.  Her followers can expect a daily update on her progress in the game, new characters added to her fleet, stats updates, the whole nine yards.  So, when one sees her circle's producing a Kan Colle parody book, one can be fairly assured that it's not just fan service cashing in on the latest fad to sweep otakudom.  After cranking out an Atago-themed book at Comiket 84, Abgrund moves onto that most famous and revered ship in Japanese naval history, Yamato, for Sunshine Creation 61.

Sunshine Creation 61: Mugen@WORKS / むげん@WORKS / Akiduki Akina

Kyonyuu Kan Colle's Kongo Kontinues Koncerning Krafting

Because Japan first became a fan of Akiduki Akina's Mugen@WORKS after enjoying the circle's two 2011 Haganai parodies featuring Kobato Hasegawa at the fore, and greatly enjoyed the circle's Waiting in the Summer and Accel World books that followed in the first half of 2012.  Since then, however, a certain physical feature has dominated the majority of the circle's books that certainly sways opposite the heroines that captured this writer's initial attention.

I'm not saying that these books are no good, nor am I saying that Mugen@WORKS is a one-trick pony.  I simply hope and wish that the circle would show a bit more creativity in the presentation of its subject matter than it has over the past year.  Kon-Colle 02, featuring Kantai Collection's Kongo, will be released at this weekend's Sunshine Creation 61.

Sunshine Creation 61: Clesta / Cle Masahiro / CL-orz 32

Nisekoi's leading lady not to be disrespected at Sankuri 61

After taking the back seat to her friend and bodyguard Tsugumi Seishirou on the cover of Clesta's previous offering one month ago, Nisekoi's female lead Chitoge Kirisaki finds herself in the pole position on the cover of CL-orz 32 to be released this weekend at Sunshine Creation 61.  Note the ever-so-slight and ever-so-delightful yaeba on the full-size high-res version!