Circle (doujin)

A Circle is a group (or sometimes just an individual) who creates and self-publishes doujinshi (fan-made comics or other creative works).

Here’s a bit more detail:

• The term comes from the idea of a circle of creators (like a club or team).
• A Circle can be:
  • One person working alone (sometimes called a “personal circle”).
  • A small group of friends or collaborators who write, draw, print, and sell their own books.
• Circles are the main participants in events like Comiket (Comic Market), where they sell their doujinshi directly to fans.
• They often use a Circle name, which functions like a brand or pen name under which they release all their works.