| Music Media-Mix Market | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname | M3 |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Doujin music convention |
| Frequency | Semiannual |
| Venue | Tokyo Ryutsu Center in Ōta, Tokyo |
| Inaugurated | March 21, 1998 (1998-03-21) |
| Website | www.m3net.jp |
Music Media-Mix Market, commonly abbreviated as M3, is a semiannual doujinshi convention held in Ōta, Tokyo that primarily caters to doujin music. Both independent and commercial vendors sell various audio and music-related goods, from CDs to musical instruments. It was first held on March 21, 1998 with 53 participating groups, which has since grown to over 1,000 participants per event. It is typically held at Tokyo Ryutsu Center in the spring and fall of each year.
Program
M3 is focused on the sale of audio material such as doujin music[1] and audio dramas. The event is run by a team of volunteers, and is held twice a year at Tokyo Ryutsu Center in Ōta, Tokyo[2][3] – once in the spring (April or May), and once in the autumn (October).[4]
Works sold at M3 span many different genres, and may either be derived from media properties such as video games or completely original works. Attendees of the event purchase a catalog which acts as their admission ticket as well as providing information on the participating vendors.[2] The event also features a "listening corner" where attendees can listen to as many CDs as they would like from participating circles.[5] Some participants perform live music at the event.[6]
Participants
M3's primary participants are doujin circles, which consist of individuals or groups who create doujin work. These circles can be professional or amateur in nature. Over 1,300 circles participated in M3-2016 Autumn. Manufacturers of musical equipment also come to exhibit their wares, so that potential buyers can try out their products. Participants primarily come from Japan and other parts of Asia like South Korea and Taiwan, but circles from all around the world attend and sell at M3.[2] Some participating circles would go on to find professional success, such as Sound Horizon.[5][6] Some participants specialize in reviews of other circles' doujin albums.[7]
History
The first M3 event was held on March 21, 1998[8] at the Tokyo Stationery Kyowa Kaikan in Asakusabashi, with 53 participating circles.[2] The idea for M3 came about due to Comiket not having a dedicated category for audio at the time, with music, radio dramas, and MAD tapes (derivative works made from splicing together audiovisual material) instead being exhibited in other categories such as doujin soft.[5] Its first exhibitors also doubled as the event staff. Corporate vendors, such as instrument manufacturers, record labels, and software developers, would first attend the event for its tenth anniversary in 2008, and by 2011 they were an accepted part of the event's culture.[2]
Early on, much of M3's works were arrangements of music from bishōjo games[2] such as the works of Key, and other popular video games at the time, like Ragnarok Online and Higurashi When They Cry.[5] Vocaloid played a significant role in M3's development, as the software easily allows for circles to produce vocal music without needing a human singer. Online platforms such as Niconico have also helped to draw attention to the event, with popular utaite (amateur online singers who cover songs) releasing their CDs.[5][6] These new audiences drew in younger attendees in the middle to high school age range, who would come with their parents to purchase music.[2] The popularity of Vocaloid and utaite also helped to attract a larger amount of female participants.[6] In 2016, M3 was attended by over 10,000 people.[5]
The event continued to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020[9] and 2021, though limited to 50% of the venue's usual capacity.[10] As of 2024, the number of attendees has yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Toyohiko, Kunida (August 15, 2008). 同人音楽制作ガイド [Doujin Music Production Guide] (in Japanese). Hidewa System. p. 218. ISBN 9784798020396.
- ^ a b c d e f g Nakabayashi, Akira (November 11, 2016). "CD不況の今、音楽を買いたい人が集まるイベント「M3」って何?" [What is "M3"? It's an event that brings together people who want to buy music amid the current CD recession.]. AV Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ "音楽同人即売会"M3"リポート 声優＆歌手として活躍するhibiku（山村 響）さんへのインタビューも！" [Report from the music doujin sales event "M3" - Includes an interview with voice actor and singer Hibiku (Yamamura Hibiki)!]. Famitsu (in Japanese). October 30, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ Ann-MeltsP (January 25, 2019). ボカロビギナーズ！ボカロでDTM入門 第二版 [Vocaloid Beginners! Introduction to DTM with Vocaloid, Second Edition] (in Japanese). Impress R&D. ISBN 9784844398912.
- ^ a b c d e f Suzuki, Miyuki (April 7, 2016). "音のコミケ「M3」 1万人動員のイベント主催者に聞く「同人音楽の20年」" [Comiket "M3" - 20 Years of Doujin Music]. ITmedia NEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Suzuki, Miyuki (April 26, 2016). "国内最大の同人音楽イベント「M3」に行ってみた" [A Visit to Japan's Largest Doujin Music Event, "M3"]. ITmedia NEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ a b Yamamoto, Kohei (October 30, 2022). "キングクリムゾン、ＥＬＰだけじゃない 同人プログレの〝布教〟に尽力する男がいる" [Not just King Crimson and ELP, there's a man who's dedicated to spreading the word about doujin progressive rock]. Yorozoo (in Japanese). Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ "Past Events". M3. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ "M3-2020春は予定通り開催の方針です／流行中の新型肺炎について" [M3-2020 Spring will be held as scheduled / Regarding the current outbreak of the new type of pneumonia]. M3. February 15, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- ^ Kobayashi, Yusuke (May 11, 2021). "同人音楽即売会「M3」がコロナ感染者なしを報告 緊急事態宣言下に開催" [Doujin music event "M3" reports no COVID-19 cases despite state of emergency]. KAI-YOU (in Japanese). Retrieved September 24, 2025.
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