Thousands of otaku stagger home yenless and struggling under the weight of the doujinshi, illustration books, games and other goods they’ve snapped up in a frenzied three days of pushing, shoving, and waiting in endless lines. Yep, Comiket 87 is over for now, until the whole ordeal begins again next summer.
Most people agree that the event is more arduous than fun, and the volunteer staff are in the unenviable position of keeping things under control, trying to keep the hordes moving, and looking anyone who collapses from the excitement of it all.
Below we have a collection of inspiring quotes from these heroic men and women. Some of them are simply priceless.
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
McDonald’s Japan releases a pancake pie for new retro kissaten coffeeshop series
Hamster abandoned at Tokyo ramen restaurant gets new home
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Mister Donut ready to make hojicha dreams come true in latest collab with Kyoto tea merchant
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Hamster abandoned at Tokyo ramen restaurant gets new home
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Mister Donut ready to make hojicha dreams come true in latest collab with Kyoto tea merchant
Enjoy viewing Kyoto’s cherry blossoms from above on a guided zipline tour
Ghibli Park opens final area to first visitors, with stunning new attractions and shops 【Videos】
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Pokémon and 158-year-old Kyoto sweets shop team up for Pokémon wagashi confectionery line【Pics】 
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Notes from the Evangelion payroll department – How much does Shinji earn?
Poo sakura are in full bloom at Unko Museum’s cherry blossom festival in Tokyo
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station