<p>Well, if it's self published, it is called doujinshi.  If it's by a manga publisher, it's manga.  Note that this distinction makes no mention of relative quality...simply who is doing the publishing (and presumably paying for) the work.</p>

<p>Wikipedia highlights this in the first paragraph: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Dōjinshi (同人誌?, often transliterated as doujinshi) is the Japanese
  term for self-published works, usually magazines, manga or novels.
  Dōjinshi are often the work of amateurs, though some professional
  artists participate as a way to publish material outside the regular
  industry.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Note, professional artists can produce doujinshi if they're self-publishing that particular product.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-12T00:15:08.217Z
This is only really true for the english term 'doujinshi'. The Japanese word means something slightly different.
Kiruwa
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-11T21:33:36.273Z
2012-12-11T21:33:36.273Z
Beska
<p>Doujinshi just means you published it yourself, so the difference is that non-doujinshi manga is published by a company, while doujinshi manga is a self-published manga</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-11T21:33:42.773Z
2013-02-02T13:40:49.427Z
2013-02-02T13:40:49.427Z
Kirby
<p>Doujinshi is closer to what we think of as "indie/self-published" comics compared to manga. <strong>Professionals can produce doujinshi as well as amateurs,</strong> and many mangaka will produce doujinshi on the side when they're otherwise unable to produce a certain work for legal reasons. </p>

<p>Doujinshi are often, but not limited to:</p>

<ul>
<li>Fanart of pre-existing intellectual properties</li>
<li>Ecchi material</li>
<li>One-shots</li>
</ul>

<p>The quality of any given doujinshi can vary as a result, since literally anyone can produce a doujinshi without any sort of editorial oversight. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-11T21:42:58.900Z
Since you mention the fanart aspect, I think your answer is more complete.
Camilo Martin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-11T21:41:45.643Z
2012-12-11T21:41:45.643Z
Raye Keslensky
<p>Doujinshi seem to represent usually works of amateurs, but that is a subjective measure. What is the objective difference between both works?</p>

<terminology><doujinshi><manga-production>
What is the difference between doujinshi and manga?
# What is the difference between doujinshi and manga?
Posted by: username_0 on 2012-12-11
Doujinshi seem to represent usually works of amateurs, but that is a subjective measure. What is the objective difference between both works?
**Tags:** terminology doujinshi manga-production
---
## 3 answers
### Answer by username_4 on 2012-12-11. Score: 27 | Accepted answer
Doujinshi is closer to what we think of as "indie/self-published" comics compared to manga. **Professionals can produce doujinshi as well as amateurs,** and many mangaka will produce doujinshi on the side when they're otherwise unable to produce a certain work for legal reasons.

Doujinshi are often, but not limited to:

* Fanart of pre-existing intellectual properties
* Ecchi material
* One-shots

The quality of any given doujinshi can vary as a result, since literally anyone can produce a doujinshi without any sort of editorial oversight.
> **Comments:**
> **username_0** (2012-12-11): Since you mention the fanart aspect, I think your answer is more complete.  
---
### Answer by username_1 on 2012-12-11. Score: 11
Well, if it's self published, it is called doujinshi. If it's by a manga publisher, it's manga. Note that this distinction makes no mention of relative quality...simply who is doing the publishing (and presumably paying for) the work.

Wikipedia highlights this in the first paragraph:

> Dōjinshi (同人誌?, often transliterated as doujinshi) is the Japanese
> term for self-published works, usually magazines, manga or novels.
> Dōjinshi are often the work of amateurs, though some professional
> artists participate as a way to publish material outside the regular
> industry.

Note, professional artists can produce doujinshi if they're self-publishing that particular product.
> **Comments:**
> **username_2** (2012-12-12): This is only really true for the english term 'doujinshi'. The Japanese word means something slightly different.  
---
### Answer by username_3 on 2012-12-11. Score: 6
Doujinshi just means you published it yourself, so the difference is that non-doujinshi manga is published by a company, while doujinshi manga is a self-published manga
---
