Hanakofuda zine is a for-profit Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun fanzine that uses Hanafuda cards as theme. For more information, please feel free to click around our Carrd!

What are Hanafuda cards?

Hanafuda is a traditional Japanese card game. It can be translated to “Flower cards”. A Hanafuda deck has 48 cards and is sorted into 12 sets. One set is 4 cards representing a month and each set also has a representative flower. Read more here.

If you'd like to try playing, check out the Hanafuda Flash here. Make sure to read the rules of the game first!

Schedule

Interest check:
July 9th - July 31st

Moderator applications:
July 18th - August 13th

Moderator E-mails:
August 16th

Contributor applications:
August 24 - September 17

Contributor E-mails:
September 27

Idea Check-in
October 11th

1st Check in:
October 25th

2nd Check in:
November 15th

3rd Check in:
December 6th

Final submission:
January 5th

Contributor Guidelines

For Artists
- As we plan to print all 48 Hanafuda cards to make a deck, we will be asking all artists to do one main piece and one secondary piece.

- Each artist will be assigned a card from a set based on their preferences.

- Each set is based on a month and a flower, those will be the general theme for the piece.

- The main piece will be a full illustration, where they will be asked to incorporate JSHK characters into the assigned card. The secondary piece will be a simple illustration of the set’s flower. If the artist already drew flowers for their main piece, reusing those flowers in the secondary piece is allowed.

For Merch Artists
- Merch artists will be assigned one or two merch items from their preferences. There won’t be an exact theme for them to follow, but drawing something hanafuda or traditional Japanese related would be appreciated to fit the overall theme of the zine.

For Writers
- Writers will be assigned two Hanafuda sets(i.e., two different months) from their listed preferences and asked to write a total of two short fics according to the theme.

- Each piece will begin with either a short poem or poetic quote to set the theme and mood of their fic. Each fic will be a short story around 500 - 1.3k words. Writers can choose to write the fic according to the flower meaning, the literal flower, the season or the symbolism in the set assigned.

All contributors are recommended to do some research for their pieces if they aren’t familiar with Hanafuda cards or the symbolism of the cards. All mods will gladly help out if needed and will provide links to make the research easier.

Application Guidelines

If you can, do not include NSFW samples in your samples or portfolio you are submitting. If you really can’t help it like sharing your Ao3, please do put a warning.

For Artists and Merch Artists
If you decide to provide google drive or any google links, PLEASE CHECK THE SHARING PERMISSION.
- When sharing the link please click on the share blue button in the top right corner and make sure everyone with the link can view! Or right-click on your folder and get a shareable link.

For writers
Please only submit samples between 500-1.5k words. At least one must be a completed fic, the others can be excerpts.
If you wonder why we will be looking at such short samples please refer to contributor guidelines above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a zine?
A fanzine, zine for short, is a term combined from the words fan and magazine. It is a booklet made for fans by fans. It is a non-official publication either in the form of PDF or physical book, often containing a mix of artworks and written works for a specific series, fan group or event. Fanzines come in various forms and shapes and some even with extra merchandise such as stickers or acrylic charms. Each zine can have different content depending on their theme and type, and can be done for-profit or for-charity.

Q. Will this be a physical or digital zine?
The zine will be available in both formats!

Q. Is this a for-profit or for-charity Zine?
The zine will be for-profit.

Q. How will contributors be compensated for their work?
As this is a very niche theme and zine, we are unsure how sales will go. Our goals for compensation are the following:

1. Provide a digital copy to all contributors
2. Provide a physical zine + shipping
3. Provide a full bundle + shipping

In case we can’t compensate everyone with a physical zine, contributors can choose to pay any remaining cost to get a physical copy at cost price. Any profit made will be evenly distributed among all contributors or be donated if said contributor decides.

Q. What contributors are you looking for?
We will be looking for writers, illustrators (page artists) and merch artists.

Q. Can I apply for multiple positions?
Yes. In case you want to apply for both artist and writer, you will only be accepted as a writer or an artist. Artists who sign up for page illustration and merch can be selected to do both or only one position.

Q. Can I apply if I don’t have any existing Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun works?
Yes, but if you have works that showcase flowers or other traditional Japanese themes, it would be ideal as we will be asking you to draw similar things in the zine. For writers, showcasing written works based on flower meanings, abstract moods or feelings like “youth”, “spring” or seasonal themes like holidays or events are recommended.

Q. I don’t know much about Hanafuda cards or how to play. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can. We hope to include a how-to-play guide in the zine so you can learn about the game too while contributing! The mod team will be glad to help explain anything you might be wondering about.

Q. Can I join if I don’t have Discord?
Yes! While Discord will be our primary communication tool, we are also willing to work with contributors who do not have Discord. We will contact you through your preferred method of communication (Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram or email) with announcements and updates.


Q. Would merch artists have to produce the merch themselves, or do they only have to provide the design?
Merch artists will only be required to provide the design of the merch they are producing. All merch requirements and specifications will be given prior to the merch production.


Q. Are ships, AUs and Headcanons allowed?
From our interest checks, whether ships should be allowed or only hinted were almost tied. Therefore, we have decided to allow ships as long they are only hinted and platonic. Canon behavior such as hugging and holding hands between characters are allowed.

Some AUs and Headcanons will be allowed but will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. We would like to keep the zine somewhat close to canon. Thus, crossover AUs or medieval fantasy settings, for example, will not be allowed. Please keep in mind the overall theme of the zine.

Before the creation period starts, all pitches will need to be approved.


Q. Is NSFW allowed?
Sexual NSFW will not be allowed as this is a minor friendly zine. For topics like blood, violence and horror, they will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.


Q. Can artists and writers collaborate?
Yes! We will be asking in the contributor apps if you would like to collaborate with someone. After joining the server, you are allowed to reach out to other contributors for collaborations.


Q. Will Minors be allowed to contribute to/purchase the zine?
The minimum age requirement for joining the zine will be 16. Since this zine is going to be for-profit, how monetary compensation will be dealt with for minors will be discussed with the involved parties. As PayPal requires all account holders to be 18+, we won’t be able to pay minors how we would with 18+ contributors.

We will be using a storefront when we open preorders, and if minors have access to a credit card, gift card or PayPal from their parents, they will be able to make a purchase.

Q. What considerations will be given to contributors/buyers outside the US?
We will be shipping internationally as long as your country accepts international parcels. Due to covid, we can’t be sure how and which borders will be open or closed. However, we can hold onto your parcel and ship it as soon as borders open.

We will make an update before preorders open with which countries we can ship to. Due to covid we can’t be sure of the state of things. In case some countries have limited imports we will see if we can arrange alternative shipping options such as group orders to a closer country that might have access to shipping it to you.

Mod Team

Yuzu - Head Mod, Finance/Shipping, Social Media Mod

Hiya, I'm Yuzu, just a traditional Japanese culture nerd who thinks karuta and hanafuda cards are nice!! I like the aesthetics of Hanafuda cards and JSHK a lot! In my free time I like to watch anime, read manga and journal! I have been penpaling for 5+ years, run my own online store but also have previous finance and shipping experience from doing the MXTXplanner. I'm so excited to work on this zine with you all!!

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Mel - Graphics/Formatting Mod

Hi, I’m Mel! I was accepted to be the graphics mod for this zine. Currently, I’m a 3rd-year graphic design student, and I’m looking forward to gaining some experience working on this zine! I've contributed as an illustrator to five different zines, including Ban Moku's "Death by Sugar" zine, and Oscar's "Black Rose" Utena Fanzine. I got into Hanako-Kun through watching the anime earlier this year. I’m looking forward to working with everyone!

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