Extremely rare original print edition of TYPE-MOON’s Kara no Kyoukai from 1998 appears at auction with $18.6 thousand dollar starting bid 

An otaku’s equivalent of a holy relic suddenly appeared up for auction on February 3, shocking collectors in Japan. The item in question is the first doujinshi print edition of TYPE-MOON’s Kara no Kyoukai (The Garden of Sinners) from 1998. It popped up on Japan’s Yahoo Auction platform with a steep starting bid of 2,888,880 yen, which is about $18.6 thousand US dollars based on recent conversion rates. 

Written by Kinoko Nasu and illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi, Kara no Kyoukai is TYPE-MOON’s first well-known work, predating titles like Tsukihime and Fate/stay Night. Kara no Kyoukai originates from when TYPE-MOON were still an independent (doujin) circle, publishing under other names, like “The Bamboo Broom.” 

The first print edition of Kara no Kyoukai that’s currently being auctioned reflects this, as it’s credited to “竹箒” (“Bamboo Broom”), rather than TYPE-MOON. It even includes a typo of author Kinoko Nasu’s name, who is credited as “Konoko Nasu” on the cover page. But knowing collectors, this probably only raises its value. On a serious note, to provide more perspective as to just how rare this edition of the novel is – it’s 1 of only 10 copies that were printed, and 1 of only 6 copies that were sold (Source: Doujinshi Research Institute).  

There have been two bids on the novel since its listing, and it’s currently at 2,889,880 yen. Bids are expected to close on February 6.