Acquired from the moving sale of the mangaka C.P. Garlic, this text is a yaoi / BL doujinshi created by three male fans based on Otokogumi by Ryoichi Ikegami. Slated as a fanzine of sorts, this work features both gay short stories and comics - a rare text through and through, this work is an urobon (underground book) aka as a yamibon (shadow book / 'black market book') due to the fact that it was written and published by fudanshi and possibly even gay men. The group appears to have been in their late high school years or already in college. The main editor makes mention of having to cancel a prior project, possibly due to financial or social constraints, and boasted that the group would continue publishing works, having had already began manuscripts for another book itself.

This appears to be the final work in the series, though given it's publishing date of April 4st, 1981 for Comiket 17, the group went on to publish a new work by Comiket 18. In some capacity, the group disbanded, though still published a revised edition of their past works from 1980 all the same. What became of the group is relatively unknown, though the gentlemen mentioned that they'd start a general F.C. vs a circle. At the time that this particular book was published, only two people were running the group to handle printing, manuscripts and more.

Asebō Azami Atelier is noted to be both a part of the circle but also the printer / handler of the work itself, who were located in Yokohama City, Kōhoku Ward, Hiyoshihonchō, in a suite that is now a part of the Kōhoku Ward Office.

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Additionals:

Bylines / Editor info:

"Everyone, thank you very much for reading “下劣男組” (Gere Otokogumi) all the way to the end.

This series has gone through some changes, but thinking back, it started from the school days of the “Gere” group. We’ve been publishing for quite some time now, haven’t we? And so, with this issue, we’re bringing the curtain down on Volume 1.

When we first launched it, we thought, “Let’s have fun drawing some nonsense about the Gere group!”—that was it.
At the time, we had no idea how much it would grow, or that we’d make something like this.

Now, after several volumes, our circle “Men Who Love the Gere Group” is disbanding. (Though we’ve only got two people, it’s still a “circle,” right?)

But maybe—just maybe—there’ll be a Volume 2 someday.
Who knows?

For now, all of us from the Gere group want to express our heartfelt thanks.
Thinking back, this Gere Otokogumi world really was something else…

As for me, when I think of Gere Otokogumi, I remember getting up at 1 AM to ink, staying up all night, and running on instant noodles. That’s how deep it went. When I finished an issue, I’d think, “Damn, I’ve poured everything into this one again…” Well, anyway, I’m grateful we could make it to the end of Volume 1.
So until we meet again someday—goodbye for now.

— The Gere Men

"We’ve received messages from readers saying things like:
“I heard from Mr. Ikenaga that you were talking with another big circle!”
Well, yes, we’ve been chatting with fans and such.
There’s also talk of forming an F.C. (fan club).
Oh, and on April 29, at the Tochigi Prefectural Cultural Hall, there’ll be an event called “Culture.”
We might show up there, so come by if you can.
Bring your copies of Gere Otokogumi!
We’ll sign them for you!"

"To those who don’t know yet—Mr. Uga and the others have said that the circle “Men Who Love the Gere Group” will dissolve with this issue.
But don’t be sad—please wait patiently for their next project!
We’ll post announcements when there’s news.
Until then, please keep your eyes open!"

"Phew... Finally finished...
When I look back, it’s been a wild ride with Gere Otokogumi.
Originally, I just meant to make a few pages, but it grew and grew…
I think this final issue is the thickest yet.
I drew late into the night again.
It’s been such a strange and wonderful time.
I really owe thanks to everyone who’s helped—especially the readers.

We’ll see what happens next, but I think the “Men Who Love the Gere Group” will live on in some form!
To everyone who’s stayed with us—thank you so much!!

— Mita"

The group was based out of the Yamaguchi Prefecture located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu, primarily Utsunomiya City (宇都宮市). The building is no longer standing.

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Questions? Comments? Inquiries?

You can reach me @retroanimechris on X/Twitter/Bluesky and adoggoart@gmail.com or chrisdelabigne@gmail.com

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The main manuscripts seem to have been done on March 15th of that year at the earliest date.

Contributing authors / artists listed in this particular issue:

Shimogaki
Mita
Kichi
K. Kurosawa
Maru (まる / 丸) aka Ugai Maro (宇外まろ)
Yamada Ban (山田 番)
Asazumi Kira (あさずみ綺良) (also listed as as Kira Shinden, a play on Kai Shiden)
Yamakawa (山川方)

Base +13