[Announcement] Third 'Jinbutsu Gettan' Novelization 🖋Code: Mn-137 in Progress

Hello! Bell note here.
I have been writing a series of true-story essays called 'Jinbutsu Gettan' (Character Portraits). In these essays, I write about people I have met who left a particularly strong impression on me and had a positive influence on my life. I write about words that resonated with me during casual daily conversations and lessons I learned from the way those people lived. I have expressed in my own words how the accumulation of such encounters has brought about changes in my own values and way of thinking.

Among the episodes included in 'Jinbutsu Gettan,' there were some that I felt went beyond mere recollection or record and deserved to be developed into stories. Therefore, I have written two short stories so far, reconstructing each episode into a narrative while adding new interpretations and fictional elements.

[First Work]🖋A spin-off novel created from the 'Jinbutsu Gettan' essay 'The Story of My Father-in-law')

[Second Work]🖋A spin-off novel created from the 'Jinbutsu Gettan' essay 'The Story of My Brother-in-law'

This time, I am currently working on a new novel based on one of those essays, '😁The Story of a Film Director and a Movie'.

This essay chronicles an experience where a brief conversation with a film director I met in the past brought a major realization to my life. It was such a fleeting encounter that I cannot even recall the person's name, but the words I received there led me to realize the 'importance of acquiring universal skills.'

At the time, I was lost in the path I should take, but with that realization in my heart, I decided to take concrete action. Inspired by the making-of footage of a certain sci-fi film, I was drawn to the possibilities of CG production and chose to challenge myself in the world of video. Although I did not ultimately fulfill my dream of working in the film industry, the skills and experience I cultivated there became a major turning point in my life.

Inspired by this episode, I am writing the current novel 'Code: Mn-137'.

🖋A brief synopsis of 'Code: Mn-137'...

Video editor Kenji Furusawa had long been involved in documentary production while keeping his former dream of becoming a film director buried deep in his heart. One day, he is appointed as the director for the KHJ historical documentary 'Memories of Film Premiere' and is tasked with selecting archival footage regarding the Thatcher administration in the 1980s.

Among the vast amount of video material, he finds a silent VTR—on it is the image of an elderly man he does not recognize, being interviewed by his younger self. However, that man is... exactly like himself 10 years later.

What does this footage mean? What was the elderly man saying?

While attempting to restore the lost audio, Furusawa is forced to face a 'certain choice' that has been sleeping deep within his own memories.

💡Features of this work

This work is a psychological mystery that depicts the behind-the-scenes of realistic video production and the intersection of memory, time, and fate. The details of the video editing work that the protagonist, Kenji Furusawa, faces will be interesting even to those familiar with the video industry. In addition, by incorporating modern elements such as the evolution of video technology and AI-based audio restoration technology, you can enjoy a thrilling development where the past and present intersect.

Currently, the story is in the final adjustment stage. However, since I have not yet decided on the release date or platform, and because this will be a slightly longer novel, I would like to provide an opportunity to introduce the background, concept, worldview, and characters of the story in advance, rather than delivering the main story all at once, so that everyone can become at least a little interested.

Therefore, prior to the official release, I plan to post Note with several advance guide articles. I hope to convey the thoughts I put into the work, such as the theme of the story, the circumstances that led to writing it, and how the characters were born.

I would be happy if I could share the process of one story taking shape, little by little, and move toward completion together with all of you. I hope you will join me.

🔔Bell