New Novel Project with Hokkaido University, "Drawing the North Star," Begins
As of July 25, the distribution of the novel project "Drawing the North Star," in collaboration with Hokkaido University, has begun.
To briefly explain the background, Hokkaido University will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year, in 2026, counting from the days of the Sapporo Agricultural College. As part of this 150th-anniversary project, I, an alumnus of Hokkaido University, am writing a series of novels set at the university.
Titled "Drawing the North Star," the project is planned to span five episodes. The protagonist is Hibari Izumi, a Hokkaido University student who advances in grade level as the story progresses. We plan to distribute booklets containing short stories for free each time, starting this July, with new installments released every three months. This means the second installment is scheduled for distribution this October.
By the way, the cover of the first installment, "Frogs of the Liberal Arts Building," features this design. The cover illustration was created by Midori Iwama, who is also a graduate of Hokkaido University.
The synopsis for the first episode is as follows. Incidentally, you can also read a preview on the official website linked at the beginning.
Hibari Izumi is an 18-year-old who just entered Hokkaido University this spring. As the only daughter of a winery in Ikeda Town, she is under one-sided pressure from her father to inherit the family business. Having started her new life in Sapporo, Hibari decides to take a class called "Invitation to Frog Studies" after a comment from a classmate. It is said to be a notorious class where "you won't be able to live a normal life anymore," but—.
Distribution is scheduled to take place over approximately one year at locations on the Hokkaido University campus, facilities within Sapporo, and bookstores nationwide. The specific distribution locations are as follows. (Please note that some bookstores will start distribution with a slight delay.)
・5 locations on the Hokkaido University campus
Information Center "Elm Forest," Seicomart Hokkaido University Store, Hokkaido Wine Education and Research Center, Hokkaido University Co-op (Clark Bookstore, North Campus Store)
・Sapporo Clock Tower
・Former Hokkaido Government Office (Red Brick Office) *Admission fee required for high school students and older
・33 bookstores in Hokkaido
MARUZEN & Junkudo Bookstore Sapporo, Kinokuniya (Sapporo Main Store, Atsubetsu Store, Otaru Store), Sanseido Bookstore Sapporo, Coach & Four (Shinkawa-dori, Utsukushigaoka, Munich Ohashi, Asahikawa, Kushiro, Kitami), Bunkyodo (Sapporo Lucy, Shin-Sapporo DUO, Kita 49-jo, Shindo, Sapporo Odori Station, Hiragishi, Nishino 3-jo, Kotoni Station Front, Miyanomori, New Chitose Airport), Ogaki Shoten Maruyama Class, Kumazawa Shoten Ario Sapporo, Tsutaya Books (Hakodate, Ebetsu), Junkudo Bookstore Asahikawa, Hakodate Eikodo Marui Imai, Kikuyashoten Otaru, Muroran Institute of Technology Bookstore, Miraiya Shoten Tomakomai, The Honya Shirakaba Colony, Reliable Books (Nemuro, Undo Koen-dori)
・30 bookstores outside Hokkaido
Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store, Junkudo Bookstore (Morioka, Ikebukuro Main Store, Shiga Kusatsu), Kinokuniya (Sendai, Shinjuku Main Store, Yokohama, Kyobashi, Fukuoka Main Store), Sanseido Bookstore (Yurakucho, Atre Ueno, Ikebukuro Main Store), Coach & Four (Tsukuba, Wakabadai), Tokyo Ashiya Shoten Atrevie Otsuka, Yurindo (Main Store, Totsuka Modi), Yaesu Book Center Keikyu Kamiooka, Kawamata Shoten Excel, Usagiya TSUTAYA Yaita, Tanimiyashoten Hamamatsu Main Store, Bunkitsu Sakae, Miraiya Shoten Daito, Avanti Book Center Neyagawa, Mizushima Shobo Kuzuha Mall, Meibundo Shoten Kanazawa Beans, Keibunsha Okayama Main Store, Hiraso Tokushima, Kinkodo Asakura Book Center, Kochi Tsutaya Books
This project was also covered by NHK Hokkaido.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/sapporo-news/20250725/7000077260.html
I have been doing these free novel distribution projects with Keio Corporation since the year before last, but I believe this is the first time in history that a university has undertaken such a project. According to the person in charge at Hokkaido University, the response has been very positive, and it seems we have gotten off to a good start.
If it is being distributed at a bookstore in your area, I hope you will pick up a copy.