Story Co-creation Project "Novel Colony" Holds Final Editing Meeting at Shibuya 100BANCH - Story Started by Novelist Kotaro Maishiro Heads Towards Completion

The future creation hub "100BANCH," which engages in the creation of new value with the younger generation who will lead the future, announces that "Novel Colony," a story co-creation project adopted as part of its 99th cohort, will hold its "Editing Meeting: Final Round (4th Session)" on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Shibuya 100BANCH. This event will be the culmination of co-creating stories that "transcend differences in perspective and can be enjoyed by everyone." Novel Colony is a project that combines the methods of relay novels and auditions, where participants bring forth ideas for the continuation of a story's beginning, and through discussion and voting, select a single legitimate sequel. Participants can experience a new consensus-building process using discussion methods based on evaluation criteria called "axes" and AI that has learned from past discussions. On April 11th, the aim is to complete the stories that have been woven together with participants for the three opening pieces specially written by novelist Kotaro Maishiro. Currently, writers and participants are being recruited.

■ Event Overview
Event Name: Novel Colony Editing Meeting: Final Round (4th Session)
Date & Time: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 13:00-17:30 (Reception opens 12:30)
* Entry and exit are free.
Venue: 100BANCH 3F (Shibuya, Tokyo, 3-27-1)
* Online participation methods are also available for those who cannot attend in person.
Capacity: 50 people
Organizer: Novel Colony (Representatives: Ryutaro Sasaki, Hiroaki Kumagai)
Admission: Free, Advance registration required.

【Writers & Participants Wanted】
1. The stories that follow the beginning written by Mr. Maishiro and have been spun so far can be viewed on the official website.
https://novelcolony.com/
2. If you wish to write and submit the continuation (final part) of the works, please submit via the following form.
https://novelcolony.com/#price-4
3. If you wish to participate in the event, please register via the following link (Participation is free).
Advance Registration Form: https://forms.gle/yGsjzJW7VnPM6U3c8

■ Timetable:
12:30-13:00 OPEN
13:00-13:15 Greetings & Explanation of Discussion Method
* Project representatives will offer greetings and explain the discussion method for this session (including past "axes" and AI utilization).
13:15-14:25 Work ① "Predator Domino (Tentative)" Discussion & Sequel Selection
* Participants will divide into multiple tables to discuss which story to officially select as the conclusion, with the final decision made by vote.
14:30-15:40 Work ② "Where Writers Fear to Tread (Tentative)" Discussion & Sequel Selection
* Similar to Work ①, tables will engage in discussion and voting.
15:45-16:55 Work ③ "The Carp's Bride (Tentative)" Discussion & Sequel Selection
* Similar to Work ②, tables will engage in discussion and voting.
17:00-17:30 Closing & Future Announcements
* Information regarding the future development of the project upon its conclusion will be provided.

About the Story Co-creation Project "Novel Colony"
"Novel Colony" is a project that verifies the question, "Can we create stories that everyone can enjoy, overcoming people's differences and conflicts, by having multiple people weave stories and democratically choosing their continuations?" through the actual creation of stories.

1. Weaving a Single "Canon" Together: A New Story Co-creation Project
The process by which "Novel Colony" creates stories is a new form, combining relay novels and auditions, which can be called a "collective" method. The process is as follows:
1. First, one person writes the beginning (Part 1).
2. Next, multiple participants write and bring forth stories that follow this beginning (Part 2).
3. At the public event "Editing Meeting," writers and readers gather to discuss "Which continuation do you want to read?" and "Why is this interesting?"
4. Finally, all participants vote to select a single "legitimate sequel."
This process is repeated, leading the story to its conclusion not by one person's control, but by all participants.

2. Updating the Discussion Method Using "Axes"
Through three previous Editing Meetings, we have explored the consensus-building process of "how to select a single story among people with differing opinions." In this final round, we are introducing a new discussion format using "axes" such as evaluation criteria and themes extracted from past discussions.

Instead of simply discussing based on "like/dislike," we aim for deeper, constructive discussions using concrete "axes" accumulated through past discussions and interviews with creators. In the most recent 3rd Editing Meeting, which incorporated this, we confirmed that the satisfaction level of the discussion was higher than in the 1st meeting. Furthermore, this time, we will utilize an AI named "Storia," which has processed past discussion data, as a support role, providing an unprecedented editing meeting experience that supports dialogue and consensus-building among participants with the power of tools.

Conceptual diagram of discussions incorporating "axes"
Actual scene of discussions incorporating "axes"
Satisfaction level difference between the 3rd Editing Meeting incorporating "axes" and the 1st Editing Meeting.

3. 【Call for Writers】Won't you become a writer of the continuation of Mr. Kotaro Maishiro's stories?
As part of the project, the process of deciding the continuation of the story will be held as an event open to anyone called the "Editing Meeting," on April 11th (Sat) at the 100BANCH event space in Shibuya, and will be made public. Currently, in preparation for this final round, we are recruiting individuals to write the "ending" for three works. Professional or amateur status is not considered; anyone can participate.
All submitted works will be published on the web. And based on the discussions and votes at the "Editing Meeting," the story selected as the "legitimate sequel" is planned to be published as a "collective short story collection" after its completion.

■ Application Guidelines
Content: Please write a story that follows one of Mr. Kotaro Maishiro's three initial works. Multiple submissions for different works, or multiple patterns for a single work, are also possible.
Length: Within 2000 characters
Deadline: April 11th (Sat), 7:00 AM
Submission Format: Real name or pen name is acceptable.
Remarks: There is no manuscript fee. Copyright belongs to the writer, but please agree to the possibility of web publication and book publication before applying (details can be found on the work submission form).

■ Work Submission Form Here
https://story.novelcolony.com/

4. We are also recruiting readers to participate in the "Editing Meeting" without writing.
The "Novel Colony Editing Meeting: Final Round" held at Shibuya 100BANCH is open not only to those who write story continuations but also to readers who can participate and engage in discussions. For discussions, participants can experience new forms of consensus-building by utilizing the "axes" discussion method developed in past projects and the AI trained on previous discussions. Participation is free, so please feel free to join. Those who wish to participate, please register in advance via the following form.

About Author Kotaro Maishiro
Born in Fukui Prefecture in 1973. Debuted as a writer in 2001 after winning the Mephisto Prize for "Smoke, Earth, or Food." In 2003, won the 16th Mishima Yukio Prize for "Ashura Girl." In 2016, "The King of the Abyss" was selected as the #1 Twitter Literary Prize. His works include "Suki Suki Daisuki Chō Aishiteru," "Disco Detective Wednesday," "Bitch Magnet," "JORGE JOESTAR," "Kimitopia," "Shinya Hyakutarō: Entrance," "Shinya Hyakutarō: Exit," and "Short Story Nana-boshi." Additionally, his media art piece "Type Trace Do ~Kotaro Maishiro's Volume~," created in collaboration with academia, was selected for the 12th Japan Media Arts Festival. He has also serialized the manga "Biorg Trinity," served as the original writer and scriptwriter for the anime "The Dragon Dentist," and provided the in-film text for the special effects film "Giant Warrior Appears in Tokyo," demonstrating his pursuit of the possibilities of stories and text beyond the framework of novels across various media.

About Novel Colony
"Novel Colony" is a project where participants collaboratively create stories. It combines relay novels and audition formats: first, someone writes the beginning of a story, and then multiple participants write continuations. Through discussions and voting at public events called "Editing Meetings" that involve writers and readers, the "legitimate continuation" is decided, and the process of expanding the story is repeated. The goal is to extract insights into consensus-building among people with different opinions from this story co-creation process and connect it to resolving conflicts in real society. At the same time, it aims to provide a new entertainment experience where diverse people create together.

For more details, please see the official website and official X (formerly Twitter).
Official Website: https://novelcolony.com/
Official X: @NovelColony
Official Instagram: @novelcolony

About Novel Colony Representatives
(Image and caption for project representatives)
(Text body for project representatives describing their role and the project's aims)