English/Japanese Basketball Romance Light Novel
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Note: The picture is from Kuroko no Basketball . This is for Anime/manga fans and NBA/basketball fans.
I am an aspiring light novel writer currently writing a basketball light novel. I am a Japanese Canadian who lived in Japan for 10 years so I will be translating it into Japanese once I finish writing it in English. For those who are unfamiliar with Light novels, they are the written versions of anime/manga stories. There are many anime and manga adaptations based on Japanese light novels. The writing style is a bit more script like/simple with more emphasis on dialogue when compared to traditional novels. They generally are more fast paced. As I do not have the artistic ability, I am starting it off as a light novel and will be looking for an artist to join the project and eventually make it into a webcomic/manga.
So what sort of story is it? To briefly explain without too many spoilers: The story takes place in Japan. The MC, Ken Kazan is a 16 year old otaku who dropped out of school after middle school. With his mother being in the hospital long term, he took the mantle to support his mother and his younger sister, Yu by working under the table as a Host.
One day, he is cornered by former classmates who bullied him in middle school due to his awkward look after a growth spurt. He became tall with abnormally long arms and massive hands, something that would definitely stand out in Japan. (at the start of the story he will have a similar physical profile like Rajon Rondo. He will be around 6’3 with a 7 foot wingspan (instead of 6’9), with 11 inch hands, Klaws like Kawhi. His thumbs are far from his pointing finger, allowing him to palm the ball with ease, similar to MJ). He is beaten up, his work pay stolen as well as having his precious Kirana Hime figurine destroyed right in front of him, something he saved up for half a year to buy.
Feeling devastated knowing that he can’t cover his families living expenses or his mother's hospital bills/debt, his mind is overcome with darkness. He walks up the mountains to a cliffs edge, contemplating ending it all.
After being saved by Japanese Toronto Raptors NBA Super Star, Jin Tabane, Ken is thrust into the world of basketball. With the support of his new mentor, Ken enrolls into nearby Rinsei high school, the most prestigious high school in Japan to pursue his new found passion for basketball. The story follows the journey of Ken, as he works to fulfill his dream of one day playing in the NBA on the Toronto Raptors with his mentor Jin, and bringing a championship to the country.
I’m a pretty hardcore raptors/nba fan and love anime/manga as well , so I am using the knowledge I accumulated reading various Raptors and NBA forums as well as watching games as references to the story/characters. I envision the MC of the story to be like Kawhi Leonard, with the timeline of the Raptors being similar to real life. The MC will be the missing piece for a championship. He will have to go through a dynasty from the west as well as other big time teams like the 76ers and Bucks in the east. They will play against someone like Lebron, getting revenge on him owning the Raptors.
In the story, Jin Tabane, the Japanese NBA superstar will set huge ambitious goals for Ken. He tells Ken to win the Winter Cup in Japan, go to North America for his last year of high school to play with better competition and gain more exposure. Go to the NCAA then get drafted into the NBA.
Traits that make the MC stand out is his ridiculously long wingspan, his explosive athleticism, and a natural touch for shooting. He is also very smart and will become a high iq basketball player like Lebron or Chris Paul. Ken will start off as a 3 and D player, with the mindset that not everyone can touch the ball. He will become extremely consistent with his mechanics and Jin will instill good habits in Ken right from the start. He has a non stop motor, and learns to play amazing defense. His growth is similar to AD. Start as a guard at 6’3 and grow to become 7’0, with broad shoulders.
The story will include:
-School Life
-Romance
-Go in depth about basketball
-the mental aspect of playing basketball, such as having the ability to have confidence in yourself even if things don't go well (shooting slumps, turnovers, Choking under pressure such as missing free throws in crucial situations etc.) Ken will start off extremely weak in this regard and lose confidence quickly making him extremely streaky.
-the growth of the MC. Since he battles confidence issues due to his abnormal wingspan and hands, it's about him being able to feel comfortable in his own skin. He gains confidence through basketball and works hards to reach his full potential while finding the right support group and guidance.
I am still in the process of writing the first part of the story (During his 2nd year of high school in Japan leading into the winter cup), after I get an initial (not final) edit, I will be looking for people who are interested in giving feedback as beta readers. The project/story is big/long and ambitious and I want to be able to do it right, so I would need an artist who would actually be really interested in the work. I will be looking for an artist who loves the nba and basketball as well as anime/manga. Someone who can draw cool looking anime style characters, for example Kuroko no Basketball.
In my biased opinion, I believe that with enough time and polish, it will turn into a great story and that people who love anime/mangas and the nba will enjoy the story. I’ve put a lot of thought and time into the story so far and am excited to continue writing it!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With this fundraiser, I am looking to:
-dedicate more time to writing and finishing the story
-self-publish the novels. (With Drawings etc)
- pay for an artist and professional editor.
-make it into an manga/webcomic
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rewards when you donate:
$10+
-input on jersey designs/colors
-early access to chapters
-ebook copy
$20+
-will get a signed physical copy of the Light Novel once it is done
$30+
-name a character as long as it isn't ridiculous and fits the story! lol
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the support, I think this story has the potential to become really big! I'm obviously new to this so please message me if you have any questions! I look forward to hearing from you!
Add me on my new insta! Message me whenever you want to talk! https://www.instagram.com/k_a_nakagawa/
I am an aspiring light novel writer currently writing a basketball light novel. I am a Japanese Canadian who lived in Japan for 10 years so I will be translating it into Japanese once I finish writing it in English. For those who are unfamiliar with Light novels, they are the written versions of anime/manga stories. There are many anime and manga adaptations based on Japanese light novels. The writing style is a bit more script like/simple with more emphasis on dialogue when compared to traditional novels. They generally are more fast paced. As I do not have the artistic ability, I am starting it off as a light novel and will be looking for an artist to join the project and eventually make it into a webcomic/manga.
So what sort of story is it? To briefly explain without too many spoilers: The story takes place in Japan. The MC, Ken Kazan is a 16 year old otaku who dropped out of school after middle school. With his mother being in the hospital long term, he took the mantle to support his mother and his younger sister, Yu by working under the table as a Host.
One day, he is cornered by former classmates who bullied him in middle school due to his awkward look after a growth spurt. He became tall with abnormally long arms and massive hands, something that would definitely stand out in Japan. (at the start of the story he will have a similar physical profile like Rajon Rondo. He will be around 6’3 with a 7 foot wingspan (instead of 6’9), with 11 inch hands, Klaws like Kawhi. His thumbs are far from his pointing finger, allowing him to palm the ball with ease, similar to MJ). He is beaten up, his work pay stolen as well as having his precious Kirana Hime figurine destroyed right in front of him, something he saved up for half a year to buy.
Feeling devastated knowing that he can’t cover his families living expenses or his mother's hospital bills/debt, his mind is overcome with darkness. He walks up the mountains to a cliffs edge, contemplating ending it all.
After being saved by Japanese Toronto Raptors NBA Super Star, Jin Tabane, Ken is thrust into the world of basketball. With the support of his new mentor, Ken enrolls into nearby Rinsei high school, the most prestigious high school in Japan to pursue his new found passion for basketball. The story follows the journey of Ken, as he works to fulfill his dream of one day playing in the NBA on the Toronto Raptors with his mentor Jin, and bringing a championship to the country.
I’m a pretty hardcore raptors/nba fan and love anime/manga as well , so I am using the knowledge I accumulated reading various Raptors and NBA forums as well as watching games as references to the story/characters. I envision the MC of the story to be like Kawhi Leonard, with the timeline of the Raptors being similar to real life. The MC will be the missing piece for a championship. He will have to go through a dynasty from the west as well as other big time teams like the 76ers and Bucks in the east. They will play against someone like Lebron, getting revenge on him owning the Raptors.
In the story, Jin Tabane, the Japanese NBA superstar will set huge ambitious goals for Ken. He tells Ken to win the Winter Cup in Japan, go to North America for his last year of high school to play with better competition and gain more exposure. Go to the NCAA then get drafted into the NBA.
Traits that make the MC stand out is his ridiculously long wingspan, his explosive athleticism, and a natural touch for shooting. He is also very smart and will become a high iq basketball player like Lebron or Chris Paul. Ken will start off as a 3 and D player, with the mindset that not everyone can touch the ball. He will become extremely consistent with his mechanics and Jin will instill good habits in Ken right from the start. He has a non stop motor, and learns to play amazing defense. His growth is similar to AD. Start as a guard at 6’3 and grow to become 7’0, with broad shoulders.
The story will include:
-School Life
-Romance
-Go in depth about basketball
-the mental aspect of playing basketball, such as having the ability to have confidence in yourself even if things don't go well (shooting slumps, turnovers, Choking under pressure such as missing free throws in crucial situations etc.) Ken will start off extremely weak in this regard and lose confidence quickly making him extremely streaky.
-the growth of the MC. Since he battles confidence issues due to his abnormal wingspan and hands, it's about him being able to feel comfortable in his own skin. He gains confidence through basketball and works hards to reach his full potential while finding the right support group and guidance.
I am still in the process of writing the first part of the story (During his 2nd year of high school in Japan leading into the winter cup), after I get an initial (not final) edit, I will be looking for people who are interested in giving feedback as beta readers. The project/story is big/long and ambitious and I want to be able to do it right, so I would need an artist who would actually be really interested in the work. I will be looking for an artist who loves the nba and basketball as well as anime/manga. Someone who can draw cool looking anime style characters, for example Kuroko no Basketball.
In my biased opinion, I believe that with enough time and polish, it will turn into a great story and that people who love anime/mangas and the nba will enjoy the story. I’ve put a lot of thought and time into the story so far and am excited to continue writing it!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With this fundraiser, I am looking to:
-dedicate more time to writing and finishing the story
-self-publish the novels. (With Drawings etc)
- pay for an artist and professional editor.
-make it into an manga/webcomic
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rewards when you donate:
$10+
-input on jersey designs/colors
-early access to chapters
-ebook copy
$20+
-will get a signed physical copy of the Light Novel once it is done
$30+
-name a character as long as it isn't ridiculous and fits the story! lol
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the support, I think this story has the potential to become really big! I'm obviously new to this so please message me if you have any questions! I look forward to hearing from you!
Add me on my new insta! Message me whenever you want to talk! https://www.instagram.com/k_a_nakagawa/
Organizer
K.A. Nakagawa
Organizer
Toronto, ON
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