A long time ago, a question in South Korea’s textbooks—”Is it truly just to privately execute someone who has committed a crime?”—became an enormous topic of discussion worldwide.
At first glance, this sentence seemed harmless enough to be included in textbooks, nothing out of the ordinary.
But the reason it was there wasn’t because of some random moral query—it was linked to a manga. And that changes things.
This work made everyone in modern society deeply ponder: what exactly are justice and evil?
And now, I had plans to create an anime inspired by that very work.
“Have you ever heard of something called a Shinigami?”
“…Shinigami?”
“Uh… Are you talking about that thing from the fairy tale? You know, the ones always wearing cloaks, harvesting souls of the dead?”
“The one carrying a scythe in one hand and a Book of Life and Death in the other, judging the deceased? That’s a pretty famous story.”
As Serika and Karlreya spoke, I slowly nodded.
“But let’s say this: what if the Shinigami dropped the Book of Life and Death into the human world, allowing anyone to kill by writing a name in it? What would happen then?”
“…Huh?”
So, I explained the so-called “Book of Life and Death” story to Serika, Karlreya, and my mentor—not a rip-off but more like a benchmark inspired by “that work.”
“…Hooh…”
“Hmm, well…”
After hearing me out, the three reacted differently.
First, Serika looked absolutely amazed.
“Wow, Ragnar. This is incredible! To think you could take your father’s idea and turn it into such a grand story. This feels almost like you’ve created something entirely new!”
“…”
Even so, wouldn’t saying that kind of hurt the Duke if he were here?
I breathed a small sigh of relief that the Duke wasn’t present.
On the other hand, Karlreya stared at me with clear admiration.
“…This is brilliant. If you make this work, it will definitely be interesting and refreshingly unique. How do you even come up with such mind-blowing ideas?”
“…”
Listening to her praise, I realized how much I’d grown since starting the anime project.
Back when I started, I might have felt embarrassed hearing such compliments. Now, after making “Knight Shin Chronicle” full of clichés and blatant references, I felt completely unfazed.
“But… Director, this ‘Book of Life and Death’ anime seems fun, but there are quite a few plot holes in the setting.”
“What kind of holes?”
“For example, the scene where the protagonist and the detective face off for the first time. Doesn’t that feel a bit unrealistic?”
Karlreya calmly pointed out,
“The detective broadcasts a public challenge across the continent to capture the protagonist, and the protagonist, unable to resist, commits murder, leading to their big showdown.”
“Yes, that’s right…”
“But the artifact used for broadcasting exists only in the Empire, not widely available in other nations. Doesn’t that seem a bit unrealistic?”
“Hmm…”
She had a point.
Actually, her critique was razor-sharp. After all, since “that work” takes place in the 21st century, any adaptation like “Book of Life and Death” would inevitably have its share of plot holes.
However…
“Oh, I forgot to mention one detail.”
“What’s that?”
“The world in ‘Book of Life and Death’ is set in a slightly more advanced technological era than ours. For instance, everyone carries portable artifacts that allow them to communicate anywhere, anytime.”
“…What? But isn’t that-”
Clearly, Karlreya wanted to argue, but sorry, that works in animation worlds.
The rules of creating a world in anime rest solely on the creator’s imagination. So why can’t we have a fantasy anime where magical engineering is more advanced?
Besides, “Knight Shin Chronicle” itself leaned closer to an SF universe rather than pure fantasy.
Thus, I explained several modern conveniences.
“This is called a phone. With it, you can talk to someone hundreds of kilometers away.”
“And this is grilling. Cooking meat over fire makes it taste better.”
Basically, something along those lines.
Luckily, similar magical artifacts existed, so everyone understood easily.
Though understanding and being impressed are two different things.
“…Amazing. Even Great Mages need decades to develop concepts like these, yet you talk about them as if you’ve actually used them…”
“Brilliant. Someone unfamiliar might think you really lived in such a world. Truly, you’re a genius.”
“…”
Sorry, I’m not a genius—I really did live there…
Regardless, surrounded by others’ misconceptions, production officially began on our second TVA anime: “Book of Life and Death.”
***
The moment “Book of Life and Death” was greenlit, Ragnar’s first move was informing the Duke.
After all, Ragnar’s ability to plan “Book of Life and Death” stemmed directly from the Duke’s original idea.
Naturally, upon hearing this from Ragnar, the Duke went ballistic.
“What?! Ragnar said he’ll adapt my idea into an anime?!”
“Yes, though he didn’t use all of your ideas. For instance, he didn’t like the name ‘Luanoxx’ for the protagonist.”
“…Fair enough. Can’t blame him.”
Surprisingly, the Duke took it in stride.
He never expected his ideas to be fully adapted anyway.
In the grand scheme of things, does the protagonist’s name really matter?
There was also another reason the Duke allowed Ragnar free rein.
Namely…
“Additionally, Ragnar promised to give you a two-week early screening of ‘Book of Life and Death.'”
“What?! What did you say?!”
Upon hearing Serika’s words, the Duke’s eyes widened.
Back during the airing of “Knight Shin Chronicle,” the Emperor wielded ultimate power, forcing all nobles to change their surnames to Undine.
That power stemmed from early access to episodes.
Now, that privilege would go to the Duke instead of the Emperor.
“HAHAHAHA!”
The Duke burst into laughter, looking skyward—or rather, at the mansion ceiling.
But his joy was fleeting.
“I shouldn’t keep this to myself…”
The Duke decided to share the good news with others.
After all, doesn’t sharing joy double it?
So, he visited…
The Emperor, who once spoiled “Knight Shin Chronicle” for him.
“Why have you come, Duke?”
“It’s no big deal, Your Majesty.”
The Duke tried to hide his smugness but failed miserably.
“Ragnar says he’ll provide me with early screenings of the next anime after ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.'”
“What?!”
The Emperor’s eyes darted wildly.
He had lost that privilege after the events involving “Knight Shin Chronicle’s” true ending.
Now hearing Ragnar gave it to the Duke, the Emperor sighed heavily.
‘Why did heaven birth both me and the Duke?!’
Watching the Emperor’s distorted expression, the Duke felt it was time to offer a carrot.
“Interested?”
“…What?”
“If you’d like, I could share details about ‘Book of Life and Death,’ just like how Your Majesty shared ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ with us. Of course, with Ragnar’s approval.”
“…”
The Duke’s proposal was sweet but humiliating.
It mirrored exactly how the Emperor treated the Duke in the past.
Still…
‘I can’t live without that thrill anymore…’
The Emperor remembered the rush of teasing nobles with spoilers about “Knight Shin Chronicle.” The dopamine rush still sent shivers down his spine.
What else needed to be said?
There was only one response.
“…I accept your offer, Duke.”
“Wise decision, Your Majesty.”
With that, the Duke extended his hand toward the Emperor.
“In that case, return them.”
“…Huh?”
“The limited edition figures of ‘Eli and Hammel’s Disappearance’ and ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.’ Time to give them back.”
“…”
Thus…
The awakened Eli figure and the 1/144 scale Zero Knight figure from the Emperor’s secret collection were confiscated.
All of them.
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