Keio University Syllabus and Timetable

Stories have the power to change the world. By constructing a world distinct from everyday life and inviting others into it, stories can generate experiences that differ from the ordinary. Through such encounters, people’s perspectives, ways of thinking, and even their way of living may be gently transformed. At the Iba Laboratory, we are engaged in the creation and study of a new genre of narrative that harnesses this transformative power of stories to inspire positive change toward a better future.

In this research seminar, we aim to build a new genre of narrative called “Practice-Inspiring Stories”—stories that encourage people to engage in good practices. While actually crafting works of this kind, we explore what defines them and develop ways of creating them. Depending on members’ talents and creative interests, we will form collaborative teams to produce story-based works using various expressive forms—such as manga, anime, picture books, novels, songs, films, audio dramas, and theater. We are looking for passionate members to join us in this journey of creative practice and inquiry.

A visually organized version of the syllabus with diagrams is available at the following link: https://note.com/iba/n/n97997206f76f (in Japanese only). Please check this page as it may contain the most up-to-date information.

A visually organized version of the syllabus with diagrams is available at the following link: https://note.com/iba/n/n97997206f76f (in Japanese only). Please check this page as it may contain the most up-to-date information.

In this seminar, we aim to establish a new genre of narrative called Practice-Inspiring Stories, which encourages people to engage in good practices. While actually creating such works, we explore what defines this genre and also work on developing methods for crafting these stories.


■ What Are Practice-Inspiring Stories?

Practice-Inspiring Stories are narratives that encourage readers or viewers to engage in meaningful practices in real life by allowing them to vicariously experience the actions and emotions of the story’s characters.

For example, imagine a story in which the protagonist nurtures a plant and finds joy in watching it grow. After reading this story, the reader may feel inspired to try growing a plant themselves. This kind of story—one that stimulates such action in the real world—is what we call a Practice-Inspiring Story.

In these stories, the characters’ practices become seeds for the audience’s own future practices. By vicariously experiencing what the characters go through, the audience can feel as though they’ve already “tried” the practice, even if it’s actually their first time. This can lower the psychological barriers—such as fear or anxiety—that often come with trying something new.

Moreover, effective Practice-Inspiring Stories don’t simply depict scenes of practice; they also convey the mindsets, techniques, tools, and know-how necessary for carrying out those practices. They offer both inspiration and practical knowledge.

At Iba Lab, we have already created several Practice-Inspiring Stories. Our manga-based works are introduced in our academic papers, “Practice-Inspiring Stories” and “Pattern Manga”. Our musical works are featured in “Pattern Song: Auditory Expression for Pattern Languages”. These songs are available on major streaming platforms, so we encourage you to listen to them—on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and more.

We plan to continue creating Practice-Inspiring Stories in various formats—manga, anime, picture books, novels, songs, films, audio dramas, and theater. While each format has its own mode of expression and method of creation, we believe that by working across these different media, we can learn from each other and spark new ideas.

Ultimately, we aspire to become creators who understand and have experience with multiple forms of storytelling—able to choose the best medium based on the message we want to convey and the audience we wish to reach. That kind of creator, we believe, is incredibly cool.

We also believe that we are entering a time in society—a creative era—in which such multi-modal expression is truly possible. We hope that this research lab will attract people who are excited by this vision, and that together we can engage deeply in creation, share our discoveries, and find joy in the creative process as a community.




■ Current Creative Projects

At present, five creative projects are in progress at our lab. Among them, two projects are actively seeking new members.

① Collaborative Research Project on Promoting Local Attractions through New Methods
[Now Recruiting New Members]

Iba Lab is currently conducting a collaborative research project with the city office of Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, aiming to develop new methods of communicating local appeal. In the 2024 academic year, we held workshops with over 100 local residents to explore ways of enjoying life in Fujiyoshida and organized the findings into a Style Language (featured in a city magazine article and academic presentation paper).

This year, we are working on expressing these styles—ways of enjoying life in Fujiyoshida—through manga, thereby creating Practice-Inspiring Stories that encourage such local practices. We are currently looking for people who have experience drawing manga or who love drawing and want to try creating manga. We also welcome those interested in working with other media such as songs, short stories, or audio dramas, as we hope to explore alternative forms of expression as well.

You do not need prior knowledge of last year’s research results—teams will include members from last year and Professor Iba himself, who will guide the process. In addition to creating the story content and structure, you will also explore how to craft this kind of narrative. Fieldwork in Fujiyoshida is also planned, so that team members can experience firsthand what they will portray in their stories and use those experiences as creative input.

Let’s create compelling Practice-Inspiring Stories together through exploration and collaboration!

This project is scheduled to meet during Wednesday periods 3–5. Please make sure to keep this time block open. We also plan to conduct fieldwork in Fujiyoshida once during the summer break (likely in late September).

② Short Animation Project on Career Exploration
[Now Recruiting New Members]

Making career decisions is often difficult and confusing for those in the midst of it. To support such decision-making, Professor Iba developed a pattern language called Mirapata: A Pattern Language for Considering Your Future Self and Path (introduced in an article and as a card set).

In this project, we are producing a short (3-minute) animation based on a Practice-Inspiring Story in which a high school student deepens their thinking about their future using the Mirapata patterns. The story, characters, and video storyboard are already in place. Starting this summer, we will move into animation drawing, video editing, and voice recording.

We are looking for people who can help with animation drawing or composing music for the video. The project will also be active during the summer break.

The following three projects are not currently accepting new members, but are introduced here to give you a sense of what kind of work is ongoing in the lab.

③ Manga Project on Inquiry-Based Learning in a Fantasy World
With inquiry-based learning becoming a required subject in Japanese high schools, Professor Iba developed a pattern language called Inquiry Patterns, now used in classroom settings (introduced in an article and card set). This project involves creating a manga in which a high school student, transported to another world, uses inquiry skills to solve mysteries. The story aims to foster practical understanding of inquiry-based learning through the lens of an engaging fantasy narrative.

④ Manga Project on Experiencing Pattern Language Creation
At Iba Lab, we have developed methods for creating pattern languages that articulate the essence of good practices. Although these methods are shared through papers and lectures, the best way to understand them is through active participation. In this project, we are creating a manga where the protagonist joins a research lab and learns the pattern language creation process through hands-on experience. Readers can virtually “apprentice” alongside the character—this is our attempt at realizing a “virtual apprenticeship experience manga.”

⑤ Manga Project on a New Type of Creative Person Called a “Generator”
Together with educational innovator Riki Ichikawa, Professor Iba has proposed the concept of a Generator: a person who invites others into new realms of possibility with creative ideas and perspectives (introduced in the book Generator). This project involves creating a manga that captures the presence and behavior of such people—those who defy conventional categories. The story follows the protagonist’s encounters with a Generator and their journey toward becoming one themselves.

In addition to these ongoing projects, we may launch new ones in the Fall Semester of 2025, depending on the skills, experiences, and interests of the members who join.

Practice-Inspiring Stories Crafting Research Lab: Exploring a new genre of narrative that inspires people to engage in good practices and creating ways of crafting such stories — Through manga, anime, picture books, novels, songs, films, audio dramas, and theater.

Practice-Inspiring Stories Crafting Research Lab

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"Practice-Inspiring Stories: A New Genre of Narrative that Inspires Audiences to Engage in Good Practices" (Takashi Iba, Urara Tajima, Elly Shimamura, Mikoto Odaira, AsianPLoP '24: 11th Proceedings of Asian Conference on Pattern Languages of Programs, People, and Practices)
“Pattern Manga: Attractively Expressing Patterns of a Pattern Language in Manga Style” (Takashi Iba, Hiroaki Tanaka, Sae Adachi, Mizuki Ota, and Urara Tajima, PLoP '23: Proceedings of the 30th Conference on Pattern Languages of Programs, 2023)
“Pattern Song: Auditory Expression for Pattern Languages” (Takashi Iba, Mayu Ueno, and Ayaka Yoshikawa, World Conference on Pursuit of Pattern Languages for Societal Change (PURPLSOC 2017), 2017)

See https://note.com/iba/n/n97997206f76f

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● This seminar is a place for exploration, research, learning, and growth. It is not intended for those who simply want to create something. A strong commitment to intellectual inquiry, creative research, and personal development is essential. Equally important is the willingness to engage not only in your own growth but also in collaborative learning and mutual support—teaching and inspiring one another. Please apply only if you understand and embrace this spirit.

● A thoughtful, creative community like this does not emerge on its own. It must be co-created and nurtured by each and every member. We ask all participants to take active ownership of the lab’s activities and community—not just to benefit from it passively or leave the work to others. Let’s build a vibrant and inspiring community together, and create something meaningful within it!