Experience the Practice of 'Inquiry' Through a Fantasy Manga Set in Another World

The Iba Takashi Laboratory at Keio University (led by Professor Takashi Iba, Faculty of Policy Management) has produced a manga titled 'How to Do Inquiry: Otherworld Adventure,' which integrates systematically organized and linguistically articulated practical knowledge of 'inquiry' into a narrative, allowing readers to experience the inquiry process alongside the characters.

The original story was written by Takashi Iba, with illustrations by VIVI, a former student of the Iba Laboratory. The first four of the eight total episodes will be released for free starting Tuesday, July 14, 2026, and the remaining four episodes will be released on Tuesday, July 21, via KADOKAWA's manga website 'Comic Walker' and its manga app 'Comic Walker App'.

This work is a manga that enables readers to grasp the process of 'inquiry'—commonly undertaken in high schools during 'Integrated Inquiry Time'—while enjoying a fantasy story set in another world. It depicts the entire inquiry process, including problem identification, information gathering, organization and analysis, summarization and presentation, and reflection, portraying the characters' confusion and trial-and-error. The structure is designed to provide readers with practical insights and actionable hints they can apply to their own inquiry projects.

▼ View the work page (Comic Walker)

https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_016985_S

Title image from 'How to Do Inquiry: Otherworld Adventure' (©Takashi Iba, VIVI)

Features of the Work

The research outcome 'Inquiry Patterns,' which linguistically and systematically organizes practical knowledge supporting high school inquiry activities, has been embedded into a fantasy narrative set in another world.

Rather than merely explaining knowledge, the manga is crafted as a 'Practice-Inspiring Story,' enabling readers to vicariously experience the characters' practical trials and errors.

Each episode concludes with the 'Inquiry Skill Cards' that appear in the story, structured to help readers easily apply the practical insights gained from the narrative to their real-world inquiry activities.

The Research Outcome 'Inquiry Patterns' Becomes the 'Inquiry Skill Cards' in the Story

High school students engaging in inquiry for the first time—such as during 'Integrated Inquiry Time'—often feel confused about questions like 'How should I choose a theme?' or 'How should I proceed?' This is because inquiry does not have a single predetermined question or method; instead, students must think and adapt as they go.

Professor Takashi Iba and his team conducted interviews with teachers and students from high schools engaged in advanced inquiry activities, extracting practical strategies for effective inquiry. They linguistically and systematically organized these into 36 practical hints known as 'Inquiry Patterns' (provided by Creative Shift Co., Ltd., https://creativeshift.co.jp/product/2344/). This is a research outcome applying the 'pattern language' method—used to articulate practical knowledge—to support inquiry activities.

The 'Inquiry Skill Cards' featured in this work are modeled after these 'Inquiry Pattern Cards.' When the protagonists encounter obstacles during their inquiry journey, a card appears appropriate to the situation, indicating what to consider and how to act. In this release, each episode concludes with a re-presentation of the cards that appeared in the story, structured to help readers easily apply them to their own inquiry activities.

'Practice-Inspiring Story': Beyond Knowledge Explanation

The Iba Takashi Laboratory researches and names stories that encourage people to engage in better practices as 'Practice-Inspiring Stories.' A Practice-Inspiring Story does not merely explain methods as knowledge. Instead, by depicting characters who hesitate, think, discuss with others, and take action, it aims to allow readers to vicariously experience these processes and become inspired to think, 'I want to try this myself.'

Plot Summary

High school student Kent (Kento) suddenly loses consciousness one afternoon after school. When he awakens, he finds himself in the presence of a goddess who summoned him.

The goddess reveals his mission: 'Become an inquirer who saves the world.'

To return to his original world, Kent must pass the extremely difficult 'Inquirer Examination.' The goddess grants him a mysterious item called the 'Inquiry Skill Card,' which shows him how to conduct inquiry.

Transported to another world, Kent forms a team with Craft and Tia, whom he meets there. Together, the three embark on inquiry activities involving problem identification, information gathering, organization and analysis, summarization and presentation, and reflection.

What should they think? How should they act? Each time they face uncertainty, the 'Inquiry Skill Card' reveals the next step.

Will Kent and his companions find answers through trial and error and pass the Inquirer Examination? And will they save the world and return to their original world?

From Episode 1 of 'How to Do Inquiry: Otherworld Adventure' (©Takashi Iba, VIVI)

Feedback from High School Students Who Pre-Read the Manga

During development, approximately 300 high school students from public schools pre-read episodes 1 to 3 in November 2025 and provided open-ended feedback. Below are excerpts, slightly edited for clarity without altering the original meaning.

'Because it's a manga, I could learn what inquiry is and how to do it without feeling intimidated. It was really great.'

'I was very anxious about inquiry, but this was so easy to understand that I thought, 'Maybe I can do it too!''

'It was really interesting to see the inquiry process from the same perspective as the characters.'

'Since the protagonist, like me, has no prior experience with inquiry, I could relate to many parts of the story.'

'It felt like my own experience, as if I were solving the 'mystery' together with the characters. It was fun.'

'This manga completely changed my image of 'inquiry'.'

'After reading this manga, I feel that inquiry, which once felt like a boring task I had to do, can now become an interesting activity I want to pursue.'

'Inquiry used to seem very difficult and rigid, but thanks to the manga and the cards, I now feel hopeful that I can start it myself.'

'My understanding of inquiry activities deepened, and I now want to start my own inquiry project as soon as possible.'

Future Plans

The Iba Laboratory will continue to support the adoption and use of this work in educational settings through utilization support in schools, lectures and workshops for teachers and students, and reader surveys. They will also continue researching and producing methods to support practice through narrative.

'Otherworld Inquiry [Official]' note

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Work Information

Title: 'How to Do Inquiry: Otherworld Adventure'

Original Story: Takashi Iba

Art: VIVI

Planning & Production: Takashi Iba

Episodes: 8 total

Distribution Platforms: 'Comic Walker' website and app (KADOKAWA)

Distribution Page: https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_016985_S

Release Schedule:

Episode 1–4: Released on Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Episode 5–8: Released on Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Viewing Fee: Free

Free Viewing Period: No end date currently set

Membership Registration: Not required

*Release dates and content are subject to change without notice.

Author Information

Takashi Iba (Iba Takashi)

Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)