Spin-off Novel of the Movie 'CHILLD' to be Published by KADOKAWA

Yusuke Iwasaki's directorial debut feature film 'CHILLD', produced by NOTHING NEW as their first feature-length live-action film, was officially selected for the Forum section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival and was the only Japanese film to win the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award. It has since been selected for numerous festivals in Taiwan, South Korea, and elsewhere.

Now, a spin-off novel, set in the same world as the movie 'CHILLD', has been decided for publication by KADOKAWA.

The spin-off novel is depicted from the perspective of Tsuzuki, a woman who meets the movie's protagonist, Sakai.

The boundary between living and dead blurs, and inexplicable feelings of unease accumulate in everyday life.

While the movie depicts the "inner madness" unfolding within the confined space of a convenience store, the novel, while embracing director Yusuke Iwasaki's original vision, portrays a world quietly breaking down "outside" the convenience store, as written by author Kara Inishi.

Enjoy another 'CHILLD' in novel form.

Synopsis

Tsuzuki, who spends her days waiting for time to pass, one day notices a peculiar customer at the convenience store where she works part-time. The customer's entire body appears to her as if shrink-wrapped like a book. Since then, Tsuzuki occasionally starts seeing people in such states.

Through interactions with various people and scenes she observes in the city, Tsuzuki becomes convinced that "those packaged figures are some kind of omen." Amidst her days of emptiness, she finds a small pleasure in spotting these "packaged people."

Without realizing it, she herself is gradually becoming "one of them"...

Another story from the masterpiece convenience store horror, winner of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Title: 'CHILLD' Author: Kara Inishi Original Story: Yusuke Iwasaki Supervision: NOTHING NEW Inc. Publisher: KADOKAWA Release Date: 2026/7/31 Price: 1,925 JPY (1,750 JPY + Tax) Format: 46 size ISBN: 9784045001871 Official Website: https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322604001084/

[Author Kara Inishi's Comment]

First of all, congratulations on the release of 'CHILLD'.

I received the request for the novel version with the instruction to "take a different approach from the main film."

I tried to recreate the world of 'CHILLD', which is full of director Iwasaki's visual power, is absurd yet understated, from a slightly different angle using text.

I believe the film and the novel complement each other, so please enjoy them by going back and forth between the two.

I'll be waiting for you at 7-chome Kuratomi-cho.

Author Profile

Kara Inishi

A creative writer who primarily writes game scenarios and novels. I feel more like a self-employed business owner than a freelancer, and this year marks my 10th anniversary since opening.

[Original Story Director Yusuke Iwasaki's Comment]

Another CHILLD! I'm so happy!

Mr. Inishi's writing is serene and meticulous, but then suddenly accelerates to full throttle, or stops abruptly! There's no room for complacency. It's incredibly captivating. It's a potent medicine that should be prescribed to us who are living aimlessly right now.

Please, pick it up and read it.

[Credits]

Starring: Shota Sometani, Erika Karata, Masahiko Nishimura Director & Screenplay: Yusuke Iwasaki Producers: Kentaro Hayashida, Yuri Shimojo, Jun Inoue Planning & Produce: NOTHING NEW Production Company: Tohoku Shinsha Distribution: NOTHING NEW © 'CHILLD' Production Committee (NOTHING NEW, Tohoku Shinsha)

[Company Profile]

NOTHING NEW

A film label established in 2022 with the aim of creating a world where talent is not stifled. Their first theatrical film from Filmest TV, 'I'm Visiting Gamaland with Miyuki Sawada' (Director: Koki Nishii / Released April 24th), is currently showing. Upcoming releases include NOTHING NEW's first live-action feature film 'CHILLD' (Director: Yusuke Iwasaki / Released July 17th), which won the FIPRESCI Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, and the original animated feature 'We Are Aliens' (Director: Kohei Kadowaki), selected for the Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, scheduled for release in 2026.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NOTHINGNEW_FILM/ X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NOTHINGNEW_FILM/ Studio Official X: https://x.com/NN_animation Official LINE: @nothingnew