Sony Music Entertainment Inc. is pleased to announce that it has launched its contest, “MonoCon 2024,” on its monogatary.com service, which it has been operating since October 2017.
monogatary.com is a story entertainment platform where users can freely post stories to themes given by the management every day, and have fun reacting to them in various ways, such as adding illustrations and comments. At Monocon 2019, the group YOASOBI, which turns novels into music, was born and has appeared on NHK’s Red and White Song Battle for two consecutive years. Their works are not only music, but are also developed into various entertainment works such as novel collections, comic book adaptations, videos, and audio dramas.
Monocon, which is held every summer, is now in its seventh year. Last year, the event was titled “KAIKO” and featured a total of about 3,000 stories, based on a single theme and a typical monogatary format of freely expanding on ideas.
This year’s theme is “I”. There are four prizes in total, including collaborations with major publishers and artists. There is also a collaboration with YOASOBI, which was born from monogatary and will celebrate its fifth anniversary this October. Face yourself, think about important people, give form to something invisible… Use your imagination to express your own “I” freely based on the four themes.
The site design for “Monocon 2024” was done by Kurumada Yasuo (440 Project Co., Ltd.).
The vibrant colours of the designs will add a splash of colour to the annual contest.
The contest will be judged by monogatary.com staff, staff from Sony Music Group companies, as well as partner companies and creators for each MonoCon 2024 award, and the final results will be announced in sequence according to the awards.
The details of the contest and points to note are as follows:
Overview of “Monogatary.com’s Monocon 2024”
Theme: “I”
At MonoCon 2024, a “theme” will be set for each of the four “awards,” and the best “stories” submitted for each “theme” will be turned into works in the appropriate format for each “award.”
“Monocon 2024” special website:https://monocon2024.com/
■ Schedule
August 1, 2024 (Thursday) 12:00~August 31, 2024 (Saturday) 14:59
■ Announcement of the final results
The awards will be announced in due course.
■About the Awards
Details of each prize are as follows:
①ith×yama Award ~One Story.One Ring.~
[Target topic]
*The theme will be “video” rather than text.
https://monogatary.com/theme/396184
【overview】
“ith” is a custom-made jewelry workshop that has connected the hearts of many couples through the creation of one-of-a-kind rings. In 2024, the 10th anniversary of the workshop, a collaboration project with “yama”, a new generation singer who continues to attract attention online, mainly on social media, will be launched. The theme of this project is the irreplaceable story that is contained in each ring. What do people entrust to the “ring” that they have arrived at after going through their own life’s journey, such as “the joy of meeting” and “the determination to walk together”? And in an age of diversity where marriage and love are not the same, what do people think of that “ring”?
We are now accepting submissions for stories that are like “One Story. One Ring.” from all of the writers at monogatary.com. The grand prize winner will be the basis for a new song by yama. A new type of “original wedding song” will be created that combines novels and music. The theme this time is “One Story.One This is a brand movie that expresses our feelings for “One Ring.” Feel the theme with your eyes, ears, and heart, and experience the “One Ring” that you imagine. Story.One Come and weave the story of “Ring.” We look forward to receiving your submissions.
【word count】
5000 characters or less
[About ith]
ith is a custom-made jewelry workshop with the concept of “One Story. One Ring. / Cherish one piece more than many.”
Starting with a small atelier in Kichijoji established by Takahashi Ayu, the representative of ith in 2014, it has expanded to 11 locations in Japan and two in Singapore and Taiwan as of 2024. Professional ring makers listen to the stories and requests of each customer to weave together unique designs, which are then carefully crafted one by one by skilled craftsmen in Japan into high-quality, sophisticated jewelry.
We hope that this jewelry, which expresses a one-of-a-kind story and feelings, will spend beautiful times together with you two.
On the ith website, we introduce examples and stories of ring making that have been accumulated by our customers and the craftsmen in our atelier. Please take a look at them as a reference for your own creations.
Click here ▶ https://www.ateliermarriage.com/column
↓ Official SNS
HP:https://www.ateliermarriage.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ith_marriage/
[About yama]
Yama is a new generation singer who has been gaining attention online, mainly through social media. He started his career in 2018 by releasing cover songs on YouTube. His first original song, “Haru wo Tsugeru,” released in April 2020 by Vocaloid producer Kujira, quickly captured the hearts of listeners on social media and topped all hit charts. He also teamed up with Vocaloid producer Kujira for the first time in about three years for “Shikisai,” the ending theme for the second season of the TV anime “SPY×FAMILY,” which aired in 2022. He is one of the artists who symbolize the current music scene, having been in charge of the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime “Mobile Suit Gundam: Mercury Witch,” which will air from April 2023.
↓ Official SNS
HP:https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/yama/
X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/douhwe
X (formerly Twitter) *Staff account https://x.com/yama_official0
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ya.ma_00/
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@yama_official_tiktok
YouTube:https://youtube.com/@yama6687?si=Z6_iCUfOpDi8eWii
【comment】
↓ Ayui Takahashi (representative of ith)
ith values the meaning and story that goes into each and every ring.
Not only is the design visible, but each person’s thoughts and feelings are different, such as memorable scenery, motifs that are related to them, and the kind of family they want to build after getting married. We have carefully taken those feelings into account and created our products.
I’m looking forward to seeing how those who apply for this project will interpret the ith brand movie, turn it into a novel, and turn it into yama’s music. I look forward to seeing these thoughts come together and produce a wonderful work.
↓ yama
I am delighted to be working with ith on this occasion.
This is a personal story that happened before I heard from ith. I remember having a memento from my grandfather, who passed away last year, made into a ring, and feeling his face and memories through the ring.
I think each and every customer who visits ith has their own thoughts and stories. Some couples are finally getting married, while others, like me, miss their deceased loved ones.
I think each person has their own story, such as those who faced obstacles but still decided to live together.
One of the things I want to express through music is the idea that no two people are the same, and that each person is unique.
I would like you to freely create the stories that you associate with ith’s brand movie, without being bound by any conventions, just as you feel.
We look forward to receiving submissions from all monogatary.com writers.
[Grand Prize Winner]
The grand prize-winning work will be turned into a song by yama
[Results Announcement Date]
November 2024 (planned)
②New literary magazine “GOAT” launches special project: GOAT x monogatary.com Literary Award. Use novels as nourishment for the soul.
[Target topic]
The Taste of Letters
https://monogatary.com/theme/396183
【overview】
This is a collaborative award between monogatary.com and GOAT, a new literary magazine to be published this fall by Shogakukan.
The theme was “The Taste of Letters,” in reference to the goat that the magazine’s name is derived from, which is said to eat letters.
Whether they are happy letters or sad news, the various letters written by people surely have their own unique flavor, even if they are not actually eaten.
The winning entry will be published in the first ever issue of GOAT after a discussion with the editors!
Please feel free to expand on the theme and send us your stories about letters and the people surrounding them.
All the selection committee members look forward to receiving your entries with a spirit of “careful reading and enjoyment.”
*Please refrain from eating letters as it is dangerous.
【word count】
2000-4000 characters
About GOAT
This is a new paper-published literary magazine from Shogakukan, born from the editorial department’s desire to “create a literary magazine that collects novels that we want to read from the bottom of our hearts and that we want everyone to read.” The magazine’s name comes from the initials of “Yagi,” a goat who loves paper, and “Greatest Of All Time.” It is filled with the desire to “create a paper literary magazine like no other before.” There is no distinction between entertainment and pure literature, and novels are more casual. We will deliver novels that will nourish the soul and that you will simply think are “interesting!” The first issue is scheduled to be released on November 27, 2024.
GOAT Official Website:https://dps.shogakukan.co.jp/goat
GOAT Official X:https://x.com/goat_shogakukan
[Application Guidelines]
・Only unpublished novels may be submitted; works already published in doujinshi magazines or on the Internet, self-published works, and works submitted to other new writer’s awards will not be eligible.
Please note that due to the nature of the award, authors who have made their debut with another publisher will not be eligible for this award.
Concrete example:
■If you have published a work as a sole author with a publisher (excluding self-published works) → You are considered to have already made your debut and are ineligible to apply.
■If you have previously debuted as a writer under a different name and have published works →You are already debuted and are ineligible to apply.
■If you have published an anthology or collection of short stories rather than as a single author, you may apply.
■If you have won a prize in a novel contest but your work has not yet been published → You may apply.
・One person may submit multiple works.
・You can make edits to your work after it has been submitted, however, the selection process for the work in question may have already ended before you can make edits.
・As a result of the selection process, we may be forced to determine that no works are eligible.
・The publishing rights (paperback and e-book) of the winning work will belong to Shogakukan. At the time of publication, the prescribed copyright fee will be paid separately to the copyright holder. Shogakukan will have the right of priority for paperback publication. In addition, rights management and licensing agreements regarding secondary use (film adaptation, etc.) will be entrusted to Shogakukan and Sony Music Entertainment.
・These application rules take precedence over the Monocon 2024 “Notes.”
[Grand Prize Winner]
Grand Prize: 300,000 yen and the full text of the winning work will be published in the first issue of the new literary magazine “GOAT”
[Results Announcement Date]
The announcement will be made in the first issue of the new literary magazine “GOAT” (scheduled for release on November 27, 2024)
③ Fantasy Anime Award vol.2
[Target topic]
“Shouting in the Blue Sky”
https://monogatary.com/theme/396181
【overview】
The second installment of the “Fantasy Anime Project” held at last year’s “Monocon 2023” has begun!
This is a project that is created from the fantasy, “What if this were to become an anime?”
Please write a story about the coming-of-age of five girls who meet and weave together their stories.
The grand prize winner will create a theme song and audio drama based on the work. The theme song will be sung and the voice actors for the characters in the audio drama will be the five members of the idol group “Tsuki no Tempest” from the media mix project “IDOLY PRIDE” – 3rd generation Music Rain members Kanata Aikawa, Miku Tachibana, Kokona Natsume, Moka Hinata, and Koharu Miyazawa.
In addition to character designs and original illustrations by popular illustrators, we also plan to produce and release a luxurious photo book with audio containing a variety of content.
[Scheduled release]
Photo book with music and drama CD
Audio photo book with music and drama sound (digital version)
*Please note that the product format and recorded contents may be subject to change.
【word count】
No limit
[Selection Committee]
Music Rain 3rd Generation (Kanata Aikawa, Miku Tachibana, Kokona Natsume, Moka Hinata, Koharu Miyazawa) / monogatary.com staff
【profile】
Music Rain 3rd Generation (Voice Actor)
———————————————-
Kanata Aikawa
Date of Birth: October 20, 2004
Main appearances
＜Anime＞
“IDOLY PRIDE” (Suzu Narimiya)
“Wonder Egg Priority” (Oto Ai)
“Moshimeta: What if a high school girl became a shrine maiden in the metaverse?” (Kanata)
———————————————-
Mirai Tachibana
Date of Birth: March 5, 2000
Main appearances
＜Anime＞
“IDOLY PRIDE” (Kotono Nagase)
“Maou-sama, Retry! R” (Organ)
———————————————-
Natsume Kokona
Date of Birth: September 6, 2003
Main appearances
＜Anime＞
“IDOLY PRIDE” (Nagisa Ibuki)
“Aharen-san is unmeasurable”
———————————————-
Hinata Moka
Date of Birth: May 17, 2001
Main appearances
＜Anime＞
“IDOLY PRIDE” (Mei Hayasaka)
“World Dyster”
———————————————-
Koharu Miyazawa
Date of Birth: March 29, 1999
Main appearances
＜Anime＞
“IDOLY PRIDE” (Saki Shiraishi)
“My daughter who went to the capital to become an adventurer has become S-rank.”
———————————————-
【comment】
Music Rain 3rd Generation (Voice Actor)
■ Kanata Aikawa
Hello everyone! This is Kanata Aikawa.
I am pleased to announce that I will be participating in the second installment of the fantasy anime series on monogatary.com.
I look forward to giving voice to your wonderful stories.
■ Miku Tachibana
It’s an honor to be involved in another fantasy anime series.
This time, in addition to singing, there will also be acting!
We look forward to hearing the stories you all create.
I will do my best to deliver excitement to you all!
■ Natsume Kokona
I’m very happy to be involved again!
I was really moved by how everyone worked together to create the beauty of the story. I hope I can be a part of it and create a wonderful piece together again this time!
■ Hinata Moka
I am very happy to be involved in the planning of monogatary.com following MonoCon 2023. I look forward to seeing the stories of each of the five characters and your wonderful works!
■ Koharu Miyazawa
I am honored to once again be able to take part, however small, in the project that has led and supported me until now and that has given birth to stories and music. I hope that this “Fantasy Anime Award” will be an opportunity for you to broaden your world.
[Grand Prize Winner]
Opening theme song (Vo: Music Rain 3rd Generation)
Audio drama version (CV: Music Rain 3rd Generation)
Character design materials and other original illustrations (illustration: XXX)
→The above and other related content will be included in a photo book (printed version/digital version) with music and drama CD.
[Results Announcement Date]
November 2024 (planned)
④YOASOBI Official Reporter Award
[Target topic]
“Something I’ve loved for over 5 years”
https://monogatary.com/theme/396180
【overview】
YOASOBI, a “unit that turns novels into music” born from monogatary.com and now one of Japan’s leading artists, will celebrate its 5th anniversary on October 1st of this year. We established this award to celebrate it from their hometown and to further liven up their first dome concert, which will be held at the milestone of their 5th anniversary. The theme is “Something you have loved for more than 5 years.” The subject can be anything. We are looking for writing that conveys your feelings about something you love and its charm to someone who reads it. I would be happy if it was about YOASOBI, but I would like to touch on various “loves” and feel the humanity of the writers that exudes from them.
The grand prize winner will be invited to the YOASOBI Dome concert as an “official reporter,” and the live report they write on the day will be widely published on YOASOBI’s official SNS and other platforms. This is a rare opportunity to not only see the main concert, but also to see YOASOBI and the band members behind the scenes at their first ever Dome concert. We hope this will be an opportunity to deepen your love even further. Please feel free to participate.
【word count】
No limit
[Grand Prize Winner]
・The grand prize winner will be invited to the YOASOBI Dome concert as an “official reporter.”
・On the day of YOASOBI’s live performance, the winners will be asked to write a live report which will be widely published on YOASOBI’s official SNS etc.
【Notes】
The live concert for the Grand Prize winners (maximum 4 people) will be held on the following dates. (Each person will attend one of the days, depending on the recipient’s preference.)
①Saturday, October 26th at Kyocera Dome
②Sunday, October 27th at Kyocera Dome
3) Saturday, November 9th at Tokyo Dome
④Sunday, November 10th at Tokyo Dome
You do not need a ticket to the concert, but you will be responsible for your own transportation and accommodation costs to the venue. Due to the nature of this contest being for the purpose of selecting a live reporter, if the winner is unable to attend the concert after the Grand Prize is announced, we may select another person instead. Please be aware of this in advance.
[Results Announcement Date]
Scheduled for September 2024
■ How to apply and application requirements
For more information, please visit the “Monocon 2024” special website ( https://monocon2024.com/ )Please refer to the.
