- The following is content from the press release -
(Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Ayami Uehara; hereinafter referred to as "the Company") announced today that two works from the "Mori no Ehonkan," a picture book application containing more than 500 titles operated by its group company, iFreek Smiles Inc. (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Tsunenobu Uritani; hereinafter referred to as "Bungeisha"), today announces the distribution of two works that won the grand prize of the "Bungeisha Cultural Promotion Fund Ehon Grand Prize," a contest held by Bungeisha.
The "Ehon Grand Prize" is a picture book contest sponsored by Bungeisha, and has been held 24 times over the years. The company has long been interested in collaborating with digital picture books, and as a result of discussions with iFreek Smiles, it was decided that the two grand prize winners of the "Ehon Grand Prize" would be digitized and distributed through "Mori no Ehonkan" as a new initiative. The two works, which have already become popular as picture books, will be newly created as picture books that can be read aloud with sound and background music. We hope you will enjoy both the book and the application.
■Distribution No. 1 "Secretly Natto
For the first release, we will be distributing "Sneaky Natto: Obento no maki (Saku & E: Sano Koya)," which won the Grand Prize in the Picture Book Division of the 21st Ehon Grand Prize. Enjoy the interactions among characters such as Natto, Nori, and Wiener, all voiced by professional voice actors!
Picture book "Kneak Natto Obento no Maki" Synopsis
Natto, who always stays in the refrigerator at home, has always wanted to be a "okazu" (side dish) that can be packed in a bento box and taken out on an excursion. One day, with the help of the other okazu, he secretly hides inside his bento. And then, he decides to go on his first trip! This is a picture book about a cute Natto, who is inconspicuous but has a strong flavor.
■Distribution No. 2 "Okimochiya" (scheduled for distribution in June 2023)
For the second installment, we plan to distribute "Okimochiya (Created by Tokinatsuki)," which won the Grand Prize in the Picture Book Division of the 19th Ehon Grand Prize. This is a mysterious story about going to buy various kinds of okimochi. The addition of sound and background music has created a more mysterious worldview.
Synopsis of the picture book "Okimochiya
One day, "Boku", who feels that his daily life is not stimulating enough, notices that a mysterious house has been built behind his house. Welcome to my house. This is a kimono shop. I will show you how to make the 'oikimochi' you want to know."-The words of the mysterious house's inhabitant appealed to "Boku", and he decided to buy various kinds of oikimochi. After buying various oikimochi, including a giraffe's neck, an electric switch, and a fish, "Boku" finally realized something important...
■What is the Bungeisha Cultural Promotion Fund Ehon Grand Prize?
Sponsored by Bungeisha, the first call for entries for this picture book contest began in January 2011 with the aim of contributing to the "creation of a rich society" through the picture book business, and has been held 24 times to date.
The works submitted by the general public will be judged, and the grand prize winner will be published as a book picture book.
It has now grown into one of the largest public competitions in the country, reaching some 2,500 entries.
■ Picture book application "Mori no Ehonkan
This is a picture book application specialized for reading aloud to children, with over 500 books available for unlimited reading at a fixed price. Since its launch in March 2013, the app has been downloaded more than 1.3 million times. The total number of downloads of the app is more than 1.3 million, and its picture books have been read more than 40 million times.
URL:https://ehonkan.jp Ages: 6 months to 6 years old
▼Application Download
iOS version:https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/id605346659
360 yen/month (first 7 days free)
Android version:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.kidsstar.app.PictShandyGaff
350 yen/month (first 10 days free)
We can also produce and license picture books to meet the needs of companies and organizations.
For more information, including past cases, click here:https://ehonkan.jp/business/
Company Profile
Company Name Bungeisha, Ltd.
Representative Tsunenobu Uritani, President and Representative Director
Established April 1996
Location 10-1, Shinjuku 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Business Description Planning/production/publishing of books/various publications
Production/sales of digital content
Rights Business
Planning/production of various events
uniform resouce locatorhttps://www.bungeisha.co.jp/ (Corporate website)
Company profile of iFreak Smiles, Inc.
Company Name iFreak Smiles, Inc.
Representative Ayami Uehara, President and Representative Director
Established April 2013
Location 10F Gyoen Sky Building, 2-1-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Business Description Planning, development, operation and sales of digital content and educational applications
Management of web services for creators
SmilesEngineeringService business (IT personnel proposals and IT support)
uniform resouce locatorhttps://smiles.i-freek.co.jp/ (Corporate website)
Company profile of iFreak Mobile, Inc.
Company name iFreak Mobile, Inc.
(Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market Securities Code: 3845)
Representative Ayami Uehara, President and Representative Director
Established June 2000
Head Office 10F, Gyoen Sky Building, 2-1-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Business Description Communication Contents Business, Family Contents Business
Content creator service business, IP business
uniform resouce locatorhttps://www.i-freek.co.jp/ (Corporate website)
Inquiries from the media concerning this press release
Public Relations, iFreak Mobile, Inc.
Phone: 03-6274-8901 Fax: 03-6274-8902
E-mail address: group-pr@i-freek.co.jp
The information in this release is current as of the date of the announcement.
*Contact us by e-mail using the iFreak Mobile Inquiry Form
(https://www.i-freek.co.jp/contact), please contact us from "Inquiries about our company in general".
The names of companies, products and services are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
