A Journey from Public Domain Literature to Audio Drama

📚 A Treasure Trove of Stories—But Outdated Formats

Aozora Bunko is often described as an “online public library.” It hosts literary works whose copyrights have expired, making them freely accessible to the public. These works are part of the public domain, meaning anyone can read, adapt, and even commercially republish them without legal restrictions.

For example, you could freely adapt an Edogawa Rampo novel into a manga and sell it.

While I’ve always prioritized creating original stories for film, I’ve long been intrigued by the idea of adapting public domain works into visual media. It’s a way to produce more content without starting from scratch each time.

Personally, I love the era of literature found in Aozora Bunko. Writers like Yumeno Kyusaku and Edogawa Rampo remain popular even today. Despite claims that books no longer sell, their works still line bookstore shelves alongside contemporary authors—because they’re genuinely entertaining.

If such compelling material is available for free, why not use it?

🎧 From Reading to Listening: Audio Drama as a Bridge

Some creators have already begun reading Aozora Bunko works aloud. While reading aloud is an extension of reading, audio drama offers a cinematic experience without visuals.

My goal is to adapt these novels into scripts and then transform them into audio and visual media. But I believe the best first step is audio drama. It allows for public release, and it helps identify which parts need trimming or expansion before moving to full visual production.

So I began by selecting a favorite story from Aozora Bunko and started the adaptation process.

✍️ The Challenge of Script Conversion

The work I chose is Living Intestines by Unno Juza—a pioneering figure in Japanese science fiction. Fun fact: the name of Captain Juzo Okita from Space Battleship Yamato was inspired by Unno Juza.

Unno was deeply knowledgeable in science and incorporated cutting-edge ideas into his stories. Even today, his concepts feel fresh. Yet surprisingly few of his works have been adapted into film.

While direct adaptation is tricky, the ideas are strong. I plan to rework and combine elements from multiple stories to create something new.

The first step is converting the novel into a script.

Novels are built from narrative prose and dialogue. The prose includes setting, emotion, historical context, and more—all blended together.

Scripts, on the other hand, consist of:

• Scene headings (“slug lines”)
• Dialogue
• Action descriptions

So the task involves analyzing the novel’s prose and breaking it down into script elements. It’s harder than it sounds.

Older novels often lack clear scene breaks. Modern fiction tends to be more cinematic, with chapters aligned to scene changes. But older works flow continuously, making it difficult to segment.

I quickly realized I’d need to change character dynamics and settings to make the story work. I extracted all the interesting expressions and restructured the plot from scratch.

🧠 From Monologue to Dialogue

One common trait in older fiction is extended internal monologue and exposition. If adapted directly, the script would be filled with narration and soliloquy.

In the original, the protagonist—a brilliant but unstable student—acts alone for much of the story. Dialogue is sparse. I reimagined the character relationships to increase interaction and clarity.

In my version, the protagonist is a mad scientist professor. The student, now his assistant, is coerced into helping with unethical experiments. This reversal adds tension and makes the story more dynamic.

The script is nearly complete. Since it’s audio-only, production will be fast. With help from members of the DIY Film Club—including those living remotely—I plan to finish the audio drama soon.

🔊 The Rise of Audio Media

This project begins with audio drama, but I’m increasingly interested in audio media itself.

Radio is the classic example. And recently, it’s enjoying a resurgence. Analysts suggest the COVID-19 pandemic played a role: as people stayed home and watched more TV, many realized how dull it had become—and turned to radio and podcasts instead.

Podcasting has exploded.

I started listening to a podcast by a small apparel brand owner, and I was hooked. These shows aren’t polished, but they’re real—and that’s the appeal. Compared to TV’s artificial drama, the authenticity of everyday voices is refreshing.

Many people I know listen to podcasts while working. As creators, we should respond to this demand by producing content tailored to audio platforms.

For filmmakers, creating an audio drama first is a smart move. It’s easier and faster than producing a full film. You can release it, build interest, and recruit collaborators for the visual adaptation.

Once my current project is complete, I’ll share it—so if you’re curious, stay tuned.

Hope this inspires your own creative journey.