iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 2h

#WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall I plan out the setting, main story beats, and major characters' personalities and roles. I often also set playlists to match the story and characters. Everything else just kind of comes up on its own.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 16h

#LitHodgepodge 5 From King of Blades: Makoto: I'm happy with a good book. Gil Dong: I'm happy whenever I get to just cut loose. Really push myself to the limit, you know? Yukiko: Being side by side with the best sister ever. Natsumi: Ditto. Tulio: Whenever something I make works, I'm happy.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 22h

#AwesomeCharacters Makoto, Gil Dong, Yukiko, and Natsumi all live with their respective families, but they're looking at university prospects. Tulio recently moved out of his family's home, though not much is known about his living situation yet.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge 4 Being a new addition to the writing community, I can't exactly tag specific people. My prior writing expertise is mainly scripts. So, I have to ask, how do you stretch your stories out from script length to novel length?

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge 3 Heroes of King of Blades, come on down. M: My name is Makoto Yamasaki. G: My name's Gil Dong Rhee. Y: I'm Yukiko. N: I'm Natsumi. Y&N: And we're the Itou twins. T: ...oh, uh, and my name's Tulio Hernandez. Thanks again to @zennorec.bsky.social for drawing these pictures.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#AwesomeCharacters You never really know what's going on inside Tulio's head. Even he doesn't know, sometimes.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge 2 I guess the cast of King of Blades would fit right in with Sword Art Online—which, I might add, was one of the main inspirations for it.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

If you like quick reads, dynamic characters, and epic sci-fi sports combat a la "Rocky" meets "Sword Art Online", look no further than "King of Blades". Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read: books2read.com/king-of-blades #WeeknightWriters

Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/king-of-blades

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Already gave my pitch with question 1, so for this... Gloria del Sol, the main character of my WIP, was mostly inspired by Rebecca Parham's video on her experiences with Medieval Times. www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3TW... #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall

youtube.com

My Grievances with Medieval Times (the dinner show)

YouTube video by Let Me Explain Studios

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I'm currently at about 6,000 words. I don't really plan for this to be a long story, more like a scrapbook novella. There'll be tables, lists, and intentionally crude drawings. #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I'm already going ahead with murder mystery, like I've already said. To be honest, I don't think I've ever written a murder mystery before. #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Working title: Knights of the Kingdom When one of the actors of the eponymous dinner show is murdered in the parking lot, it's up to an intrepid detective to solve the case and protect the show and its employees. #WeeknightWriters #FirstDraftFall

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#WeeknightWriters Hi, everypeople. I'm Paul Hikari. I already have the basic outline of my WIP for #FirstDraftFall , and I've actually been working on the actual piece for weeks now. What is this WIP, you ask? A murder mystery set at an affectionate parody of Medieval Times.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Makoto doesn't laugh often, but when she does, she's genuinely pleased. Gil Dong tends to laugh in proud triumph when showing somebody up. Tulio laughs in excitement when he has just accomplished something great. Yukiko and Natsumi laugh very often, usually at something funny.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Most of us were once rebellious teenagers, so I wouldn't judge. Thanks again to the folks at “Etra-Chan Saw It!” for letting @trinadeuhart.bsky.social and me play in this video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNh5...

youtube.com

My daughter suddenly dropped to her knees to apologize one day... [Manga Dub]

YouTube video by Etra chan saw it!

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge 1 Hi there, everypeople. I'm Paul Hikari. When I'm not voice acting for games or animations, I'm chiefly writing genre-mashing sci-fi and fantasy, but my next project is a murder mystery set in an affectionate parody of Medieval Times.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#WriterShareWednesday If you like quick reads, dynamic characters, and epic sci-fi sports combat a la "Rocky" meets "Sword Art Online", look no further than "King of Blades". Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read: books2read.com/king-of-blades

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#Septopolis Thanks for hosting this, @khonri.com . I had already planned out much of Arcadia for years, but your game here let me discover how certain aspects can not make it into the story proper and still come through somehow.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters All of the heroes of King of Blades are patient to varying degrees, but especially Tulio. It actually plays into his fighting style.

I drew my rapier and main-gauche and saluted, holding the rapier vertically in front of my face. Sophia did the same with her short sword—which I now saw was flared toward the point of its blade. Then, we stepped into our battle stances, my rapier pointed forward and Sophia hunched behind her shield.
“Fight!” signaled the computer.
Just as I thought, she stayed put, waiting for me to come to her. What I had guessed she didn’t anticipate was me doing the same to her, which would’ve probably made for a pretty boring sight. But I didn’t care for entertainment; I was there to win, and if that meant making the fans unhappy, then so be it…or so, I thought at the time.
We kept circling around the clearing, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Finally, getting bored, I turned my back and wiggled my rapier like a dog’s tail. Sophia hesitated but went in. We clashed for a moment but didn’t hit each other.
This went on all throughout the match, just the two of us clattering our weapons against each other, waiting for the other to overextend. I was winning the war of attrition, though, as Sophia’s movements slowly got more hasty and erratic, whereas I kept poise. I even noticed Sophia gradually loosening the straps on her shield, which came in handy, because she threw it at my head like a discus and rushed me the moment I ducked.
Perfect.

From "King of Blades", available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/king-of-blades

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#SongsOfSeptember I think I might've answered Day 8, but not like this. I have playlists for both major characters and key story moments in "King of Blades."

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Reposted by Paul Hikari

Koopaluxe @animaldays.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The very first cover song, "Airships" is out on both YouTube and SoundCloud, available now!! Myself/Jay Tyler as Larry @pizzachainbrick.bsky.social as Lemmy @paulhikari.bsky.social as Roy @trinadeuhart.bsky.social as Wendy @luigifan00001.bsky.social as Iggy youtu.be/sfMqghvqHdw?...

youtu.be

Airships (ft. Larry Williams, Wendy Kirei, Iggy Akamai, Roy Steel, & Lemmy Petit)

YouTube video by Koopaluxe

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I think I'll just let this post by @pjccahill.bsky.social speak for me. Check it all out here: pjccahill.carrd.co

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#Septopolis The closest thing to a neighboring settlement to Arcadia is Geneva, Switzerland, which is right below it. There is some ongoing debate about whether Arcadia should be considered a Swiss city or not, but overall, the two cities are on friendly terms. 🧵

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Makoto's a lemon meringue pie. Gil Dong's a salted brownie. Tulio's tiramisu. Yukiko and Natsumi are apple turnovers.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#WhimsicalWriters Hell Creek: When a wealthy tech mogul accidentally sends himself back in time to the late Cretaceous, he must figure out how to return to his own era while surviving the realm of the dinosaurs.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#Septopolis The Arcadian municipal police system largely focuses on de-escalation, and use of force is rare and almost never lethal. Police officers must pass rigorous training criteria, often requiring degrees in civics, law, and psychology. 🧵

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Makoto: reading Gil Dong: swimming Tulio: tinkering Yukiko and Natsumi: singing

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#pretendpanel If you like quick reads, dynamic characters, and epic sci-fi sports combat a la "Rocky" meets "Sword Art Online", look no further than "King of Blades". Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read: books2read.com/king-of-blades

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#Septopolis Arcadia's municipal government is, in practice, a democratic socialist government. All citizens may participate in city hall meetings, lobby, organize community events, and/or submit feedback on city life as they please. 🧵

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A bit of a reveal coming here.

From "King of Blades", available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/king-of-blades

By the time I could see the hotel down the street, it was early evening. A small crowd was assembled in front of Moonphase, encircling a luminescent platform projecting a match in progress. One of the fighters therein wielded an elaborately decorated partisan in a manner similar to how I had seen Sergei do so back at the library. Suffice to say, he won.
I approached Sergei as he watched the match conclude from beside the counter. “Piqued your interest, did it?” he asked.
“It’s important to observe how others fight, so you can take notes about how to improve your own fighting style,” I said.
“On that, I agree.”
I gave him a knowing squint. “Come to think of it, I think I’ve seen that spearman’s fighting style before…” Then, I pinched my chin and glanced between him and the site of the match, feigning lack of knowledge. “You competed before, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters I think I'll go with Yukiko and Natsumi. In addition to having high pain tolerance and just being tough in general, whichever side of their body gets hit, only that twin feels it, letting the other cover for her. They do share sensations along their midline.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#Septopolis Given Arcadia's origin as a sanctuary for Extinction War refugees and its current status as a main hub for world culture, the city is quite open to migrants. As long as you can reasonably prove that you don't mean the city or its people any harm, you're welcome to stay.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Makoto's an avid reader. To her, a library this extensive is paradise. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Our next stop, the Library of the United Nations, was an immense collection of books and computers lining every wall and shelf I could see. Some of the visitors scanned the shelves, looking for books to check out or otherwise read. Others sat at tables or in easy chairs, mostly reading light books. Still others watched videos or listened to audio books, their headphones embedded in their ears.
Fortunately, the autobiography, “7000”, was easy to find. More convenient though a light book may have been, I preferred the pulpy, slightly rough touch and sense of relative permanence of hardcopy, so that’s what I decided to pick up. Knowing that it was getting late in the day, I skimmed through it and two other books, pausing at certain points through each to catch details that I may have missed.
At one point, I noticed Prashasti ogling the book in my hand. “What can I say? I’m a fast learner,” I whispered.

From "King of Blades", available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/king-of-blades

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#WeeknightWriters If you like quick reads, dynamic characters, and epic sci-fi sports combat a la "Rocky" meets "Sword Art Online", look no further than "King of Blades". Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and more via Books2Read: books2read.com/king-of-blades

books2read.com

Available now at your favorite digital store!

King of Blades by Paul Hikari

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#WeeknightWriters My roommate is hosting a party next Saturday, and frankly, I could use a break.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#WeeknightWriters I based the novella version of "King of Blades" on the screenplay I originally wrote it as, which recently won yet another screenplay competition award.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#WeeknightWriters Well, no matter what I try with promoting my book, "King of Blades," nothing seems to work. Frankly, I could use some help getting the word out about it, and I don't want to have to rely on Twitter, given how far it's fallen.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#WeeknightWriters To be honest, I've been rather frustrated by a lack of new roles landed, time to really work on my WIP, and sales for my currently published work, which I'll share later. I've managed to stay sane by remembering certain facts, venting through writing, and chatting with friends.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#WeeknightWriters Hi, everybody. I'm Paul Hikari, a voice actor and writer who is currently working on an as-yet untitled murder mystery set at an affectionate parody of Medieval Times. Once again, I've been staying busy, recording, auditioning, delivery driving, and promoting stuff.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters After the apple pie incident, Yukiko and Natsumi would rather stick to bobbing for apples. Makoto would read a book by the fire. Gil Dong would sneak around an allegedly haunted mansion just to show that he's not scared of ghosts. Tulio would try to mimic geese in flight.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#Septopolis I mentioned several such places in Arcadia in passing through this game, so I'll use this post to discuss them in more detail. 🧵

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I doubt my abilities all the time, and even knowing that others likely feel the same way, I can't help but wonder how they manage to overcome it on a consistent basis.

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Paul Hikari @paulhikari.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#Septopolis At the time of "King of Blades", Children of the Earth (CoE)—which I covered yesterday—is primarily showcased at the Milky Way Stadium, a colossal ring of winding beams of metal and silk dedicated to live entertainment of all sorts, including sporting events, plays, concerts. 🧵

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