Project summary

Animal Intelligence Universe (AIU) is a long-term storytelling and illustrated book project.
Through animal characters, the series reinterprets human knowledge, science, and social systems in a way that is easy, visual, and emotionally engaging.

I am now developing new volumes where animal characters secretly observe and study modern human knowledge and technology—including AI, control systems, and robotics—to heal damaged ecosystems, apply terraforming methods, and restore the planet.
Future books will move even further into the long-term future, focusing on posthuman societies in space. These will be presented in a hybrid format—“part light textbook, part comic”—exploring how animal's descendants learn, survive, and build new institutions across the universe.

The overarching goal is to make complex ideas—ecology, technology, and long-term thinking—accessible through storytelling.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The goal of this project is to create the first character-driven IP that combines longtermism, education, and emotional storytelling. As part of this vision, we plan to publish three additional books in 2026, including two core textbook-like volumes that break down first-year university–level concepts—such as applied mathematics, AI, robotics, and social-system modeling—into exceptionally accessible, story-driven explanations. These volumes will serve as the foundation of the IP’s world.

Each book will blend narrative and comics, and to broaden mainstream appeal, we will also release comic-only collections featuring the animal characters—not just conveying knowledge but providing pure entertainment as well. These efforts will help expand public engagement and visibility. At the same time, we aim to build credibility through endorsements and partnerships with U.S. educational institutions.

Ultimately, our ambition is for this IP to become a beloved, widely recognized educational universe—something like a ‘Pixar/Disney with purpose’—centered on characters that embody longtermism and meaningful learning.

How will this funding be used?

1. Writing, research, and story development for the next volumes (40%)

2. Illustration, character design, and world-building artwork (40%)

3. Editing, layout, and production of "comic + textbook" style publications (20%)
   

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Will Shin (Story & World) - Will studied public policy at Harvard and AI at the University of Pennsylvania. After working in policy, research, and technology, he became a full-time writer, building the stories and ideas behind Animal Intelligence.

Alice Shin (Art & Voice) - studied art and design and later completed a master’s in Linguistics at Georgetown. She leads the comics, character expressions, and visual tone of the series.

Will and Alice have already published two books that form the foundation of the Animal Intelligence series.

Published:

• Animal Intelligence: The Book of Forgotten History
  A narrative-driven story exploring the secret history of animal civilizations, written with humor, world-building, and emotional depth.

• Animal Intelligence: Guidebook

  An illustrated character encyclopedia for all ages, introducing the animals, regions, hidden structures, and the longtermist narrative framework of the Animal Intelligence Universe.

  

  A review copy can be provided as a PDF upon request. wishin@seas.upenn.edu.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

If this project fails, the most likely causes would be genre unfamiliarity and cognitive load. The series introduces complex ideas—terraforming, digital twins, ecological control, robotics—through a hybrid “story + light textbook” format. Even though these concepts are simplified through narrative, the public may find the genre challenging, and mainstream recognition could take longer than expected.

Even in partial failure, the project retains strong residual value. It remains a rare attempt to use animal characters for meaningful education, leaving behind narrative and educational content that students, educators, and future creators can refer to. The world-building, knowledge structures, and characters can be also adapted into future games, and learning tools, ensuring the work continues to have cultural and educational impact even without large-scale commercial success.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

Last year, the first two books were developed with roughly $35,000 in grant funding from the Korea Creative Content Agency. We are now aiming to build a stronger presence in the U.S. publishing scene, with the long-term goal of reaching a global readership, and are currently applying for additional support from Manifund as well as National Geographic, which has shown strong interest in educational projects that use animal characters.