The Twitter account for the editorial department of Shueisha's Jump j Books imprint announced on Friday that P.A. Works' Shirobako anime is inspiring a novel. Anime scriptwriter Michiko Itou (Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil, Twin Angel: Twinkle Paradise) and author Hajime Tanaka (Nisekoi!, Good Luck Girl! novels) are writing Shirobako Introduction . Retailer Amazon is listing the 224-page book as slated for release on January 27.

The prequel novel's story will take place before the events in the original television anime. The story will tell how the five main characters met for the first time.

P.A. Works' original anime Shirobako follows five girls as they work to succeed in the anime industry in writing, production, and voice acting. Tsutomu Mizushima is directing the series, Ponkan8 designed original characters, and Kanami Sekiguchi adapted them for the anime series. Michiko Yokote is overseeing the series scripts.

The series premiered on October 9, and episode 10 debuted on Thursday. Niconico began streaming the episode on November 17, but the streaming of episode 6 was suspended due to a rights issue.

Crunchyroll is also streaming this television anime in the Americas and several countries in Europe as well as other regions, and it also no longer lists episode 6 "Idepon Miyamori: On the Move." Sentai Filmworks licensed the anime for North American release.

Update: Typo fixed. Thanks, Samo8412

[Via Yaraon!]