Research on transmedia storytelling focuses on coordination and synergy among story nodes.
However, a few studies have examined how an audience connects with and interprets a story
network formed by multiple platforms. The present study explored the transmedia network of
Harry Potter and observed how the audience compiled the intertextual clues left in the novels,
movies, and video games. Additionally, the audience members’ integrated experiences of
reality and virtuality were investigated after they had visited locations relevant to Harry Potter
and seen intertextual commodities.
Once audience spotted signifiers of intertextual commodities and associated settings in
the movies with story plots, they might feel as if they were part of the wizard world when
enjoying food dishes eaten by the characters in the films. In brief, because of the intertextual
commodities, the audience was able to fill the transmedia gap between the films and novels.
Furthermore, the commodities compensated for missing details in the novel series by
engaging all five senses (e.g., when tasting the wizards’ cuisine), enabling the audience to
recall the original narrative and gain an impressive experience.