本书是今敏漫画故事短篇全集，收录今敏从1984年至1989年间创作的漫画，除了与大友克洋合著的《国际恐怖公寓》，他所有的短篇都收录其中。 1984年，今敏发表首部漫画作品《虏》，直到1997年，首部动画电影《未麻的部屋》才横空出世。13年间，今敏埋头于漫画创作。作为动画导演，他享誉海内外，然而作为漫画家的道路却走得并不顺遂，仅有两部作品出版。那些十年如一日画出来的作品，在时间的长河中被掩埋，进而凝结成了化石。 2010年8月24日，今敏年仅46岁的人生因为病魔戛然而止，留给世人的只是远去的背影。《梦的化石》将那些不为人知的梦想碎片捡拾起来，令它们重新焕发出无与伦比的光芒。

Musashino, Tokyo. An elementary schooler repeatedly attacks people in the streets. Known only to the public as "Lil Slugger", none of the victims can recall the young boy's face and only three distinct details are left in their memories: golden inline skates, a baseball cap, and the weapon: a bent golden baseball bat. Detectives Ikari and Maniwa set out to track down the perpetrator and put an end to his crimes.

When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patient's dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist can stop it and recover it before damage is done: Paprika.

2003 film directed by Satoshi Kon

2001 Japanese anime film directed by Satoshi Kon

Encouraged by her managers, rising pop star Mima takes on a recurring role on a popular TV show, when suddenly her handlers and collaborators begin turning up murdered.