Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Akiko Abe

あべ あきこ

Abe Akiko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Hanamaki, Iwate, Japan
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Resident in Iwate Prefecture (originally from Hanamaki)

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2008-

Awards

Cobalt Short Story Newcomer Award
2008
Work: Riku no Sakana
Organization: Shueisha (Cobalt Bunko)
Result: 受賞
Roman Prize (17th)
2008
Work: Itsumademo (published as 'Rooftop Boys')
Organization: Roman Prize (Shueisha)
Result: 受賞
Hon no Zasshi Paperback Best Ten — #1
2020
Work: Para-Star
Organization: Hon no Zasshi (The Book Magazine)
Result: 第1位
Miraiya Novel Award (8th)
2024
Work: Kafune
Organization: Miraiya Bookstore
Result: 受賞
Booksellers Award (22nd)
2025
Work: Kafune
Organization: The Booksellers Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Rooftop Boys (published as 'Itsumademo')

2008 Light novel (Cobalt Bunko)

A debut work portraying the youth of high school students. Originally published as 'Itsumademo'.

youthfriendshipcoming-of-age

Muromachi Boy Chronicle: The Scheming Prince

2009 Historical fiction

A youth-oriented historical novel set in the Muromachi period.

historyadventurepersonal growth

Sengoku Love Song: The Sleeping Overlord

2010 Historical romance

A love story set against the Sengoku period in which romance and power intersect.

historyromancepower

Strobe Edge (novelization, 4 vols)

2010 Novelization / Youth / Romance

A novelization of Io Sakisaka's manga 'Strobe Edge' (handled as a 4-volume series).

youthromance

Ao Haru Ride (novelization, 6 vols)

2011 Novelization / Youth

Novelizations based on Io Sakisaka's 'Ao Haru Ride' (6 volumes).

youthrelationships

Kamakura Kobo Memories (5 vols)

2015 Contemporary fiction / Linked short stories

A linked short-story series set in Kamakura.

everyday lifehuman relationships

To You Who Are in a Place Farther Than Anyone Else

2017 Contemporary fiction

For a Future Where I Meet You Again

2018 Contemporary fiction / Romance

Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare (live-action film novelization)

2020 Novelization / Live-action film novelization

Authored novelization of the live-action film (published by Shueisha Orange Bunko).

youthromance
Adaptations
  • [Live-action film (original film)] Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare (film)

Muromachi Splendor: Yoshimitsu, Zeami and the Princess of Yoshino

2018 Historical fiction

A historical novel centered on figures from the Muromachi period.

historybiographical drama

Para-Star (2 vols)

2020 Literary fiction

A two-volume novel structured from differing perspectives. Selected as #1 in Hon no Zasshi's Paperback Best Ten in 2020.

shifting perspectiveshuman relationships

Annular Eclipse

2022 Mystery (published by Tokyo Sogensha)

Colorful

2024 Contemporary fiction

Kafune

2024 Contemporary fiction

A notable novel that won the Miraiya Novel Award in 2024 and the Booksellers Award in 2025.

familytimerenewal

Tanuki and Fox and the Love Taiyaki (anthology contribution)

2018 Anthology contribution

A short story included in the anthology 'Special Snacks: 5 Snacks Anthology'.

short storyeveryday life

Bibliography

  • Rooftop Boys (published as 'Itsumademo')
  • Muromachi Boy Chronicle: The Scheming Prince
  • Sengoku Love Song: The Sleeping Overlord
  • Strobe Edge (novelization, 4 vols)
  • Ao Haru Ride (novelization, 6 vols)
  • Kamakura Kobo Memories (5 vols)
  • To You Who Are in a Place Farther Than Anyone Else
  • For a Future Where I Meet You Again
  • Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare (live-action film novelization)
  • Muromachi Splendor: Yoshimitsu, Zeami and the Princess of Yoshino
  • Para-Star (2 vols)
  • Annular Eclipse
  • Colorful
  • Kafune
  • Tanuki and Fox and the Love Taiyaki (anthology contribution)

Adaptations

  • Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare — novelization of the live-action film (by Akiko Abe)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear prose with emphasis on character depictionDialogue-driven, brisk narration
Recurring Motifs
youthfluctuating human relationshipscontrast between history and the present

Legacy

Since debuting with Cobalt Bunko, Akiko Abe has worked across genres from light novels to historical and literary fiction, earning a following especially among younger readers. Works such as 'Para-Star' and 'Kafune' have increased her critical and commercial profile.

In Popular Culture

  • Known among younger readers for novelizations of popular manga and films

Trivia

  • Born in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture.
  • Debuted from Cobalt Bunko in 2008.
  • 'Para-Star' was selected #1 in Hon no Zasshi's Paperback Best Ten in 2020.
  • 'Kafune' won the Miraiya Novel Award (2024) and the Booksellers Award (2025).