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Akira Hamanaka

はまなか あき

Hamanaka Aki

Aliases: はまなかあき / 罪山罰太郎
Pen Names: hamanaka aki（Pen name used for children's literature (used at time of Kadokawa award submission)）, Tsumiyama Batsutarou（Pseudonym used early for blog and some writing contributions）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1976-03-01 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
novelist, children's literature writer, mystery writer
Active Years
2010-
Affiliations
Mystery Writers of Japan
Memberships
Mystery Writers of Japan
Nominations
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Prize (nominated), Yamada Futaro Prize (nominated), Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize (nominated), Mystery Writers of Japan Award (nominated)

Education

Tokyo Gakugei University
Faculty of Education
Period: 中退（在籍期間不明）
Country: Japan
Withdrew from the Faculty of Education (did not graduate)

Awards

Kadokawa Children's Literature Award (Excellent Prize)
2009
Work: Rival: Our Serious Competition
Organization: Kadokawa Gakugei Publishing
Result: 優秀賞
Japan Mystery Literature Award for New Writers (16th)
2013
Work: Lost Care
Organization: Kobun Cultural Foundation
Result: 受賞
Oyabu Haruhiko Prize (21st)
2019
Work: Frozen Sun
Organization: Tokuma Shoten
Result: 受賞
Mystery Writers of Japan Award (72nd)
2019
Work: Frozen Sun
Category: 長編および連作短編集部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞
Watanabe Jun'ichi Literary Prize (7th)
2022
Work: Scorching Heat
Organization: Watanabe Jun'ichi Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Lost Care

2013 crime novel / mystery

A mystery about crimes surrounding elderly care, exploring caregiving settings, loneliness, and ethical dilemmas.

elder carelonelinessethicscrime
Adaptations
  • [film] Lost Care / 前田哲 (2023)

Frozen Sun

2018 mystery / social novel

A long-form mystery set against contemporary social issues, depicting conflicts between police and civil society.

policesocial issuesjustice
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Frozen Sun (TV adaptation) (2019)
  • [manga] Frozen Sun (manga) (2021)

Scorching Heat

2021 literary fiction

A literary novel that sharply depicts human inner life and conflict, portraying the breakdown of relationships.

human relationshipspassioncollapse

Screams

2014 mystery

A suspense-heavy novel dealing with loneliness and aspects of violence.

lonelinessviolencepsychology
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Screams (TV adaptation) (2019)

Blue

2019 mystery

A mystery work with police-novel elements, depicting incidents from multiple perspectives.

policemultiple perspectivestruth

Bibliography

  • Rival: Our Serious Competition
  • Lost Care
  • Screams
  • Black Dog
  • Cocoon
  • Frozen Sun
  • Tragedy of W Prefectural Police
  • Blue
  • And Then, Become Sea Foam
  • Scorching Heat
  • Long Afternoon
  • Heartbeat

Adaptations

  • Lost Care (film, 2023)
  • Screams (TV drama, 2019)
  • W Prefectural Police Tragedy (TV drama, 2019)
  • Frozen Sun (manga, 2021)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
calm and precise writingcontemporary style incorporating social issuesemphasis on psychological portrayal
Recurring Motifs
lonelinesseldercare / aging societyconflict between police and citizensethical dilemmas

Legacy

Praised for mysteries that tackle social issues, he has won multiple literary awards and seen his works adapted to film and television, establishing his status as a contemporary Japanese crime/social novelist.

Academic Societies

  • Mystery Writers of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Lost Care (film adaptation, 2023)
  • Screams (TV drama adaptation, 2019)
  • W Prefectural Police Tragedy (TV drama adaptation, 2019)

Quotes

  • An unequivocal masterpiece
    Source: Judge: Yukito Ayatsuji (comment on Japan Mystery Literature Award for New Writers) (2013)

Trivia

  • Previously wrote under the pen name "Tsumiyama Batsutarou" for blog and some writing contributions.
  • Enjoys shogi and has participated in the Mystery Writers of Japan shogi club.