Japanese Literary Awards

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Ayano Takeda

たけだ あやの

Takeda Ayano

Pen Names: Ayano Takeda（Pen name used for publication (same as real name)）, TAKEDA AYANO (katakana)（Pen name used when submitting to a newcomer prize (six katakana characters)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1992-01-01 （Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (birthplace and childhood) → Kyoto (resided during Doshisha University studies)

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2013-
Influenced By
Risa Wataya, Mizuki Tsujimura
Nominations
Shortlisted for the 40th Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award (2019), Shortlisted for the 37th Oda Sakunosuke Prize (2020)

Education

Doshisha University
Faculty of Letters / Department of Aesthetics and Art
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Period: 2012-2016
Year of Graduation: 2016
Country: Japan
Continued writing while enrolled; began regular novel writing from the second year.

Awards

Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
2021
Work: Even If I'm Not Loved, That's Okay
Organization: Committee for the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
Result: 受賞
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
2019
Work: That Day, Akane Flew
Organization: Committee for the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
Result: 候補
Oda Sakunosuke Prize
2020
Work: Even If I'm Not Loved, That's Okay
Organization: Committee for the Oda Sakunosuke Prize
Result: 候補
Japan Love Story Award (Hidden-Gem selection)
2013
Work: Today, I Breathe with You.
Organization: Takarajimasha
Result: 最終候補・隠し玉選出
Uji City Tourism Ambassador
2016
Organization: Uji City
Result: 任命

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Sound! Euphonium — Welcome to the Kitauji High School Brass Band

2013 Coming-of-age / Youth novel

The first volume of a series set in a high school brass band that follows students' friendships, conflicts, and growth. The author's own band experience and the scenery of Uji are strongly reflected.

High school lifeFriendshipMusic (brass band)Coming-of-age
Adaptations
  • [TV anime] Sound! Euphonium (TV anime) / 石原立也 (2015)
  • [Theatrical anime] Sound! Euphonium: Welcome to the Kitauji High School Band (theatrical) / 石原立也 (2016)

Today, I Breathe with You.

2013 Youth novel / Love story

A debut novel set in a high school art club that delicately portrays the emotions and relationships of students in a near-realistic coming-of-age narrative.

YouthClub activitiesFirst love

Even If I'm Not Loved, That's Okay

2020 Youth novel / Family drama

A novel exploring the tensions between parents and their children, focusing on young people who wish to escape parental pressures and searching for belonging.

FamilyGrowthParent-child relationshipsIdentity
Adaptations
  • [Live-action film] Even If I'm Not Loved, That's Okay / 井樫彩 (2025)

That Day, Akane Flew

2018 Youth novel

A novel that depicts inner changes through the protagonist's relationships with those around her. Shortlisted for the 40th Yoshikawa Eiji Newcomer Award.

SelfChangeFriendship

Rowing with You — Nagatoro High School Canoe Club

2019 Youth novel / Sports

A sports-themed youth series centered on a high school canoe club, depicting teamwork, challenges, and growth.

Club activitiesChallengeTeamwork
Adaptations
  • [Anime (short collaboration)] Ani×Para episode 16 — Paracanoe / 細川ヒデキ (2023)

The Two Liars

2022 Linked short stories / Fiction

A collection of linked short stories that carefully portray the subtleties of human relationships.

Human relationshipsLies and truthEmotional fluctuation

Bibliography

  • Today, I Breathe with You.
  • Sound! Euphonium — Welcome to the Kitauji High School Brass Band
  • Sound! Euphonium 2 — The Hottest Summer of the Kitauji High School Band
  • Rowing with You — Nagatoro High School Canoe Club
  • That Day, Akane Flew
  • Even If I'm Not Loved, That's Okay
  • The Two Liars
  • When the World Turns Blue
  • Nanyakanya Diary — Kyoto, Cats and Books (Essay)
  • Bubble (Novelization)

Adaptations

  • TV anime series 'Sound! Euphonium' (2015 - )
  • Theatrical anime films based on 'Sound! Euphonium' series
  • Live-action film 'Even If I'm Not Loved, That's Okay' (2025 release)
  • Comics adaptations (Sound! Euphonium, etc.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic coming-of-age depictionsDelicate psychological descriptionScene-based narrative construction
Recurring Motifs
Brass band / instrumentsHigh school / club activitiesFriendship and conflictGrowth and choicesFamily relationships

Legacy

Ayano Takeda gained a wide readership for realistic high-school coming-of-age novels. Her 'Sound! Euphonium' series achieved notable popularity following anime adaptations and has had a marked influence on younger audiences. Winning the Yoshikawa Eiji Newcomer Award in 2021 further established her standing in literary circles.

In Popular Culture

  • The anime adaptation of 'Sound! Euphonium' greatly influenced younger audiences
  • Extensive media mix of the novels (anime, theatrical films, comic adaptations, music tie-ins) has been developed

Quotes

  • At first there was back-and-forth among editors about choosing a more common instrument like the trumpet or trombone, but I deliberately decided to highlight the euphonium.
    Source: Interview (KAI-YOU, 2016) (2016)

Trivia

  • Classmate in high school: actress Riho Yoshioka.
  • Played the euphonium in the brass band from grade 5 through junior high (about five years).
  • Debut novel 'Today, I Breathe with You.' was selected as a 'hidden-gem' by the Japan Love Story Award and published though not the main prize winner.
  • Often draws a cat illustration in signed copies (her family keeps cats).
  • Announced marriage in 2021 and reported the birth of her first child in 2024.