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Hiroshi Mori

もり ひろし

MORI Hiroshi

Pen Names: Mori Muku（Pen name used during doujinshi period）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1957-12-07 （Aichi Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Aichi Prefecture (born and long-time residence) → Some cool foreign country (resided abroad in recent years)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Engineer, Essayist, Doujinshi author, Former university lecturer
Active Years
1996-
Affiliations
Mie University (Assistant), Nagoya University (Associate/Assistant Professor)
Influenced By
Moto Hagio
Influenced
Kinoko Nasu, Nisio Isin

Education

Tokai Junior & Senior High School
Country: Japan
Nagoya University
Faculty of Engineering / Department of Architecture
Degree: 工学士、工学修士、工学博士（論文博士）
Period: 学士・修士課程修了、1990年に博士（論文博士）取得
Year of Graduation: 1990
Country: Japan
Doctoral dissertation: Study on flow analysis methods of fresh concrete

Awards

Mephisto Prize (1st)
1996
Work: The Perfect Insider
Organization: Mephisto editorial board (Kodansha)
Result: 受賞
Cement Association Paper Award
1988
Work: Study on flow analysis methods of fresh concrete subject to vibration (paper)
Organization: Cement Association (Japan)
Result: 受賞
Architectural Institute of Japan Tokai Award
1989
Organization: Architectural Institute of Japan
Result: 受賞
Architectural Institute of Japan Encouragement Award
1989
Organization: Architectural Institute of Japan
Result: 受賞
Japan Concrete Institute Award
1990
Organization: Japan Concrete Institute
Result: 受賞
The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials Paper Award
1990
Organization: The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Perfect Insider

1996 Mystery

A science-oriented locked-room mystery set on an isolated research island. The narrative interweaves mathematical puzzles and logical deductions as the mystery unfolds.

science-based mysterymathematics & logicisolated research settingcomputers and communications
Adaptations
  • [TV anime] The Perfect Insider (TV anime) / 神戸守 (2015)
  • [Manga] The Perfect Insider (manga adaptation)
  • [Video game] The Perfect Insider (video game)
Translations
  • The Perfect Insider

The Sky Crawlers

2001 Science Fiction

A series about young pilots who continue to fight forever. The novels blend aerial combat with philosophical themes about identity and eternity.

fighter aircrafteternal youthwar and questions of existence
Adaptations
  • [Theatrical anime film] The Sky Crawlers / 押井守 (2008)
Translations
  • The Sky Crawlers

An Automaton in Long Sleep

2006 Mystery / Suspense

A suspenseful work featuring mechanical and automaton elements. The story centers on tricks and engineered mechanisms.

machines and humanstrickerysuspense
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Kakure Karakuri (TV drama) (2006)
Translations
  • An Automaton in Long Sleep

The Tragedy of X

2016 Mystery

A novel characterized by complex settings and logical tricks. It contains elements that continue and expand the author's ongoing series.

logical puzzlesseries continuity

Bibliography

  • The Perfect Insider
  • The Sky Crawlers
  • An Automaton in Long Sleep
  • Path connected φ broke
  • The Tragedy of χ
  • SAIKAWA Sohei’s Last Case
  • The shadow of Ideas

Adaptations

  • The Sky Crawlers — Theatrical anime (Mamoru Oshii, 2008)
  • The Perfect Insider — TV anime (Mamoru Kanbe, 2015); manga and video game adaptations
  • Kakure Karakuri — TV drama (TBS, 2006)

Translations by Author

  • Translation of 'Considered Action' by Jane Fulton Suri (credited in Japanese as translated work)

Translations of Works

  • Seven Stories (English short story collection)
  • The Sky Crawlers
  • The Perfect Insider

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Science-oriented, logical proseIncorporates technical terms and mathematical discussions often without extended explanationEmploys surreal jokes and poetic insertions
Recurring Motifs
mathematical and logical puzzlesengineering and construction materialsmodels and garden railwaysbear illustrations and motifs

Health

  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
    幼少期から／成人期にかけて
    Had difficulty focusing on text due to hyperopia; improved by wearing glasses.

Legacy

Hiroshi Mori is regarded as a leading author of science-oriented mystery fiction; his distinctive style and multi-genre output have influenced a wide readership and later writers. Many of his major works have been adapted and translated.

Academic Societies

  • Architectural Institute of Japan
  • The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials
  • Japan Concrete Institute

Archives

  • Meiji University Yonezawa Collection Library (holds some doujinshi materials)

In Popular Culture

  • The Sky Crawlers — theatrical anime adaptation (Mamoru Oshii, 2008)
  • The Perfect Insider — TV anime (2015) and multiple manga/game adaptations
  • Numerous manga, TV drama, and radio drama adaptations of works

Quotes

  • MORI is written in all caps so that people recognize it as the family name.
    Source: Author's own statement (essays/interviews)
  • If I write without knowing the truth myself, I can create the sense of 'that could never be'—which produces surprises.
    Source: Interviews / writings on his writing process

Trivia

  • Debuted with 'The Perfect Insider' (won the 1st Mephisto Prize)
  • Hobbies include model railways (operates garden railway), aircraft models, machining, and cars (owns a Honda Beat and a Porsche 911)
  • Uses bear illustrations originating from his doujinshi days
  • Reportedly often eats only one main meal per day (as noted by the author)
  • Official fan club 'PRAMM' (Perfect Readers Association of Mori's Mysteries) has been active since 1998