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Yusaku Kitano

きたの ゆうさく

Kitano Yusaku

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1962-03-22 （Sone-cho, Takasago, Hyogo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Sone-cho, Takasago, Hyogo, Japan (birthplace) → Ikuno-ku, Osaka, Japan (residence)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, SF writer, Rakugo playwright, Actor
Active Years
1983-
Affiliations
Kyokosen-dan Parametric Orchestra (theatre troupe)
Memberships
Science Fiction Writers of Japan (former member)

Education

Konan University
Faculty of Science / Department of Applied Physics
Period: 1980-
Country: Japan
Member of a rakugo study group while enrolled

Awards

Japan Fantasy Novel Award (4th) — Excellence Prize
1992
Work: The Place Where Mars Once Was
Category: 優秀賞
Organization: Japan Fantasy Novel Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Katsura Jakusaburo New Rakugo (Yagura Cup) — Grand Prize
1992
Work: Tendosei (The Geocentric Theory) [rakugo]
Category: 最優秀賞
Organization: Katsura Jakusaburo New Rakugo Selection
Result: 受賞
Japan SF Award (22nd)
2001
Work: Kame-kun
Organization: Science Fiction Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Place Where Mars Once Was

1992 Science Fiction

A collection including short and mid-length stories that weave images of Mars and space, often depicting animals and humans with a distinctive humor.

animalsanthropomorphismscience fictionhumor
Adaptations
  • [Radio drama] The Place Where Mars Once Was (radio drama) (1994)

The Boat Floating in a Sea of Jellyfish

1994 SF / Fantasy

A collection merging fantastical imagery with SF motifs; features animals and strange ecosystems.

fantasyanimalsecosystems

Kame-kun

2001 Children's SF / Fantasy

A series of stories whose protagonist is a turtle; depicts human society and subtle everyday nuances from the turtle's point of view, blending warmth and strangeness.

turtlesanthropomorphismfamilyeveryday life

Yusaku Kitano Animal Encyclopedia (6 vols.)

2003 Children's literature / Short story collection

A series collecting short stories centered on animals. Each volume focuses on a particular animal, employing anthropomorphism and humor.

animalsshort-short storiesanthropomorphism

Bibliography

  • The Place Where Mars Once Was (1992)
  • The Boat Floating in a Sea of Jellyfish (1994)
  • Kame-kun (2001)
  • Zarigani-man (2001)
  • Donuts (2002)
  • Squid Alien (2002)
  • Yusaku Kitano Animal Encyclopedia Vol.1–6 (2003)
  • Ninshinchō 4-chome (2004)
  • Sora-baku (2005)
  • Universal Studio (2007)
  • Reiko-chan and the Kamaboko Factory (2008)
  • 100-Character SF (2020)

Adaptations

  • The Place Where Mars Once Was (NHK-FM 'Seishun Adventure' radio drama)
  • Ashita wa Kitto... (original idea, co-author; film festival screening)
  • Fubuki's Summer Vacation (screenplay; web anime release)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Frequent use of anthropomorphized animalsBlend of humor and dark humorConcise style focusing on short-short stories and short fiction
Recurring Motifs
animalsanthropomorphismstrangeness within everyday lifemotifs depicting company employees and workplaces

Legacy

A contemporary Japanese SF and children's writer known for featuring animals as protagonists. Active mainly in short fiction and short-short formats; recipient of the 2001 Japan SF Award among other honors.

Trivia

  • Blood type: B.
  • Wife is illustrator and manga artist Hiroko Morikawa.
  • Alumnus of Konan University Faculty of Science; belonged to a rakugo study group while enrolled.
  • Many works feature animals as protagonists.