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Edition 8 (2015) grand prize
Yutaka Kono
こうの ゆたか
Kono Yutaka
Pen Names:
Yutaka Kono（Pen name used for writing）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1984-01-01 （Tokushima Prefecture, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
- Residence History
- Tokushima Prefecture, Japan → Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist, Game Designer
- Active Years
- 2009-
- Affiliations
- Straight Edge (company), Group SNE
- Influenced By
- , Otsuichi, Haruki Murakami, Nisio Isin
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka University of Arts | — | — | — | — | Japan |
Osaka University of Arts
Country:
Japan
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | University Readers' Award (8th) | Inakunare, Gunjō | — | University Readers' Award | 受賞 |
| 2022 | Readers' Literary Prize (3rd) | Kimi no Namae no Yokogao | — | Readers' Literary Prize | 受賞 |
| 2024 | Yamada Futarō Prize (15th) | Vampire Chasing a Comet | — | Yamada Futarō Prize | 候補 |
University Readers' Award (8th)
2015
Work:
Inakunare, Gunjō
Organization:
University Readers' Award
Result:
受賞
Readers' Literary Prize (3rd)
2022
Work:
Kimi no Namae no Yokogao
Organization:
Readers' Literary Prize
Result:
受賞
Yamada Futarō Prize (15th)
2024
Work:
Vampire Chasing a Comet
Organization:
Yamada Futarō Prize
Result:
候補
Awards & Nominations
Yamamoto Shugoro Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 38 (2025) nominee
Works
Major Works
Sagrada Reset: CAT, GHOST and REVOLUTION SUNDAY
2009 Light novelA series set in a town where many residents have supernatural abilities; it explores mysteries of memory and time through a coming-of-age ensemble cast. Noted for multiple viewpoints and sci-fi elements.
memorytimeyouthscience fictionmystery
Adaptations
- [TV anime] Sagrada Reset (2017)
- [Film] Sagrada Reset: Part 1 & Part 2 / 深川栄洋 (2017)
Inakunare, Gunjō
2014 Coming-of-age / MysteryPart of the 'Stair Island' series; through a closed environment and relationships among youths, it depicts loss and rebirth.
youthlossfriendshipsupernatural
Adaptations
- [Film] Inakunare, Gunjō / 柳明菜 (2019)
Vampire Chasing a Comet
2024 Science fiction / HorrorA novel that mixes vampire motifs with sci-fi elements to portray solitude and pursuit.
solitudepursuitsupernaturalscience fiction
Kimi no Namae no Yokogao
2021 NovelA standalone novel that uses names and memories as focal points to explore relationships and interiority.
memorypersonal historyrelationships
The Final Word of the Best Lie
2017 MysteryA short, mystery-focused book that examines riddles and characters' psyches; published as a single volume.
mysterypsychologydetective fiction
I Don't Know How to Say Goodbye series
2017 Contemporary fictionA series retitled and heavily revised from 'Water & Biscuit Theme'; explores daily anxieties and human relationships.
everyday liferelationshipsrebirth
Bibliography
- Sagrada Reset (series)
- Baby, Good Morning
- Tsurezure, Kitanosaka Detective Agency (series)
- Inakunare, Gunjō
- Even If That Whiteness Were a Lie
- I Call the Stained Red Love
- The Final Word of the Best Lie
- Kimi no Namae no Yokogao
- Vampire Chasing a Comet
- I Don't Know How to Say Goodbye series
- Water & Biscuit Theme (original)
Adaptations
- Sagrada Reset — TV anime & live-action films
- Inakunare, Gunjō — Live-action film
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Prioritizes readability using a somewhat codified use of languageMix of colloquial and literary stylesOften develops the narrative during writing rather than strictly following a preset plot
- Recurring Motifs
- memorytimelossyouthsupernatural phenomena
Health
-
Diabetes mellitus2009年（夏 - 初秋）Hospitalized from summer to early autumn 2009
Legacy
Known for works that span light novels, science fiction, and mystery. His flagship series 'Sagrada Reset' has been adapted into both anime and live-action films. He has received awards such as the University Readers' Award and is regarded as an influential contemporary author among younger readers.
In Popular Culture
- Adaptation of Sagrada Reset into anime and live-action films
- Film adaptation of Inakunare, Gunjō
Quotes
-
The technique of fiction is to codify language; I prioritize readability.
Source: Group SNE author interview (2017) (2017) -
I do my best thinking after getting stuck while writing.
Source: Group SNE interview / conversation (2017)
Trivia
- In university he belonged to a rakugo club and used the stage name 'Rōyūtei Garo'.
- Two members of the rakugo club later formed the comedy duo Milk Boy.
- In 2009 he developed diabetes after excessive consumption of the frozen treat Papico and was hospitalized.
- His representative work 'Sagrada Reset' has been adapted into a TV anime and live-action films.