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Mikoto Mashita

ました みこと

Mashita Mikoto

Pen Names: Mashita Shorin（Pen name used when submitting a long novel）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1997 （Saitama Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Lyricist
Active Years
2020-
Memberships
The Mystery Writers of Japan, Henkaku Mystery Writers Club
Influenced By
Kiyoshi Shigematsu, Kanae Minato, Keigo Higashino, Yukito Ayatsuji, Ryō Asai, Risa Wataya, Sayaka Murata
Nominations
Nominated for the 5th Hontame Literary Award (Takumi category) for 'Watashi no Musubime' (2023)

Education

Waseda University
Year of Graduation: 2020
Country: Japan
Undergraduate graduation (March 2020)
Waseda University Graduate School
Year of Graduation: 2022
Country: Japan
Completed graduate program (March 2022)

Awards

Mephisto Prize
2019
Work: #Yuria and Hide-and-Seek
Organization: Kodansha / Mephisto Editorial Department
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

#Yuria and Hide-and-Seek

2020 Youth mystery

Debut novel published while still a university student. A coming-of-age mystery that involves idols and music, with friendship and secrets at its core.

YouthMysteryIdol cultureMusicFriendshipSecrets
Adaptations
  • [Promotional video (PV)] Kimi no Tonari

Asahi Never Fails

2021 Youth mystery

A novel themed around youth. Incorporates mystery elements while depicting young people's growth.

YouthComing-of-ageMystery

Hiding Lies on a Red-Day

2022 Youth mystery

A mystery about relationships and secrets among young characters. Notable for featuring several songs and lyrics within the story.

YouthSecretsMusicLies

Maerika's Tag

2023 Youth mystery

A novel with a youthful setting that, as the title suggests, includes elements of chase and pursuit.

YouthTensionFriendship

My Knot

2023 Youth mystery

A work nominated for the 5th Hontame Literary Award; a relatively short novel that symbolically depicts the knots of human relationships.

Human relationshipsBondsYouth

Packed Full in a Basket

2024 Youth mystery

A work that weaves everyday mysteries and emotions through multiple characters' perspectives.

Everyday lifeMysteryEmotions

Spring Will Come Again

2025 Youth mystery

Most recent book. Contains themes of seasonality and renewal implied by the title (details per published information).

RenewalSeasonYouth

Bibliography

  • #Yuria and Hide-and-Seek
  • Asahi Never Fails
  • Hiding Lies on a Red-Day
  • Maerika's Tag
  • My Knot
  • Packed Full in a Basket
  • Spring Will Come Again

Adaptations

  • Promotional video production of songs for the fictional idol group in '#Yuria and Hide-and-Seek' (lyrics, composition, arrangement and vocals performed by the author)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Youthful prosePlot-driven mystery elements
Recurring Motifs
Idols / MusicLies and secretsFriendship and growthEveryday mysteries

Legacy

Noted as a young writer who debuted while still at university, gaining attention in youth mystery fiction. Also active in songwriting and composition, receiving recognition for cross-media activities.

Academic Societies

  • The Mystery Writers of Japan
  • Henkaku Mystery Writers Club

In Popular Culture

  • Songs for a fictional idol group in the debut novel were produced as a PV; the author herself produced and sang the songs, attracting attention.

Quotes

  • I wrote the lyrics, composed, arranged and sang everything...!
    Source: X (formerly Twitter) @mikoto_mashita (post) (2020)

Trivia

  • Born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
  • Won the 61st Mephisto Prize and debuted while at university (prize in 2019; book published 2020).
  • Writes lyrics, composes and arranges music; has published hobby tracks on SoundCloud.
  • Hobbies include visiting drugstores.
  • Liked AKB48 in junior high and was into Perfume in high school.