Japanese Literary Awards

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Ryo Asai

あさい りょう

Asai Ryo

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1989-05-31 （Tarui, Fuwa District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Radio personality, Essayist
Active Years
2009-
Influenced By
Toshiyuki Horie
Nominations
Candidate for the 147th Naoki Prize ("Mou Ichido Umareru"), Candidate for the 19th Booksellers Award ("Seiyoku"), Candidate for the 22nd Booksellers Award ("Seishokuki")

Education

Waseda University, School of Culture, Media and Society
School of Culture, Media and Society / Literature
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan
Member of Toshiyuki Horie's seminar; submitted 'Hoshiyadori no Koe' as a graduation thesis in his fourth year.

Awards

Shosetsu Subaru Newcomer Award
2009
Work: Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutte yo
Organization: Shueisha (Shosetsu Subaru)
Result: 受賞
Naoki Prize
2013
Work: Nanimono
Organization: Naoki Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Tsubota Jōji Literary Award
2014
Work: Sekai Chizu no Shitagaki
Organization: Tsubota Jōji Literary Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Shibata Renzaburo Award
2021
Work: Seiyoku
Organization: Shibata Renzaburo Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Tenryu Literary Award (chosen by high school students)
2011
Work: Cheer Boys!!
Organization: Tenryu Literary Award
Result: 受賞
Granta Best of Young Japanese Novelists (selection)
2016
Organization: Granta (Japan edition)
Result: 選出
Kinobes! (Kinokuniya recommendation) — 1st place
2025
Work: Seishokuki
Organization: Kinokuniya Bookstore
Result: 第1位

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutte yo

2010 Novel

A multi-perspective ensemble novel about high school relationships, rumours and the anxieties of youth.

High school lifeFriendship and social groupsIndividual vs. groupRumor and reputation
Adaptations
  • [Film] Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutte yo / 吉田大八 (Daihachi Yoshida) (2012)
Translations
  • Taiwan edition: '聽説桐島退社了' (2013)

Nanimono

2012 Novel

An ensemble drama focused on job hunting and the performative identities of young adults, exploring online personas and interpersonal anxieties.

Job huntingIdentityFriendship and betrayalSocial media
Adaptations
  • [Film] Nanimono / 三浦大輔 (Daisuke Miura) (2016)
Translations
  • Taiwan edition: '何者' (2014)

Cheer Boys!!

2011 Novel

A youth novel about a men's cheerleading club, depicting conflicts and challenges among teammates.

SportsYouthChallenge
Adaptations
  • [Anime] Cheer Boys!! (2016)
  • [Film] Cheer Boys!! / 風間太樹 (Taiki Kazama) (2019)
Translations
  • Taiwan edition: '男子啦啦隊!!' (2016)

Sekai Chizu no Shitagaki

2013 Novel / linked short stories

A set of interlinked short stories that explore family, work and urban life.

FamilyWorkUrban life

Seiyoku

2021 Novel

A novel addressing desire and ethics, portraying complex relationships and conflicts among its characters.

DesireMoralityInterpersonal relationships
Adaptations
  • [Film] Seiyoku / 岸善幸 (Yoshiyuki Kishi) (2023)
Translations
  • Taiwan edition: '正欲' (2024)

Seishokuki

2024 Novel

A recent novel (2024) centered on reproduction and questions of life and bioethics.

ReproductionBioethicsFamily

Bibliography

  • Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutte yo
  • Cheer Boys!!
  • Hoshiyadori no Koe
  • Mou Ichido Umareru
  • Shojo wa Sotsugyou Shinai
  • Nanimono
  • Sekai Chizu no Shitagaki
  • Spade no 3
  • Budokan
  • Yonimo Kimyou na Kimi Monogatari
  • Mamanaranai kara Watashi to Anata
  • Nani-sama
  • Shinigai o Motomete Ikiteru no
  • Doushitemo Ikiteru
  • Hacchuu Itadakimashita!
  • Star
  • Seiyoku
  • Kikkou no Yukue
  • Seishokuki
  • 20 Things You Don't Have to Do in Student Days
  • Kaze to Tomo ni Yutorinu
  • Soshite Daremo Yutoranakunatta

Adaptations

  • Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutte yo — film adaptation (2012)
  • Nanimono — film adaptation (2016)
  • Cheer Boys!! — anime (2016) and film (2019)
  • Shojo wa Sotsugyou Shinai — film adaptation (2023)
  • Seiyoku — film adaptation (2023)

Translations of Works

  • Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutte yo — Taiwan edition '聽説桐島退社了'
  • Nanimono — Taiwan edition
  • Shojo wa Sotsugyou Shinai — Taiwan edition '少女不畢業'
  • Mou Ichido Umareru — Taiwan edition '重生'
  • Cheer Boys!! — Taiwan edition '男子啦啦隊!!'

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Contemporary prose centered on dialogue and concise descriptionsRealism incorporating youth culture and social media
Recurring Motifs
Job hunting / youth identityEnsemble castsContemporary pop culture referencesPublic vs. private self

Health

  • Anal fistula
    2017年
    Hospitalized in 2017 with temporary activity restrictions; recorded a radio program from the hospital.
  • Dyslipidemia
    2021年
    Announced on radio in 2021; later reported recovery in April of the same year.

Legacy

One of the representative young Heisei-born writers; known widely after winning the Naoki Prize and through numerous film, anime and stage adaptations. He is noted for depicting contemporary youth anxieties and social situations.

Archives

  • National Diet Library (holds works / authority records)
  • Waseda University Library (related holdings)

In Popular Culture

  • Several works have been adapted into film, anime and stage productions, introducing his writing to younger audiences and via visual media.

Trivia

  • In high school he belonged to the volleyball club and once served as the festival cheering squad leader.
  • At university he joined a street-dance circle and attended Toshiyuki Horie's seminar.
  • A fan of Hello! Project and producer Tsunku; he has mentioned listening to Tsunku's music when needing encouragement.
  • When he won the Naoki Prize he was the first recipient born in the Heisei era and, at the time, the youngest male recipient.