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Yuichi Sasamoto

ささもと ゆういち

Sasamoto Yuichi

Pen Names: Yuichi Sasamoto（Uses the same name as a pen name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1963-02-18 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo (birthplace) → Sapporo (resident)

Career

Occupations
SF writer, scenario writer, novelist
Active Years
1984-

Education

Kogakuin University
Country: Japan
Dropped out

Awards

Seiun Award
1999
Work: The Star Pilot 2: Comet Hunt
Category: 日本長編部門
Organization: Japan SF Convention / Seiun Award committee
Result: winner
Seiun Award
2003
Work: Passport to Space
Category: ノンフィクション部門
Organization: Japan SF Convention / Seiun Award committee
Result: winner
Seiun Award
2004
Work: Passport to Space 2
Category: ノンフィクション部門
Organization: Japan SF Convention / Seiun Award committee
Result: winner
Seiun Award
2005
Work: ARIEL
Category: 日本長編部門
Organization: Japan SF Convention / Seiun Award committee
Result: winner
Seiun Award
2007
Work: Passport to Space 3
Category: ノンフィクション部門
Organization: Japan SF Convention / Seiun Award committee
Result: winner
Seiun Award
2013
Work: Bodacious Space Pirates (media)
Category: メディア部門
Organization: Japan SF Convention / Seiun Award committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Fairy Operation

1984 Science fiction, novel

Debut novel published in 1984. An adventure SF work aimed at younger readers.

adventurescience fiction

ARIEL

Science fiction, hard SF

A series centered on aerospace themes and unmanned warships. One of the author's representative long works and a Seiun Award winner.

space developmentrobotscombat
Adaptations
  • [OVA / cassette novel adaptation] DELUXE ARIEL

The Star Pilot 2: Comet Hunt

1998 Science fiction

Part of the Star Pilot series (volume 2), dealing with comets and space combat. Includes the work that won the 30th Seiun Award (Japanese long novel category).

space warpilotsexploration

Bibliography

  • Fairy Operation (debut, 1984)
  • Stardust City (1986)
  • The Star Pilot series (1997–)
  • ARIEL (notable work)
  • Passport to Space (rocket launch reportage, nonfiction)
  • Bodacious Space Pirates (original work / media franchise)

Adaptations

  • Bodacious Space Pirates (anime adaptation)
  • ARIEL (OVA / cassette novel scripts)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Blend of light-novel-style characterization with hard SFAccessible, reader-friendly narrative style
Recurring Motifs
rockets and launchesspace developmentpilots and fleets

Legacy

Yuichi Sasamoto is known for combining light-novel elements with hard SF. His frequent coverage of rockets and space topics has influenced hard-SF circles and space enthusiast communities in Japan. Multiple Seiun Award wins reflect his strong standing within the genre.

Academic Societies

  • Space Writers Club

In Popular Culture

  • Broader public recognition through the anime adaptation of Bodacious Space Pirates

Quotes

  • The oldest active light-novel writer
    Source: Author profile (Twitter)

Trivia

  • Known as a rocket enthusiast; has observed many domestic launches.
  • Describes himself as "the oldest active light-novel writer."
  • Dropped out of Kogakuin University.
  • Multiple-time Seiun Award winner.