Japanese Literary Awards

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Jotaro Mokumiya

もくみや じょうたろう

Mokumiya Jotaro

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1965-01-01 （Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2003-

Education

Kyoto University
Faculty of Letters / Faculty of Letters
Country: Japan

Awards

Newcomer Scenario Contest (Honorable Mention)
2003
Work: Emotion Flat
Organization: Newcomer Scenario Contest
Result: 佳作入選
Horror Suspense Grand Prize (Special Prize)
2005
Work: Time Quietly Trembles
Organization: Horror Suspense Grand Prize
Result: 特別賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Time Quietly Trembles

2005 Horror/Suspense

A novel depicting the fear lurking beneath everyday life; quiet descriptions gradually build tension.

fearcollapse of everyday life

Occupation Dance

2007 Suspense

A suspense novel dealing with a bank occupation. Later retitled and issued as 'Bank Occupation' in paperback.

crimehuman drama

Today's Agenda Is Kidnapping

2010 Mystery/Suspense

A suspense work in which interpersonal issues around an agenda intersect with a kidnapping incident.

kidnappingpower and responsibility

Welcome to the Aquarium (Aquarium Girl series)

2011 Young Adult / Drama

A series set in an aquarium, warmly depicting the growth and human relationships of its characters.

coming of agecommunitycoexistence with nature
Adaptations
  • [Television drama] Aquarium Girl (2016)
  • [Manga (original work)] Aquarium Girl (manga) (2016)

Bibliography

  • Time Quietly Trembles (2005)
  • Occupation Dance (2007) / retitled Bank Occupation (2010)
  • Today's Agenda Is Kidnapping (2010)
  • Welcome to the Aquarium (2011) / retitled Aquarium Girl (paperback 2014)
  • Aquarium Girl 2 (2015)
  • Aquarium Girl 3 (2016)
  • Aquarium Girl 4 (2017)
  • Aquarium Girl 5 (2018)
  • Aquarium Girl 6 (2019)
  • Aquarium Girl 7 (2020)
  • Aquarium Girl 8 (2021)

Adaptations

  • Aquarium Girl (TV drama adaptation, 2016, NHK)
  • Aquarium Girl (manga adaptation, 2016, Ruel Comics)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
tight plottingclear, character-focused prose
Recurring Motifs
aquariumclosed spaceslatent unease in everyday life

Legacy

After debuting with horror/suspense works, he gained readers across a range of styles. The TV adaptation of 'Aquarium Girl' increased his public profile.

In Popular Culture

  • Increased mainstream recognition following the NHK television adaptation

Trivia

  • Worked at a financial institution for 15 years before debuting as a writer.
  • 'Aquarium Girl' was adapted into a TV drama and a manga.
  • Graduated from Kyoto University's Faculty of Letters.