Japanese Literary Awards

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Risa Wataya

わたや りさ

Wataya Risa

Pen Names: Risa Wataya（Pen name derived from a classmate's surname, different from her real name Yamada Risa）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1984-02-01 （Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan → Tokyo, Japan → Beijing, China

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2001-
Influenced By
Osamu Dazai, Edogawa Rampo, Masaki Nasu, Michael Ende, Margaret Mitchell, Seiko Tanabe, Haruki Murakami, Banana Yoshimoto, Kou Machida, Stephen King

Education

Waseda University, Faculty of Education
Faculty of Education / Department of Japanese Language and Literature
Degree: 学士
Period: 2002-2006
Year of Graduation: 2006
Country: Japan
Admitted via self-recommendation, belonged to Shunji Chiba's seminar

Awards

Bungei Prize
2001
Work: Install
Organization: Kawade Shobo Shinsha
Result: 受賞
Akutagawa Prize
2004
Work: I Want to Kick Your Back
Organization: Japan Literary Promotion Society
Result: 受賞
Oe Kenzaburo Prize
2012
Work: Isn't It Pitiful?
Organization: Oe Kenzaburo Prize Executive Committee
Result: 受賞
Shima Kiyoshi Love Literature Award
2019
Work: As Is, Life
Organization: Shima Kiyoshi Love Literature Award Executive Committee
Result: 受賞
Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award
2008
Organization: Kyoto Prefecture
Result: 受賞
Azusa Ono Memorial Award (Art Award)
2005
Work: I Want to Kick Your Back
Organization: Waseda University
Result: 受賞
Alumni Association Inadama Award
2005
Work: I Want to Kick Your Back
Organization: Waseda University Alumni Association
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Install

2001 Novel

A debut novel depicting a girl who drops out of high school and experiences a sex chat service.

YouthLonelinessInternet society
Adaptations
  • [Film] Install (2004)

I Want to Kick Your Back

2003 Novel

A novel depicting the interaction between a track team high school student and an idol otaku.

YouthHuman relationshipsLoneliness
Adaptations
  • [Film] I Want to Kick Your Back
  • [TV Drama] I Want to Kick Your Back (2007)

Give Dreams

2007 Novel

A full-length novel published after three and a half years.

DreamsContemporary society
Adaptations
  • [TV Drama] Give Dreams (2015)

Tremble All You Want

2010 Novel

A novel depicting women's emotional struggles and growth.

WomenGrowthRomance
Adaptations
  • [Film] Tremble All You Want (2017)

Hold Me Back

2017 Novel

A novel portraying the inner life of contemporary women.

WomenSelf-understanding
Adaptations
  • [Film] Hold Me Back (2020)

Open

2012 Novel

A novel themed on human relationships.

Human relationships
Adaptations
  • [Film] Open (2021)

Isn't It Pitiful?

2011 Novel

A novel depicting the weak in society.

Social issuesThe vulnerable

Death by Rage

2013 Short story collection

Short story collection.

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Contemporary styleCharacteristic youth depictionDetailed psychological descriptions
Recurring Motifs
LonelinessGrowthYouth

Legacy

Risa Wataya is a representative young author in contemporary Japanese literature, having won multiple literary awards and gained social recognition. She has been regarded as a literary idol, attracting attention like an idol.

Trivia

  • Won Bungei Prize at age 17, tied for youngest recipient.
  • Won Akutagawa Prize at age 19, setting a new youngest record.
  • Pen name derived from a classmate's surname in junior high.
  • Experienced a slump in creative work and failed in love during university years.
  • Had a homestay experience in an Indian family in San Francisco during high school.