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Honobu Yonezawa

よねざわ ほのぶ

Yonezawa Honobu

Pen Names: Honobu Yonezawa（Pen name used professionally as an author）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1978-01-01 （Gifu Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan → Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Mystery writer
Active Years
2001-
Memberships
Mystery Writers of Japan, Honkaku Mystery Writers Club
Influenced By
Kaoru Kitamura, H. G. Wells
Nominations
60th Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Short Story) nominee — 'Kokoro atari no aru mono wa' (2007), 8th Honkaku Mystery Award (Novel) nominee — 'Inshite Miru' (2008), 10th Honkaku Mystery Award (Novel) nominee — 'Tsuisō Go-danshō' (2010)

Education

Kanazawa University
Faculty of Letters
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan
Published works on the website 'Pandreamium' while at university

Awards

Kadokawa Gakuen Novel Award
2001
Work: Hyouka
Category: ヤングミステリー&ホラー部門
Organization: Kadokawa Gakuen
Result: 奨励賞
Mystery Writers of Japan Award
2011
Work: Oreta Ryuukotsu
Category: 長編及び連作短編集部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞
Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize
2014
Work: Mangan
Organization: Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Yamada Fūtarō Award
2021
Work: Kokurajō
Organization: Yamada Fūtarō Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Naoki Prize
2022
Work: Kokurajō
Organization: Naoki Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Honkaku Mystery Award
2022
Work: Kokurajō
Category: 小説部門
Organization: Honkaku Mystery Writers Club
Result: 受賞
Yoshikawa Eiji Bunko Prize
2025
Work: The 'Komishimin' (Small Citizen) series
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Bunko Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Hyouka

2001 Youth mystery / everyday mysteries

The first book of the Classic Club series. High school students of the Classic Club investigate and solve small, everyday mysteries.

youtheveryday mysteriesschool life
Adaptations
  • [TV anime] Hyouka / 武本康弘 (2012)
  • [Film] Hyouka (live-action film) / 安里麻里 (2017)

Oreta Ryuukotsu

2010 Honkaku mystery (with fantasy elements)

A honkaku mystery incorporating fantasy elements. Praised for its puzzles and structure; winner of the Mystery Writers of Japan Award.

puzzle-solvingfantasylegendary motifs

Mangan

2014 Short story collection (mystery)

A collection of short stories. Praised for its craft and storytelling; it topped several mystery rankings and won the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize.

short storieshuman dramamystery

Kokurajō

2021 Historical novel / historical mystery

A long novel set in the Sengoku era. Incorporates historical events and won top spots in mystery rankings; recipient of the Naoki Prize and the Honkaku Mystery Award.

historypower strugglesperiod fiction

Kanenbutsu

2023 Police procedural

A police procedural novel. It achieved top rankings in multiple mystery lists in its year of publication.

investigationpolicesocial issues

Inshite Miru (Inshitemiru)

2007 Honkaku mystery

A novel that pays homage to the 'new honkaku' style. Notable for its adherence to classic mystery techniques; adapted into a film.

classical mysterygame-like structureexperimental composition
Adaptations
  • [Film] Inshite Miru: 7-Day Death Game / 中田秀夫 (2010)

Bibliography

  • Hyouka
  • Gusha no Endroll
  • Kudryavka's Order
  • Tohmawari suru Hina
  • The Spring-only Strawberry Tart Case
  • The Summer-only Tropical Parfait Case
  • Inshite Miru
  • Oreta Ryuukotsu
  • Mangan
  • The King and the Circus
  • Kokurajō
  • Kanenbutsu

Adaptations

  • Hyouka (TV anime, 2012)
  • Inshite Miru (film, 2010)
  • Mangan (TV special adaptation, 2018)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
elegant, composed prosecareful puzzle constructionsubtle character depiction
Recurring Motifs
omnipotence of youth (adolescent feelings)mysteries hidden in everyday lifebook/library/bookish motifs

Legacy

A leading contemporary Japanese mystery writer with strong support among younger readers. The Classic Club series' anime adaptation broadened his audience; winning major awards such as the Naoki Prize and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award cemented his literary reputation.

Academic Societies

  • Mystery Writers of Japan
  • Honkaku Mystery Writers Club

Archives

  • National Diet Library (Japan)
  • Kanazawa University Library (holdings)

In Popular Culture

  • The Classic Club series' TV anime (Hyouka) broadened his recognition among anime fans.
  • 'Inshite Miru' was adapted into a film; several works have been adapted across media.

Quotes

  • "When a man is without character, he must surely acquire a method."
    Source: Albert Camus (quoted as a motto) / interview (2007)

Trivia

  • Operated the website 'Pandreamium' as a student where he published early works.
  • Debuted after winning the 5th Kadokawa Gakuen Novel Award (Encouragement Prize) for 'Hyouka'.
  • 'Hyouka' was adapted into a TV anime in 2012, increasing his visibility.
  • Worked as a bookstore clerk in Takayama while pursuing writing.
  • Has cited authors such as Kaoru Kitamura among his influences.