Kōtarō Isaka
Kōtarō Isaka is a Japanese author of mystery fiction, best known for his Hitman novel/manga series, including Maoh: Juvenile Remix, the first of which, 3 Assassins, was adapted as a Japanese feature film, Grasshopper, and the second of which, Maria Beetle, was adapted as an American feature film, Bullet Train.
Life and career
Isaka was born in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the law faculty of Tohoku University, he worked as a system engineer. In 2000, Isaka won the Shincho Mystery Club Prize for his debut novel Ōdyubon no Inori, after which he became a full-time writer.In 2002, Isaka's novel Lush Life gained much critical acclaim, but it was his Naoki Prize-nominated work Jūryoku Piero that brought him popular success. His following work Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā won the 25th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers.
Jūryoku Piero, Children, Grasshopper, Shinigami no Seido and Sabaku were all nominated for the Naoki Prize.
Isaka was the only author in Japan to be nominated for the Hon'ya Taishō in each of the award's first four years, finally winning in 2008 with Remote Control. The same work also won the 21st Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize.
Isaka's books have sold millions of copies around the world.
His 2010 novel Maria Beetle was adapted as the 2022 major film Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt.
A film adaptation of his 2019 book Seesaw Monster, starring Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek, is currently in production and will be distributed by Netflix.
Works available in English
; NovelsRemote Control, trans. Stephen Snyder Hitman series- * 3 Assassins, trans. Sam Malissa
- * [Bullet Train (novel)|Bullet Train (film)|Bullet Train], trans. Sam Malissa
- * The Mantis, trans. Sam Malissa
- * Hotel Lucky Seven
- *
- * Waltz
- * Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 2006
- * Passport to Crime: Finest Mystery Stories from International Crime Writers, Running Press, 2007 The Bookmobile, trans. Michael Emmerich
Awards
- 2022 – Strand Critics Awards for Best Debut Novel: Bullet Train
- 1996 – 13th Suntory Mystery Prize honorable mention: Akutō Tachi ga Me ni Shimiru
- 2000 – 5th Shincho Mystery Club Prize: Ōdyubon no Inori
- 2004 – 25th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers: Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā
- 2004 – 57th Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Short Story: Shinigami no Seido
- 2008 – 5th Japan Booksellers' Award : Remote Control
- 2008 – 21st Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize: Remote Control
- 2020 – 33rd Shibata Renzaburō Award: Gyaku Sokuratesu
- 2012 – Prix Masterton : Ōdyubon no Inori
- 2012 – Prix Zoom Japon: ''Ōdyubon no Inori''
''Hitman'' series
3 Assassins, 2004 novelMaō, 2005 short story collectionMaoh: Juvenile Remix, 2007–2009 manga series- Maoh: Juvenile Remix#Waltz, 2009–2012 manga series
Other novels
Ōdyubon no Inori, 2000 Rasshu Raifu, 2002Yōkina Gyangu ga Chikyū o Mawasu, 2003Jūryoku Piero, 2003 Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā, 2003Sabaku, 2005Yōkina Gyangu no Nichijō to Shūgeki, 2006Gōruden Surambā, 2007Modan Taimusu, 2008Aru Kingu, 2009Esu Ō Esu no Saru, 2009Ō! Fāzā, 2010Yoru no Kuni no Kūpā, 2012Gasorin Seikatsu, 2013Shinigami no Furyoku, 2013Kyaputen Sandāboruto, co-authored with Kazushige Abe, 2014Kasei ni Sumu Tsumorikai ?, 2015Yōkina Gyangu wa Mittsu Kazoero, 2015Sabumarin, 2016Howaito Rabitto, 2017Fūga wa Yūga, 2018Kujiraatama no Ōsama, 2019Peppāzu Gōsuto, 2021Short story collections
Chirudoren, 2004Shinigami no Seido, 2005 Shūmatsu no Fūru, 2006Fisshu Sutōrī, 2007Baibai, Burakkubādo, 2010Pīkē, 2012Nokori Zembu Bakēshon, 2012Kubioriotoko no tameno Kyōsōkyoku, 2014Aine Kuraine Nahatomujīku, 2014Jairosukōpu, 2015Shisō Monsutā, 2019Gyaku Sokuratesu, 2020Maikuro Supai Ansanburu, 2022Film adaptations
A Cheerful Gang Turns the Earth Children The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God in a Coin Locker Sweet Rain Fish Story Gravity's Clowns Lush Life Golden Slumber Chips Oh! Father- Grasshopper Golden Slumber Little Nights, Little Love Bullet Train
- Untitled Seesaw Monster film adaptation
Television adaptations
- ''Goodbye Earth''
Manga adaptations
Grasshopper- ''Eine kleine Nachtmusik''