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

; Novels
  • Remote Control, trans. Stephen Snyder
  • Hitman series
  • * 3 Assassins, trans. Sam Malissa
  • * [Bullet Train |Bullet Train], trans. Sam Malissa
  • * The Mantis, trans. Sam Malissa
  • * Hotel Lucky Seven
; Manga
;Short stories
; Japanese awards
; French awards
  • 2012 – Prix Masterton : Ōdyubon no Inori
  • 2012 – Prix Zoom Japon: ''Ōdyubon no Inori''

    ''Hitman'' series

  • 3 Assassins, 2004 novel
  • Maō, 2005 short story collection
  • Maoh: Juvenile Remix, 2007–2009 manga series
  • Maoh: Juvenile Remix#Waltz, 2009–2012 manga series
  • Bullet Train, 2010 novel
  • Akkusu, 2017 short story collection

    Other novels

  • Ōdyubon no Inori, 2000
  • Rasshu Raifu, 2002
  • Yōkina Gyangu ga Chikyū o Mawasu, 2003
  • Jūryoku Piero, 2003
  • Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā, 2003
  • Sabaku, 2005
  • Yōkina Gyangu no Nichijō to Shūgeki, 2006
  • Gōruden Surambā, 2007
  • Modan Taimusu, 2008
  • Aru Kingu, 2009
  • Esu Ō Esu no Saru, 2009
  • Ō! Fāzā, 2010
  • Yoru no Kuni no Kūpā, 2012
  • Gasorin Seikatsu, 2013
  • Shinigami no Furyoku, 2013
  • Kyaputen Sandāboruto, co-authored with Kazushige Abe, 2014
  • Kasei ni Sumu Tsumorikai ?, 2015
  • Yōkina Gyangu wa Mittsu Kazoero, 2015
  • Sabumarin, 2016
  • Howaito Rabitto, 2017
  • Fūga wa Yūga, 2018
  • Kujiraatama no Ōsama, 2019
  • Peppāzu Gōsuto, 2021

    Short story collections

  • Chirudoren, 2004
  • Shinigami no Seido, 2005
  • Shūmatsu no Fūru, 2006
  • Fisshu Sutōrī, 2007
  • Baibai, Burakkubādo, 2010
  • Pīkē, 2012
  • Nokori Zembu Bakēshon, 2012
  • Kubioriotoko no tameno Kyōsōkyoku, 2014
  • Aine Kuraine Nahatomujīku, 2014
  • Jairosukōpu, 2015
  • Shisō Monsutā, 2019
  • Gyaku Sokuratesu, 2020
  • Maikuro Supai Ansanburu, 2022

    Film 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''