Japanese Literature discussion

Hi, I want to read more Japanese Science Fiction but finding sites that specialize in this specifically when it comes to Japanese novels is difficult.

I want recent reads.

It might just be not enough is getting an official English translation or not enough is getting published in this genre?

Lastly, I just published a new Japanese book review on my blog. Perhaps some of you might be interested. About oshi culture in Japan. Idol culture. Especially relevant to our times with the impact of the Internet and social media. None are more intense about their music stars than the Japanese.

Idol, Burning by Rin Usami Japanese Book Review:
https://thehugeanifan.wordpress.com/2...

If you follow my blog, please let me know so I can return the favor.

I'm not sure how much you know about Japanese SF. The genre in Japanese is WAY broader than in English—more like speculative fiction. It stretches to include fantasy and horror, at the very least.

As a rule, Japanese SF doesn't sell well in English. (The old truism is that English speakers prefer to watch our SF.) The two presses that focus on translated Japanese SF are either barely hanging on or have gone out of business. (I'm not quite up to date.) Haikasoru and Vertical are the relevant publishers.

This isn't as true for light novels. I don't know anything about light novels, I'm afraid.

Are you looking for recently *translated* or recently *published in Japanese*? I can give some suggestions of recent (2022/3/4) *translations* that qualify as SF to varying degrees to get you started:

The Cthulhu Helix by Katsufumi Umehara
Beautiful Star by Yukio Mishima
Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama
Harlequin Butterfly by Toe Enjoe
Hit Parade of Tears by Izumi Suzuki
Nails and Eyes by Kaori Fujino
Tatami Galaxy + Tatami Time Machine Blues by Tomihiko Morimi
Tower of the Sun by Tomihiko Morimi
Trinity, Trinity, Trinity by Erika Kobayashi
Scattered All Over the Earthy by Yoko Tawada
Sunrise: Radiant Stories by Erika Kobayashi

Forthcoming:
The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
Suggested in the Stars by Yoko Tawada
Swan Knight by Fumio Takano

Some other titles on this list from my website have been published recently, but you'll have to check:
https://readjapaneseliterature.com/20...

Thank you! Thank you! These official English translation recommendations are exactly what I was looking for. Although if it isn't too much trouble, yes, I would also like recommendations for more recent titles in the raw Japanese.

Oh! Sorry. I meant “I hope this is what you wanted because it’s the only thing I know anything about.” I’d share if I had Japanese recommendations.

No, no. These were very useful. Thank you! What I meant is basically I am interested in both official English translations and in the raw Japanese.

Very glad I could help!

*sneaking in to take the titles and add on ever-growing TBR*
Thank you Alison :)

I wonder if global.bookwalker.jp would have anything you're interested in. It's mostly manga and light novels.

I've only read a couple of the free manga series available there in Japanese. I definitely don't know everything that's on the site. But ti seems they rotate the free ones.