Takuji Ichikawa the multi-million selling Japanese author best known for his 2003 novel Be With You joined Red Circle Authors in September 2019.Ichikawa, one of Japan’s most creative authors with a completely unique perspective – even by Japanese standards – dreamt of becoming an author at primary school, and is proud when his books are criticised for being esoteric, romantic, and sentimental tear-jerkers. He firmly believes in the transformative power of imagination; that dreams can come true; and that we can change the world we live in for the better.
After initially publishing stories on the Internet, his second novel Be With You became a blockbuster, selling more than a million copies in Japan, putting Ichikawa on the Japanese literary map.
The publication of Be With You, in fact, triggered its very own cycle of creativity by sparking the imagination of others. Leading to the creation of a film and two international remakes, a television drama, and a manga.
Ichikawa’s works, which often depict love and loss, continue to resonate and be adapted for film both in Japan and further afield. And he continues to consistently demonstrate that literature should have no borders. Indeed, his works have been translated into many languages including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Malaysian, and Chinese.
Later this year, Red Circle will publish an original new work by Ichikawa in its critically acclaimed series, launched last year, Red Circle Minis.
This new work will be published in English translation before any other language including Japanese as part of Red Circle Authors Limited’s English-first publishing strategy.
Display of the first three books published in the series Red Circle Minis. Photograph: Red Circle Authors Limited
About Red Circle:Red Circle Authors Limited is a specialist publishing and communications company that conducts bespoke projects on behalf of a carefully selected and curated group of leading Japanese authors. Red Circle showcases Japan’s best creative writing. For more information on Red Circle, Japanese literature, and Red Circle authors please visit: www.redcircleauthors.com.-
About Takuji Ichikawa:Takuji Ichikawa is an author who ignores traditional boundaries, and is impossible to pigeonhole; whose positive fantastical narratives touch the soul through storytelling that not only 'transforms and heals', but also sells in the millions.
