Results Announced for 'Make Matayoshi Roar! Review Contest for Ikitoruwa'

Bungeishunjū Ltd. has released 'Ikitoruwa,' Naoki Matayoshi's first full-length novel in six years. The results of the web-based campaign 'Make Matayoshi Roar! Ikitoruwa Review Contest,' which invited readers to submit reviews of the book, are now being announced.

◆ Grand Prize Winners Selected by Naoki Matayoshi

The 'Make Matayoshi Roar! Ikitoruwa Review Contest' was held to commemorate the publication of Naoki Matayoshi's first full-length novel in six years, 'Ikitoruwa.' The campaign invited readers to submit reviews (personal impressions) of the novel. Matayoshi personally reviewed all submissions, and the Grand Prize winners were to receive a signed copy with their name inscribed, an original book cover, and a personal reply from Matayoshi—making the contest a major talking point.

By the deadline, over 190 passionate reviews had been submitted. Thank you to everyone who participated! After carefully reading each and every review, Matayoshi selected 3 Grand Prize winners, 5 Excellence Award winners, and 10 Commendable Works. Additionally, Excellence Award winners will now also receive personal comments from Matayoshi, beyond the originally planned prizes.

Today, we are proud to announce the contest results!

The Grand Prize winners, who will receive personal replies from Matayoshi as well as special prizes including custom book covers and signed, named copies, are: 'Ruku Tori,' 'Takafumi Saito,' and 'Ryotaro Oda.'

◆ Results Announcement Page

The full list of winning entries can be viewed on the dedicated website below.

https://books.bunshun.jp/sp/matayoshinaoki

The full text of the winning reviews and Matayoshi's personal replies can be read via the links below.

[Grand Prize Announcement] 'Make Matayoshi Roar! Ikitoruwa Review Contest' Results – With Personal Replies from Naoki Matayoshi!

https://books.bunshun.jp/articles/-/10940

[Excellence Award Announcement] 'Make Matayoshi Roar! Ikitoruwa Review Contest' Results – With Personal Replies from Naoki Matayoshi!

https://books.bunshun.jp/articles/-/11016

[Commendable Works Announcement] 'Make Matayoshi Roar! Ikitoruwa Review Contest' Results – With Personal Replies from Naoki Matayoshi!

https://books.bunshun.jp/articles/-/11017

'Ikitoruwa' portrays the lives of people who are helpless yet impossible to leave behind.

Written ten years after his Akutagawa Prize-winning novel 'Spark,' this powerful novel is packed with the sadness and absurdity of living—friendship, love, betrayal, and hardship.

◆ Bibliographic Information

Title: 'Ikitoruwa'

Author: Naoki Matayoshi

Price: ¥2,200 (tax included)

Publisher: Bungeishunjū Ltd.

Format: A5 hardcover, 448 pages

Release Date: January 28, 2026

ISBN: 978-4-16-392060-3

Bibliographic URL: https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/9784163920603

{E-book edition also available}

E-book URL: https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/1639206000000000000H

*E-book pricing may vary by retailer.