Abstract

Originally published as a column series on the monthly fashion magazine GINZA (Magazinehouse). This book shows the author’s talent in always finding humor among ordinary people’s slightly extra-ordinary behavior, which could be regarded as just weird otherwise. These people include a random stranger who lends hands at nearby bicycle shop although he was never asked to do so, someone who likes to be logical in everything or an office worker who suddenly “disappears” from zoom call just like Ninja. They are often considered awkward or difficult or not smart enough to adapt new working style. But the author wonders, don’t they also play important roles in our everyday lives, if you just try to look them from different perspective? The drawing of seal on the cover is by the author.

Author’s Information

ASO Kamo is a novelist, producer, creative director. Born in 1971, Kobe, Japan. He worked in the various sectors of the entertainment industry, including video game, music, broadcasting & advertising. His writing talent was first discovered through his Tweets for Japanese pubcaster, NHK's official account, then the debut novel "Ebi-kun", published by Gunzo, literary magazine of Kodansha. Ebi-kun was selected for Bungaku 2014 anthology as only newcomer among the seasoned novelists such as KAWAKAMI Mieko and HIRANO Kei-ichiro. His other works are sci-fi novels, "Aigneion アグニオン"(Shinchosha) and "The Word According Cats　猫たちの色メガネ" (KADOKAWA) then "The Guide Runner 伴走者”(Kodansha). The latter, which explores the fascinating world of the visually challenged athletes and their guides, brought him both critical and commercial success as it was nominated for prestigious ODA Sakunosuke Award and was adapted for manga comic and TV movie. His current project is 300 Short Stories and he releases 2 short stories per week for approx. 3 years.