Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo

Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo, written by Ryou Asai, was published in 2010. The novel centers on the sudden resignation of a popular volleyball team captain and the ripple effect this has on the social hierarchy of his high school peers. Asai, who was still a university student when he wrote the book, focused on the stark contrast between the lives of athletes and those on the periphery of school popularity, earning the 22nd Subaru Novel Prize for his efforts.

The book gained significant cultural traction following its adaptation into a highly acclaimed 2012 film directed by Daihachi Yoshida. The design and narrative intent prioritize a fragmented, multi-perspective approach to storytelling, capturing the anxiety of adolescence and the transient nature of high school social status. It is widely considered a landmark work of contemporary Japanese youth literature, praised for its grounded portrayal of teenage existentialism.