Murakami's 'Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage' is quite popular. It tells the story of Tsukuru, who has to face his past traumas related to his friends. The writing style is typical Murakami, with dreamy and introspective passages that draw readers in.
'Musashi' is very popular. It has been widely read both in Japan and internationally. Its engaging narrative of the life of a great swordsman makes it a favorite.
The 'Detective Conan' series by Gosho Aoyama is extremely popular. It follows the adventures of a high - school - turned - child detective, Conan Edogawa, as he solves various mysteries. The series has been ongoing for a long time and has a huge following both in Japan and around the world.
One of the popular ones is 'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata. It offers a unique perspective on the life of a woman who works in a convenience store and how she doesn't quite fit into the norms of society.
A great example of Japanese young adult fiction is 'A Silent Voice' by Yoshitoki Oima. It deals with themes like bullying, redemption, and friendship in a very touching way. 'Your Name' by Makoto Shinkai (also made into a famous movie) is another. The story of two people swapping bodies across time and space is both fascinating and poignant. Then there's 'Fullmetal Alchemist' by Hiromu Arakawa. It has a complex world - building, moral dilemmas, and great character development that appeals to young adults.
One popular Japanese young adult fiction book is 'All You Need Is Kill' by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. It has an interesting concept of a time - loop in a war scenario.
Yasunari Kawabata is a famous Japanese author. His 'Thousand Cranes' and 'Snow Country' are masterpieces that showcase his ability to capture the beauty and melancholy of Japanese culture. Natsuo Kirino is known for her gritty and often dark stories like 'Out'. Ryu Murakami, although not as well - known as Haruki Murakami, has his own unique style as seen in 'Almost Transparent Blue' which gives a raw look at the youth culture in Japan.
One popular Japanese fiction book is 'Norwegian Wood' by Haruki Murakami. It's a coming - of - age story filled with love, loss, and self - discovery. Another is 'The Tale of Genji', which is a classic, often considered the world's first novel. It gives a great insight into the Heian period of Japan. 'Battle Royale' by Koushun Takami is also well - known for its intense and thought - provoking story about a brutal survival game among students.
Definitely 'Norwegian Wood'. Its themes of love and growing up resonate with readers all over the world. The way Murakami describes the characters' emotions makes it very relatable.
Another good read is 'When the Emperor Was Divine' by Julie Otsuka. This novel gives a fictional account of a Japanese - American family's experience during internment. It's told from different perspectives within the family, providing a more in - depth look at the emotional and psychological toll it took on them.