Nisio Isin

Nisio Isin
Born 1981 (age 3536)
Japan
Occupation Novelist, short-story writer, manga writer
Language Japanese
Period 2002–present
Genre Light novel, mystery
Notable awards Mephisto Prize (2002)

Nisio Isin (西尾 維新, Nishio Ishin, born 1981), stylized NisiOisiN to emphasize the palindrome, is the pen name of a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating.[1] In 2002, he debuted with the novel The Beheading Cycle (クビキリサイクル, Kubikiri Saikuru), which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Prize at twenty years of age.[2] He currently works with Kodansha on Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture, and Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.[3] In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases, which is based on the Death Note manga, was released in English by Viz Media.[4] Del Rey Manga has already released the first and second volume in his Zaregoto series.

His Bakemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime.[5][6] The sequel (Nisemonogatari) novel has also been adapted as an anime, as well as most of the "Monogatari Series" to date.[7] Another of his works, Medaka Box, has been adapted into a two-season anime series.

Style

Nisio's work is characterized by references to other novels, as well as parodies of famous manga series. Among these, Hellsing and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure[8] references are particularly common. He is well regarded as an author who has blended the conventions of mystery novels and character-driven light novels.

As well as stepping on the conventions and stereotypes of anime and light novels, he is known for creating characters with unusual features, such as extremely strange names which are word play, such as Nanananami Nanami, Shikigishi Kishiki, Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade, Backyard Bottomslash, Quarter Queen, Sagano Usagi, Byōinzaka Kuroneko (which translates roughly as "Black Cat of Hospital Hill") and Shikizaki Kiki.

He said that he learned much from the novels of Kiyoshi Kasai (the author of Vampire Wars), Hiroshi Mori, Natsuhiko Kyogoku, Ryusui Seiryoin and Kouhei Kadono. He also said that the five writers were, metaphorically speaking, the God-like beings, who had shaped and molded his writing style.[9]

Novels and short stories in English translation

Zaregoto series
Monogatari series
Other books
Short story

List of works

Zaregoto Series

Zaregoto Series (戯言シリーズ, Zaregoto Shirīzu) is written by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Take. The series was published between February, 2002, and November, 2005. It was followed by a spin-off series Ningen Series starring the Zerozaki clan. All books were released in Japan by Kodansha Novels, and the first two have been released in the US by Del Rey. The Japanese edition finished at nine volumes in November 2005, and it has since been released in a bunkobon edition.[10]

# First Published Name ISBN
1 February 5, 2002 The Beheading Cycle: The Blue Savant and the Nonsense Bearer (クビキリサイクル 青色サヴァンと戯言遣い, Kubikiri Saikuru: Aoiro Savan to Zaregoto Tsukai) ISBN 4-06-182233-0 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-275430-9 (bunko)
ISBN 978-0-345-50427-2 (English Del Rey edition)
ISBN 978-1-945054-21-1 (English Vertical edition)
2 May 8, 2002 Strangulation Romanticist: Hitoshiki Zerozaki, Human Failure (クビシメロマンチスト―人間失格・零崎人識, Kubishime Romanchisutō: Ningen Shikkaku, Zerozaki Hitoshiki) ISBN 4-06-182250-0 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276077-5 (bunko)
ISBN 978-0-345-50578-1 (English edition)
3 August 5, 2002 Hanging High School: The Nonsense Bearer's Pupil (クビツリハイスクール―戯言遣いの弟子, Kubitsuri Hai Sukūrū: Zaregoto Tsukai no Deshi) ISBN 4-06-182267-5 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276133-8 (bunko)
4 November 5, 2002 Psycho Logical (Part One) Gaisuke Utsurigi's Nonsense Killer (サイコロジカル〈上〉兎吊木垓輔の戯言殺し, Saiko Rojikaru (Jō) Utsurigi Gaisuke no Zaregoto Koroshi) ISBN 4-06-182283-7 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276179-6 (bunko)
5 November 5, 2002 Psycho Logical (Part Two): Sour Little Song (サイコロジカル〈下〉曳かれ者の小唄, Saiko Rojikaru (Ge) Hikaremono no Kōta) ISBN 4-06-182284-5 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276212-0 (bunko)
6 July 5, 2003 Cannibal Magical: Niounomiya Siblings, Masters of Carnage (ヒトクイマジカル-殺戮奇術の匂宮兄妹, Hitokui Majikarū Satsuriku Kijutsu no Niōnomiya Kyōdai) ISBN 4-06-182393-0 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276226-7 (bunko)
7 February 8, 2005 Uprooted Radical (Part One): The Thirteen Stairs (ネコソギラジカル〈上〉十三階段, Nekosogi Rajikaru (Jō) Jūsan Kaidan) ISBN 4-06-182323-X (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276283-0 (bunko)
8 June 7, 2005 Uprooted Radical (Part Two): Overkill Red vs. The Orange Seed (ネコソギラジカル〈中〉赤き征裁vs.橙なる種, Nekosogi Rajikaru (Chū) Akaki Seisai vs. Tōnaru Shu) ISBN 4-06-182399-X (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276337-0 (bunko)
9 November 8, 2005 Uprooted Radical (Part Three): The Blue Savant and the Master of Nonsense (ネコソギラジカル〈下〉青色サヴァンと戯言遣い, Nekosogi Rajikaru (Ge) Aoiro Savan to Zaregoto Tsukai) ISBN 4-06-182400-7 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-4-06-276389-9 (bunko)

Ningen Series

Connected to the Zaregoto Series, it is also known as the "Zerozaki Ichizoku Series." The illustrations are also provided by Take. This series has also been published by Kodansha Novels.

First Published Name ISBN
February 6, 2004 Sōshiki Zerozaki's Human Experiment (零崎双識の人間試験, Zerozaki Sōshiki no Ningen Shiken) ISBN 4-06-182359-0
November 7, 2006 Kishishiki Zerozaki's Human Knock (零崎軋識の人間ノック, Zerozaki Kishishiki no Ningen Knock) ISBN 4-06-182509-7
March 6, 2008 Magashiki Zerozaki's Human Character (零崎曲識の人間人間, Zerozaki Magashiki no Ningen Ningen) ISBN 978-4-06-182582-6
March 25, 2010 Hitoshiki Zerozaki's Human Relations: Relations with Izumu Niōnomiya (零崎人識の人間関係 匂宮出夢との関係, Zerozaki Hitoshiki no Ningen Kankei: Niōnomiya Izumu to no Kankei) ISBN 978-4-06-182582-6
March 25, 2010 Hitoshiki Zerozaki's Human Relations: Relations with Iori Mutō (零崎人識の人間関係 無桐伊織との関係, Zerozaki Hitoshiki no Ningen Kankei: Mutō Iori to no Kankei) ISBN 978-4-06-182680-9
March 25, 2010 Hitoshiki Zerozaki's Human Relations: Relations with Sōshiki Zerozaki (零崎人識の人間関係 零崎双識との関係, Zerozaki Hitoshiki no Ningen Kankei: Zerozaki Sōshiki to no Kankei) ISBN 978-4-06-182681-6
March 25, 2010 Hitoshiki Zerozaki's Human Relations: Relations with the Nonsense Bearer (零崎人識の人間関係 戯言遣いとの関係, Zerozaki Hitoshiki no Ningen Kankei: Zaregoto Tsukai to no Kankei) ISBN 978-4-06-182682-3

Sekai Series

First Published Name ISBN
November, 2003 Kimi to Boku no Kowareta Sekai (きみとぼくの壊れた世界) ISBN 4-06-182342-6
October, 2007 Bukimi de Soboku na Kakowareta Sekai (不気味で素朴な囲われた世界) ISBN 978-4-06-182557-4
July, 2008 Kimi to Boku ga Kowashita Sekai (きみとぼくが壊した世界) ISBN 978-4-06-182600-7
December, 2008 Bukimi de Soboku na Kakowareta Kimi to Boku no Kowareta Sekai (不気味で素朴な囲われたきみとぼくの壊れた世界) ISBN 978-4-06-182626-7
TBA Boku no Sekai (ぼくの世界) Unreleased

Mahō Shōjo Risuka

Serialized in Faust magazine with illustrations by Capcom's Kinu Nishimura.

First Published Name ISBN
July 17, 2004 Shin Honkaku Mahō Shōjo Risuka (新本格魔法少女りすか) ISBN 4-06-182381-7
March 6, 2005 Shin Honkaku Mahō Shōjo Risuka 2 (新本格魔法少女りすか2) ISBN 4-06-182432-5
February 22, 2007 Shin Honkaku Mahō Shōjo Risuka 3 (新本格魔法少女りすか3) ISBN 4-06-182521-6
TBA Shin Honkaku Mahō Shōjo Risuka 0 (新本格魔法少女りすか0) Unreleased

JDC Tribute Series

The Japan Detectives Club was created by Ryusui Seiryoin, and NisiOisin is one of several authors to write novels using that setting.

First Published Name ISBN
March 2004 Double Down Kanguro (ダブルダウン勘繰郎) ISBN 4-06-182305-1
August 2007 Triple Play Sukeakuro (トリプルプレイ助悪郎) ISBN 978-4-06-182538-3
January 2010 Double Down Kanguro/Triple Play Sukeakuro (ダブルダウン勘繰郎/トリプルプレイ助悪郎) ISBN 978-4-06-276491-9

Monogatari Series

The series was first created by Nisio Isin as a series of short stories for Mephisto magazine. While his previous Zaregoto series featured large casts of characters, each Bakemonogatari story tends to introduce only one new character. The previously published stories, and some new ones, were eventually collected in two volumes as part of the Kodansha Box launch titles on November 1, 2006 and December 1, 2006. The first volume contains three stories titled Hitagi Crab (ひたぎクラブ), Mayoi Snail (まよいマイマイ) and Suruga Monkey (するがモンキー); the second volume comes with two newly written stories titled Nadeko Snake (なでこスネイク) and Tsubasa Cat (つばさキャット).

A prequel to the series, titled Koyomi Vamp (こよみヴァンプ) was published in the first issue of Pandora magazine, it was later released as a separate volume on May 7, 2008 as Kizumonogatari (傷物語, "Scar Story"). The first volume of Nisemonogatari (偽物語, "Impostory"), a sequel to the series, was released on September 2, 2008 and contains Karen Bee (かれんビー). The second volume, contains Tsukihi Phoenix (つきひフェニックス) was released on June 10, 2009.[11] The first volume of Nekomonogatari (猫物語, "Cat Story") is a prequel that takes place between Kizumonogatari and Bakemonogatari. It was released on July 28, 2010 and contains Tsubasa Family (つばさファミリー).

The second volume of Nekomonogatari is the start of the second season to the series and contains Tsubasa Tiger (つばさタイガー) and was released on October 29, 2010. Kabukimonogatari (傾物語, "Slope Story") was released on December 24, 2010 and containing Mayoi Jiangshi (まよいキョンシー). Hanamonogatari (花物語, "Flower Story") containing Suruga Devil (するがデビル) was released on March 31, 2011. Otorimonogatari (囮物語, "Decoy Story") containing Nadeko Medusa (なでこメドゥーサ) was released on June 30, 2011. Onimonogatari (鬼物語, "Demon Story") containing Shinobu Time (しのぶタイム) was released on September 28, 2011. Koimonogatari (恋物語, "Love Story") containing Hitagi End (ひたぎエンド) was released on December 22, 2011.

The final season of the series contain six books. The first one is Tsukimonogatari (憑物語, "Possess Story") containing Yotsugi Doll (よつぎドール). The second is Koyomimonogatari (暦物語, "Calendar Story") containing twelve short stories. The third, fourth and fifth is Owarimonogatari (終物語, "End Story") containing Ōgi Formula (おうぎフォーミュラ), Sodachi Riddle (そだちリドル), Sodachi Lost (そだちロスト), Shinobu Mail (しのぶメイル), Mayoi Hell (まよいヘル), Hitagi Rendezvous (ひたぎランデブー), and Ōgi Dark (おうぎダーク). The sixth is Zokuowarimonogatari (続終物語, "Continuation End Story") containing Koyomi Reverse (こよみリバース).

First Published Name ISBN
November 1, 2006 Bakemonogatari (vol. 1) (化物語 (上), a portmanteau of bakemono [monster] and monogatari [story, tale]) ISBN 978-4-06-283602-9
December 1, 2006 Bakemonogatari (vol. 2) (化物語 (下)) ISBN 978-4-06-283607-4
May 7, 2008 Kizumonogatari (傷物語, a portmanteau of kizumono [something damaged, scarred or wounded] and monogatari [story, tale]) ISBN 978-4-06-283663-0
September 2, 2008 Nisemonogatari (vol. 1) (偽物語 (上), a portmanteau of nisemono [a fake, impostor, or imitation] and monogatari [story, tale]) ISBN 978-4-06-283679-1
June 10, 2009 Nisemonogatari (vol. 2) (偽物語 (下)) ISBN 978-4-06-283702-6
July 28, 2010 Nekomonogatari (Kuro) (猫物語 (黒), a portmanteau of nekomono [a movie, book, or other work of media centering on cats] and monotagari [story, tale]) ISBN 978-4-06-283748-4
October 29, 2010 Nekomonogatari (Shiro) (猫物語 (白)) ISBN 978-4-06-283758-3
December 24, 2010 Kabukimonogatari (傾物語, a portmanteau of kabukimono [a "dandy" or gaudily-dressed troublemaker of the Edo period] and monotagari [story, tale]) ISBN 978-4-06-283767-5
March 31, 2011 Hanamonogatari (花物語) ISBN 978-4-06-283771-2
June 30, 2011 Otorimonogatari (囮物語) ISBN 978-4-06-283776-7
September 28, 2011 Onimonogatari (鬼物語) ISBN 978-4-06-283781-1
December 22, 2011 Koimonogatari (恋物語) ISBN 978-4-06-283792-7
September 28, 2012 Tsukimonogatari (憑物語) ISBN 978-4-06-283812-2
May 20, 2013 Koyomimonogatari (暦物語) ISBN 978-4-06-283837-5
October 23, 2013 Owarimonogatari (vol. 1) (終物語(上)) ISBN 978-4-06-283857-3
January 29, 2014 Owarimonogatari (vol. 2) (終物語(中)) ISBN 978-4-06-283861-0
April 1, 2014 Owarimonogatari (vol. 3) (終物語(下)) ISBN 978-4-06-283868-9
September 17, 2014 Zokuowarimonogatari (続終物語) ISBN 978-4-06-283878-8

Katanagatari

This twelve volume samurai epic with illustrations by take was released one volume a month throughout 2007. A spin-off novel, Maniwagatari, was released a few months later.

First Published Name ISBN
January 9, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 1: Zettō Kanna (刀語 第一話 絶刀・鉋) ISBN 978-4-06-283611-1
February 3, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 2: Zantō Namakura (刀語 第二話 斬刀・鈍) ISBN 978-4-06-283604-3
March 1, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 3: Sentō Tsurugi (刀語 第三話 千刀・鎩) ISBN 978-4-06-283619-7
April 2, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 4: Hakutō Hari (刀語 第四話 薄刀・針) ISBN 978-4-06-283623-4
May, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 5: Zokutō Yoroi (刀語 第五話 賊刀・鎧) ISBN 978-4-06-283628-9
June, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 6: Sōtō Kanadzuchi (刀語 第六話 双刀・鎚) ISBN 978-4-06-283631-9
July, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 7: Akutō Bita (刀語 第七話 悪刀・鐚) ISBN 978-4-06-283634-0
August, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 8: Bitō Kanzashi (刀語 第八話 微刀・釵) ISBN 978-4-06-283636-4
September, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 9: Ōtō Nokogiri (刀語 第九話 王刀・鋸) ISBN 978-4-06-283639-5
October, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 10: Seitō Hakari (刀語 第十話 誠刀・銓) ISBN 978-4-06-283643-2
November, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 11: Dokutō Mekki (刀語 第十一話 毒刀・鍍) ISBN 978-4-06-283648-7
December, 2007 Katanagatari Chapter 12: Entō Jū (刀語 第十二話 炎刀・銃) ISBN 978-4-06-283652-4
February, 2008 Maniwagatari: Maniwa Kōmori I, Maniwa Kuizame I, Maniwa Chōchō I, Maniwa Shirasagi I (真庭語 初代真庭蝙蝠 初代真庭喰鮫 初代真庭蝶々 初代真庭白鷺) ISBN 978-4-06-283687-6

Densetsu Series

First Published Name ISBN
April 25, 2012 Himei Den (悲鳴伝) ISBN 978-4-06-182829-2
February 28, 2013 Hitsū Den (悲痛伝) ISBN 978-4-06-182855-1
June 26, 2013 Hisan Den (悲惨伝) ISBN 978-4-06-182879-7
November 26, 2013 Hihō Den (悲報伝) ISBN 978-4-06-182888-9
July 2, 2014 Higō Den (悲業伝) ISBN 978-4-06-299017-2

Boukyaku Tantei Series

First Published Name ISBN
October 14, 2014 Okitegami Kyōko no Bibōroku (掟上今日子の備忘録) ISBN 978-4-06-219202-6
April 23, 2015 Okitegami Kyōko no Suisenbun (掟上今日子の推薦文) ISBN 978-4-06-219450-1
August 19, 2015 Okitegami Kyōko no Chōsenjō (掟上今日子の挑戦状) ISBN 978-4-06-219712-0
October 6, 2015 Okitegami Kyōko no Yuigonsho (掟上今日子の遺言書) ISBN 978-4-06-219784-7
December 17, 2015 Okitegami Kyōko no Taishokunegai (掟上今日子の退職願) ISBN 978-4-06-219906-3
May 17, 2016 Okitegami Kyōko no Kon'intodoke (掟上今日子の婚姻届) ISBN 978-4-06-220071-4
August 22, 2016 Okitegami Kyōko no Kakeibo (掟上今日子の家計簿) ISBN 978-4-06-220270-1
November 16, 2016 Okitegami Kyōko no ryokouki (掟上今日子の旅行記) ISBN 978-4-06-220376-0

Novelizations

First Published Name ISBN Publisher
August 1, 2006 xxxHolic: Another Holic Landolt-Ring Aerosol (×××HOLiC アナザーホリック ランドルト環エアロゾル, Horikku Anazāhorikku Randoruto-Kan Earozoru) ISBN 4-06-213509-4 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-0-345-50518-7 (English edition)
Kodansha (Japanese)
Del Rey (English)
.[12]
August 1, 2006 Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases (アナザーノート — ロサンゼルスBB連続殺人事件) ISBN 4-08-780439-9 (Japanese edition)
ISBN 978-1-4215-1883-1 (English edition)
Shueisha (Japanese)
Viz Media (English)
December 16, 2011 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Over Heaven ISBN 978-4087806304 Shueisha (Japanese)

Other works

First Published Name ISBN Volumes
September 6, 2005 Ningyō ga Ningyō (ニンギョウがニンギョウ) ISBN 4-06-182453-8 1
December 10, 2009 Nanmin Tantei (難民探偵) ISBN 978-4-06-215941-8 1
September 6, 2011 Shōjo Fujūbun (少女不十分) ISBN 978-4-06-182800-1 1
May 19, 2015 Jūni Taisen (十二大戦) ISBN 978-4-08-780755-4 1

Manga series

First Published Name Artist Publisher and Magazine
June 24, 2006 Hōkago, Nanajikan-me. (放課後、七時間目。) (one-shot) Yun Kōga Kōdansha
Comic Faust
January 4, 2008 Urooboe Uroboros! (うろおぼえウロボロス!) (one-shot) Takeshi Obata Shueisha
Weekly Shōnen Jump[13]
February 2, 2009 Medaka Box (めだかボックス) Akira Akatsuki Shueisha
Weekly Shōnen Jump
October 25, 2011 Zerozaki Sōshiki no Ningen Shiken (零崎双識の人間試験) Iruka Shiomiya Kōdansha
Afternoon
November 4, 2014 RKD-EK9 (one-shot) Takeshi Obata Shueisha
Jump SQ.[14]
January 12, 2015 Nani Made Nara Koroseru? (何までなら殺せる?) (one-shot) Akihisa Ikeda Shueisha
Weekly Shōnen Jump
January 4, 2016 Shounen Shoujo (症年症女) Akira Akatsuki Shueisha
Jump SQ.[15]

References

  1. "Contemporary Male Japanese Authors -- Nisio Isin: brief biography" (in Chinese). Eslitebooks. Archived from the original on 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
  2. "Mephisto Prize report on Excite Japan" (in Japanese). Excite Japan. Archived from the original on 2006-12-09. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
  3. "Kodansha Box official homepage" (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
  4. "Simon and Schuster Novel Listing". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  5. "NisiOisin's Bakemonogatari Light Novels to Get Anime". Anime News Network. 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  6. "NisiOisin's Katanagatari Light Novels to Be Animated". Anime News Network. 2008-11-29. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  7. "Nisemonogatari TV Anime to Launch in January". Anime News Network. 2011-09-15. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  8. "Nisio Isin's Jojo Reference" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  9. "Dialogue with Hiroki Azuma". Eureka (ユリイカ Yuriika) (in Japanese). Seidosha. 36 (10): 91. September 25, 2004. ISBN 4-7917-0124-0. ISSN 1342-5641.
  10. Del Rey Announces Zaregoto Series, xxxHolic novel
  11. "Bakemonogatariofficial website". Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  12. "Del Rey Announces New Manga, Prose Novels". Anime News Network. 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  13. "Death Note Artist, Novelist Team Up on Urōboe Uroboros". Anime News Network. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
  14. "Death Note's Obata, Monogatari's NisiOisin, Rosario + Vampire's Ikeda Make 2 One-Shot Manga Together". Anime News Network. 2014-09-30. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  15. "Medaka Box Creators NisiOisin, Akira Akatsuki Reunite on New Manga". Anime News Network. 2015-12-03. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
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