World-Renowned Paleontologist 'Dinosaur Kobayashi' Yoshitsugu Kobayashi Releases Autobiographical Essay: 'Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future'

Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future by Yoshitsugu Kobayashi

Sogensha Publishing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; President and CEO: Keiichi Yabe) will publish a new book titled 'Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future' on June 17, 2026. This inspiring coming-of-age story will encourage not only dinosaur enthusiasts but everyone. Illustrations by Kotaro Takayanagi (https://www.instagram.com/oyasumi_jp/). Available at bookstores nationwide and through Sogensha's online store.

The wind of time felt through fossils. This is a book that traces the path walked alongside dinosaurs. (Yoshitsugu Kobayashi)

How did the author, known as 'Dinosaur Kobayashi,' become a world-renowned paleontologist? His elementary school years spent fascinated by Buddhist statues. His middle and high school years obsessed with fossil hunting. Studying abroad in the U.S., despite initially thinking, 'I don’t want to go to America!' The sudden excitement upon opening a dinosaur encyclopedia. The spark in his heart that drove him to academic excellence and top honors. The harsh and rigorous path of research. Fieldwork where collaboration and shared knowledge transcend nationality and status. With humor, the author recounts his journey and the future of dinosaur research, having discovered numerous species including Kamuysaurus. This is an inspiring story for dinosaur lovers and everyone alike.

The author, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, was born in Fukui Prefecture, home to the famous dinosaur museum, and contributed to its construction. He currently serves as Deputy Director and Professor at the Hokkaido University Museum.

Recommended by MARI YAMAZAKI (Manga artist, writer, painter / Author of 'Thermae Romae')!!

The most essential thing for deeply understanding something is an overflowing curiosity about life itself. Yoshitsugu Kobayashi is exactly that kind of person.

Recommendation from MARI YAMAZAKI, a close friend of the author (Manga artist, writer, painter / Author of 'Thermae Romae')

One day, out of the blue — (Editor’s message)

The project began when a manuscript suddenly arrived from Professor Kobayashi. The file was titled 'Chapter 1: From Buddhist Statues to Dinosaurs.' I quickly read it and found a series of episodes from his elementary and middle school years. Just as I was about to reply, another email arrived — with Chapter 2 attached.

Thus began a whirlwind race: which would come faster, my feedback or the next chapter? Within about ten days, all 13 chapters of 'Dinosaur and Me' were completed and sent.

Today, Professor Kobayashi is a leading figure in Japanese dinosaur research, frequently featured in media. Contrary to the assumption that he loved dinosaurs since childhood and steadily pursued this path, the book reveals he wasn’t particularly interested in dinosaurs as a child, and includes surprising depictions of being swayed by others and moments of uncertainty — some episodes even moved me to tears.

This book offers courage not only to dinosaur fans but also to those struggling with their future or career path, or striving toward a goal, with stories of cross-national bonds in fieldwork and the confidence born from relentless effort.

Sample page ① from 'Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future' — 'Introduction'

Sample page ② from 'Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future'.

Sample page ③ from 'Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future'. Includes frontispiece and rare personal photos by the author.

Sample page ④ from 'Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future'. Table of contents.

Chapter 1: 'From Buddhist Statues to Dinosaurs' is now available on Sogensha’s note page. Please read it.

YouTube CM video here

YouTube CM thumbnail for 'Dinosaur and Me'

Book Description

'Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future'

How did the author, known as 'Dinosaur Kobayashi,' become a world-renowned paleontologist? For the first time, he shares his journey and vision for the future of dinosaur research.

Author: Yoshitsugu Kobayashi

Born in Fukui Prefecture in 1971. Graduated from the Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, in 1995. Earned a master’s degree from the Department of Earth Sciences, Southern Methodist University, in 1998. Joined the Fukui Prefectural Museum in 2000, contributing to the construction of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Earned a Ph.D. from the Department of Earth Sciences, Southern Methodist University, in 2004 while employed. Joined Hokkaido University Museum as an assistant in 2005, currently serving as Deputy Director and Professor. Actively conducts excavation surveys in Alaska and Mongolia, researching dinosaur classification, physiology, and ecology, focusing on ornithomimosaur and therizinosaur theropods. Named numerous new dinosaur species, including Fukuisaurus, Kamuysaurus, Yamatosaurus, and Paralititan. Also active as a responder on NHK Radio's 'Children's Science Telephone Consultation.'

Major publications include 'The Age of Dinosaurs: From Origins to Gigantism' (Iwanami Junior Shinsho, 2012), 'Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct' (Kadokawa Shoten, 2015), 'Dinosaur-Covered: Excavation Sites Are Life-or-Death Every Day' (Shinchosha, 2019), 'Tyrannosaurus: Anatomical Breakdown' (Kodansha, 2023), and 'Dinosaur Science' (University of Tokyo Press, 2025).

Book Information

Title: Dinosaur and Me: When Passion Becomes the Future

Author: Yoshitsugu Kobayashi

Publication Date: June 17, 2026 ISBN: 978-4-422-43071-3 Price: 1,980 JPY (tax included), B6 size, 188mm × 128mm Binding: Paperback Pages: 340

View details

Sogensha Publishing

Founded in 1892. A publishing house located between Honmachi and Yodoyabashi, near Midosuji in Osaka. Tokyo branch in Jimbocho. Publishes across a wide range of genres, from humanities to natural sciences, including psychology books by C.G. Jung and Hayao Kawai, the foundational self-help book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie, the pioneering niche encyclopedia 'The Most Beautiful Periodic Table of Elements in the World,' and the uniquely global word collection 'Untranslatable Words of the World.'

https://www.sogensha.co.jp/

Company Overview

Company Name: Sogensha Publishing Co., Ltd.

Founded: 1925 (Taisho 14)

Representative: President and CEO Keiichi Yabe

Capital: 18 million JPY

Business: Publishing, seminars, academic society management, book sales

Headquarters: 4-3-6 Awajicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 541-0047, Japan

URL: https://www.sogensha.co.jp/