Naoki Matayoshi and Misaki Tanaka Collaborate for the First Time! Releasing a Book on Heartbreak Told Through Karuta, Stories, and Mini-Manga!
Gakken, a group company of Gakken Holdings, announced the release of "Shitsuren Karuta" (Heartbreak Karuta), the first co-authored work by comedian and Akutagawa Prize-winning author Naoki Matayoshi and popular illustrator Misaki Tanaka, on June 4, 2026. The book, themed around heartbreak, combines karuta, short stories, and mini-manga, and has already been adapted into a drama.
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Gakken Inc. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Tatsuya Nanjo), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara), announced the cover art and author comments for the book "Shitsuren Karuta" (scheduled for release on June 4, 2026) on May 13, 2026.
The first co-authored work, "Shitsuren Karuta," by comedian and Akutagawa Prize-winning author Naoki Matayoshi and popular illustrator Misaki Tanaka, will be released by Gakken on June 4, 2026.
Heartbreak is painful, but there's no need to forget everything.
This book offers verses and illustrations depicting various scenes of love's end, sometimes making you laugh, sometimes healing you.
■ Book Contents
【50 Karuta Picture Cards and Reading Cards Each】
Features 50 words and illustrations related to heartbreak, from "A" to "N" (Japanese syllabary).
Light and straightforward words, combined with cute and slightly poignant illustrations, vividly color the pages.
【Includes newly written short stories by Naoki Matayoshi】
Very short stories filled with joyful moments of love and the poignant feelings of not wanting to let go.
《Included Works》
"It's Not My Umbrella"
"The Night I Talked Too Much"
"Do I Look Happy?"
【Collaborative Mini-Manga by Naoki Matayoshi × Misaki Tanaka】
"How That Person Eats"
▲Image shows the beginning of the manga
Includes a short but impactful and cute mini-manga.
Naoki Matayoshi created the original concept, and Misaki Tanaka was in charge of the artwork. This is the first manga they worked on together.
【Author Comments on the Work】
From Naoki Matayoshi:
I don't know much about romance, but heartbreak and I have a long history, and we still meet occasionally.
I hope that without being overly consumed by that pain, you can enjoy your daily life cheerfully and peacefully.
From Misaki Tanaka:
I also believe that the number of heartbreaks is the number of times you've taken a step closer to others.
Thinking that way, perhaps you don't lose anything from heartbreak?
Even if I'm afraid of failure, I want to deeply engage with others.
【Drama Currently Airing to Great Acclaim】
This work has already been dramatized and is currently airing to great acclaim every Tuesday late night on MBS/TBS Dramatism!
Minami Umezawa (Nogizaka46), Sho Nishigaki, Kona Kato, and others appear, resonating with younger generations.
【Author Profiles】
Naoki Matayoshi
Born in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture in 1980. Formed "Peace" with Yuji Ayabe in 2003. In 2015, his debut novel "Hibana" won the 153rd Akutagawa Prize. His other works include "Gekijo," "Ningen," and "Ikitowa."
Misaki Tanaka
Born in 1992. An illustrator who mainly depicts portraits and human relationships, and has recently also been producing manga. Her works include art collections "Zutto Issho ni Irarenai" and "A~n Sukebe Sukebe Sukebe!!", the comic "Dai Nari Sho Nari," and the art collection "Hiyomi."
[Product Overview]
■ Scheduled for release on June 4 / Pre-orders now open
"Shitsuren Karuta" (Book)
・ISBN: 978-4-05-407105-6 / Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
・Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4054071058
・Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18569870/
・Gakken Publishing Site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1340710500
■ Gakken Inc.
https://www.corp-gakken.co.jp/
・Representative Director and President: Tatsuya Nanjo
・Date of establishment: January 13, 2009 (Trade name changed on October 1, 2022)
・Capital: 50 million yen
・Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8416
・Business activities: Publishing and content business, global business, medical and nursing publishing content business, kindergarten and school business, classroom-related business, EC and online business, advertising business.
■ Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd.
https://www.gakken.co.jp/
・Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara
・Date of establishment: March 31, 1947
・Capital: 19,817 million yen
・Sales: 199.1 billion yen, Consolidated subsidiaries: 82 companies (as of September 2025)
・Listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Securities Code: 9470)
・Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8510
・Phone number: 03-6431-1001 (main)
・Business activities: A holding company established in 1946, engaged in education and medical welfare-related businesses. Education sector: Classroom and cram school businesses including "Gakken Classroom."
The first co-authored work, "Shitsuren Karuta," by comedian and Akutagawa Prize-winning author Naoki Matayoshi and popular illustrator Misaki Tanaka, will be released by Gakken on June 4, 2026.
Heartbreak is painful, but there's no need to forget everything.
This book offers verses and illustrations depicting various scenes of love's end, sometimes making you laugh, sometimes healing you.
■ Book Contents
【50 Karuta Picture Cards and Reading Cards Each】
Features 50 words and illustrations related to heartbreak, from "A" to "N" (Japanese syllabary).
Light and straightforward words, combined with cute and slightly poignant illustrations, vividly color the pages.
【Includes newly written short stories by Naoki Matayoshi】
Very short stories filled with joyful moments of love and the poignant feelings of not wanting to let go.
《Included Works》
"It's Not My Umbrella"
"The Night I Talked Too Much"
"Do I Look Happy?"
【Collaborative Mini-Manga by Naoki Matayoshi × Misaki Tanaka】
"How That Person Eats"
▲Image shows the beginning of the manga
Includes a short but impactful and cute mini-manga.
Naoki Matayoshi created the original concept, and Misaki Tanaka was in charge of the artwork. This is the first manga they worked on together.
【Author Comments on the Work】
From Naoki Matayoshi:
I don't know much about romance, but heartbreak and I have a long history, and we still meet occasionally.
I hope that without being overly consumed by that pain, you can enjoy your daily life cheerfully and peacefully.
From Misaki Tanaka:
I also believe that the number of heartbreaks is the number of times you've taken a step closer to others.
Thinking that way, perhaps you don't lose anything from heartbreak?
Even if I'm afraid of failure, I want to deeply engage with others.
【Drama Currently Airing to Great Acclaim】
This work has already been dramatized and is currently airing to great acclaim every Tuesday late night on MBS/TBS Dramatism!
Minami Umezawa (Nogizaka46), Sho Nishigaki, Kona Kato, and others appear, resonating with younger generations.
【Author Profiles】
Naoki Matayoshi
Born in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture in 1980. Formed "Peace" with Yuji Ayabe in 2003. In 2015, his debut novel "Hibana" won the 153rd Akutagawa Prize. His other works include "Gekijo," "Ningen," and "Ikitowa."
Misaki Tanaka
Born in 1992. An illustrator who mainly depicts portraits and human relationships, and has recently also been producing manga. Her works include art collections "Zutto Issho ni Irarenai" and "A~n Sukebe Sukebe Sukebe!!", the comic "Dai Nari Sho Nari," and the art collection "Hiyomi."
[Product Overview]
■ Scheduled for release on June 4 / Pre-orders now open
"Shitsuren Karuta" (Book)
・ISBN: 978-4-05-407105-6 / Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
・Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4054071058
・Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18569870/
・Gakken Publishing Site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1340710500
■ Gakken Inc.
https://www.corp-gakken.co.jp/
・Representative Director and President: Tatsuya Nanjo
・Date of establishment: January 13, 2009 (Trade name changed on October 1, 2022)
・Capital: 50 million yen
・Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8416
・Business activities: Publishing and content business, global business, medical and nursing publishing content business, kindergarten and school business, classroom-related business, EC and online business, advertising business.
■ Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd.
https://www.gakken.co.jp/
・Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara
・Date of establishment: March 31, 1947
・Capital: 19,817 million yen
・Sales: 199.1 billion yen, Consolidated subsidiaries: 82 companies (as of September 2025)
・Listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Securities Code: 9470)
・Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8510
・Phone number: 03-6431-1001 (main)
・Business activities: A holding company established in 1946, engaged in education and medical welfare-related businesses. Education sector: Classroom and cram school businesses including "Gakken Classroom."