[New Release] Kuina-chan is a Zombie! – A School Comedy That Will Make You Laugh and Cry, Available Today, May 13th (Wednesday)

KADOKAWA Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & CEO: Takeshi Natsuno) released the new work 'Kuina-chan is a Zombie! The Strongest Zombie Girl Wants to Go to School!?' (Author: Yuuki Hirakawa / Illustrations: Karaggetaro) from its children's book label, Kadokawa Tsubasa Bunko, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

This book is a zombie comedy that will make you laugh and cry, based on the concept of 'The protagonist is a zombie! But not scary!'.

Furthermore, for the first time in the history of the original series of children's books, the illustrations are in color!

This is a children's book unlike any you've seen before, offering a surprising reading experience.

Synopsis

One day, I woke up—and I, Kuina Ariyoshi, had become a zombie—!?

Kuina-chan, a zombie girl who lost both parents in a sudden accident and was 'left alone'. Nevertheless, she chooses to go to school, thinking, 'I want to be a normal elementary school student, even if I can't bring life back—I want to live the life I should have had!'

With the help of her handsome childhood friend, Raito-kun, and Towa Yomotsu, who looks small but is apparently a genius necromancer, her school life begins while hiding her true identity!

'Absolutely, let's be careful, not to expose being a zombie (accidentally in 5-7-5 rhythm)...'.

However, her school life is full of unexpected troubles, leading to constant chaos!

Every day is fun and a little strange. It's a story about Kuina-chan and her friends, who are positive despite being zombies, and are therefore endearing and a little sad.

Highlights of this work

- 'A zombie, but not scary!' 'A zombie, but super cute!' 'A zombie, but inspiring!' - Surprises on every page! Unexpected and fast-paced developments where you never know what will happen next. - Kuina-chan's lines that make you chuckle, but also stay in your heart. - Themes that resonate with middle elementary school students who are starting to think about 'living/dying' and 'what it means to be here'. - High immersion with the first full-color illustrations in the Kadokawa Tsubasa Bunko original series.

Editor's Comment

Upon first reading, I felt, 'This novel is new!' It's a children's book, yet the heroine is 'already dead'. Despite that, she's super positive.

If asked to do something in an awkward situation. If chased by a flock of crows (for crows who love 'carrion,' Kuina-chan is a 'big feast'...). And—if her friends 'find out she's a zombie.' Kuina-chan doesn't act like a normal girl would.

It's not because she's a zombie; it's because Kuina-chan herself is a lovable girl.

Kuina-chan often mutters, '...but I'm already dead,' a self-correction that makes you pause, but everyone will want to cheer on Kuina-chan, who lives each day cheerfully and lightheartedly.

It's fun and easy to read, yet deeply moving. I hope to deliver such a wonderful reading experience to many children.

Author Profile

Author: Yuuki Hirakawa Born in Kagawa Prefecture, lives in Osaka Prefecture. Winner of the 10th Kadokawa Tsubasa Bunko Novel Award (Gold Prize), she debuted with 'Crybaby Smash! The Edge-of-the-Cliff Badminton Pair Begins!?' She reads novels but likes manga even more.

Illustrator: Karaggetaro Manga artist and illustrator. Manga works include 'Watashi no Kairos', 'Coffee Cantata', 'Yggdra Silver', 'Mizuho, Middle Schooler, World Collapse Suddenly', 'The Saintess-Blessed Noble Daughter Aims to Be a Knight, So She Won't Be a Saintess'.

Bibliographic Information

'Kuina-chan is a Zombie! The Strongest Zombie Girl Wants to Go to School!?' Author: Yuuki Hirakawa Illustrations: Karaggetaro Release Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 *E-book released on the same day Price: 880 yen (800 yen + tax) Label: Kadokawa Tsubasa Bunko Format: Shinsho (new book size) Pages: 208 pages ISBN: 978-4-04-632406-1 Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation KADOKAWA Children's Book Portal Site 'Yomeruba' Book Details Page >> Kadokawa Tsubasa Bunko Book Introduction Page >>

About Kadokawa Tsubasa Bunko

Kadokawa Tsubasa Bunko is the No. 1 children's book label* supporting children's 'desire to read', launched in March 2009. KADOKAWA utilizes its content and know-how to entertain readers for children, publishing a wide range of genres including youth, adventure, fantasy, romance, school, sci-fi, mystery, and horror. The label name reflects the wish for children to fly freely through the world of stories on their own 'wings' and carve out their own future. With a book, anytime, anywhere... such a wish.