Reisuke Kaneko's 'Youth Band Novel' - 'We Were Definitely Shining' Released Today! Pre-publication Reprint Decided Due to Enthusiastic Support from Booksellers.

Bungeishunju Ltd. will publish Reisuke Kaneko's latest full-length novel, 'We Were Definitely Shining,' today, April 9th.

Reisuke Kaneko is a rising new talent who debuted with 'Dead Yamada and the Classroom,' which was nominated for the 2025 Japan Booksellers' Award. His sixth standalone book, 'We Were Definitely Shining,' is a full-length novel depicting the 'extraordinary light of youth' and the 'present day as an adult' sinking in its deep shadow.

Booksellers who read the advance proofs sent numerous enthusiastic messages of support, such as 'I can't find words better than the best' and 'It's a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever had a dream,' leading to a reprint decision before the release.

Additionally, publication commemorative events have been decided for April: an online talk with Reisuke Kaneko and Sento Inoue (Free, 4/14), a book signing (4/19 at Kinokuniya Musashi-Kosugi in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa), and a talk event & signing with Ameko Kodama (4/26 at Taiseido Shoten in Shibuya, Tokyo).

### STORY

### I quit the band I loved. Because I loved it, I quit.

The band <sanagiinu> was formed by high school student Mizuha after being invited by her classmate Asagao. Their dream was to one day appear on Kōhaku. That seemingly absurd dream changed its color the moment they heard 'Hikari,' the first original song Asagao wrote. ...Ten years later, 26-year-old Mizuha was staring at her PC at the company she worked for. During a break, she saw in the online news that sanagiinu would be making their first Kōhaku appearance. The band she loved with all her heart, and therefore quit, was finally going to be on Kōhaku.

### Recommendation from Kuwahari, creator of the manga 'Futsuu no Keion-bu'!

**A story where band and life, glory and regret, light and curse intersect. My brain was shaken, and I read it all in one go. The scene of Mizuha's last live show, like watching the encore of a favorite band's live performance, I found myself wishing it would never end. Those who left their youth behind, and those who didn't, I realized that both lives are actually sparkling brightly. That's what I thought.**

### Passionate voices of support from booksellers!

**Amazing, amazing, amazing!! At the beginning of the year, I've already encountered the book that I think will win this year's Japan Booksellers' Award. I can't stop my excitement!! At first, I was reading with a sense of余裕, thinking, 'Ah, I see, this type of youth story, a dialogue-driven type like Yamada,' but from the middle, my heart ached and I sprinted through with a pounding heart. In the end, hot tears wouldn't stop falling. It's established from the beginning that the bassist leaves and sanagiinu succeeds as a band, and it's understood from the start that the agony and lingering regret of failure will be depicted, yet to be so thoroughly moved is a testament to the high level of perfection in Kaneko's literary writing.

Do you like music? Have you ever failed at something? You...