[Exceeds 10,000 Copies Sold & Strong E-book Sales] Futa Sakai & Gunpy's Viral Business Book 'Rifujin Shigotoron' Makes a Huge Splash on YouTube!

Bungeishunju published the book 'Rifujin Shigotoron: A Book to Read When You Think "Screw This!!"' by Futa Sakai and Gunpy on Friday, April 10.

Within about two months, the book surpassed 10,000 copies in cumulative circulation and, including e-books, is nearing 15,000 copies. It has received strong support from a wide range of readers, from young business professionals in their 20s and 30s to those in management.

■ Buzz on YouTube and Other Video Media

Following the book's release, Futa Sakai appeared as a guest on YouTube channels including 'ReHacQ', 'TBS CROSS DIG with Bloomberg', 'NewsPicks', 'Bungeishunju PLUS', and 'Gairoku-ch'. He shared his unique perspectives on topics frequently faced in business, such as 'How to avoid a mid-life crisis?' and 'How to deal with irrational bosses?'. In addition, Gunpy—whose YouTube channel 'Bakido Channel' boasts over 2 million subscribers—co-starred with Sakai, where they engaged in a lively debate alongside Gunpy's partner, Tetsuro Tsuchioka, on the theme 'What is Business YouTube?'. The video recorded 210,000 views (as of June 9).

■ Comment from Futa Sakai

I am very happy to have achieved approximately 15,000 copies in cumulative circulation within two months of its launch, marking my first book. If this book has helped even a little to cheer up those struggling at work, then writing it was worth it. It's a book with an interesting table of contents, so please take a look at least at that.

■ Comment from Gunpy

Literary critic Kaho Miyake wrote a fantastic帯 (book jacket strip) comment: 'My worries are all written here!'. My worries are also all written here. It might be presumptuous to say, but it's an amazing book packed with things as universal as the 'Analects of Confucius'. It's a book I will surely reread many times in the future.

■ Book Introduction: 'Rifujin Shigotoron: A Book to Read When You Think "Screw This!!"'

A business book for the Reiwa era that is both funny and useful, presented by an expert in human resource development and the 'Bakido' duo.

This book is a 'funny and useful business book' reconstructed with significantly added information based on talks from the podcast special 'LAUGH & BIZ -Funny Business Theory on Irrationality-' broadcast on the GERA app. Reflecting on Gunpy's surprising background—including working as a Bookoff store manager before becoming a comedian—and Sakai's experiences with parental bankruptcy, hard work in a mega-venture, and entrepreneurship, the authors argue that the worries and 'irrationality' faced by workers can all be unraveled by 'theory'.

Furthermore, the book includes a column by Sakai titled 'Sakai's Supplementary Lecture'. He writes sharply, humorously, and with overwhelming passion from a unique perspective derived from vast input on topics that are problems in modern business, such as 'Mid-life crisis' and 'Brilliant Jerk'.

■ Comment from Kaho Miyake (Literary Critic)

My worries are all written here! Whether it's jealousy, shame, or burnout, somehow it becomes acceptable when Gunpy and Sakai talk about it. A must-read for troubled working professionals!