Shuichi Okita's First Full-Length Novel, 'Satoko is Always,' to Be Released!

Bungeishunju Ltd. will publish Shuichi Okita's first full-length novel, 'Satoko is Always,' on Friday, August 21.

This special novel by Okita marks the 20th anniversary of his directorial debut.

As Okita was filming the entirely original film of the same name, he realized the existence of the Satokos extended beyond what could be written in the script. He chose to write a novel from scratch rather than a novelization.

This novel, born from that decision, captures the breath of three Satokos overflowing from Okita's imagination.

A Word from Author Shuichi Okita

The film was the catalyst. It's a story about three women named 'Satoko' who try to write stories. While writing the script, I couldn't fully depict the content they wrote, and I felt frustrated. Then, I decided to just write it as a novel. I couldn't stand the idea of a novelization of the film, and I wanted to write a novel from scratch with a fresh perspective, just like the characters in this story.

I wrote about the feelings of ordinary people, who are everywhere, who want to write but aren't very good at it. It's perfectly fine to enjoy it alongside the movie, but I believe you can enjoy this novel on its own as well. Thank you for your support.

Synopsis of 'Satoko is Always'

Satoko Nakai, 2nd year of junior high school. While vaguely aware of the looming high school entrance exams, she spends her lunch breaks chatting about romance with friends on the rooftop and reluctantly plays right field in the softball club after school (※ she runs away when the ball comes her way).

Satoko Nishida, 35 years old. She deeply loves Korean culture and her niece, and works tirelessly at a film distribution company. Her initial passion to introduce hidden gems to the world has faded, and she's overwhelmed by mountains of work. Facing reality, she finds herself churning out safe, broadly appealing copy.

Satoko Iijima, 55 years old. She diligently prepares lunches for her three sons every morning, and twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. On the day of her youngest son's last packed lunch, no one in the family notices. Looking up, her dream of becoming a novelist, which she held in her student days when she loved to read, feels a distant memory.

From squid guts to first love, affairs, and family.

They had stories they couldn't help but write—.

Table of Contents

First Love and the Nebulizer

A Perfect Day for Oden

Little Birds and the Bookstore of Snow

Excerpt from Chapter 1, 'First Love and the Nebulizer'!

Satoko's mouth always hangs slightly open when she's thinking. This is due to allergic rhinitis, a condition she's had since childhood. She's been going to the local Ooe ENT clinic since elementary school, and even now in junior high, she visits two or three times a month.

In the past, a thin, stick-like old doctor used to see her, but when Satoko entered junior high, his large son replaced the stick doctor.

The consultation fee is always 580 yen. This can be considered the cost of the nebulizer treatment at the end of the consultation.

(Omitted)

Satoko used to hate this nebulizer intensely, but as she got used to it, she realized it was the perfect time for thinking. It has now become an important meditation time.

About her softball skills, which never improve. About Kana-bun, her soulmate, who is becoming more and more of a gal. About Shimaccho's cosplay issues, the impending high school entrance exams, and so on. While wearing the silicone nasal nozzle, she broods over these things, and soon, white steam from the medicated mist rises from her half-open mouth, swirling in the air like a speech bubble.

Today, she's mainly thinking about squid guts.

○ To be continued soon!

◼︎ Author Profile

Shuichi Okita

Born August 4, 1977, in Saitama Prefecture.

After independently producing short films, he debuted with the feature film 'This Wonderful World' (06). 'The Chef of South Polar' (09) became a major topic of conversation, earning him the Shindo Kaneto Award Gold Prize for 2009 and high acclaim both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, 'The Great Passage' (13) won the Best Picture award at the 56th Blue Ribbon Awards, among others, and the Best Picture award at the 5th TAMA Film Awards.

His other directorial works include 'A Living Promise' (16), 'The Garden of Words' (18), 'It's a Movie' (20), 'The Fish Tale' (22), and the dramas '0.5 the Man' (23/WOWOW) and 'Detective-san, Your Backpack is Open' (26/EX). He has also directed music videos for Gen Hoshino and Nogizaka46.

Book Information

Currently in production!

Title: 'Satoko is Always'

Author: Shuichi Okita

Format: 46-size hardcover with dust jacket

Price: 1980 yen (tax included)

Release Date: August 21, 2026

ISBN: 978-4-16-392136-5

Book URL: https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/9784163921365

Film Information

'Satoko is Always'

To be released nationwide on Friday, September 18, 2026, at TOHO CINEMAS Hibiya and other theaters.

Kasumi Arimura

Hikari Ishida Satoko Himeno

Daisuke Kuroda Junko Miyabe Yuno Izumi Marika Otsuki Fuyuharu Ogawa

Yuzu Aoki Yota Kawase Moi Shimada Tomomi Nakai Yuko Nakamura

Kanta Hosoda Yui Narumi Mansaku Takada Kanji Furutachi

Yo Yoshida Joe Odagiri Michitaka Tsutsui

Director/Screenplay: Shuichi Okita

Music: Satoko Shibata

Theme Song: Yuta Orisaka "Shimire (feat. Satoko Shibata)"

Producers: Ryuhei Tsutsui, Miyuki Sato, Suguru Kubota, Yuya Tanaka Cinematography: Akiko Ashizawa (JSC) Lighting: Daisuke Komoda Art Direction: Norifumi Ataka Set Decoration: Momoko Sato

Sound Recording: Takaaki Yamamoto Sound Design: Sakura Katsumata Costume Design: Haruki Koketsu Hair and Makeup: Ryoko Ari Hair and Makeup: Ryoko Ari Editing: Masaya Okazaki Script Supervisor: Chikako Abo

VFX Supervisor: Issei Odai VFX/Online Editing: Minoru Noma Color Grading: Ryoichi Hirose

Casting Producer: Masashi Yamaguchi Music Producer: Yasumasa Saimi Assistant Director: Kyohei Tamazawa Production Manager: Shunta Yoshino

Lead Production: Amuse Creative Studio Distribution: Happinet Phantom Studio Production Company: Office Shirouzu

Grants: Agency for Cultural Affairs Mark, Agency for Cultural Affairs Subsidy for the Promotion of Arts and Culture (Japan Film Production Support Project), Independent Administrative Institution National Theatre of Japan

©2026 "Satoko is Always" Production Committee