Recommended by Voice Actor Tatsuhisa Suzuki! Miracle Story 'Galaxy Dropped to the Riverbed' Releases June 17 — New Novel by Kotsubushi Rinne, Author of Bestselling 'Waiting for You Forever Under This Sky'

Futabasha Publishers Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masaharu Azisawa) will release the novel 'Galaxy Dropped to the Riverbed' (author: Kotsubushi Rinne) on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

'Galaxy Dropped to the Riverbed' (with dust jacket)

The story follows Shibu, a former competitive swimmer and university student, who rediscovers his connection to swimming after rescuing Minamo, a young girl nearly drowning in a river. For Minamo, whose daily life on land is severely restricted due to a rare condition causing frequent bone fractures, the buoyancy of water is the only place where she can freely move and truly feel free.

As she overcomes dozens of fractures and becomes captivated by synchronized swimming (now known as artistic swimming), her determination powerfully shakes Shibu, who had long been stuck in the past.

The artistic swimming scenes are supervised by Risako Mii, former member of Japan's national artistic swimming team.

'Galaxy Dropped to the Riverbed'

<Plot Summary>

After quitting competitive swimming, Shibu works as a swimming instructor at a local swim school. When he rescues Minamo, a girl with a rare illness that makes her prone to fractures, he begins teaching her to swim. Though her life on land is limited, Minamo finds freedom in the water, where buoyancy allows her to move without pain. Gradually drawn to synchronized swimming, her relentless pursuit inspires Shibu to confront both Minamo’s journey and his own past. Based on the true story of a girl with a rare illness whose artistic swimming performance moved the world to tears, this is a deeply emotional work of fiction.

[Author Profile]

Kotsubushi Rinne

Born in Aichi Prefecture. Debuted in 2018 with 'Waiting for You Forever Under This Sky,' the Grand Prize winner of the 24th Dengeki Novel Prize. Other major works include 'You Who Lived Like a Winter Flower' (both published in MediaWorks Bunko) and 'Seven Years' (KADOKAWA).

[Comment from Kotsubushi Rinne]

'I’ve written the best swimming novel I can create at this moment. I dedicate this book to everyone chasing their dreams, and to those who once lost theirs. I hope the story of Minamo and Shibu gives readers the courage to take that first step forward.'

<Comment from Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Voice Actor)]

'The words once left behind in youth are found here.

May this reach you, who are striving. Just beyond your limit.'

Book Details

[Title]: 'Galaxy Dropped to the Riverbed'

[Release Date]: June 17, 2026

[Format]: B6 size (Japanese standard)

[Price]: ¥1,870 (tax included)

[Author]: Kotsubushi Rinne

[Publisher]: Futabasha

[Futabasha Special Page]: https://fr.futabasha.co.jp/special/pastel/

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[Credit: Sakuya Tanabe / Futabasha]