Award-Winning Author Tetsu Kotabe's New Novel 'Moon Letter' Released August 19 — Works Featured in 12+ Middle and High School Entrance Exams — Recommended by Middle School Entrance Coach Mikoto Saito!

Futabasha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masaharu Azisawa) will release the novel 'Moon Letter' (author: Tetsu Kotabe) on Wednesday, August 19.

Cover of 'Moon Letter'

This story follows Daiki, a protagonist burdened by past trauma, who meets Shika, a girl holding an impossible wish, and gradually discovers 'what he can do' for others.

The legend of Tsukiwatari Shrine — where letters can be sent to the future or the past — intertwines the fates of the two.

Author Tetsu Kotabe won the Hiroshima Hon Taisho Award for 'Ryusei Calling.' His previous works, including 'Hikari no Oto' and 'Hotaru to Tsuki no Mannaka de,' have been widely adopted in middle and high school entrance exams.

Mikoto Saito, a middle school entrance exam coach, has contributed a recommendation for 'Moon Letter.'

'Moon Letter'

<Synopsis>

The mailbox at Tsukiwatari Shrine allows letters to be sent to the future or the past — but the price is losing a precious memory. High school student Daiki believes his childhood fantasy drawings caused his mother's death, and since then, he has been unable to draw imaginative pictures. One day, his classmate Shika, who has received a terminal diagnosis, appears before him. Her wish is to see with her own eyes the comet she was meant to witness at age 28. Though her wish seems impossible, Daiki takes her to Tsukiwatari Shrine... What will the two lose in their attempt to fulfill this wish? A poignant yet gentle youth fantasy where two separated paths of stars cross once again.

[Author Profile]

Tetsu Kotabe

Born in 1988 in Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Kwansei Gakuin University. Made his major debut in 2009 as the drummer for the band WEAVER, where he also wrote lyrics. Made his literary debut in 2018 with 'Dream Factory Lamuresu.' His second novel, 'Ryusei Calling,' won the 10th Hiroshima Hon Taisho Award (Fiction Category). Other works include 'Hotaru to Tsuki no Mannaka de,' 'Hikari no Oto,' and 'Hidamari no Street Piano.'

<Comment from Mikoto Saito (Middle School Entrance Coach)>

A future connected by moonlight and letters. Wanting to bring joy, not sadness — caring for someone becomes the strength to move forward.

In Japanese reading comprehension, children are asked, 'Why did the character act this way at that moment?' This novel is filled with emotions that cannot be simply explained in words.

Feelings left unspoken because you care, choices made out of love for another — I was deeply moved by its bittersweet tenderness again and again.

Book Overview

[Title]: 'Moon Letter'

[Release Date]: August 19, 2026

[Format]: B6 size

[Price]: 1,760 yen (tax included)

[Author]: Tetsu Kotabe

[Publisher]: Futabasha

[Official Website]: https://fr.futabasha.co.jp/special/moonletter/

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

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[Credit: Yuu Hagii / Futabasha]