Ryo Asai's 'In the Megachurch' Wins 2026 Japan Booksellers' Award; 'Doushitemo Ikiteru' Released with New Cover

Gentosha Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Toru Kenjo) has released a new edition of Ryo Asai's book 'Doushitemo Ikiteru'.

Following 'In the Megachurch' winning the 2026 Honya Taisho, Ryo Asai is once again drawing attention. 'Doushitemo Ikiteru', one of his representative works, is now available with a new cover.

The book features various characters, such as a woman who finds reassurance by identifying deceased accounts, a salesman who gives up on his dreams to sell fraudulent insurance services, and a temporary employee who loses her job and drowns in a sea of videos. These characters highlight the suffocation of daily life and inexpressible emotions. The author stated, 'I wanted to write a novel that makes readers accomplices in someone's life.'

Since its publication, it has resonated with many readers.

Currently, Gentosha Bunko's official SNS (@GentoshaBunko) is conducting a 'daily posting project' in conjunction with the new cover release. They are reintroducing the charm of the work by daily showcasing impressive passages from the book.

'Doushitemo Ikiteru' is now spreading with a new look, as a Ryo Asai work to be re-read. Please pay attention.

Author's comment: While writing these six stories, I deeply felt that 'there are indeed emotions that can only be captured in novels.' These are beloved and precious works.

Work content introduction: When you want to die, there is no clear reason. The heart cannot find answers. ('Healthy Logic') Family, work, dreams, past, present, future. Where should one stand to live without feeling guilty? ('Transience') What you look down on and mock is what prolongs my life. ('To the 7 minutes and 24 seconds mark') The society should change, but current life cannot be changed. So I stopped thinking. ('Even if the wind blows') My respected boss's S&M video leaked. I felt it showed where the real pain lies. ('That's definitely painful') Gender, appearance, family environment. The lottery ticket drawn at birth cannot be tied to any branch. ('Lottery') Six shocking stories that strike the reader's heart are re-appearing in a new edition!

Author Profile: Ryo Asai (Asai Ryo) Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1989. Novelist. Debuted in 2009 with 'Kirishima, Bukatsu Yametette yo', winning the 22nd Shosetsu Subaru Newcomer's Award. In 2013, 'Nanimono' won the 148th Naoki Prize. In 2014, 'Sekai Chizu no Shitakaki' won the 29th Tsubota Jouji Literary Award. In 2021, 'Seiyoku' won the 34th Shibata Renzaburo Award. In 2026, 'In the Megachurch' won the 23rd Honya Taisho. Other works include 'Star' and 'Seishokuki'.