KADOKAWA Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Takeshi Natsuno) released "Youkai Sagasu E-Zukan" (Written and Illustrated by Michiro Ito, Supervised by Masami Kinoshita) and "Doubutsu Sagasu E-Zukan" (Written and Illustrated by Chihiro Kinoshita) on July 1, 2026 (Wed).

Two new books released simultaneously in the popular "Sagasu E-Zukan" series!

This summer's new additions to the "Sagasu E-Zukan" series are "Youkai Sagasu E-Zukan," which is [the most difficult in the series' history], and "Doubutsu Sagasu E-Zukan," which is [packed with obscure animal knowledge that will impress adults].

Following previous success, these are the first two books to be released simultaneously in the series.

▼ Click here for a preview of "Youkai Sagasu E-Zukan"

https://yomeruba.com/plus/news/entry-228949.html

▼ Click here for a preview of "Doubutsu Sagasu E-Zukan"

https://yomeruba.com/plus/news/entry-228948.html

Recommended Points for "Youkai Sagasu E-Zukan"!

Point 1: Find the vanished yokai with the Yokai Camera!

"The yokai have disappeared from the Yokai Encyclopedia!?"

-- This book begins with such an exciting premise. The concept of finding unique yokai lurking in human life using the "Yokai Camera" will deeply capture children's hearts.

It's packed with interesting trivia about how yokai influence our lives.

You can become knowledgeable about yokai while engrossed in playing!

Point 2: The most difficult in the series' history!? An overwhelming search-and-find that will engross parents and children for hours!

Over 390 types of yokai appear in various settings such as homes, schools, Hyakki Yako (night parade of one hundred demons), mountains, rivers, and seas.

They are depicted with extreme detail, and the editor in charge reportedly took an hour to find all of them on a particularly difficult spread.

It's fun just to look at, and it can engross children and adults alike, making them forget the time.

From familiar yokai to obscure ones, a great collection that will satisfy any yokai fan!

Profiles

Written and Illustrated by: Michiro Ito

Born in 1982, lives in Tokyo. Active in various fields including picture books, illustrations, 3DCG, music videos, and animation. Lecturer at a vocational school. His work is characterized by eye-catching, vibrant colors and a playful, unique worldview.

His books include "Youkai Robot" and "Dinosaur Car Race" (Nagaoka Shoten), and "Dinosaur Safari" (PHP Institute).

Supervised by: Masami Kinoshita

Yokai culture researcher. Specializes in fieldwork, collecting legends and mysterious stories of yokai dormant in local areas.

Authored and published "Nara Yokai Newspaper" (Wayo Seikei Tsushinsha), which compiles yokai tales and legends from Nara Prefecture.

Major supervised works include "Hakkensu Zukan Plus: Youkai" (Gakken).

Book Information

Title: Youkai Sagasu E-Zukan

Written and Illustrated by: Michiro Ito

Supervised by: Masami Kinoshita

Price: 1,650 yen (1,500 yen + tax)

Release Date: July 1, 2026 (Wed)

Format: B5 size / Hardcover / Full Color / 32 pages

ISBN: 978-4-04-117194-3

Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation

KADOKAWA Children's Book Portal Site "Yomeruba" Book Details Page >>

Recommended Points for "Doubutsu Sagasu E-Zukan"!

Point 1: Why do giraffes butt their heads? -- Vivid depictions of animals by an ethologist!

This book features over 350 species of animals living in various situations such as their habitats and times of day (daytime forest/nighttime forest)!

Unlike a "picture book" that isolates individual animals and introduces their characteristics, a major feature of this series is that it shows how they live in their environment, interacting with other creatures.

Pay attention to the vivid depictions of animals that only Chihiro Kinoshita, who studied ethology, can draw!

Point 2: Do bottlenose dolphins have memories from 20 years ago!? -- As you search, you'll learn obscure animal behaviors that even adults don't know!

"Can African elephants detect distant sounds through the soles of their feet!?" "It takes cows 25 hours for food to become dung!?" -- Packed with behavioral knowledge that even adults don't know, illustrated within the pictures! It's full of information that will make you want to brag to someone once you learn it!

By carefully looking at the pictures while searching, you naturally acquire knowledge and spark interest in animals.

Profiles

Written and Illustrated by: Chihiro Kinoshita

Born in Okayama Prefecture. Ph.D. in Agriculture. Specializes in the behavioral ecology and diving physiology of marine animals such as sea turtles. After completing graduate studies at the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, and working as a specially appointed researcher (PD) at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, became an illustrator in 2023.

Books include "Many Wonderful Creatures and Heat" (Fukuinkan Shoten), "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animal Ecology Based on Latest Research" (X-Knowledge), and "Pokemon Ecology Encyclopedia" (illustrations, Shogakukan), among many others.

Book Information

Title: Doubutsu Sagasu E-Zukan

Written and Illustrated by: Chihiro Kinoshita

Price: 1,650 yen (1,500 yen + tax)

Release Date: July 1, 2026 (Wed)

Format: B5 size / Hardcover / Full Color / 32 pages

ISBN: 978-4-04-117193-6

Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation

KADOKAWA Children's Book Portal Site "Yomeruba" Book Details Page >>

Read and Apply! "Playable! Summer Encyclopedia Festival 2026" is Now On

The "Playable! Summer Encyclopedia Festival 2026" is underway, where you can win great prizes such as a 50,000 yen Hoshino Resorts accommodation gift certificate through a lottery.

▼ Click here for details.

https://yomeruba.com/campaign/present/entry-189842.html

What is the "Sagasu E-Zukan" Series?

This is a popular encyclopedia series that allows children to learn about ecology and other topics through search-and-find games on themes children love, such as "Fish," "Insects," "Dinosaurs," "Railways," "Yokai," and "Animals."

It not only develops concentration and observation skills but also includes obscure ecological information that impresses even professionals in the field. You can deepen your knowledge naturally while having fun.

▼ Children are engrossed! Monitor feedback: "Develops observation and concentration skills"

▼ Click here for details on the "Sagasu E-Zukan" series

https://yomeruba.com/plus/news/sagashiezukan-series.html

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 書籍新刊