Shaun Tan's Picture Book 'Eric' Gets Reprint, Garners Renewed Attention After 15 Years, Exceeding 40,000 Copies! 'Perhaps it's just their national character,' 'It's fine if the person themselves is okay with it' — a moving masterpiece depicted with gentle eyes. Translated by Sachiko Kishimoto!
Kawade Shobo Shinsha announced that Shaun Tan's picture book 'Eric' has been reprinted and surpassed 40,000 copies in cumulative sales, 15 years after its initial release. This renewed attention was sparked by its introduction on an NHK program, cementing its status as a beloved classic.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 09:49 (17 min after Collected)
Kawade Shobo Shinsha Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo / Representative Director Masaru Onodera) announced the reprint of Shaun Tan's 'Eric,' translated by Sachiko Kishimoto (published October 2012,税込定価1,100円), with an issue date of April 30, 2026.
We are pleased to announce that the reprint is the 12th impression, bringing the cumulative number of copies sold to over 40,000.
● Shaun Tan's Picture Book 'Eric'
The story of an exchange student, Eric, who comes for a homestay, and 'me' at the host family's home.
'I' eagerly prepared to make Eric happy.
Arranging the room for his comfort, and taking him to various places to ensure he enjoyed himself.
Day after day, 'I' felt anxious because Eric wasn't reacting as expected, but my mother calmly said:
'Perhaps it's just his national character.'
'It's fine if the person themselves is okay with it.'
Then, when the study abroad period ended, Eric simply returned home.
'Was Eric really happy...'
An unexpected turn of events awaited 'us' and our family, who felt unsettled.
It's a masterpiece said to move anyone in its last five pages.
Shaun Tan's intricate illustrations, gently depicted prose, and the wonderful translation by Sachiko Kishimoto shine brilliantly in this miraculous picture book, a true treasure.
Read 'more' for free on Kawade Web!
➜ https://web.kawade.co.jp/tameshiyomi/209002/
● Author: Shaun Tan
Born in Australia in 1974.
In addition to this book, he has authored numerous picture books, including 'The Arrival,' 'Tales from Outer Suburbia,' 'The Lost Thing,' 'The Red Tree,' and 'Tales from the Inner City,' winning many globally prestigious awards such as the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.
He also won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for his self-animated 'The Lost Thing.' He is both a picture book author and an Oscar-winning film director.
He has been nominated as a finalist for the Locus Award for Best Artist, to be announced on May 30, 2026, and anticipation for the winner is high.
● Translator: Sachiko Kishimoto
Photo ©︎ Ren Arimura
Translator. Her translations include Shaun Tan's 'Tales from the Inner City,' 'Tales from Outer Suburbia,' 'The Red Tree,' Lucia Berlin's 'A Manual for Cleaning Women,' 'Evening in Paradise,' Lydia Davis's 'The End of the Story,' 'Can't and Won't,' Miranda July's 'The Most of You,' 'The First Bad Man,' Jeanette Winterson's 'Lighthousekeeping,' George Saunders' 'Tenth of December' and 'Pastoralia,' among many others. She has also edited and translated anthologies such as 'Hen'ai Shosetsu-shu' and 'Igochi no Warui Heya.' Her own works include 'Wakaranai,' 'Shinu made ni Ikitai Umi,' and 'Himitsu no Shitsumon.' In 2007, she won the 23rd Kodansha Essay Award for 'Nenimotsu Type.'
'Eric' was introduced on NHK's 'Asaichi' on April 10, 2026, as 'a book you want to give as a gift.'
Immediately after, its ranking soared in bookstores nationwide, and many stores quickly ran out of stock.
This overseas picture book, first published in 2012, is now gaining renewed attention 15 years after its release.
This 'miraculous treasure of a book,' which has been loved for so long, has now exceeded 40,000 cumulative copies with the reprint issued on April 30.
The story encourages empathy among people from different backgrounds.
Please enjoy the gentle story of Eric and 'me.'
● Bibliographic Information
Title: Eric
Author: Shaun Tan
Translator: Sachiko Kishimoto
Specifications: B6 modified / Hardcover / 48 pages
Release Date: October 18, 2012
Tax-inclusive Price: 1,100 yen (本体価格1,000円)
ISBN: 978-4-309-27358-7
URL: https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309273587/
*Electronic books are not available.
● Highly Acclaimed Backlist Title
Title: The Arrival
Paperback Edition
Author: Shaun Tan
Specifications: B5 modified / Softcover / 128 pages
Release Date: April 19, 2023
Tax-inclusive Price: 1,980 yen (本体価格1,800円)
ISBN: 978-4-309-25696-2
URL: https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309256962/
*Electronic books are not available.
We are pleased to announce that the reprint is the 12th impression, bringing the cumulative number of copies sold to over 40,000.
● Shaun Tan's Picture Book 'Eric'
The story of an exchange student, Eric, who comes for a homestay, and 'me' at the host family's home.
'I' eagerly prepared to make Eric happy.
Arranging the room for his comfort, and taking him to various places to ensure he enjoyed himself.
Day after day, 'I' felt anxious because Eric wasn't reacting as expected, but my mother calmly said:
'Perhaps it's just his national character.'
'It's fine if the person themselves is okay with it.'
Then, when the study abroad period ended, Eric simply returned home.
'Was Eric really happy...'
An unexpected turn of events awaited 'us' and our family, who felt unsettled.
It's a masterpiece said to move anyone in its last five pages.
Shaun Tan's intricate illustrations, gently depicted prose, and the wonderful translation by Sachiko Kishimoto shine brilliantly in this miraculous picture book, a true treasure.
Read 'more' for free on Kawade Web!
➜ https://web.kawade.co.jp/tameshiyomi/209002/
● Author: Shaun Tan
Born in Australia in 1974.
In addition to this book, he has authored numerous picture books, including 'The Arrival,' 'Tales from Outer Suburbia,' 'The Lost Thing,' 'The Red Tree,' and 'Tales from the Inner City,' winning many globally prestigious awards such as the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.
He also won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for his self-animated 'The Lost Thing.' He is both a picture book author and an Oscar-winning film director.
He has been nominated as a finalist for the Locus Award for Best Artist, to be announced on May 30, 2026, and anticipation for the winner is high.
● Translator: Sachiko Kishimoto
Photo ©︎ Ren Arimura
Translator. Her translations include Shaun Tan's 'Tales from the Inner City,' 'Tales from Outer Suburbia,' 'The Red Tree,' Lucia Berlin's 'A Manual for Cleaning Women,' 'Evening in Paradise,' Lydia Davis's 'The End of the Story,' 'Can't and Won't,' Miranda July's 'The Most of You,' 'The First Bad Man,' Jeanette Winterson's 'Lighthousekeeping,' George Saunders' 'Tenth of December' and 'Pastoralia,' among many others. She has also edited and translated anthologies such as 'Hen'ai Shosetsu-shu' and 'Igochi no Warui Heya.' Her own works include 'Wakaranai,' 'Shinu made ni Ikitai Umi,' and 'Himitsu no Shitsumon.' In 2007, she won the 23rd Kodansha Essay Award for 'Nenimotsu Type.'
'Eric' was introduced on NHK's 'Asaichi' on April 10, 2026, as 'a book you want to give as a gift.'
Immediately after, its ranking soared in bookstores nationwide, and many stores quickly ran out of stock.
This overseas picture book, first published in 2012, is now gaining renewed attention 15 years after its release.
This 'miraculous treasure of a book,' which has been loved for so long, has now exceeded 40,000 cumulative copies with the reprint issued on April 30.
The story encourages empathy among people from different backgrounds.
Please enjoy the gentle story of Eric and 'me.'
● Bibliographic Information
Title: Eric
Author: Shaun Tan
Translator: Sachiko Kishimoto
Specifications: B6 modified / Hardcover / 48 pages
Release Date: October 18, 2012
Tax-inclusive Price: 1,100 yen (本体価格1,000円)
ISBN: 978-4-309-27358-7
URL: https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309273587/
*Electronic books are not available.
● Highly Acclaimed Backlist Title
Title: The Arrival
Paperback Edition
Author: Shaun Tan
Specifications: B5 modified / Softcover / 128 pages
Release Date: April 19, 2023
Tax-inclusive Price: 1,980 yen (本体価格1,800円)
ISBN: 978-4-309-25696-2
URL: https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309256962/
*Electronic books are not available.