Asako Yuzuki's 'BUTTER' Special Edition to be Released on July 23! Hardcover in Slipcase Designed by Naoko Nakui, Signing Event at Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store.

Kawade Shobo Shinsha Publishers Inc. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yu Onodera) will release a special edition of Asako Yuzuki's novel 'BUTTER' on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

The special edition is a hardcover book in a slipcase with book design by Naoko Nakui. Following the Kawade Bunko paperback edition released on June 15, this is a special commemorative edition with a unique bookbinding to be enjoyed.

Asako Yuzuki 'BUTTER'

Food, body, desire, loneliness, care --

Yuzuki's masterpiece, acclaimed worldwide, depicting the pain and pleasure of women living in modern times.

A masterpiece long-form novel that portrays desire, food, and women's lives through the dialogue between Manako Kajii, a suspect in a marriage-hunting serial murder case, and Rika Machida, a weekly magazine journalist who interviews her.

A shocking dark thriller that has captivated the world.

The English translation achieved four awards in the UK, and translation publication has been decided in 40 countries and regions worldwide. Asako Yuzuki's novel 'BUTTER' has surpassed a cumulative circulation of 1.7 million copies worldwide.

While the Kawade Bunko paperback edition is scheduled for release on June 15, this special edition was newly decided upon in response to feedback from readers.

After the announcement of the Kawade Bunko edition's release, a great many responses were received from readers.

Kawade Bunko 'BUTTER' Asako Yuzuki

"I will definitely buy it."

"The design is too cute... I want the limited-time sticker!"

"Finally, it's time to read."

"Includes a new essay! I'm happy!"

Bunko edition press release: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001243.000012754.html

Among these, the most frequent requests were for specifications other than the Bunko edition, such as:

"Aren't you going to release a hardcover?" "I want to read it in a larger format." "I already have one copy, so I want one for preservation."

In response to these voices, the book designer Naoko Nakui and the editorial department considered new possibilities for bookbinding.

The special edition 'BUTTER' is a hardcover book housed in a slipcase reminiscent of a butter package, allowing readers to enjoy Naoko Nakui's design in a larger format. It is scheduled to be released at bookstores nationwide from Thursday, July 23.*

Please enjoy the special edition's unique bookbinding, which offers a different charm from the Bunko edition, alongside the Kawade Bunko edition released on June 15.

*In-store release dates may vary by bookstore and region. *Due to the bookbinding, reprints of the special edition may take time. If you wish to purchase it on the release date, please pre-order at a bookstore.

Asako Yuzuki

Photo: Tomohiro Katano

Born in Tokyo in 1981. Won the 88th All Yomimono Rookie Award in 2008 for "Forget Me, Not Blue." Debuted in 2010 with 'The Child at the Terminal,' which includes that work. Won the 28th Yamamoto Shugoro Prize in 2015 for 'The Nile Perch Girls' Club.' The English translation of this work was published in 2024, becoming the first Japanese author to win the Debut Fiction category at the British Book Awards, and achieving four awards including selection as Waterstones Book of the Year. As a global bestseller, she has shown new possibilities for Japanese literature and won the 7th Noma Publishing Culture Award. Other works include the "Lunch no Akko-chan" series, 'Ito-kun A to E,' 'Rantan,' 'Tsuide ni Gentlemen,' 'All Knot,' etc.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yuzukiasako/

Commemorative Signing Event!

Location: Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store, 9th Floor Event Space

Date & Time: Sunday, July 26, 2026, starting at 15:00

(Reservation reception begins Monday, June 15, at 12:00 noon)

Reservation details: https://store.kinokuniya.co.jp/event/1780494705/

New Publication Information

Special Edition 'BUTTER'

Author: Asako Yuzuki

Book Design: Naoko Nakui

Specifications: Hardcover / 46 variant format / Hardcover book in slipcase / 488 pages

Release Date: July 23, 2026

Price: 3,960 yen (tax included) / 3,600 yen (base price)

ISBN: 9784309032801

https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309032801/