Website for the English Translation of Ai Ota's 'October Children' Now Live!

Ai Ota, one of the most sought-after authors right now, with her book 'Criminal' set to be adapted for Amazon Prime in July! 'October Children' is a short story included in her first short story collection, 'The First Star is Like the Last Home' (published by Kobunsha). Since its publication in 2025, this story has been much talked about, and its English translation (by Karen Ann Takizawa) has been completed. It was released on Ota's special website starting May 22.

https://www.ai-ota-october.com/

Highly Acclaimed by Translator Motoyuki Kihara!

'First of all, "October Children" is magnificent. The story of twin siblings living in an unknown place perfectly captures the modern world. It offers a faint hope, like a prayer at the end of despair, gently presented in the ending. The final few pages can only be described as a poem.'

- The Path to Translation

'The First Star is Like the Last Home' was published in June 2025. Translator Motoyuki Kihara contributed a comment for the cover band. As noted above, Kihara, who particularly praised 'October Children,' suggested that it should be translated into other languages to be read by people around the world living in these times, sparking the English translation project. They requested Karen Ann Takizawa (Professor Emeritus at Hosei University) to translate it into English. With Kihara's cooperation, the translation was completed, and Ota launched a special website featuring both the English and Japanese versions. Future translations into other languages are also being considered.

- The Story of 'October Children'

That October, the twin brother and sister, 'I' and 'we,' were seven years old. On a Friday night, awakened from bed by a roaring sound that seemed to tear through the atmosphere, the two jumped up. 'Get ready in five minutes. We're leaving.' At their mother's words, they were headed to 'Surprise Camp,' but what they were headed to was the basement deep in the storage room...