Kyoto University and Kodansha Blue Backs Collaborate! Announcement of 'Kyoto University x Blue Backs' Series Publication and Commemorative Event
Kodansha and Kyoto University will collaborate to launch the 'Kyoto University x Blue Backs' science paperback series on April 23, 2026, aiming to make cutting-edge science accessible to the public.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 02:00
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Kodansha Ltd. will publish the "Kyoto University x Blue Backs" series starting in April 2026 in collaboration with the Kyoto University Research Administration Center (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; Head: Susumu Kitagawa, Distinguished Professor of the Institute for Advanced Study, hereinafter referred to as "Kyoto Univ").
Kyoto University, which has produced numerous Nobel laureates and conducts world-class research, and "Kodansha Blue Backs" (launched in 1963, with over 2,300 titles published), the science paperback label with the longest history in Japan, will team up to convey the forefront of science in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. Please look forward to it.
◇ Comments from Representatives
◎ Head of Kyoto University Research Administration Center / Distinguished Professor of the Institute for Advanced Study, Susumu Kitagawa
This joint project with Kodansha is a major step toward widely disseminating the power of "Kyoto University Science," which our university is proud of, to society. By teaming up the unique and attractive scholarship of Kyoto University born from its "academic tradition of freedom" with Blue Backs, the most historic science paperback series, we expect to deliver the fascination of science in an unprecedented way. Furthermore, we earnestly hope that the publication of this series will contribute to the cultivation and development of a culture where each citizen becomes familiar with science, and that this will become a great swell to support a new trend of science not only at Kyoto University but throughout Japan in the future. Please look forward to our future developments.
◎ Kodansha, General Manager of the 2nd Liberal Arts Publishing Department, 5th Business Division (Editor-in-Chief of Kodansha Blue Backs), Yumiko Ieda
For Blue Backs, which is entering its 64th year since its launch, this will be the first attempt to partner with a university and develop a series within the label. Starting with Dr. Hideki Yukawa, the first Nobel laureate in Japan, Kyoto University has produced many world-leading researchers. What kind of research is being conducted there now? Why are fascinating research projects born one after another? In this series, we will introduce cutting-edge knowledge along with the passion of the professors who truly enjoy science. We will deliver this series with the hope that future Nobel laureates may be born from among those who pick up these books.
◇ Lineup for the 1st Phase of the Series
The "Kyoto University x Blue Backs" series will start on April 23, 2026. We will release 3 titles in the first phase. After that, we plan to publish more than ten titles.
*The design and specifications may differ slightly from the actual book covers.
Price: 1,320 yen (tax included) ISBN978-4-06-543551-9
Kodansha Ltd. will publish the "Kyoto University x Blue Backs" series starting in April 2026 in collaboration with the Kyoto University Research Administration Center (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; Head: Susumu Kitagawa, Distinguished Professor of the Institute for Advanced Study, hereinafter referred to as "Kyoto Univ").
Kyoto University, which has produced numerous Nobel laureates and conducts world-class research, and "Kodansha Blue Backs" (launched in 1963, with over 2,300 titles published), the science paperback label with the longest history in Japan, will team up to convey the forefront of science in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. Please look forward to it.
◇ Comments from Representatives
◎ Head of Kyoto University Research Administration Center / Distinguished Professor of the Institute for Advanced Study, Susumu Kitagawa
This joint project with Kodansha is a major step toward widely disseminating the power of "Kyoto University Science," which our university is proud of, to society. By teaming up the unique and attractive scholarship of Kyoto University born from its "academic tradition of freedom" with Blue Backs, the most historic science paperback series, we expect to deliver the fascination of science in an unprecedented way. Furthermore, we earnestly hope that the publication of this series will contribute to the cultivation and development of a culture where each citizen becomes familiar with science, and that this will become a great swell to support a new trend of science not only at Kyoto University but throughout Japan in the future. Please look forward to our future developments.
◎ Kodansha, General Manager of the 2nd Liberal Arts Publishing Department, 5th Business Division (Editor-in-Chief of Kodansha Blue Backs), Yumiko Ieda
For Blue Backs, which is entering its 64th year since its launch, this will be the first attempt to partner with a university and develop a series within the label. Starting with Dr. Hideki Yukawa, the first Nobel laureate in Japan, Kyoto University has produced many world-leading researchers. What kind of research is being conducted there now? Why are fascinating research projects born one after another? In this series, we will introduce cutting-edge knowledge along with the passion of the professors who truly enjoy science. We will deliver this series with the hope that future Nobel laureates may be born from among those who pick up these books.
◇ Lineup for the 1st Phase of the Series
The "Kyoto University x Blue Backs" series will start on April 23, 2026. We will release 3 titles in the first phase. After that, we plan to publish more than ten titles.
*The design and specifications may differ slightly from the actual book covers.
Price: 1,320 yen (tax included) ISBN978-4-06-543551-9