Kyoto University and Kodansha Blue Backs Collaborate! Announcing the Launch of the 'Kyodai × Blue Backs' Series and a Commemorative Event

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation in our publishing activities. Kodansha Ltd. is pleased to announce the launch of the 'Kyodai × Blue Backs' series starting April 2026, in collaboration with the Kyoto University Research Administration Office (located in Kyoto City, Kyoto; Head: Susumu Kitagawa, Distinguished Professor of the Institute for Advanced Study; hereafter 'Kyoto University'). Kyoto University, which has produced numerous Nobel Prize winners and conducts world-class research, and 'Kodansha Blue Backs' (founded in 1963, with over 2300 titles published), Japan's longest-running science book label, will bring you the cutting edge of science in an enjoyable and easy-to-understand format. Please look forward to it. ## Comments from Representatives **◎ Susumu Kitagawa, Head of Kyoto University Research Administration Office / Distinguished Professor, Institute for Advanced Study** This joint project with Kodansha is a major step forward in widely disseminating the power of 'Kyodai Science' to society. By combining the unique and fascinating scholarship born from our 'spirit of academic freedom' with Blue Backs, the most historic science book series, I expect we can deliver the fun of science in an unprecedented way. Furthermore, I sincerely hope that the publication of this series will contribute to the cultivation and development of a culture where every citizen feels close to science. I hope this becomes a great wave that supports a new tide of science not only at Kyoto University but for all of Japan. Please look forward to our future developments. **◎ Yumiko Ieda, General Manager of Liberal Arts & Sciences Publishing Dept. II, Business Division V, Kodansha (Editor-in-Chief, Kodansha Blue Backs)** For Blue Backs, now in its 64th year since its inception, this is our first attempt to develop a series within our label in partnership with a university. What kind of research is currently being conducted at Kyoto University, which has produced many world-leading researchers, including Japan's first Nobel laureate, Dr. Hideki Yukawa? Why does fascinating research emerge one after another? In this series, we will introduce cutting-edge knowledge along with the passion of professors who genuinely enjoy science. We deliver this series with the hope that a future Nobel laureate might be among those who pick up these books. ## First Phase Lineup The 'Kyodai × Blue Backs' series will start on April 23, 2026. The first phase will release three titles. We plan to publish more than ten additional titles thereafter. *Design and specifications may differ slightly from the actual book covers. ### Introduction to Science at Kyodai's Science Faculty: How 'Amazing Research' is Born - Supervised by Kyoto University Research Administration Office - Written by Yuka Takamatsu - Price: 1320 yen (tax incl.) ISBN978-4-06-543551-9 What is the Kyoto University way of 'creating interesting research,' which has produced the most Nobel laureates in Japan? Top researchers, including the 2025 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, Professor Susumu Kitagawa, discuss 'Kyodai Science'! ### iPS Cells and Medicine: How Far Can We Heal Organs with the Latest Technology? - Written by Kazuo Takayama - Price: 1320 yen (tax incl.) ISBN978-4-06-543272-3 20 years since the announcement of mouse iPS cells—how far has the research progressed? The author, a visiting professor at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine active on the front lines of research, provides a thorough explanation of the current state of medicine. ### What is the Holographic Principle? The Latest Theory Unifying the Universe and Elementary Particles - Written by Koji Hashimoto - Price: 1320 yen (tax incl.) ISBN978-4-06-543481-9 Is this universe like a hologram emerging from two dimensions!? Can gravity be explained by another force!? The definitive introduction to the 'holographic principle' by the author, a professor at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Science! --- ## Commemorative Launch Event Announcement **Talk Show: 'The World of Kyodai Science, The World of Kyodai Humanities'** **Professor Koji Hashimoto, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University × Kaho Miyake, Literary Critic** With the cooperation of Oagaki Shoten, a talk show will be held on Sunday, April 26th, at the AEON MALL Kyoto Katsuragawa AEON Hall (Minami Ward, Kyoto City) to commemorate the launch of the 'Kyodai × Blue Backs' series. Professor Koji Hashimoto, author of 'What is the Holographic Principle?', and Kaho Miyake, a literary critic and Kyoto University alumna, will hold a public dialogue on the theme 'The World of Kyodai Science, The World of Kyodai Humanities.' - Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 14:00 - Location: AEON MALL Kyoto Katsuragawa AEON Hall - Capacity: [On-site] 100 people (up to approx. 150) [Online] 100 people - Application Period: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 12:00 to Saturday, April 25, 2026, 23:59 - Application Method: Please apply using the dedicated form below. https://passmarket.yahoo.co.jp/event/show/detail/02mx016bwc151.html - Participation Fee: [On-site] 2000 yen (tax incl.) *Includes one book from the first series lineup (your choice) [Online] 1000 yen (tax incl.) - Press Contact: Oagaki Shoten Co-creation Business Division [email protected] **** **Koji Hashimoto** Physicist. Professor at the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University. Born in 1973, raised in Osaka. His specialty is string theory. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Science from Kyoto University, he worked at the University of California, the University of Tokyo, and RIKEN before becoming a professor at Osaka University in 2012 and assuming his current position in 2021. He has written numerous books, including 'I Tried Learning Superstring Theory from My Dad' (Kodansha Scientific), and contributes to newspapers and magazines. **Kaho Miyake** Literary critic. Born in Kochi Prefecture. A graduate of Kyoto University. She engages in criticism and commentary in a wide range of fields, including novels, classical literature, and entertainment. She is the author of many books, such as 'Why Do We Stop Reading Books When We Work?' (Shueisha Shinsho) and 'The Art of Verbalizing What You 'Like'' (Discover Keisho). In 2025, she became the youngest recipient of the 'Shinsho Award'. --- ## We've created a 'Kyodai × Blue Backs' logo To mark the start of this series, Kyoto University and the Blue Backs editorial department have created a 'Kyodai × Blue Backs' logo. This logo will be used in all books in the series, including in the 'Foreword'. *There are various versions of the logo, such as white, black, round, and square. ## Special leaflets will be distributed to bookstores nationwide To make the world of 'Kyodai Science' fun and easy to understand, the Blue Backs editorial department has created a special leaflet to commemorate the series launch. We commissioned Minami Sahara, creator of the popular manga 'Gakusan' serialized in the comic magazine 'Morning,' to draw a one-shot manga. This will be distributed free of charge to bookstores nationwide.