Japan's Most Famous Stray Cat "Rudolf" Series Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Long-Awaited Side Story Publication; Author Hiroshi Saito Also Marks 40 Years Since Debut with a Present Campaign

Kodansha Ltd. will release "Ore no Namae wa Ippai Attena," the latest installment in author Hiroshi Saito's bestselling "Rudolf" series, on July 1, 2026.

Author Hiroshi Saito

Hiroshi Saito, the author of the highly popular "Obake Zukan" and "Rudolf" series, is celebrating his 40th anniversary since his debut.

The "Obake Zukan" series has surpassed 2 million copies in cumulative sales. The live-action film "Ghostbook: Obake Zukan," directed by Takashi Yamazaki and starring Yui Aragaki and Ryunosuke Kamiki, with a theme song by Gen Hoshino, garnered significant attention, as did its anime adaptation.

Debut Work "Rudolf" Series Also Marks 40th Anniversary

Another representative work by Saito is the "Rudolf to Ippai Attena" series, featuring a black cat as the protagonist.

This work, which became a cornerstone of children's literature upon its debut, has been loved across generations, including its adaptation into an animated film in 2016. In 2026, it finally reaches the commemorative milestone of 40 years since its announcement.

Kodansha's web media for parenting and reading, "Co-Co-Co" (https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/), published an article on July 1, 2026, featuring an interview with Hiroshi Saito, who is releasing the latest book "Ore no Namae wa Ippai Attena" that finally reveals Ippai Attena's true past. The interview covered the inspiration behind starting the story, his thoughts throughout his writing career, and messages for children and parents struggling today.

Read the "Co-Co-Co" article

Rudolf's 40th Anniversary: The Thoughts Behind the Latest Book. Hiroshi Saito, who says "Parents' earnest efforts to live are education," discusses his debut as an author, his creative philosophy, and the parent-child relationship that follows children throughout their lives.

▲ From a newcomer's award application with zero creative experience, the masterpiece "Rudolf to Ippai Attena," a cornerstone of children's literature, was born. (Left: The debut work and first installment of the series, "Rudolf to Ippai Attena"; Right: The latest installment in the series, "Ore no Namae wa Ippai Attena," published to mark the 40th anniversary.)

A Story of Wisdom, Courage, and Friendship Among Stray Cats

"Rudolf to Ippai Attena" tells the story of Rudolf, a small black cat who, by chance, leaves his hometown and arrives in Tokyo. While based on the German bildungsroman genre of a boy acquiring knowledge and growing, it is a masterpiece of children's literature filled with profound life philosophy and humor.

The "Rudolf" series, loved as a story of wisdom, courage, and friendship among stray cats, will release its latest installment, a side story depicting the upbringing of the boss cat Ippai Attena, to commemorate its 40th anniversary. A highlight is the newly drawn cover illustration by Norishige Sugiura, who has been drawing the covers for this series for 40 years and is now 95 years old this year.

"Ore no Namae wa Ippai Attena"

Release Date: 2026/7/1

160 pages

ISBN-10: 4065424844

Learn more about the "Rudolf" series

Click here for the special website of the "Rudolf" series

The "Rudolf" series has a total of 6 volumes.

Hiroshi Saito Author Debut 40th Anniversary Present Campaign

To commemorate the 40th anniversary, a present campaign offering luxurious prizes will also be held.

Poster for the Hiroshi Saito Author Debut 40th Anniversary Present Campaign

To enter the lottery, attach two application tickets from the special bands of the "Rudolf" series and "Obake Zukan" series to a postcard. A total of 40 people will win signed books or original book tokens.

Prizes - Signed by author Hiroshi Saito "Ore no Namae wa Ippai Attena" - 5 winners

- Signed by author Hiroshi Saito "Natsu no Obake Zukan: Obake Hanabi Taikai" - 5 winners

- Original book token (10,000 yen value) - 30 winners

Application Rules Cut out the "Hiroshi Saito 40th Anniversary Present Application Ticket" from the special bands of the "Rudolf" series and "Obake Zukan" series books, affix two tickets to a postcard, and send it with your book review, desired prize (one of "Ore no Namae wa Ippai Attena" signed book, "Natsu no Obake Zukan" signed book, or original book token), postal code, address, name, age, grade, and phone number to "Hiroshi Saito 40th Anniversary Present Campaign."

● Two application tickets count as one entry. ● Entries cannot be made by envelope. ● Prizes can only be sent within Japan. ● If there are many applicants, a lottery will be held for a total of 40 winners. ● Winners will be announced by the shipment of prizes. ● Personal information of applicants will not be used for any purpose other than the execution of this project.

Profile of Hiroshi Saito (Saito Hiroshi)

Born in Tokyo in 1952. Completed a master's degree at Chuo University Graduate School of Letters. In 1986, he won the Kodansha Children's Literature Newcomer Award for "Rudolf to Ippai Attena," marking his debut. In 1988, he won the Noma Children's Literature Newcomer Award for "Rudolf: Tomodachi Hitori Tachi." In 1991, he received the Robō no Ishi Children's Literature Award. In 2013, he won the Noma Children's Literature Award for "Rudolf to Snow White." Other works include the "Obake Zukan" series, the "Penguin" series (both Kodansha), the "Byakko Maki" series (Gakken), the "Journey to the West" series (Rironsha), and many others.

Read the details of the Hiroshi Saito interview

Special interview published on Kodansha's web media for parenting and reading, "Co-Co-Co"