2024 Honya Taisho Award-Winning 'Naruse Will Conquer the World' Series Finally Concludes! 'Naruse Runs Through the Capital' Audiobook Now Available

OtoBank Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yuya Kubota; hereinafter "OtoBank"), which operates "audiobook.jp," the No. 1 audiobook lineup service (※1), began distributing the audiobook for 'Naruse Runs Through the Capital,' the third and final installment of the 2024 Honya Taisho Award-winning series 'Naruse Will Conquer the World' (by Mina Miyajima / Shinchosha), on April 9th via audiobook.jp (including the unlimited listening plan).

Following the first and second volumes, Aya Yamane reprises her role as Akari Naruse, joined by a total of 18 splendid voice actors. Furthermore, this work incorporates actual sounds recorded from the "Biwako Sosui-sen" (Lake Biwa Canal boat) that appears in the story, making it a supreme audio version with meticulous attention to sound, music, and sound effects, just like its predecessors.

※1. According to Japan Marketing Research Organization survey in November 2023. Survey on the number of Japanese audiobook titles.

■ The super hit 'Naruse Will Conquer the World' series, which has surpassed 2.1 million copies, proudly concludes!

The 2024 Honya Taisho Award-winning work 'Naruse Will Conquer the World' has captivated many readers with its protagonist, Akari Naruse, who forges her own path, and the series has cumulatively sold over 2.1 million copies.

The audiobook version of 'Naruse Will Conquer the World' also boasts immense popularity, having won the 2024 Audiobook Grand Prize in the Unlimited Listening category and ranking #1 for two consecutive years (2024, 2025) in the Unlimited Listening annual ranking. When a listening corner for this work was set up at the "Reading, It's Okay Not to Give Up Exhibition" held in Shimokitazawa in 2025, many positive comments were received from first-time audiobook users, such as "The voice is wonderful, just as I imagined" and "It's interesting."

In 'Naruse Runs Through the Capital,' the final installment of the highly successful series, Akari Naruse becomes a Kyoto University student. Set in the ancient capital of Kyoto, an increasingly unique cast of characters leaves their mark on Akari Naruse's history, while people from Zeze who appeared in previous works, such as her childhood friend Shimazaki, also make numerous appearances, bringing the story to a grand finale.

■ Produced in a drama format with a total of 18 splendid cast members. Furthermore, actual sounds recorded from the "Biwako Sosui-sen" are used in the work.

Following the previous two works, the audiobook version of 'Naruse Runs Through the Capital' further enhances its commitment to audio adaptation!

Aya Yamane plays the protagonist, Akari Naruse, and a total of 18 splendid voice actors, the most in the series, perform the lines of each character in a drama format.

Moreover, this work features the Lake Biwa Canal facilities, a famous spot in Lake Biwa and Otsu that Naruse loves, which were designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in August 2025. For this audiobook adaptation, sounds from the "Biwako Sosui-sen" (Lake Biwa Canal boat) were actually recorded and used as sound effects for the relevant scenes.

Following the Goshu Ondo in the first work and the Heiwado theme song "Kakekko Tobikko" in the second, this work allows listeners to enjoy the story with "sounds related to the stage appearing in the original work," offering an experience unique to audiobooks that cannot be found in print or e-books. Even those who have already enjoyed the books are encouraged to experience the new sensation of "listening to Naruse" and hear Naruse's beloved Lake Biwa and Otsu.

▼ 'Naruse Runs Through the Capital' Sample URL