Fuyumi Ono's "The Twelve Kingdoms" Series Launches Official Instagram!

Fuyumi Ono's fantasy series "The Twelve Kingdoms," which has sold over 13 million copies, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. With a new book scheduled for release on September 17th, the first in seven years, the series has now launched its official Instagram account. We will deliver introductions to the series' works and characters, as well as various upcoming information releases, with photos and videos.

Click here for "The Twelve Kingdoms" official Instagram.

■ New Book in 7 Years, Nationwide Release Confirmed for Thursday, September 17!

As previously announced, this will be a collection of four short stories, adding three newly written, completely original short stories to "Yuumei no Kishi," which was presented as a "read one chapter first" gift campaign during the publication of the novel "Shirogane no Oka Kuro no Tsuki."

The setting of the story is the kingdom of Tai, and it is a continuation of the full-length novel "Shirogane no Oka Kuro no Tsuki."

This year marks the 35th anniversary of "The Twelve Kingdoms." We are delighted to deliver a new work after a seven-year hiatus in this memorable anniversary year. We sincerely thank all the readers who have waited patiently. Details about the short story collection will continue to be announced on "The Twelve Kingdoms Official Website."

Click here for "The Twelve Kingdoms" special site.

■ What is "The Twelve Kingdoms"?

"Tsuki no Kage Kage no Umi (Part 1) The Twelve Kingdoms" by Fuyumi Ono, "Tsuki no Kage Kage no Umi (Part 2) The Twelve Kingdoms" by Fuyumi Ono.

Fuyumi Ono's representative work, read continuously since 1991. A grand story that shocked the Japanese fantasy world!

It is a magnificent fantasy set in our world and another world that does not exist on Earth. The two worlds are separated by a vast sea called the Kyokai and are connected only by a phenomenon called "Shoku." In the other world, twelve kingdoms—Kei, Sou, Han, Ryu, Kan, Kyou, Sai, Kou, Tai, Shun, Hou, Ren—surround the Yellow Sea, which is home to the five mountains where gods reside, in a geometric pattern. In each kingdom, a "Kirin," a divine beast that has received the will of heaven, finds a king and places them on the throne through a "covenant." The king has eternal life as long as they have the mandate of heaven, ruling the country, and the Kirin serves by their side as prime minister. The profound human dramas unfolded in each kingdom can be called an epic novel that asks us about "the meaning of life" and "the strength to believe." It also gained attention when it was adapted into an NHK anime (2002-2003).

In December 2025, the musical "The Twelve Kingdoms" starring Hikaru Yuzuka garnered a huge response and is once again attracting attention.

What is "The Twelve Kingdoms"?

Introduction to "The Twelve Kingdoms" Series Works.

■ To learn more about "The Twelve Kingdoms"

[How to navigate "The Twelve Kingdoms"]

Fuyumi Ono's "The Twelve Kingdoms" series features various countries and characters. The story, where time and space intertwine and profound and grand human dramas unfold, spans 10 titles and 15 volumes in the Shinchosha Bunko edition. Many people must wonder where to start reading. For you, book critic Unga Asamiya taught us tips for enjoying the world of the "complete edition" of "The Twelve Kingdoms"!

For those about to read! How to navigate "The Twelve Kingdoms".

[Recommendation for Shinchosha Bunko "The Twelve Kingdoms"]

"Masho no Ko" (Demon Child), published in 1991, is truly the origin of "The Twelve Kingdoms." Following that, a series of stories, and even the long-awaited new work, the entire "The Twelve Kingdoms" series forms a "single story" in the "complete edition" which has been sequentially published by Shinchosha Bunko since 2012. In addition, illustrator Akihiro Yamada has newly drawn cover art and illustrations for all volumes! The reverse side and spine are also special features of the "complete edition" series. Please see the link below for details.

Shinchosha Bunko "The Twelve Kingdoms" Recommendation.

■ Author Profile: Fuyumi Ono

Born in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture. While enrolled at Otani University, she was a member of the Kyoto University Mystery Novel Research Society. She debuted as a writer in 1988. Her "The Twelve Kingdoms" series, which began with "Masho no Ko" published in 1991, including "Tsuki no Kage Kage no Umi," made a significant impact on the fantasy novel world and became her representative work. In 1993, "Tokyo Iden" was a finalist for the Japan Fantasy Novel Award, attracting attention. In 2013, she received the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize for "Zanei." In 2020, she received the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize for Paperbacks for "The Twelve Kingdoms" series. Her other works include "Ghost Hunt" series, "Shiki," "Kuroshioshima," "Kidan Hyakkei," and "Eizen Karukaya Kaiitan."

■ Book Data

[Title] Undecided

[Author Name] Fuyumi Ono

[Release Date] September 17, 2026 (Thursday) Nationwide simultaneous release *Excluding some regions

[Binding] Shinchosha Bunko

[Price] Undecided

[ISBN] Undecided

[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/12kokuki/