【A Giant Naruse Returns to the Station!】Mina Miyajima's 'Naruse Goes the Way She Believes' Celebrates Bunko Release with Special Ads at Shiga Stations!

The long-awaited bunko edition of 'Naruse Goes the Way She Believes' (by Mina Miyajima / Shinchosha Bunko), the sequel to 'Naruse Aims for the Top'—winner of the 2024 Booksellers' Award and widely acclaimed across industries—has finally been released on June 24, 2026 (Wed)! With this release, the series' total circulation has surpassed 2.5 million copies!

To commemorate this milestone, special limited-time advertisements have been installed at JR's Yamashina Station, Otsu Station, Zeze Station, Ishiyama Station, and Kusatsu Station! Available only until July 5, 2026 (Sun), so be sure to check them out!

※ Please refrain from contacting station staff.

※ Please be considerate of others around you.

★ 2.5 Million Copies Sold Campaign Launched!

To celebrate the Naruse Akari series surpassing 2.5 million copies in total sales, the official Naruse Akari series X (Twitter) account (@naruseakari_off) is launching a follow-and-hashtag campaign! Fifteen lucky winners will receive a full set of three clear files from the Naruse Akari series.

How to Enter

1 Follow the official Naruse Akari series X account (@naruseakari_off)

2 Post a photo of your purchased copy of 'Naruse Goes the Way She Believes' (Shinchosha Bunko) with the hashtag #成信文庫化おめでとう ("Congratulations on the Bunko Release of Naruse Shingi")

Campaign Period

June 24, 2026 (Wed) to July 8, 2026 (Wed), 23:59

Winners will be selected through a fair lottery, and the official Naruse Akari series X account will send a direct message (DM) to the winning accounts.

For full campaign details, click here!

★ Purchase Bonus: Smartphone Wallpapers Are Back This Year!

Download the wallpapers via the QR code located on the inner flap of the book jacket. Featuring Akari Naruse and Karen Shinohara dressed as Biwako Otsu Tourism Ambassadors, and an illustration of the Michigan running along Lake Biwa—three designs in total! Download deadline is December 24, 2026, so be sure to grab them soon.

Wallpaper 1 Tourism Ambassador Akari Naruse ver. Wallpaper 2 Michigan ver. Wallpaper 3 Tourism Ambassador Karen Shinohara ver.

★ First Edition Exclusive: Ribbon Bookmark in "Lake Biwa Cherry Blossom Pink"!

The signature ribbon bookmark ("spin") of Shinchosha Bunko books has been specially prepared in an exclusive first-edition version! While the bookmark is normally dark brown, for the bunko edition of 'Naruse Goes the Way She Believes,' a special pink version inspired by cherry blossoms at Lake Biwa has been adopted. Be sure to purchase your copy early.

★ Commentary by Kotaro Komaba of Milk Boy: Comments from the Commentator

(Left) Kotaro Komaba of Milk Boy (Right) Takashi Uchiumi of Milk Boy

"I felt that 'Naruse Goes the Way She Believes' goes even further than the previous work in depicting the many people connected to Naruse. People who seem at first glance to have no connection to Naruse end up involved with her in unexpected ways. And Naruse gradually changes their futures. (...) It's not something grandiose like a superhero fighting evil, but rather just providing a spark that makes people go 'Oh!'—that atmosphere was really great." (from the commentary)

Book Description

Naruse Akari's life, always charging forward on her own path, crosses with others once again today. North川 Miku, an elementary school student and fan of the comedy duo 'Zezekara'; Naruse Yoshihiko, a father supporting his daughter's university entrance exams; Kurema Kotomi, a complainer who appears at a part-time job; and Shinohara Karen, a university student born to be a tourism ambassador. As these colorful characters inscribe their names into the new history of Naruse Akari, when her childhood friend Shimaizaki returns to her hometown of Otsu City, he discovers Naruse has vanished, leaving only a note behind... The greatest protagonist returns! Sequel to the 2024 Booksellers' Award-winning novel!

About the Author: Mina Miyajima

Born in 1983 (Showa 58). Lives in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Kyoto University. In 2021 (Reiwa 3), won the Grand Prize, Readers' Prize, and Tomonari Prize in the 'Literature Award for Women, by Women, R-18' with 'Thank You, Seibu Otsu Store.' Made her literary debut in 2023 with 'Naruse Aims for the Top,' which included that work. Gained widespread attention by winning numerous awards, including the Shizuoka Shoten Taisho Novel Division Grand Prize, the Tsubota Jyoji Literary Award, and the Booksellers' Award. The 'Naruse Akari Series' concludes with a trilogy: 'Naruse Goes the Way She Believes' and 'Naruse Dashes Through the Capital.' Other works include 'Konkatsu Maestro' and 'Go! Heianbu.'

Book Information

[Title] Naruse Aims for the Top

[Author] Mina Miyajima

[Release Date] June 25, 2025

[Format] Bunko

[Price] 693 yen (tax included)

[ISBN] 978-4-10-106141-2

[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/106141/

[Title] Naruse Goes the Way She Believes

[Author] Mina Miyajima

[Release Date] June 24, 2026

[Format] Shinchosha Bunko

[Price] 693 yen (tax included)

[ISBN] 978-4-10-106142-9

[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/106142/

Visit the special website here!

Visit the official series X (Twitter) here!