Tribute to Manga Artist Kiriko Nananan: CreepHyp "Itowashii Love" x Naoki Prize Winner Akane Chihaya "Water" to be Released on Shinchosha WEB Literary Magazine "yom yom" on June 30 (Tue) at 7:00 PM!

The new EP "Kari no Mama Teijou Shita You na Aijou de" by rock band CreepHyp includes the song "Itowashii Love," a tribute written by vocalist and guitarist Sekaikan Ozaki for manga artist Kiriko Nananan, whose passing was announced last December.

To commemorate its release, Ozaki invited author Akane Chihaya to contribute to "Itowashii Love." This marks their second joint project since their collaborative novel "Inu mo Kuwanai" (Bunkobon), which featured an illustration by Nananan on its cover, and will be featured in "yom yom." Messages from both authors for this special feature will also be introduced.

Four-member rock band CreepHyp will release their new EP "Kari no Mama Teijou Shita You na Aijou de" on May 27, 2026. One of its tracks, "Itowashii Love," was written by vocalist and guitarist Sekaikan Ozaki as a tribute to manga artist Kiriko Nananan, whose death was announced last December.

For its release, Ozaki asked author Akane Chihaya to contribute to "Itowashii Love." This is their second joint project since their collaborative novel "Inu mo Kuwanai" (Shinchosha Bunko).

The paperback cover of "Inu mo Kuwanai" featured an illustration from Nananan's work, which both authors love, with Nananan's kind permission.

Therefore, Shinchosha's WEB literary magazine "yom yom" will release a special feature in tribute to Kiriko Nananan, including CreepHyp's "Itowashii Love," Akane Chihaya's contribution "Water," messages from both authors, and a preview of "Inu mo Kuwanai" on June 30 (Tue) at 7:00 PM.

Click here for the "yomyom" feature page.

In commemoration of this feature, "Inu mo Kuwanai" will be released with a new obi strip starting in July.

Shinchosha WEB Literary Magazine "yom yom" Special Feature in Tribute to Manga Artist Kiriko Nananan Table of Contents

Messages from Sekaikan Ozaki and Akane Chihaya

Special Feature on CreepHyp's "Itowashii Love"

Akane Chihaya's Special Contribution "Water"

Preview of "Inu mo Kuwanai": "Iebento" (by Akane Chihaya) and "Taikanki" (by Sekaikan Ozaki) from the third installment.

Messages from Both Authors for This Feature

【Sekaikan Ozaki】

After much hesitation, wondering if it was okay to do this, I created the song "Itowashii Love."

In the end, it might have been for myself. Still, I couldn't help but write it.

"Writing" and "drawing" are always far apart, but I wanted to get a little closer by singing about it. This time, Akane-san wrote a new piece, and it was a great relief to see my past self overflowing in it.

So, in the end, it might have been for myself.

Still, I hope it reaches you. And I hope I can draw someday.

Until then, sleep well, I love you.

【Akane Chihaya】

Kiriko Nananan's works are indispensable when I look back on my twenties.

Even though she has passed away, that fact remains unchanged.

However, I am also devastated by the fact that I can no longer read new works by Nananan, and I didn't know how to mourn her death.

This time, Ozaki-san created the song "Itowashii Love" and asked me to write something, and I finally felt like I could face my own feelings.

I loved the depiction of human helplessness, the unrequited nature of love, and the gentle gaze watching over it in Nananan's works.

And I wanted to read more, much more, of her works.

When I read her works, I picture the urban river that continues to flow, even when it's murky or polluted.

I tried to capture that imagery in a short story.

Please pay attention to the collaboration between Sekaikan Ozaki and Akane Chihaya.

"Inu mo Kuwanai" (Shinchosha Bunko) Book Description

Fuku, a dispatch secretary, bumps into Daisuke, a waste disposal worker, at a building where she accompanied her employer. Enraged by his insolent attitude and lack of apology, Fuku unleashes a torrent of insults, and Daisuke retorts with a single word... This is how their worst encounter began. His body taking up half the bed is a nuisance, and his hair, smelling of the same shampoo, is full of bedhead. This collaborative novel depicts the true feelings of a relationship that is full of arguments and lacks appeal, far from the "likes" of others, from both male and female perspectives.

Author Introduction

Sekaikan Ozaki (Ozaki Sekaikan)

Born in Tokyo in 1984. Vocalist and guitarist for the rock band "CreepHyp," formed in 2001. Made his major debut in 2012 with the album "Shinun made Isshou Aisareteru to Omotte ta yo." In 2016, he published his first novel "Yuusuke," which became a topic of conversation. In 2020, "Omokage" and in 2024, "Ten no Koe" were nominated for the Akutagawa Prize. Other works include "Kujuu 100%," "Kujuu 200%," "Nakitaku Naru Hodo Ureshii Hibi ni," and "Ozaki Sekaikan no Kakana katta Koto Nikki." His lyric collections include "Shigo to."

Akane Chihaya (Chihaya Akane)

Born in Hokkaido in 1979. Graduated from Ritsumeikan University. Spent her childhood in Zambia. Debuted in 2008 with "Iogami," which won the Subaru New Writer Prize for Fiction. In 2009, "Iogami" won the Izumi Kyoka Prize for Literature. In 2013, "Atokata" won the Shima Kiyoshi Love Literature Prize. In 2021, "Toumei na Yoru no Kaori" won the Junichi Watanabe Literary Prize. In 2023, "Shirogane no Ha" won the Naoki Prize. Other novels include "Otomodachi," "Closet," "Griffith no Kizu," and "Kaminari to Hashiru." Her essay series include "Warui Tabemono." Her latest book is "Ikusuru Hone no Kaori."

Book Data

【Title】"Inu mo Kuwanai"

【Authors】Sekaikan Ozaki, Akane Chihaya

【Release Date】December 23, 2022

【Format】Paperback, E-book

【Price】693 yen (tax included)

【ISBN】978-4-10-104451-4

【URL】https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/104451/