[A New Frontier by the Eccentric Genius Whose Every Work is a 'Problem Work'] Binta Otaki's 'The Whistler and the Music Dog' (Shogakukan) to be Published on June 10th!

Binta Otaki, the eccentric genius who shook the industry in 2023 with the unconventional orthodox mystery 'Don't Solve That Mystery' (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha) and impressed core literary fans and readers in 2026 with the short story collection 'The Equation in Full Bloom' (Kawade Shobo Shinsha) that connects modern literature and SF with extraordinary skill.

Shogakukan will publish the latest work by this emerging author, whose every published work is a 'problem work,' titled 'The Whistler and the Music Dog.'

This is a full-length novel that has been significantly expanded from its serialization in 'STORY BOX' and took three years to complete!

A story of three geniuses challenging the World Whistling Competition

Aki, an aspiring composer who can play any instrument, and Haruna, who tries to carve out her world with her whistle. The two meet on the campus of Tokyo University of the Arts and challenge the World Whistling Competition—an international competition for an instrument everyone knows but is extremely niche. Music spanning genres from classical to J-POP, film music, and even Vocaloid is performed there.

'I'll make you believe in this instrument, even just a little.'

Guided by Haruna's words, Aki tries to make up his mind as a musician. However, the appearance of the previous tournament champion, who harbors his own ambitions, sends the story in an unexpected direction...

The novel features a wide variety of song selections and, of course, the spectacular performance scenes that are the heart of a music novel. It also weaves a grand narrative where modern young people resonate with musicians from 100 years ago, a story befitting the 'unconventional' author.

Please enjoy this completely new kind of music novel.

From the Author

'A music novel' was an aspiration, a dream, and a destiny.

When I was a student, there was a period when I did nothing but music, and writing this novel brought back many memories of that time.

Please live through this youth 'cursed' by music and talent together with me!

From the Editor in Charge

Is this a youth novel, or something else? This is a novel that takes readers to a place they would never reach just by reading the synopsis!

Recommendation Comments

The walls, worries, and 'curses' that aspiring musicians face are depicted so realistically that it felt like he was talking about me. To put it bluntly, it was a work that gave me the sensation and experience of 'feeling sick from the sheer realism.'

However, precisely because of that, I found myself sincerely cheering for the characters as they gradually move forward while gaining various insights in this story.

Musicians are cursed. But they are not unhappy.

(World Whistling Champion, Romu Aoyagi)

Binta Otaki blows a big lie with his whistle.

His sound, full of ambition and cunning,

resonates even with unspoken prayers.

(Author, Hisashi Ashizawa)

The chaos of youth and the maturity from talent have come together in a head-on tag team, showering us with musical notes. It was emotionally stirring to see how people who mastered sound across the ages were captivated by a primal tone, and how their talents converged. The difficulty and preciousness of sharing sensations, the inner conflicts of geniuses, and the emptiness after 'being able to do it' were all carefully depicted, and I enjoyed reading all of it.

(Sasaki Chikako, Miraiya Shoten Iruma store)

Just how many tricks does Binta Otaki have up his sleeve?

I take my hat off to the author's ability to turn such a familiar subject as whistling into such a profound entertainment work.

(Tetsuya Inoue, Executive Committee Member of the Kyoto Short Mystery Newcomer Award)

Other Praise Comments (NetGalley Reviewers)

・As the characters interact with the whistling community through the competition, the whistler becomes 'someone who loves to whistle,' and the encounter with whistling becomes a trigger for breaking out of their shell. I found the relationship between composer and performer to be very dramatic. - From Ms. Reiko Morita

・A musical youth story that brings beautiful scenes to life. - From Mr. Kunihiro Kono

・The joy of playing an instrument, the pleasure of being listened to, and the time spent with friends and teachers. This is a story overflowing with freshness, truly packed with youth. It was the best! - From Ms. Midori Saraiya

・I want not only people who play music but everyone to read this. It's a masterpiece! - From Ms. Yuki Tanaka

・You can hear the sounds beyond the musical score echoing between the lines. - From Ms. Fran

'The Whistler and the Music Dog'

By Binta Otaki

Price: 2,310 yen (tax included)

320 pages, 46-size format, softcover

Published June 10, 2026, by Shogakukan

Cover Design: Itea Oshima

Cover Illustration: yasuo-range

ISBN: 978-4-09-386792-4

https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09386792

[Author Profile]

Binta Otaki... Author. Born in 1986. Hails from Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Won the 1st Awa Shirasagi Literary Prize in 2018. Debuted the same year with the short story 'Invitation Laughter' published in the literary magazine 'Taberu no ga Osoi.' Novels include 'Don't Solve That Mystery' and 'The Equation in Full Bloom,' and criticism includes 'The Scientific Way of Reading.'

Photo: Shin Ito

Collaborative Performance Event with World Whistling Champion Also Confirmed!

Date and Time: July 5, 2026 (Sunday), 7:00 PM

Venue: Bookstore B&B

2-36-15 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, BONUS TRACK 2

https://bookandbeer.com/

A talk live show will be held at the Shimokitazawa bookstore B&B with Romu Aoyagi, who actually participated in the world whistling competition that is the setting of this novel and became the youngest Japanese male to win the Grand Champion title.

A special night where a novelist and a whistler will talk, moving between fiction and reality, and perhaps even a collaborative performance by the two! It's a night that can be enjoyed by those who have read the novel and those who are yet to read it. Don't miss it!

For more details, please see here!

https://bookandbeer.com/event/20260705_nvv/

Romu Aoyagi... World Whistling Champion. Graduated from the Department of Music Environment Creation at Tokyo University of the Arts, and completed a master's degree at the same university's Graduate School of Music. Studied music production, music education, and vocal techniques while in school. Made his debut at the 41st International Whistling Competition IWC2014, becoming the youngest Japanese male to become a Grand Champion. In 2017, he won the 1st Mezamashi Classics Super Technique Championship by participating with a whistle. As a studio musician, he has participated in recording various background music, including for the NHK morning drama 'Toto Neechan.' He is widely exploring new possibilities for the whistle, such as using live electronics and forming the unit 'AOI' with a shamisen and piano.