Decades after his death, the works of Japanese author Osamu Dazai are seeing a surge in popularity among young readers, fueled by social media and an anime series.
Key facts
- •Osamu Dazai died by suicide in 1948 at the age of 38.
- •No Longer Human has sold more than 75,000 copies in the UK.
- •The 2016 anime series Bungo Stray Dogs is credited with significantly boosting Dazai's book sales.
- •New Directions reported annual sales reaching approximately 150,000 copies at the height of the anime's popularity.
- •Penguin Classics is publishing the first UK edition of Schoolgirl, a collection of Dazai's short stories.
The works of Japanese author Osamu Dazai, who died in 1948, have experienced a significant rise in international sales. His novel No Longer Human has sold over 75,000 copies in the UK alone. Penguin Classics is now releasing the first UK edition of his short story collection, Schoolgirl, marking the first time his work has been published in the UK in nearly 70 years.
By the numbers
Drivers of Modern Popularity
Dazai’s resurgence is attributed in part to the 2016 anime series Bungo Stray Dogs, which features a fictionalized version of the author. Following the show's 2018 release in the United States, publisher New Directions reported that annual sales of Dazai's books jumped from dozens or hundreds to as many as 150,000 copies. The author has also gained a following on platforms like Reddit and TikTok, where younger readers connect with the themes of nihilism and despair in his writing.
Literary Style and Legacy
While often associated with bleak, semi-autobiographical themes of alienation, Dazai’s work also includes playful and self-mocking elements. Translator Polly Barton notes that Dazai is considered one of the 'big three' fathers of modern Japanese literature. His upcoming collection, Schoolgirl, features stories written from female perspectives, with the title story based on the diary of a 19-year-old girl sent to the author.
Timeline
- 1948Osamu Dazai died by suicide shortly after completing No Longer Human.
- 2016The anime series Bungo Stray Dogs, featuring a character based on Dazai, was released.
- 2018Bungo Stray Dogs was released in the United States, leading to a surge in Dazai's book sales.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Culture.
