This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. No Longer Human

   

   The narrative delves into the life of a troubled man who feels disconnected from society, viewing himself as fundamentally different from those around him. Through a series of notebooks, he recounts his life story, detailing his struggles with alienation, social anxiety, and a deep sense of personal inadequacy. As he grapples with his own identity and the expectations of others, his journey is marked by failed relationships, substance abuse, and an ongoing battle with his inner demons. The protagonist's quest for understanding and his inability to find his place in the world ultimately lead him down a dark and self-destructive path, reflecting a poignant exploration of the human condition and the difficulty of truly connecting with others.

   The 1719th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. The Setting Sun

   

   The novel explores the decline of an aristocratic family in post-World War II Japan through the eyes of Kazuko, a young woman struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing society. As she witnesses the disintegration of her family's traditional values and status, Kazuko grapples with her own identity and the harsh realities of a modernizing world. The story delves into themes of existential despair, societal transformation, and the search for meaning amidst the ruins of a once-glorious past.

   The 15854th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Schoolgirl

   

   Set in pre-war Japan, this introspective narrative delves into the mind of a teenage girl as she navigates the complexities of adolescence. Through her stream-of-consciousness reflections, readers are offered a glimpse into her daily life, filled with mundane routines and fleeting moments of beauty. Her thoughts oscillate between the trivial and the profound, capturing her inner turmoil, dreams, and desires. The story paints a vivid portrait of youth, capturing the universal struggle of finding one's identity amidst societal expectations and personal aspirations.

   The 16754th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. 兄たち [Anitachi]

   

   The book explores the complex dynamics of familial relationships through the lens of a younger brother observing his older siblings. Set in post-war Japan, it delves into themes of admiration, rivalry, and the struggle for identity within the family unit. The narrative captures the protagonist's internal conflicts and emotional turmoil as he navigates the expectations and pressures imposed by his brothers, ultimately reflecting on the nature of brotherhood and personal growth amidst societal changes.
5. 5. öğrenci Kız

   

   Set in the tumultuous period of post-war Japan, the narrative delves into the life of a young female student grappling with the complexities of identity, societal expectations, and personal aspirations. Through her introspective journey, she navigates the challenges of academic pressures, familial responsibilities, and the pursuit of self-discovery. The story poignantly captures the essence of youth caught between tradition and modernity, highlighting the universal struggle for autonomy and meaning in a rapidly changing world.

6. 6. The Flowers Of Buffoonery

   

   After surviving a failed double suicide, a young man recuperates in a seaside sanatorium where visits from wayward friends and a devoted young woman dissolve into antic banter and booze-soaked mischief. An intrusive, self-mocking narrator keeps breaking in to comment on the act of storytelling, turning the recovery into a playful yet uneasy performance. Balancing farce and bleakness, the tale probes shame, guilt, and the desperate use of humor to ward off despair.

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7. 7. No One Knows

   

   A young narrator grapples with the confusing, painful transition from innocence to experience, observing the hypocrisies and quiet tragedies of the adults around him while confronting his own burgeoning self-awareness. Through vignettes that blend melancholy with wry humor, he reflects on shame, isolation, and the elusive search for authenticity, revealing how small humiliations and fleeting connections shape an inner life that feels both intensely personal and universally human.

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8. 8. The Beggar Student

   

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9. 9. Self Portraits

   

   A collection of semi-autobiographical stories that chart a restless outsider’s slide between mordant humor and despair as he navigates family expectations, bohemian drift, romantic entanglements, addiction, and the shadow of war. With confessional candor and biting irony, these portraits examine the masks of selfhood and the longing to belong, revealing a life oscillating between performance and self-destruction.

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10. 10. Otogizōshi

    

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11. 11. Demoni Chipeși și Tutun

    

12. 12. 인간 실격

    

    한 남자의 자전적 기록 형식을 빌려, 사회와 자신의 내면 사이에서 깊은 소외감을 느끼며 가면을 쓰고 살아가는 주인공의 고백을 담는다. 어린 시절의 상처와 대인관계의 실패, 술과 약물에 의존하는 자기파괴, 사랑과 배신을 거치며 점점 무너지는 자아를 따라가며 ‘인간으로서의 자격’을 상실했다고 느끼는 절망과 수치심, 삶을 포기하려는 충동까지 예리하고 비통하게 그려 낸다.