Who is Yasutaka Tsutsui

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He's a Japanese novelist, author and actor who is one of the most famous science fiction writers in Japan!

He's won the 1981 Izumi Kyoka award, the 1987 Tanizaki Prize, the 1989 Kawabata Yasunari award, and the 1992 Japan SF award. In 1997, he was decorated as a Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.

I learned more about him when I discovered Paprika, the wonderful animated science fiction fantasy film, which is based on his 1993 novel of the same name.

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The scoop on Yasutaka Tsutsui 

You can check out his home page to learn more about him.

Yasutaka Tsutsui (?? ?? Tsutsui Yasutaka, September 24, 1934 - ) is a Japanese novelist, science fiction author, and actor born in Osaka. Along with Shinichi Hoshi and Sakyo Komatsu, he is one of the most famous science fiction writers in Japan. His Yumenokizaka bunkiten won the Tanizaki Prize in 1987. He has also won the 1981 Izumi Kyoka award, the 1989 Kawabata Yasunari award, and the 1992 Japan SF award. In 1997, he was decorated as a Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.

His work is known for its dark humour and satirical content. He has often satirized Japanese taboos such as disabilities and the Tenno system, and has been victim to much criticism as a result. From 1993 to 1996, he went on a writing-strike to protest the excessive, self-imposed restraint of Japanese publishers.

One of his first novels, Toki o Kakeru Sh?jo (1967), has been adapted into numerous media including film, television and manga. Another novel, Paprika (1993), was adapted into an animated film by the director Satoshi Kon in 2006.

Salmonella Men on Planet Porno, a collection of Tsutsui's short stories translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books (UK) in October 2006 and again by Pantheon Books (USA) in 2008.

Tsutsui's novel Hell, translated by Evan Emswiler, was published by Alma Books in October 2007.

The novel Paprika, translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books in April 2009.

More about Paprika (2006 film) 

Based on his 1993 novel ...

is a Japanese animated science fiction film, based on Yasutaka Tsutsui's 1993 novel of the same name, about a research psychologist who uses a device that permits therapists to help patients by entering their dreams.

The film was directed by Satoshi Kon, animated by Madhouse & Rainbow SPA, and produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The film's music was composed by Susumu Hirasawa, who also composed the soundtrack for Kon's award-winning film, Millennium Actress, and equally lauded television series, Paranoia Agent.

The lens on Paprika, the movie! 

It's a wonderful animated film with a beautiful musical score ...

Paprika video 

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Are you a fan of Yasutaka Tsutsui? Did you read his novel, Paprika, or see the animated film, Paprika? I'd love to hear from you!

Lensmaster

Kelly M wrote

I loved the movie! I can't wait for the novel. This is why I searched the net, to find out if it was translated yet. Thank you Andrew Driver, looking forward to it!

Reply Posted August 19, 2008

Lensmaster

Julaine wrote

Andrew, I'm so grateful you are translating Paprika. I must know the whole story! I think it's the best anime story I've seen, it is so human. It met the needs of many subconscious dreams. I dreamt a story once too (a whole different story I dreamed about quite clearly years ago), and I am all the more encouraged by the part of the story represented in the movie to continue to write it, seeing how the feeling were relayed in the scenes, how subtle and powerful. I can't wait to know the forward and backwards of an already fantastic story. Thank you for your work and to anyone involved in making it happen. I anticipate the release of the novel with great excitement!
(in California)

Reply Posted August 06, 2008

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