Hase Seishū

2.1. Birth, Name, and Family

Hase Seishū was born on February 18, 1965, in Hokkaido, Japan. His real name is 坂東 齢人_{Toshihito Bandō}^Japanese. His pen name, "Hase Seishū," is derived from the name of Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Stephen Chow (周星馳), by reversing the characters and rendering them in Japanese. His family background had a notable political dimension: both of his parents were members of the Japanese Communist Party. His father served as a local councilor in Urakawa Town, while his mother was a teacher. Notably, his real given name, Toshihito (齢人), is said to have been derived from Vladimir Lenin, reflecting his parents' political leanings. As a child, Hase even assisted with the delivery of the Sunday edition of *Akahata*, the official newspaper of the Japanese Communist Party. He has stated that he has never abstained from voting in elections.

2.2. Education and Early Career

Hase Seishū attended Tomakomai Higashi High School before graduating from Yokohama City University's Faculty of Letters and Science in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his university years, he worked part-time as a bartender at "Midnight Plus 1," a bar in Shinjuku Golden Gai owned by comedian Naito Chin. After his graduation, he started his professional career as an editor for Keibunsha's adult novel imprint, "Green Door Bunko." He later transitioned into a freelance game writer, contributing articles to game magazines such as *Popcom* (published by Shogakukan). Following his departure from Keibunsha, he was invited by a *Popcom* associate editor to write game articles, for which he purchased an NEC PC-9821RX computer with his severance pay. He was particularly fond of the game *Princess Maker*, and even serialized a column titled "Lenin's Parenting Diary" in *Popcom*. In addition to his game writing, Hase also worked as a literary critic, primarily focusing on mystery and adventure novels, under his real name, Toshihito Bandō, for publications like *Hon no Zasshi* (Book Magazine). He also wrote wrestling and game critiques using various pen names, including 古神陸_{Riku Kogami}^Japanese, 佐山アキラ_{Akira Sayama}^Japanese, and レーニン_Lenin^Japanese. His official debut as a novelist for general fiction came in August 1996 with *Fuyajo*.

3.1. Debut and Literary Style

Hase Seishū made his official debut as a novelist in August 1996 with *Fuyajo* (Sleepless Town), a novel that quickly became a bestseller. The book depicted a conflict among Chinese mafia groups in Shinjuku Kabukicho, involving Japanese-Chinese protagonists. His literary style is predominantly rooted in the noir fiction genre, characterized by dark narratives, moral ambiguity, and often pessimistic themes. A central element in his stories is the emphasis on schemes, conspiracy, and betrayal, which serve as the primary drivers of the plot. His works predominantly feature characters from the underworld, such as foreign mafia members, yakuza, and juvenile delinquents. However, he also explores the lives of ordinary people who find themselves trapped in suffocating daily routines or caught in the harsh realities of society.

3.2. Literary Themes and Philosophy

Hase Seishū's works consistently explore profound and often dark literary themes. He frequently addresses societal injustices, exposing the darker aspects of human nature and the complexities of morality in a harsh world. His narratives often depict the isolated lives of ordinary individuals struggling to survive and maintain their humanity amidst challenging circumstances. Beyond crime and underworld settings, he has also tackled larger global issues such as terrorism and war, reflecting a broader social critical perspective.
From a philosophical standpoint, Hase is critical of economic supremacy in Japan, expressing a dislike for the way Japanese society prioritizes economic gain above all else. He holds a critical view of younger generations, particularly their perceived tendency to abandon part-time jobs without sufficient reason, attributing this to being overly coddled. Despite this, he empathizes with those who feel suffocated by the rigid structures of society. He also harbors a desire to write novels set in Okinawa during the Shōwa period, believing that the era contributed to significant societal problems. This desire materialized with the publication of Mirokuyo (World of Maitreya) three years later, which is set in Okinawa. He has stated that he chose not to have children, feeling that he would not be a good parent and observing that too many people have children without sufficient consideration. He believes that he remains one of the few Japanese authors consciously writing in the noir fiction genre.

3.3. Influences and Inspirations

Hase Seishū openly acknowledges the literary figures who have influenced his work. He expresses deep respect for Japanese authors Futaro Yamada and Haruhiko Oyabu, both known for their distinctive styles in adventure and mystery fiction. His favorite book is *White Jazz* by American crime novelist James Ellroy, a prominent work within the noir fiction genre.
His childhood reading experiences also significantly shaped his literary world. He has cited *Devilman* and *A Dog of Flanders* as works that profoundly impacted him. He recalled being particularly shocked by the tragic endings of these stories, which defied his expectations for happy resolutions, a formative experience that likely contributed to the darker, more realistic tone of his own fiction.

4.1. Novels

Hase Seishū has published a prolific collection of novels, many of which are part of series or explore a consistent set of themes.

4.2. Essays and Other Non-fiction

Beyond his novels, Hase Seishū has written extensively in non-fiction, including essays on various subjects, literary criticism, and game criticism.

4.3. Interviews and Conversations

Hase Seishū has engaged in various dialogues and interviews that offer insights into his perspectives:

• Shūkyū Chūdoku (Soccer Junkie) Kaneko Tatsuhito (Soccer Junkie: Tatsuhito Kaneko) (1998, Bungeishunjū / 2001, Bunshun Bunko) - A conversation with Tatsuhito Kaneko.
• Yomigaeru Yajū: Ōyabu Haruhiko no Sekai (The Revived Beast: The World of Haruhiko Ōyabu) (1999, Tokuma Shoten) - Exploring the works of Haruhiko Ōyabu.
• VS. Hase Seishū: Top Athlete Taidan-shū (VS. Hase Seishū: Top Athlete Interview Collection) (2009, Aspect) - A collection of interviews with top athletes.

5.1. Awards

• 1997: Won the 18th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers for Fuyajo.
• 1997: Won the 15th Japan Adventure Fiction Association Award (Domestic Division) for Fuyajo.
• 1998: Won the 51st Japan Mystery Writers Award (Long Story Division) for Requiem: Fuyajo II.
• 1999: Won the 1st Haruhiko Oyabu Award for The City of Lost Souls.
• 2020: Won the 163rd Naoki Prize for A Boy and Dog.

5.2. Nominations

Hase Seishū has been a recurring nominee for major Japanese literary awards.

• 1997: Nominated for the 116th Naoki Prize for Fuyajo.
• 1999: Nominated for the 120th Naoki Prize for Yakochu.
• 2000: Nominated for the 122nd Naoki Prize for M.
• 2002: Nominated for the 15th Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize for Dark Moon.
• 2004: Nominated for the 130th Naoki Prize for Seitansai.
• 2007: Nominated for the 138th Naoki Prize for Yakusoku no Chi de.
• 2015: Nominated for the 153rd Naoki Prize for Untouchable.

His eventual win of the Naoki Prize in 2020 came after seven nominations, a testament to his persistent presence in the Japanese literary scene.

6.1. Film and Manga Adaptations

• Sleepless Town (based on Fuyajo): Released on June 27, 1998, distributed by Toei and Asmik Ace. Directed by Lee Chi-ngai, starring Takeshi Kaneshiro and Mirai Yamamoto.
• The City of Lost Souls (based on Hyoryugai): Released on November 11, 2000, distributed by Toho. Directed by Takashi Miike, starring TEAH and Michelle Reis, with theme songs "NIGHTMARE" and "FINALE" by SADS.
• M (based on M): Released on September 15, 2007, distributed by Happinet. Directed by Ryuichi Hiroki, starring Mion and Kengo Kora.
• A Boy and Dog (based on Shonen to Inu): Scheduled for release in 2025, distributed by Toho. Directed by Takahisa Zeze, starring Fumiya Takahashi and Nanase Nishino.

His novel Fuyajo was also adapted into a manga series by Yamamoto Atsushi in June 1998, published by Kadokawa Comics Ace.

6.2. Video Game Collaborations

Hase Seishū has played a significant role in the video game industry.

• Yakuza (2005, Sega): He served as the scenario supervisor for this highly acclaimed video game.
• Yakuza 2 (2006, Sega): He also supervised the scenario for the sequel. Hase had no involvement with later entries in the *Yakuza* series.
• Ultimate Blade (1995, Popcom Soft): He provided the original story for this PC game.

7.1. Family and Lifestyle

Hase Seishū is married, with their wedding anniversary on November 11. He has chosen not to have children, explaining that he believes he would not be a good parent and feels that many people have children too casually. The protagonist of his novel Amefuru Mori no Inu was modeled after his niece. He was deeply attached to his pet dog, Margie, a Bernese Mountain Dog. For Margie's well-being, he purchased a villa in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Following Margie's passing, he relocated permanently to Karuizawa. He frequently shares updates on his life there through his blog.

7.2. Hobbies and Interests

Hase Seishū enjoys a diverse range of hobbies and interests:

• Cigars**: He is a passionate cigar enthusiast. From 2005, he serialized a column titled "My Style Cigar Reader" in *Monthly Playboy*, which was later compiled and published as a book.
• Soccer**: He is an avid soccer fan, with Spain being his favorite country.
• Photography**: He also enjoys photography and sometimes posts his own photos online under a pen name.
• Punk Rock**: A fan of punk rock music, he particularly holds the Japanese band Blankey Jet City in high regard.
• Horse Racing**: He is well-known for his strong interest in the racehorse Stay Gold and its lineage. He even serialized a novel titled "Ogon Ryotei" (Golden Journey) in *Shosetsu Subaru*, which was based on Stay Gold (whose name translates to "Golden Journey" in Japanese). He started his Twitter account to share the joy of horse racing victories with others beyond his wife.

9.1. Overall Reception

Hase Seishū's novels are widely recognized for their dark themes, often revolving around intricate schemes, betrayals, and the harsh realities of the underworld. He is known for crafting compelling narratives that explore the psychological depths of his characters, whether they are hardened criminals or ordinary individuals facing dire circumstances. He has stated that he believes he is still the only Japanese writer who consciously writes in the noir fiction genre, underscoring his dedication to and unique approach within this literary style. His consistent focus on dark themes and exploration of human nature's more sinister aspects have carved out a distinctive niche for him.

9.2. Social and Cultural Impact

Hase Seishū's work has had a significant impact on Japanese literature, particularly within the noir fiction and crime genres. His ability to craft compelling narratives with complex characters and intricate plots has influenced subsequent writers in the field. Beyond literature, his contributions extend to the video game industry, where his role as scenario supervisor for the *Yakuza* series significantly shaped the narrative depth and tone of these highly popular games. His work has contributed to the broader cultural understanding and depiction of the Japanese underworld and societal challenges.