Title: A Shinjuku Jump Beneath the Neon Sky
Subtitle: An LGBTQ+ Light Novel of Friendship, Secrets, and Identity
Series: Japanesque
Author: Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa
This novel perhaps embodies the core themes more intensely than ever, starting with a dramatic inciting incident that sets it apart. When Yuta, a young newhalf hostess, takes a devastating fall from a Shinjuku building, his closest friends are thrown into turmoil. Was it suicide, born from the despair of a broken heart and struggles with identity? Or was it something more sinister?
This question launches our protagonist, Haruka – the endearingly earnest househusband to his formidable lawyer wife, Daichi – into a reluctant undercover mission. He must infiltrate the glittering world of the newhalf club where Yuta worked, forcing him (much to his chagrin and Daichi’s amusement) back into dresses and heels. The story unfolds through Haruka’s eyes, blending his investigation with poignant flashbacks revealing the deep history and shared secrets of their six-person friend group, stretching back to a fateful encounter in sixth grade.
A Shinjuku Jump features the unconventional M/F dynamic between Haruka and Daichi, explores the poignant journey of Yuta and his girlfriend Yuuki as they navigate Yuta’s transition, and highlights the fierce loyalty (and complex dynamics) within the core four friends who share a pivotal secret. It balances the light novel style – the banter, the character archetypes, the moments of levity – with a serious handling of mature themes, including suicide attempt and sexual assault (please be mindful of content warnings).
It’s a story about uncovering truth, confronting prejudice, understanding the multifaceted nature of identity, and finding love and acceptance in unexpected forms. If you’re ready for a journey into the heart of Tokyo’s hidden worlds, filled with friendship, secrets, danger, and a unique exploration of gender and love, I invite you to discover A Shinjuku Jump Beneath the Neon Sky.