“Japanesque” series

The Phantom of Ukraine Translating “The Phantom of Ukraine” from Japanese to English was both a challenging and rewarding experience. The novel’s intricate plot, cultural nuances, and emotional depth required careful adaptation. Working with AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepL helped maintain the story’s authenticity while ensuring it resonated with a global audience. This process … Read more

The Phantom of Ukraine What does it mean to truly know yourself? In “The Phantom of Ukraine”, Yuji Kurosawa is forced to abandon his identity and assume another’s, all to survive a harrowing ordeal. But this isn’t just an identity thriller; it’s a story about resilience, transformation, and the human capacity to adapt. Yuji’s journey—from … Read more

The Phantom of Ukraine “The Phantom of Ukraine” was a labor of love born from my fascination with identity, geopolitics, and the human spirit. The story began as a simple “what if” scenario: What happens when someone is thrust into a life they never chose, in the midst of global chaos? Inspired by real-world events … Read more

The Great Reformation From Boy to Girl: Writing Miruku’s Journey Miruku Sugimura is not just the protagonist of The Great Reformation—he is its heart. When I began writing Miruku’s story, I wanted to create a character who would challenge traditional ideas of identity and strength. At the start of the novel, Miruku is a confident … Read more

The Great Reformation What If the World Changed Overnight? The Great Reformation dares to ask: What happens when society’s foundations are shaken to their core? In this novel, I explore themes of gender, intelligence, power, and the human spirit. When an unknown virus begins to shift the balance of intelligence and capability between men and … Read more

The Great Reformation The Story Behind The Great Reformation: Redefining Gender and Power What inspired The Great Reformation? When I first began writing this novel in Japanese, I wanted to challenge the most fundamental aspects of society: our understanding of identity and power. What if the dynamics of dominance and submission were reversed? What if … Read more

The Lost Man If you’re looking for a novel that challenges your ideas about gender, identity, and societal roles, The Lost Man is a must-read. Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa’s intimate storytelling takes you deep into the psyche of Naoki Hamaguchi, a man whose life is upended by forces beyond his control. But this isn’t just a … Read more

The Lost Man In a world where power dynamics are often tied to gender and societal expectations, The Lost Man flips the script. Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa masterfully explores what happens when traditional roles are reversed, and a man is thrust into a position of submission. But this isn’t just a story of demotion; it’s a … Read more

What happens when everything you’ve worked for — your career, your relationships, your identity — is stripped away in an instant? Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa’s The Lost Man takes us on a journey into the heart of vulnerability and resilience. Naoki Hamaguchi’s story isn’t just about corporate ambition gone awry; it’s about confronting who we are … Read more

Metropolitan Metamorphosis Introducing Metropolitan Metamorphosis: A Story of Love, Resilience, and Identity What happens when life leaves you with nothing but hope? Metropolitan Metamorphosis follows the journey of Kurumi Hiiragi, a young man who loses everything after an earthquake and endures homelessness in the bustling heart of Tokyo. Forced to reinvent himself to survive, Kurumi … Read more