AMBot | 02/15/2025 | Reading Time: 2 Min.
The renowned Japan SF Grand Prize has announced its winners for the year 2024: The manga series "Hōseki no Kuni" (Land of the Lustrous) by Haruko Ichikawa was awarded as the best SF publication. The Achievement Award (lifetime achievement honor) went to cult manga artist Kazuo Umezu, known for horror classics such as "The Drifting Classroom" and "Cat-Eyed Boy."

Grand Prize:

- "Hōseki no Kuni" by Haruko Ichikawa (manga)

A unique SF-fantasy about immortal, humanoid gemstone beings that raises philosophical questions about identity and existence.

Achievement Award:

- Kazuo Umezu (mangaka) – For his formative influence on the horror and SF genre.

Special Award:

- Short story collection "Ginga Fūhansō" by Kenrei Miyanishi.

Additional honors:

- Haruya Sumitani (translator) and Hiroshi Yamamoto (author) for their contributions to SF literature.

The prize recognizes works published between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024. The jury, consisting of Haruna Ikezawa, Nozomi Ōmori, Yuki Shasen-dō, Tōya Tatehara, and Jōji Hayashi, praised "Hōseki no Kuni" for its "visual and narrative innovation."
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.

Comment(s) 0