Kazumi Takayama
Description
Kazumi Takayama is a Japanese writer, talent, and former member of the idol group Nogizaka46, recognized as the original creator behind the novel and subsequent media adaptations of Trapezium. Born on February 8, 1994, in Chiba Prefecture, Takayama began her entertainment career in 2011 as a first-generation member of Nogizaka46, where she remained a consistently selected performer until her graduation from the group in November 2021.
Her career as a creator began during her time with the group. In January 2016, she made her literary debut with a short story titled Carry-over, published on the website of the magazine Da Vinci. Her most significant work as a creator is the novel Trapezium, which she wrote as a serialized story published in Da Vinci from April 2016 to August 2018. The complete novel was released as a single volume by Kadokawa Shoten in November 2018, with cover art by illustrator Tae. Trapezium became a commercial success, placing first in the Oricon literary book ranking upon release and selling over 250,000 copies by 2022. Prior to her novel, she also co-authored a self-help book on investing titled Investment Methods that Keep My Money Growing Even Though I'm An Idol in 2017.
The success of her original novel led to its expansion into other media. An anime film adaptation of Trapezium, produced by the studio CloverWorks and directed by Masahiro Shinohara with a screenplay by Yuko Kakihara, premiered in Japan on May 10, 2024. The film saw an international release, including in North America through Crunchyroll. A manga adaptation of the story, illustrated by Kina Kazuharu, began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's KadoComi website in February 2025. Takayama also made a cameo voice appearance in the anime film.
As a creator, Takayama’s artistic identity is closely tied to her personal history as an idol. Trapezium, a coming-of-age story about a high school girl’s ambition to become an idol by forming a group with girls from four directions, reflects an insider’s perspective on the entertainment industry. This theme of pursuing a path to stardom aligns with her own journey from an idol aspirant to a published author. Her work is noted for its detailed and realistic portrayal of the dedication and challenges involved in an idol's life. Her significance in the industry stems from her transition from a prominent pop culture figure to a commercially successful literary creator, with her debut novel spawning a major anime film and manga series. This trajectory established her as a notable example of a creator whose deep understanding of her subject matter resonated with a wide audience beyond her original fanbase.
Her career as a creator began during her time with the group. In January 2016, she made her literary debut with a short story titled Carry-over, published on the website of the magazine Da Vinci. Her most significant work as a creator is the novel Trapezium, which she wrote as a serialized story published in Da Vinci from April 2016 to August 2018. The complete novel was released as a single volume by Kadokawa Shoten in November 2018, with cover art by illustrator Tae. Trapezium became a commercial success, placing first in the Oricon literary book ranking upon release and selling over 250,000 copies by 2022. Prior to her novel, she also co-authored a self-help book on investing titled Investment Methods that Keep My Money Growing Even Though I'm An Idol in 2017.
The success of her original novel led to its expansion into other media. An anime film adaptation of Trapezium, produced by the studio CloverWorks and directed by Masahiro Shinohara with a screenplay by Yuko Kakihara, premiered in Japan on May 10, 2024. The film saw an international release, including in North America through Crunchyroll. A manga adaptation of the story, illustrated by Kina Kazuharu, began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's KadoComi website in February 2025. Takayama also made a cameo voice appearance in the anime film.
As a creator, Takayama’s artistic identity is closely tied to her personal history as an idol. Trapezium, a coming-of-age story about a high school girl’s ambition to become an idol by forming a group with girls from four directions, reflects an insider’s perspective on the entertainment industry. This theme of pursuing a path to stardom aligns with her own journey from an idol aspirant to a published author. Her work is noted for its detailed and realistic portrayal of the dedication and challenges involved in an idol's life. Her significance in the industry stems from her transition from a prominent pop culture figure to a commercially successful literary creator, with her debut novel spawning a major anime film and manga series. This trajectory established her as a notable example of a creator whose deep understanding of her subject matter resonated with a wide audience beyond her original fanbase.
Works
- Topics: Anime overview