One Million Sold in Two Months: Wani Books' "The Homeless Junior High School Student"

Hiroshi Tamura, member of the comedy duo "Kirin," has composed his maiden novel, an autobiography of the impoverished life of his childhood entitled
"The Homeless Junior High School Student" (Wani Books). The twelfth printing of 200,000 on November 7 came barely two months after the first printing in early September, in record time, and Wani Books' first million seller.
The book generated lively activity immediately after going on sale, and the buzz among agencies and companies was that this is "not typical." At present, with talk of a possible TV drama or movie screen adaptation, bookstore operations have been stepped up in an effort to obtain a partnership which will allow for extended development.
The first printing was limited to 20,000, but after the book was introduced on one TV program after another, the publicity led to an increase in sales. By the second month, it had hit the one million mark.
After NHK introduced "The Homeless Junior High School Student" on a morning show on October 26, readership suddenly expanded in both age range and area. The content is interesting, but it is much more than simply a brilliant book; it is a book with impact.


*Some of the book titles are tentative translations.
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