Comedian Wakabayashi Masayasu has been named a candidate for the 175th Naoki Prize for his debut novel, "Aoten" [1].
The nomination marks a rare crossover between Japan's mainstream entertainment industry and its most rigorous literary circles. The Naoki Prize is one of the country's most prestigious awards for popular fiction, and the inclusion of a high-profile comedian suggests a widening of the literary establishment's scope.
Wakabayashi, 47 [1], is a member of the comedy duo "Audrey" [1]. His novel "Aoten" is a coming-of-age story centered on the sport of U.S. football [2]. The work was judged to have sufficient literary merit to be included on the shortlist, which was released on June 10, 2026 [3].
Wakabayashi is one of five authors nominated for the prize [1]. The other candidates include Kasumi Asakura, Megumi Semitani, Yu Nagira, and Haruka Harada [3]. The shortlist announcement coincided with the release of the candidates for the 175th Akutagawa Prize [1].
The final selection process will take place in Tokyo [3]. A selection meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2026 [3], where the judges will determine the winner of the award.
While some reports varied regarding the edition number of the awards, the primary sources confirm this as the 175th cycle [1]. The nomination of a debut novelist from a non-literary background often generates significant public interest in the Japanese publishing market.
“Wakabayashi, 47, is a member of the comedy duo 'Audrey'”
The nomination of Wakabayashi Masayasu reflects a growing trend of 'celebrity' authors gaining legitimacy within traditional Japanese literary institutions. By shortlisting a comedian's debut novel, the Naoki Prize committee acknowledges that narrative quality can emerge from outside the professional writing class, potentially increasing the award's reach among younger, non-traditional readers.
