Comedian Masayasu Wakabayashi has been named a finalist for the 175th Naoki Prize for his debut novel, "Seiten" [1].
The nomination marks a rare crossover between Japan's mainstream entertainment industry and its most prestigious literary circles. Wakabayashi, 47 [2], is a member of the popular comedy duo Audrey, and his recognition by the Japan Literary Promotion Society signals a significant critical embrace of his writing.
"Seiten" was published in February 2026 by Bungeishunju [3]. The story is a coming-of-age tale that draws directly from Wakabayashi's own experiences playing American football during high school. He describes the book as a narrative of passion and failure [4].
In an interview with FNN, Wakabayashi said he did not expect to be nominated because he wrote the piece out of a simple love for the sport. The novel has seen substantial commercial success since its release. While some reports cite 280,000 copies sold [5], other data indicates total circulation has reached 290,000 copies [6].
"Seiten is a youth story depicting the heat and frustration of a high school American football club," Wakabayashi said. He said that because he turned his own experiences directly into a novel, he hopes readers will find it relatable [4].
The novel is one of five works selected for the prize [2]. The Naoki Prize typically honors mid-career writers of popular fiction, and the inclusion of a professional comedian as a candidate highlights a shift in how the literary establishment views celebrity authors.
Wakabayashi said that the sales figures were a larger response than he had anticipated [5].
“"I didn't think I would be selected as a candidate for the Naoki Prize because I wrote it out of a love for American football."”
Wakabayashi's nomination reflects a growing trend of 'talent' writers in Japan gaining legitimate literary standing. By moving beyond the 'celebrity memoir' format and producing a work of fiction that resonates both commercially and critically, Wakabayashi challenges the traditional boundary between the variety-show entertainer and the serious novelist.
