Masayuki Wakabayashi, a comedian from the duo Audrey, has been nominated for the 175th Naoki Prize for his first novel, "Seiten" [1, 2].
The nomination marks a significant crossover from the entertainment industry into Japan's prestigious literary world. The Naoki Prize is one of the most coveted awards for popular fiction in the country, and a nomination for a debut author who is primarily known as a comedian is a rare achievement.
Published by Bungeishunju on Feb. 20, 2026 [4], "Seiten" focuses on the struggles of a high school senior in a struggling American football program [2]. The title is derived from a specific football term describing the moment a player is tackled and lands flat on their back—an experience Wakabayashi describes as a moment of great humiliation from his own high school sports days [2].
Wakabayashi, 47 [5], said the story was born from his passion for the sport. "I wrote this work because I love American football and was completely absorbed in it, so I never imagined it would be selected as a candidate for the Naoki Prize," he said [1].
There are five works in total nominated for this cycle of the prize [1]. The selection committee will meet to decide the winner on July 15, 2026 [3].
Reflecting on the protagonist's journey, Wakabayashi said, "The protagonist, Ari, has run much further and more powerfully than I imagined. I feel like I am watching his back and thinking, 'Go ahead and crash right into the Naoki Prize.'" [1]
Earlier, upon the book's release, Wakabayashi said he wrote the novel with a sense of excitement [6].
“"I never imagined it would be selected as a candidate for the Naoki Prize."”
This nomination underscores a growing trend of Japanese celebrities transitioning into serious literature, where personal trauma and niche sporting experiences are used to bridge the gap between mass entertainment and critical literary acclaim. By anchoring his debut in the specific physical and emotional vulnerability of American football, Wakabayashi has successfully transitioned from a comedic persona to a narrative voice capable of capturing the 'youth and conflict' recognized by the Naoki Prize committee.
