Shigeaki Kato, a member of the three-person group NEWS and an accomplished novelist, has completed his masterpiece novel Miacis Symphony (published by Magazine House), a story centered on “love” that took nearly seven years to craft since its serialization began, and is set to release on February 26 next year.
The novel is an expansion and reimagining of a serialized story originally published intermittently over 16 installments in the gravure weekly magazine anan from 2018 to 2022. This work, crafted over nearly seven years, explores the theme of “love” through the growth and perspective of Shigeaki as both a writer and a person.
The title Miacis refers to the ancestor of dogs and cats. Just as countless species evolved and diverged from Miacis, the novel introduces a diverse range of characters: a girl who can only share her true feelings with a stuffed toy, a serious-minded university professor, a lawyer insecure about human relationships, and a chef harboring mysterious secrets.
Set in everyday locations like a university and a traditional Japanese restaurant, the novel weaves together scenes from various perspectives, bringing the characters’ lives to intersect in unexpected ways. These individual stories converge around a central figure, forming a grand symphony that reflects on what it truly means to “love.”
This highly anticipated novel has received numerous requests for a book adaptation from readers since its serialization. To celebrate the release, an official website has been launched within anan’s online platform, featuring visuals of Shigeaki tied to the novel. Additionally, an official X account (@miacis_symphony) has been created to share updates.
Comment from Shigeaki Kato
“The serialization of Miacis Symphony began in April 2018. It has taken almost seven years to bring this work to publication, making it the most time-consuming project of my writing career. During this period, the world, society, and my own life—both as an individual and as a writer—have gone through countless changes.
Even after the serialization ended, I continued revising, unsure of what I wanted to say or how I should say it. There were moments when I doubted whether I could ever finish. However, one day, I thought to myself: perhaps it’s okay to conclude the story with my uncertainties intact.
I’ve always believed that novels are not answers but questions. And as I wrote, I began to feel that love—the theme of this work—is itself a question. Once I embraced this notion, the writing flowed naturally, and I was finally able to type the word ‘end.’
Now that it’s finished, I feel refreshed and filled with love. I want to shout to the sky that I’ve created something truly incredible. I’m thrilled to see how readers will interpret this ensemble drama, filled with diverse characters. This novel has taken me to a new creative frontier. I sincerely hope many people will pick it up.”
Kato’s Miacis Symphony promises to be a profound and thought-provoking work, inviting readers to reflect deeply on love and human connections.
https://ananweb.jp/premium/miacis-symphony/
Shigeaki Kato Profile
Born July 11, 1987, in Osaka Prefecture, Shigeaki Kato is a member of the idol group NEWS and a prolific author. He made his literary debut in 2012 with the novel Pink and Gray. In 2021, his novel Alternate won the Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers and the High School Students’ Naoki Prize. Both Alternate and his 2023 novel Nare no Hate were shortlisted for the prestigious Naoki Prize.
His other works include the essay collection If Possible, on a Steed. In 2022, Kato’s script for the stage play Sen, Shoku earned him a nomination for the Kishida Kunio Drama Award.
Looking ahead, Shigeaki is set to direct a short film for Mirrorliar Films Season 7 in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture, scheduled for release in 2025.
Don’t forget to check out Shigeaki’s solo songs as well! All streaming on Spotify and similar services!
Miacis Symphony © Matano Shin & Magazine House
Photography by Matano Shin, Styling by Shohei Fujinaga, Hair & Makeup by AMANO