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Red Circle Minis #7
Monkey Man
A world on the brink of disaster where children with new attitudes are awakening – some with strange new abilities. In Monkey Man, Takuji Ichikawa, one of Japan’s most imaginative, bestselling and unusual authors, pointedly challenges readers to consider how we can change the inevitable course of history and save the human race from itself.
Yuri, a 17-year-old girl, is starting in a new high school where she hopes to re-commence a normal student life. But when she witnesses an unusual classmate, Tengo, get struck by a car and walk away unscathed, she decides to reveal her secrets.
What makes Yuri special has, however, not gone unnoticed by The Complex, a shadowy organisation that has been hunting her and will not stop until they discover the source of her powers. She will need the help of Tengo and his gifted misfit friends to escape The Complex’s control and help realise the destiny of generation Alpha.
In Monkey Man, translated by Lisa and Daniel Lilley, Ichikawa creates a page-turning story about the children of tomorrow who will be called on to heal the world from spiritual and environmental decay.
Red Circle Minis: Original, Short and Compelling Reads
Monkey Man is part of Red Circle Minis, a series of short captivating books by Japan’s finest contemporary writers that brings the narratives and voices of Japan together as never before. Each book is a first edition written specifically for the series and is being published in English first.
Yuri, a 17-year-old girl, is starting in a new high school where she hopes to re-commence a normal student life. But when she witnesses an unusual classmate, Tengo, get struck by a car and walk away unscathed, she decides to reveal her secrets.
What makes Yuri special has, however, not gone unnoticed by The Complex, a shadowy organisation that has been hunting her and will not stop until they discover the source of her powers. She will need the help of Tengo and his gifted misfit friends to escape The Complex’s control and help realise the destiny of generation Alpha.
In Monkey Man, translated by Lisa and Daniel Lilley, Ichikawa creates a page-turning story about the children of tomorrow who will be called on to heal the world from spiritual and environmental decay.
Red Circle Minis: Original, Short and Compelling Reads
Monkey Man is part of Red Circle Minis, a series of short captivating books by Japan’s finest contemporary writers that brings the narratives and voices of Japan together as never before. Each book is a first edition written specifically for the series and is being published in English first.
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2021
111 people want to read
About the author
Takuji Ichikawa
30 books286 followersTakuji Ichikawa (市川拓司) is a Japanese novelist.
In 2019 Ichikawa joined the curated group of award-winning Japanese authors, Red Circle Authors.
In 2019 Ichikawa joined the curated group of award-winning Japanese authors, Red Circle Authors.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 19, 2021
4 stars.
I was so impressed by this book, especially as someone who is usually a fan of longer fiction! The pacing of this book was perfect, and there was never a moment where I was bored. Yuri and Tengo, the two main characters, were really interesting to read about and I thought that there were so many touching moments between them. I loved the dystopian/sci-fi feel of parts of this book, and teenagers with powers is certainly a concept that I always like to read about.
I did wish we could see more of Hideto and Ran, but the story did still work really well with only minor appearances from them so I enjoyed it nevertheless!
Overall, a highly enjoyable - and fairly quick! - read with a fascinating message about the progression of humanity.
I was so impressed by this book, especially as someone who is usually a fan of longer fiction! The pacing of this book was perfect, and there was never a moment where I was bored. Yuri and Tengo, the two main characters, were really interesting to read about and I thought that there were so many touching moments between them. I loved the dystopian/sci-fi feel of parts of this book, and teenagers with powers is certainly a concept that I always like to read about.
I did wish we could see more of Hideto and Ran, but the story did still work really well with only minor appearances from them so I enjoyed it nevertheless!
Overall, a highly enjoyable - and fairly quick! - read with a fascinating message about the progression of humanity.
August 18, 2021
Another wonderful book from Red Circle Authors. I've read and enjoyed other short stories from this small press ranging from historical fiction (The Chronicles of Lord Asunaro) to speculative fiction (Stand-in Companion) as well as Takuji Ichikawa's dystopian The Refugees’ Daughter. It's this imaginative, cinematic and highly imaginative book that led me to read Monkey Man by the same author.
In the not too distant future we're immersed in a world corrupted by capitalism in the grip of moral decline. In response, a new generation of children are *awakening* to superhuman abilities that will shift the balance of power. The plot revolves around Yuri, a 17-year old girl who befriends a group of similarly talented misfits fighting against corruption.
In many ways this story echoes the themes found in some of our favourite comic books, in particular Xmen, where the future relies on the altruism of a younger generation - with a few superpowers thrown in. The book also captures the essence of manga as it oscillates between the humorous and the profound. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to reflect on the fate of humanity through the lens offered by one of Japan's most talented authors.
In the not too distant future we're immersed in a world corrupted by capitalism in the grip of moral decline. In response, a new generation of children are *awakening* to superhuman abilities that will shift the balance of power. The plot revolves around Yuri, a 17-year old girl who befriends a group of similarly talented misfits fighting against corruption.
In many ways this story echoes the themes found in some of our favourite comic books, in particular Xmen, where the future relies on the altruism of a younger generation - with a few superpowers thrown in. The book also captures the essence of manga as it oscillates between the humorous and the profound. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to reflect on the fate of humanity through the lens offered by one of Japan's most talented authors.
May 7, 2022
In places the writing felt like it was heading towards Hoshino or Tawada but perhaps due to the brevity it felt like missing out on deeper development. I've seen this reviewed as a YA novella which perhaps it is. There's a lot of familiar themes referenced as it dips into a dystopian type of narrative. A companion piece to The Refugee's Daughter which I've yet to catch up with. In places it was engrossing the ending felt a little rushed, for me perhaps the stand out segment was Yuri held captive and coerced into helping the elderly man, the architect of the Complex?. an interesting addition to this series of translated fiction, the translators should be added here too?.
September 14, 2021
A very quick read of only 74 pages but the message the author has portrayed in so few pages is mind blowing.
It is full of the hope that the new generation of children can make the world a better and kinder place. If only.
It is full of the hope that the new generation of children can make the world a better and kinder place. If only.
August 30, 2021
This was an okay read but wasn't one I would read again. It was a bit too 'save the world' and science fictiony for me. I'm really not someone who reads for education, I read to escape. And I was drawn to this book initially because it's Dystopian and Japanese fiction (two things that I usually love).
It started off pretty strong and I really liked learning about Tengo and the abilities of the four teenagers, but everything outside of that didn't massively pique my interest. I do worry that things like this may have just been lost in translation, and actually if I could read Japanese and read the original, I may read it in a completely different way!
But what this book did have was friendship, trust, adventure and a bit of romance.
It started off pretty strong and I really liked learning about Tengo and the abilities of the four teenagers, but everything outside of that didn't massively pique my interest. I do worry that things like this may have just been lost in translation, and actually if I could read Japanese and read the original, I may read it in a completely different way!
But what this book did have was friendship, trust, adventure and a bit of romance.
September 29, 2021
...True to Ichikawa’s own “specialist genre”, Monkey Man is a decidedly young adult offering with all of that genre’s cliches. (It is, though, much shorter than many YA novels, weighing in at only ninety-two pages.) Its plot is predictable. The narrator, Yuri, is an every-girl who attracts an implausibly perfect young man, Tengo, and discovers she has hidden powers of her own. But Monkey Man has something classic YA dystopian novels like Feed or The Hunger Games don’t: hope...
Read the full review at Asian Review of Books.
Read the full review at Asian Review of Books.
September 12, 2021
"I've seen it before. Kids like you, I mean, an awakening of sorts - a sudden calling."
Yuri had always liked Tengo. Or maybe that's the wrong word for it. She'd always been interested by him, since the moment she first saw him getting into chaos at their high school. But her curiosity was always from afar, until now. She'd been feeling something strange for a while - powers, abilities she can't quite explain. She knows things, can do things that she shouldn't. And this newfound intutiton is telling her Tengo might just be like her - and if that's the case who knows what they'd be capable of together.
So when the mysterious and infamous activist Monkey Man, Yuri's Idol, hints to the existence of the awakening, she knows something world-shattering is about to begin.
In under 80 pages, this short story manages to create an entire world in so very few pages. With such a uniquely beautiful writing style, this story blends a world of science with poetry and philosophy to create something stunning. The translation, by Lisa and Daniel Lilley, is practically flawless. A few sections felt worded slightly odd, giving the feeling of forced exposition in places, but this didn't impact the readability for me. Of course we are left with questions, as usually happens with such a quick story, but there is just enough time for us to become connected to our characters and their journey. Yuri and Tengo were brilliantly written, and each supporting character were still perfectly memorable with their own distinct personality and purpose.
In the universe of Monkey Man, the world is failing - viruses sweep through the populations, climate change is ravaging the world and the people in charge who are meant to protect us are betraying us - threatening to leave the young people of the world in danger before their lives even really begin. The dystopian not-too-distant future is masterfully crafted, thick with tension, as we quickly unravel the clues that give us a whole picture of how the world works, who is in charge, and just how it could be saved.
Providing powerful commentary about consumerism, corruption and climate change, even referencing Extinction Rebellion (who you should definitely join) - this was a call to arms for humanity to take up a cause and fight for our planet, for fairness and equality.
Yuri had always liked Tengo. Or maybe that's the wrong word for it. She'd always been interested by him, since the moment she first saw him getting into chaos at their high school. But her curiosity was always from afar, until now. She'd been feeling something strange for a while - powers, abilities she can't quite explain. She knows things, can do things that she shouldn't. And this newfound intutiton is telling her Tengo might just be like her - and if that's the case who knows what they'd be capable of together.
So when the mysterious and infamous activist Monkey Man, Yuri's Idol, hints to the existence of the awakening, she knows something world-shattering is about to begin.
In under 80 pages, this short story manages to create an entire world in so very few pages. With such a uniquely beautiful writing style, this story blends a world of science with poetry and philosophy to create something stunning. The translation, by Lisa and Daniel Lilley, is practically flawless. A few sections felt worded slightly odd, giving the feeling of forced exposition in places, but this didn't impact the readability for me. Of course we are left with questions, as usually happens with such a quick story, but there is just enough time for us to become connected to our characters and their journey. Yuri and Tengo were brilliantly written, and each supporting character were still perfectly memorable with their own distinct personality and purpose.
In the universe of Monkey Man, the world is failing - viruses sweep through the populations, climate change is ravaging the world and the people in charge who are meant to protect us are betraying us - threatening to leave the young people of the world in danger before their lives even really begin. The dystopian not-too-distant future is masterfully crafted, thick with tension, as we quickly unravel the clues that give us a whole picture of how the world works, who is in charge, and just how it could be saved.
Providing powerful commentary about consumerism, corruption and climate change, even referencing Extinction Rebellion (who you should definitely join) - this was a call to arms for humanity to take up a cause and fight for our planet, for fairness and equality.
September 27, 2021
“Monkey Man”, by Takuji Ichikawa is a new novella published as part of the Red Circle Minis series. On her first day at a new high school, Yuri meets Tengo, and is immediately drawn to him, despite his apparent loner status within the school. In fact, he and his small group of friends are described as being at the very bottom of the school hierarchy. But nevertheless, Yuri finds him interesting…
The book is set in the not-to-distant future, in which the world is suffering not only from natural disasters, but the man-made problems of war, waste and unkindness. But something is changing… Will the new generation of young men and women be able to use their newly found skills to save humanity?
I thought this was a great read! Although short, the author is able to build a really interesting world and the characters within it. Although it leaves you wanting more (and according to the author’s note at the end, he is working on a full novel in this world), the story is complete in itself and does end on a hopeful note.
According to the publishers, the aim of the series is to bring contemporary Japanese authors to a wider audience. The cover colours of the books in the series are chosen from traditional colours used in Japanese art and textiles. In this case, the colour is Sumire-iro, a type of violet.
Another lovely feature of the cover is the incorporation of the Japanese symbol ‘mame’, which means ‘bean’. As explained, it is “a word that has many uses and connotations including all things miniature and adorable”. Perfect! I’ll definitely be checking out some of the other books in this interesting series.
Many thanks to Vic of instabooktours for organising this blog tour, the publishers, and of course the author for gifting me a copy of the book!
The book is set in the not-to-distant future, in which the world is suffering not only from natural disasters, but the man-made problems of war, waste and unkindness. But something is changing… Will the new generation of young men and women be able to use their newly found skills to save humanity?
I thought this was a great read! Although short, the author is able to build a really interesting world and the characters within it. Although it leaves you wanting more (and according to the author’s note at the end, he is working on a full novel in this world), the story is complete in itself and does end on a hopeful note.
According to the publishers, the aim of the series is to bring contemporary Japanese authors to a wider audience. The cover colours of the books in the series are chosen from traditional colours used in Japanese art and textiles. In this case, the colour is Sumire-iro, a type of violet.
Another lovely feature of the cover is the incorporation of the Japanese symbol ‘mame’, which means ‘bean’. As explained, it is “a word that has many uses and connotations including all things miniature and adorable”. Perfect! I’ll definitely be checking out some of the other books in this interesting series.
Many thanks to Vic of instabooktours for organising this blog tour, the publishers, and of course the author for gifting me a copy of the book!
October 25, 2021
This was my first taste of Japanese translated fiction, or any translated fiction for that matter. I thought a novella was a good place to start to try it out!
I read this all in one sitting and actually really enjoyed it! I was sceptical, as I always hear brilliant things about Japanese literature but I’ve been worried it wouldn’t be for me!
The writing style was so beautifully simple and poetic and it was a surprisingly easy read.
The story itself was quite dystopian - it felt very modern and quite similar to Black Mirror but not like one of the horrifically dark episodes! The characters and their relationships felt quite teen/YA in nature, and a lot of us on the blog tour readalong said it reminded us a bit of Twilight! 😄
I definitely want to read more translated fiction, and I’ve already purchased another of these Red Circle Minis to try out next!
This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
I read this all in one sitting and actually really enjoyed it! I was sceptical, as I always hear brilliant things about Japanese literature but I’ve been worried it wouldn’t be for me!
The writing style was so beautifully simple and poetic and it was a surprisingly easy read.
The story itself was quite dystopian - it felt very modern and quite similar to Black Mirror but not like one of the horrifically dark episodes! The characters and their relationships felt quite teen/YA in nature, and a lot of us on the blog tour readalong said it reminded us a bit of Twilight! 😄
I definitely want to read more translated fiction, and I’ve already purchased another of these Red Circle Minis to try out next!
This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2021
This novella is only 74 pages long but I really enjoyed what the author packed in those pages. I read it all in one sitting because it was small but also it was an enjoyable read that I wanted to know how it ended.
I love dystopian fiction and the author manages to create an world in 74 pages, and in it, addresses climate change and how the younger generations are gifted to go against The Complex, and use their abilities to save the planet. I enjoyed learning about the abilities of the children and found myself wanting a longer story to explore this and hear about other gifts and how they use them to go against The Complex. The length didn’t distract from my enjoyment but the author could go further with this.
I have read a couple of books by Japanese authors and love that Red Circle are publishing 7 books by Japanese authors in English, this being one of them. I will definitely look in to the others and if they sound as good as this did then I will read them.
I love dystopian fiction and the author manages to create an world in 74 pages, and in it, addresses climate change and how the younger generations are gifted to go against The Complex, and use their abilities to save the planet. I enjoyed learning about the abilities of the children and found myself wanting a longer story to explore this and hear about other gifts and how they use them to go against The Complex. The length didn’t distract from my enjoyment but the author could go further with this.
I have read a couple of books by Japanese authors and love that Red Circle are publishing 7 books by Japanese authors in English, this being one of them. I will definitely look in to the others and if they sound as good as this did then I will read them.
October 23, 2021
*Score: 4/10*
A very short book, but I am actually grateful as if it was longer with this quality it would probably end up scoring much lower.
Set in our world but with dystopian view when something called The Complex controls mindset of all, and those few that evolve as "awakened" with special powers who are trying to fight The Complex. Story follows a girl with healing powers who befriends a special group of awakened.
Hardly original, and it never tries to break away from tropes. Cheesy and preachy with spelled out lessons by the end of having to be kind with people. Predictable plot and boring one trait characters. About the only reason this is not a 1 star is that the writing itself is ok, and the message of author is a good one, even if its poorly executed imo. This read much more like YA than I expected, so perhaps it will work better for YA audience.
Not recommended.
A very short book, but I am actually grateful as if it was longer with this quality it would probably end up scoring much lower.
Set in our world but with dystopian view when something called The Complex controls mindset of all, and those few that evolve as "awakened" with special powers who are trying to fight The Complex. Story follows a girl with healing powers who befriends a special group of awakened.
Hardly original, and it never tries to break away from tropes. Cheesy and preachy with spelled out lessons by the end of having to be kind with people. Predictable plot and boring one trait characters. About the only reason this is not a 1 star is that the writing itself is ok, and the message of author is a good one, even if its poorly executed imo. This read much more like YA than I expected, so perhaps it will work better for YA audience.
Not recommended.
September 13, 2021
I don't normally read short stories (this is just 74 pages) so I was excited to get started on this and found I was able to read it in just one sitting!
I enjoy dystopian books and the blurb to this one sounded fantastic. There were lots of clever ideas contained within the story.
A rare group of children are 'awakening' with new abilities such as healing powers or computer genius in order to save the rapidly deteriorating world that is growing more and more corrupt. They need to work together to change the course of history.
Meanwhile 'The Complex' is striving to seek out and experiment on these young people and use their powers for material gains. They want capitalism to continue at any cost.
17 year old Yuri meets Tengo at high school and they realise they have both been blessed with special gifts. Can they stay safe from the intrusive and ever watchful 'Complex?'
Although I enjoyed the ideas behind this story and I found it interesting I found the plot moved too fast to become completely absorbed. I would have preferred a longer story and I would have loved it to have continued to find out what happened next. Will there be a sequel?
Overall I found it was an enjoyable short read and I think it would make a great film.
I enjoy dystopian books and the blurb to this one sounded fantastic. There were lots of clever ideas contained within the story.
A rare group of children are 'awakening' with new abilities such as healing powers or computer genius in order to save the rapidly deteriorating world that is growing more and more corrupt. They need to work together to change the course of history.
Meanwhile 'The Complex' is striving to seek out and experiment on these young people and use their powers for material gains. They want capitalism to continue at any cost.
17 year old Yuri meets Tengo at high school and they realise they have both been blessed with special gifts. Can they stay safe from the intrusive and ever watchful 'Complex?'
Although I enjoyed the ideas behind this story and I found it interesting I found the plot moved too fast to become completely absorbed. I would have preferred a longer story and I would have loved it to have continued to find out what happened next. Will there be a sequel?
Overall I found it was an enjoyable short read and I think it would make a great film.
June 22, 2022
Highly recommend reading immediately after The Refugees’ Daughter. Both are thematically linked and, whilst separate tales, they dovetail together too nicely to not read them back to back. With that in mind, I massively appreciated the Afterward that encompasses both of Ichikawa’s Red Circle minis (4 and 7) included at the end here - something I felt was missing from The Refugees’ Daughter.
Speculative fiction that deftly explores serious issues of today with a strong thread of hope throughout. Equally wonderful but less surreal than The Refugees’ Daughter, Monkey Man has been my favourite of the Red Circle Minis thus far and Ichikawa is firmly on my list of authors to read more of.
Speculative fiction that deftly explores serious issues of today with a strong thread of hope throughout. Equally wonderful but less surreal than The Refugees’ Daughter, Monkey Man has been my favourite of the Red Circle Minis thus far and Ichikawa is firmly on my list of authors to read more of.
September 22, 2021
Monkey Man
By Takuji Ichikawa
“That strangeness was what I first assumed might be the reason he caught my attention.”
A world on the brink of disaster where children with new attitudes are awakening - some with strange new abilities.
Monkey Man follows four teenagers in a dystopian world, one where they must make sense of their newly awakened powers and work together to save their world from corruption.
How cute are these Red Circle Minis!? This Japanese translated novella is teeny tiny at just 74 pages but it really does pack a punch - Ichikawa’s writing style is unique, all at once so matter of fact while being delicate and intimate with the characters and their complex relationships and feelings.
I got Twilight meets Black Mirror vibes from this book and I can see why it’s been so popular - for me it was just a little too sci-fi ish and I found it hard to marry that and the political element unfortunately. I loved the overall message of this book - one of equality, kindness and peace.
Thanks so much to the guys over at Red Circle Authors and to Vic at Instabooktours for having me on this tour and sending me the cutest book I’ve ever seen.
By Takuji Ichikawa
“That strangeness was what I first assumed might be the reason he caught my attention.”
A world on the brink of disaster where children with new attitudes are awakening - some with strange new abilities.
Monkey Man follows four teenagers in a dystopian world, one where they must make sense of their newly awakened powers and work together to save their world from corruption.
How cute are these Red Circle Minis!? This Japanese translated novella is teeny tiny at just 74 pages but it really does pack a punch - Ichikawa’s writing style is unique, all at once so matter of fact while being delicate and intimate with the characters and their complex relationships and feelings.
I got Twilight meets Black Mirror vibes from this book and I can see why it’s been so popular - for me it was just a little too sci-fi ish and I found it hard to marry that and the political element unfortunately. I loved the overall message of this book - one of equality, kindness and peace.
Thanks so much to the guys over at Red Circle Authors and to Vic at Instabooktours for having me on this tour and sending me the cutest book I’ve ever seen.
September 22, 2021
My first time reading dystopian, and it didn't disappoint. With it being a short novella, it was a great introduction to the genre. I enjoyed reading this alot more than I thought I was going to, I also found the characters really likeable.
August 21, 2021
Another good book from Red Circle Minis.
https://elifthereader.com/books/monke...
https://elifthereader.com/books/monke...
January 9, 2022
Short different sci fi, teenagers saving the world. From the brilliant Red circle.
September 21, 2021
📕 I haven’t read anything like this book before, I didn’t know what to expect storyline or language wise.
But I can say I really did enjoy it. I read it in one evening.
I loved the whole unusual powers theme, the friendship theme, I just loved it very much.
It gave me the TV series- Misfits & Heroes vibes, brilliant
Just wish it was slightly longer.
But I can say I really did enjoy it. I read it in one evening.
I loved the whole unusual powers theme, the friendship theme, I just loved it very much.
It gave me the TV series- Misfits & Heroes vibes, brilliant
Just wish it was slightly longer.
June 4, 2023
The writer was like, "This is just a first draft." Okay?? Finish it then? Owning up to the ‘faults’ of the book doesn’t make them any less annoying. The book was whiplash-fast. As for the underlying plot, I can’t say I loved it – despite being generously peppered with ‘contemporary’ references (is Babel the in-universe Pokemon Go or something?), it’s ultimately the umpteenth rehash of the same tired take on how love-conquers-all. Not a fan.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews