The Hikikomori: The Girl Who Couldn't Go Outside

by Mark Vrankovich

Hikikomori are Japanese recluses. Right now in Japan over a million hikikomori are hiding in their bedrooms, hiding from their past and future. Hiding from the disappointment that having dreams can bring.

Miko Nishimura is a hikikomori. As Miko's dreams fade her Tokyo bedroom becomes her entire world. The city outside transforming into the realm of nightmares, a place where horrid memories and growing fears wait to pounce.

Playing car racing games on her laptop is all that distracts Miko from her situation. Then one day her parents are away, and her mouse batteries run out.

So Miko stands trembling next to the apartment door. Unable to live without her racing games, she must venture out into the world to buy batteries. But little does Miko know the consequences for herself, and for Japan, if she steps out that door.

What Japanese Readers Say: "A must-read for all Japan fans. Could even a Japanese writer portray contemporary Japan so realistically and poignantly... The Hikikomori is certainly a powerful piece of work.. I hope this story will spark interest in Japan and the Japanese people... You will surely be a fan of Miko... The perfect balance of pain, laugh and tears... It is a gem of a book that I, as a Japanese, am confident to recommend... It exposes social problems in Japan that are never visible from the outside... This novel will make you happy like eating chocolate... My heart was full of positivity by reading your novel... When I finished reading your novel, I felt confident and motivated to live positively. I am so glad I was able to read this book this summer!!"

Genres: Japan, Fiction

255 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

Mark Vrankovich was born in Auckland, New Zealand. It is said that on the day he was born there was a cloud in the sky shaped like a Commodore 64.

Disguised as a software architect, he wanders the Earth searching for his lost hair. Legend has it that if enough people read his novels then his hair will return. And so he writes. In a hotel room, or in a cave. Hope furrowed across his brow.

He likes hot tea, cupcakes (chocolate, moist on the inside but with a bake hardened crust exterior, not too much icing), thunderstorms, cats, musty books, shiny things, and the pop sound jam jars make when you open them.

Some say he knows something, but nobody is sure what it is. He likely does not own that thing you think he owns. He can see in color. His walking speed is about six kilometers per hour, but he can manage twenty kilometers per hour when being chased by something with teeth.

The brief author biographies he writes about himself, often in the third person, have been rated as some of the worst in the world. The World Health Organization classifies them as a mental hazard. Interpol has warned it is ready to issue a global "Red Notice", requesting his arrest, if he writes another one. A small, but vigorously up and coming galactic empire at the eastern end of the Milky Way has threatened to irradiate the Earth with gamma rays if...

Reviews

[Tepintzin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miko spends maybe 10% of the book as a hikkikomori, then has a miraculous recovery and saves Japan! The most egregious Mary Sue I’ve ever read. No real conflicts or risks.

[V.K. May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having spent a few weeks in Japan, a few years ago, I was curious about this book. And it did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. A light, but poignant, exploration of human frailty, this story is both heart-warming and tear-jerking. Without giving away the plot, let me just say this - we all have our limits. Bullying, abuse, and other forms of trauma all take their toll on the soul. As does overwork.

At some point, a wounded soul simply has to withdraw from the world and heal. And when they take the time to rest well, they bounce back, able to make a positive impact on the world. This is one of those stories. I highly recommend it for anyone, but especially for young people struggling with social isolation and / or self esteem issues.

As the main character, Miko, says: "We must teach our little loves about hope, in case they encounter dark times ... deep down in the foundations of their beings, they must believe, no matter how bad things get, that there is always hope."

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the oddest book I have ever read, and I have read thousands of books. It reads like it is translated from another language, but unless Mark Vrankovich speaks Japanese, it probably is not. However, the cover states it is an "English Novel by Mark Vrankovich." English speakers don't print that on their books. Mark uses words like "nominication," which are not in the dictionary, and I suspect he may have made them up. He also uses odd words like "cyan," which I've only ever heard in regard to printer ink, to describe everyday objects. Mark is not a fan of paragraphs, as most of them contain a single sentence so the book feels very choppy. The story is odd and a little supernatural, but I am a big Japanophile, and I can attest that the way Japanese people think is accurately represented in the story. I would not read a book by this author again, as I have the feeling he enjoys messing with people and making things up in a way that interferes with the story.

[Abbie X · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hikikomori is an incredible book. It follows the story of Miko, a young Japanese woman, who is pushed into being a recluse by bullies and then slowly learns how to undo the damage and engage with society again. But what comes from that is much bigger than you would expect. At first it looks like the book is simply about Miko’s personal journey, which would be interesting enough on its own. The character voice of Miko is so engaging and relatable it draws you in and makes you want to keep reading her story and root for her success, no matter how low the stakes. But the story builds so progressively to stakes that turn out to be much higher and far reaching than first appears. Over the course of the story, the consequences of Miko making her presence known in the world instead of hiding away builds and builds so gradually it kind of sneaks up on you to truly incredible results.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited binge read. DNFed at 13%.

This was a somewhat random discovery I picked up after seeing it advertised on some Japanese language study group. The author is a New Zealander living in Japan, and I'm not sure exactly why he decided to write an English-language novel about hikikomori, but he seems to capture the essence of the phenomenon well enough. Miko is a little Japanese girl who gets bullied as a child (and almost eaten by a bear!), and later becomes a nurse who is abused by her employer, which turns her into a hikikomori, afraid to venture out into the world, ashamed of the burden she has become to her loving parents.

It was cute and sweet and sad, but very simply written and I just didn't need to keep reading to find out when or if Miko would eventually overcome her agorophobia and panic attacks.

[Alicia Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece!

Oh, interesting to know that the United States is not the only country with its problems. Of course, I knew it but I did not know how bad the problems are in Japan. The author takes a single societal glitch and weaves a story of how it could all be fixed. It’s a Fantasy, but most of it is realistic. The characters are real and well-drawn.

Although, the book starts out as a fairytale, once you begin to see the deeper meanings you no longer look at it that way. Unfortunately, there is a confusion between the comma and the period, which an editor could take care of, but in other respects, it’s well-written. I think this could almost be called a modern classic!

[kevin murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting Mark at Armageddon and discussing our shared fascination and love of Japan, I bought the book and committed to reading and reviewing it. I suspect that I am not in the target audience for the book (older retired guy), however I really enjoyed it. As advertised it does portray contemporary Japan and explain many of its quirks. The story does not get too dark before becoming entirely uplifting. In a couple of places it becomes a little predictable, but that did not lesson me enjoyment.

I would totally recommend this book to young adults, particularly if they have any interest in Japan and its contemporary culture. However it is a good read for anyone with an interest in Japan.

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I went into this book not sure what I was really in for at all. I love the journey that Miko goes on. The drawings were nice and the words being explained on the bottom of the page was a nice touch. There was a lot of emotions this book makes you go through. It is about Miko and her being her safe place until she has not other choice but to adventure out. This is a book that should be read more than once. It has a different feel the second time around.

[Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I absolutely loved The Hikikomori. At 13, my daughter read it first and was absolutely insistent that her mom and I read it as well. My wife then read it and really enjoyed it, so I started reading with my daughter, who was only too happy to go through the book again. It's an absolutely wonderful novel, and it brought both of us such joy. (I'm a teacher by profession, so I'm familiar with dozens upon dozens of middle grade and young adult books, and this one really ranks near the top!) It will elicit laughter and tears, and you will be so glad you read it!

[Karen Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read for many reasons. It was well paced, it was interesting to learn more about the Japanese culture and language. And it had a good plot. The main character was lovely and the reader wanted to best for her and it kept the reader engaged as they read to discover if all would work out OK in the end. I have read other books by this author and this one is the best yet.

[Menthink · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts slow and the writing seems amateurish. I’m an avid reader of books about Japan, otherwise I may have stopped reading. However, the story becomes increasingly engaging, and ultimately I found myself unable to put the book down until I finished.

Think of the book as a superhero story and it makes more sense.

[Richard Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book. Extremely well written and easy to read. Get a glimpse of the life of a recluse and how she climbs her way out of it. Magical adventures await Miko and the second and third time through the book you learn more and more about here. Top book for me this year

[Barbara Agazzi-poncia]

Sweet inspiring story!

Sweet inspiring romantic story, set in Japan but relatable to anyone.
Very entertaining and feel good.
Introspective relationship with oneself and others.

[wendi c duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books iv read in along time!!!

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about Japan and their current society issues. It was presented in a clever way, through a shut-in.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hikikomori is an excellent book! Not only is the plot compelling and entertaining, but the information about Japanese culture is very interesting too. The themes of hope and how one can influence his or her own fate are very powerful throughout and helpful for the times we live in. I highly recommend this to anyone.

[Joseph Offenback · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. A cool look into Japanese culture. Really cool page turning story and interesting characters.

[Darren Chatwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story

I loved Miko's growth throughout the book. She had me smiling constantly. If you like an inspirational story, then I would absolutely recommend this book. This is the kind of book I could read over and over again.

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. It wasn't really about hikikomori, more a manga superhero narrative, but that's okay. It should've been called Hidden Stealth Ninja. Good fun, suited for younger teen audience.