Novelist Ryū Murakami Dies at 74, Publisher Gentosha Says
Murakami, who died on October 17, debuted with Almost Transparent Blue, a novel that sold more than 3.5 million copies.
Novelist Ryū Murakami died on October 17 at the age of 74, publisher Gentosha announced on Friday, according to animenewsnetwork.com. A private funeral was held for family members.
Murakami was born in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1952. He made his debut with the novel Almost Transparent Blue, which sold more than 3.5 million copies.
His 1996 novel Love and Pop: Topaz II inspired the 1998 live-action film Love & Pop, directed by Hideaki Anno. In February 2025, GKIDS screened Love & Pop in North American theaters and is also releasing it on home video.
His other works include Coin Locker Babies, The World in Five Minutes From Now, Kyoko, and Tokyo Decadence. He wrote and directed film adaptations of some of his own works.
Murakami also appeared as an interviewer on the economic talk show The Cambrian Palace.
Quick answers
How old was Ryū Murakami when he died?
He was 74. Gentosha announced that he died on October 17.
Which novel did Ryū Murakami debut with?
He debuted with Almost Transparent Blue, which sold more than 3.5 million copies.
Which film was inspired by Ryū Murakami's novel Love and Pop: Topaz II?
The 1998 live-action film Love & Pop, directed by Hideaki Anno.