Chohei Kanbayashi
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese science fiction
writer.
Born in Niigata
, Kambayashi graduated Nagaoka National College of Technology. He debuted in 1979 with the short story "Dance with a Fox", which was an honorable mention of the 5th Hayakawa SF Contest. He quickly became fan favorite, and during 1980s and 1990s, he won the Seiun Award
seven times (five for novels, twice for short stories). In a 2006 SF Magazine
poll he was ranked third best Japanese SF writer of all time. He was the chair of honor of the 24th Nihon SF Taikai
, Japan's national SF convention, in 1985.
Kambayashi received Nihon SF Taishō Award
in 1995 for Kototsubo. He was the chairman of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan in 2001-2003.
His writing often blurs the reality and alternate reality. Early works, such as May Peace Be On Your Soul, were often compared to Philip K. Dick
, as Kambayashi himself acknowledges that the Dick's works lead him to science fiction writing.
Probably his most popular work is Yukikaze. It was made into an animated video series in 2002-2005.
Another popular work, Enemy Is Pirate, which consists of eight books (as of 2009), is a more lighter tone space opera series. There was an animated video series released in 1989.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
writer.
Born in Niigata
Niigata, Niigata
is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It lies on the northwest coast of Honshu, the largest island of Japan, and faces the Sea of Japan and Sado Island....
, Kambayashi graduated Nagaoka National College of Technology. He debuted in 1979 with the short story "Dance with a Fox", which was an honorable mention of the 5th Hayakawa SF Contest. He quickly became fan favorite, and during 1980s and 1990s, he won the Seiun Award
Seiun Award
The is a Japanese science fiction award for the best science fiction published in Japan during the preceding year, as voted by attendees of the Japan Science Fiction Convention. "Seiun" is the Japanese word for "nebula", but the award is not related to the American Nebula Award. It was named after...
seven times (five for novels, twice for short stories). In a 2006 SF Magazine
SF Magazine
SF Magazine is a science fiction magazine in Japan. It began publication with the February 1960 issue, which appeared in bookshops at the end of 1959. It was Japan’s first successful prozine.-History:...
poll he was ranked third best Japanese SF writer of all time. He was the chair of honor of the 24th Nihon SF Taikai
Nihon SF Taikai
The is an annual science fiction convention held in Japan. Each of these conventions is officially the , but they are more popularly known by the official nicknames given to them based on their locations, e.g. TOKON or DAICON .Each year the Nihon SF Taikai attracts between 1,000 and 1,500 science...
, Japan's national SF convention, in 1985.
Kambayashi received Nihon SF Taishō Award
Nihon SF Taisho Award
Nihon SF Taishō Award is a Japanese science fiction award. It has been compared to the Nebula Award as it is given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan or SFWJ...
in 1995 for Kototsubo. He was the chairman of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan in 2001-2003.
His writing often blurs the reality and alternate reality. Early works, such as May Peace Be On Your Soul, were often compared to Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick
Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
, as Kambayashi himself acknowledges that the Dick's works lead him to science fiction writing.
Probably his most popular work is Yukikaze. It was made into an animated video series in 2002-2005.
Another popular work, Enemy Is Pirate, which consists of eight books (as of 2009), is a more lighter tone space opera series. There was an animated video series released in 1989.