Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami's new novel 'Kaho' has reached bestseller status just one day after its pre-order launch. This marks the first time Murakami has featured a female protagonist as the sole lead in a full-length novel.
According to Yes24, 'Kaho' quickly climbed to the top of the real-time bestseller list shortly after pre-orders began on the previous day, and it secured the second spot on the comprehensive daily bestseller list today. As of 8 a.m. today, 'Kaho' and 'Haruki Murakami' ranked first and second, respectively, among the most searched terms on Yes24.
'Kaho' is Murakami's first new work in three years, following 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls.' The story follows Kaho, a 26-year-old picture book author who moves to the outskirts of Tokyo and becomes embroiled in bizarre events involving surreal creatures like an anteater, as she confronts a crisis facing her family.
On the first day of pre-orders, buyers in their 40s made up the largest demographic at 42.1%, followed by those in their 50s at 26.4% and those in their 30s at 16.5%.
Murakami's novels have consistently topped bestseller lists in South Korea. According to Yes24, '1Q84 1' debuted at number one on the comprehensive bestseller list upon its pre-order release in 2009, maintaining that position for 20 weeks. 'Killing Commendatore 1' and 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' also held the top spot for five weeks and three weeks, respectively.
There have been instances where sales surged upon official release. For example, sales of 'Killing Commendatore 1 and 2' and 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' increased by 89.5% and 43%, respectively, on their release days compared to the previous day.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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