Tuttle Publishing has announced Haruki Murakami Manga Stories 1, the first of three volumes of adaptations of the celebrated author’s short stories.  The first volume will include “Super-Frog Saves Tokyo,” “The Seventh Man,” “Birthday Girl,” and “Where I’m Likely to Find It.”  Although billed as manga, the graphic novel is actually adapted by a French team and reads from left to right; it is also in color.  The 144-page hardcover, recommended for ages 16+, will be released on October 24, 2023, with an MSRP of $19.99.

In the first story, a giant frog appears to an unassuming salaryman and asks for help in defeating a giant worm that is about to cause a massive earthquake.  “Where I’m Likely to Find It” follows a detective who reflects on the meaning of life while trying to track down a missing husband.  “Birthday Girl” is the story of a girl’s odd encounter on her birthday, and “The Seventh Man” explores the grief a man whose childhood friend died in a tsunami.

Tuttle publishes books on Japanese history and culture, including the original graphic novel Tokyo Rose – Zero Hour (see “Review: ‘Tokyo Rose – Zero Hour (A Graphic Novel)’ HC”).