(real name: ) is a Japanese science fiction and adventure writer whose penname translates to Dream Pillow (Yumemakura) Tapir (Baku). His works have sold more than 20 million copies in Japan spread across more than 280 titles and adapted into a variety of formats including feature films, television shows, movies and comic books.
His works are influenced by outdoor interests such as fishing, particularly Ayu fishing, mountain climbing, canoeing as well as manga, photography, pottery, art, calligraphy, martial arts. He has published a number of photo collections of his journeys through Nepalese mountains.
He is best known for writing Jōgen no Tsuki wo Taberu Shishi (The Lion that Ate the Crescent Moon), which won both the Seiun Award and the Nihon SF Taisho Award. He also has written film scripts, including the one to Onmyōji.
One of his popular martial arts serials that has been adapted into manga is Garōden (餓狼伝), which has also been adapted to two video games and a movie.
His novel series Majūgari (also known as Demon Hunters) has been adapted into an anime OVA Psycho Diver: Soul Siren and three manga series.
He's been nicknamed "the artisan of violence" due to one of his popular martial arts novel series, . As of 2014, he has been working on the scripts for the manga series Shin Garōden with renowned manga artist Masami Nobe.
He is also a past president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan organization.
Early life Baku Yumemakura was born on January 1, 1951, in Odawara-shi. At the age of 22, he graduated from Tokai University with a degree in Japanese literature. In 1975, he visited Nepal for the first time; the region would become host to one of his most popular works, The Summit of the Gods, which was adapted into the French animated film Le Sommet des Dieux in 2021.
Career beginnings In 1977, his first works were published in the science fiction coterie magazines Neo Null (curated by Yasutaka Tsutsui) and Uchūjin (curated by Takumi Shibano). A typographic experiment story titled Kaeru no Shi, dubbed as "Typografiction", was published in Neo Null and received a great deal of attention within the industry; it was reprinted in the science fiction magazine Kisou Tengai, which became his first appearance in commercial magazine. He followed this success by releasing the novella Kyojin Den and enjoyed enough success to become a full-time author. His first standalone title, Nekohiki no Oruorane, was published in the Shueisha Cobalt Collection in 1979. His first full-length novel, Genjū Henge, was published two years later by Futabasha Corporation. Then, in 1982, the first volume of the Kimaira Kou Series, Genjū Shōnen Kimaira, was published by Asahi Sonorama Paperbacks, with cover and illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano. The Majūgari trilogy was published by Shodensha in 1984.
Collaborators Over the span of his career, Yumemakura worked with a wide range of historically important figures in the Japanese art scene.
Yoshitaka Amano - He was in charge of stage design for Nayotake, produced by Bandō Tamasaburō V, where Amano introduced him to Baku Yumemakura. The three would also collaborate on Yang Guifei, with Baku Yumemakura writing the lyrics and Yoshitaka Amano in charge of stage design. The manga Amon Saga was written by Baku Yumemakura and illustrated by Amano and was later adapted into an OVA. Among other Baku Yumemakura's works, he also did the illustrations and cover page design for Garōden, Taitei no Ken and Yamigarishi, as well as the Kimaira series. He was key visual and costume designer for movies written by Baku Yumemakura including Onmyōji, Onmyōji 2 and Taitei no Ken. They also collaborated on the story and pottery of Yōkihi no Bansan for both a book and exhibition, in addition to ceramic work by Kano Shokoku. Katsuya Terada - He was in charge of the book cover and illustrations for the Kimaira series written by Baku Yumemakura, and was in charge of cover design and illustrations for Garōden, Shin Majugari, and Yamigarishi. Osamu Tezuka - Baku Yumemakura was influenced by one of his seminal works, Phoenix. Baku Yumemakura would go on to write the script for Saiyūki. Reiko Okano - She is married to Osamu Tezuka's son, Makoto Tezuka, and she drew the manga adaptation of Onmyōji, which won the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Manga Award. She went on to produce the serialized version as Onmyōji Tamatebako in the comic magazine Melody. Keisuke Itagaki - In 1996, he began working on Garōden, an original work by Baku Yumemakura. He has also collaborated on the series Garōden Boy. Ken Ishikawa - In 1994 he drew the manga based on the Yamigarishi series, and in 1998 the manga based on Baku Yumemakura's novel Tsuki no Ou. Jiro Taniguchi - Illustrated Baku Yumemakura's works, Garouden from 1989 to 1990 and Kamigami no itadaki (The Summit of the Gods) from 2000 to 2003. The Summit of the Gods received awards at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2002 and 2005. Yōjirō Takita - In 2001, he directed Onmyōji. It became an international hit and received a prize at The Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival in 2002. He directed Onmyōji 2 in 2003. Yukihiko Tsutsumi - Directed Taitei no Ken, an original work by Baku Yumemakura, in 2007. Bandō Tamasaburō V - The dance production Yōkihi is based on the Chinese historical figure Princess Yang Guifei. Baku Yumemakura wrote the lyrics. In 1993, Baku Yumemakura wrote specially for Kabuki Sangoku denrai genjō banashi. Both of Yōkihi and Sangoku denrai genjō banashi were performed at the Kabuki-za Theater. Mansai Nomura - He played Abe no Seimei in Onmyōji and Onmyōji 2. He received the Best Actor prize at the Blue Ribbon Awards for his work in Onmyōji.
Translated works 1 - (October, 2012). Demon Hunters: Desires of the Flesh
Works in print in Japanese The following works have been released in Japan.
(April, 1979). (Nekohiki no Oruorane) (December, 1980). (Kirakira Boshi no Jitta) - A Glittering Star's Jitter (December, 1980). (Harukanaru Kyojin) - The Far Off God (November, 1981). (Genjyu Henge) (July, 1982). (Genjyu Shonen Kimaira) - Boy Beast Chimera (December, 1982). (Kimaira Rouhen) (September, 1983). (Kimaira Garouhen) (February, 1984). (Majugari 1) - The Demon Hunters - Psycho Diver Series Volume 1 (July, 1984). (Majugari 2) - The Demon Hunters - Psycho Diver Series Volume 2 (July, 1984). (Yami Gari Shi) - The Leader of the Darkness Hunters (July, 1984). (Kimaira Maouhen) (October, 1984). (Kimaira Bosatsuhen) - Bodhisattva Chimera (October, 1984). (Yami Gari Shi 2) - The Leader of the Darkness Hunters 2 (October, 1984). (Akumu Kurai) - Nightmare Consumption (December, 1984). (Majugari 3) - The Demon Hunters - Psycho Diver Series Volume 3 (January, 1985). (Kaeru no Shi) - Frog's Death (March, 1985). (Kokoro Hoshi Tentomushi) (May, 1985). (Akumu Tenrankai) - Nightmare Exhibition (June, 1985). (Makju Kan) - The Devil's House (July, 1985). (Garouden 1) - Legend of the Starving Wolf (August, 1985). (Shishi no Mon Gunrou-hen) - The Lion's Den (August, 1985). (Hanjyu Shin) - Half Beast God (September, 1985). (Sei Jyu Ki Mourei-hen) - Blue Devil (October, 1985). (Kimaira Nyoraihen) - Chimera Tathagata (October, 1985). (Jyuouden) (February, 1986). (Majugari Gaiden, Seibo Ondara-hen) (February, 1986). (Taorete Honmou) (March, 1986). (Seijyuki Ishin-hen) (April, 1986). (Ougonkyu Bokkibutsu-hen) (July, 1986). (Haiena no Yoru) (August, 1986). (Masyou Bosatsu 1) (September, 1986). (Mashyou Bosatsu 2) (September, 1986). (Kimaira Nehanhen) (October, 1986). (Garouden 2) (November, 1986). (Shishi no Mon Genbu-hen) (November, 1986). (Taitei no Ken Vol.1 Tenma Kourin-hen) (January, 1987). (Majugari Gaiden Biku Mandara) (February, 1987). (Kaze Hatsuru Machi) (March, 1987). (Gakinokorokara Manga Manga Manga) (May, 1987). (Iwamura Kenji Shisyuu Aoguroi Kemono) (May, 1987). (Youjyu・Ayakashi no Ki) (June, 1987). (Kaidanji) (July, 1987). (Kimaira Hououhen) (July, 1987). (Shin Majugari Jyokyoku Mouryou no Jyouou 1) (August, 1987). (Shin Majugari Jyokyoku Mouryou no Jyouou 2) (August, 1987). (Jyougai Rantou de Aru) (November, 1987). (Kankizuki no Kujyakumai) (December, 1987). (Tsuki ni Yobarete Umi yori Kitaru) (December, 1987). (Seirou no Ken Garouden Hihen) (January, 1988). (Kitan Soushi) (April, 1988). (Garouden 3) (April, 1988). (Akumu de Kanpai) (April, 1988). (Ougonjyu 1) (May, 1988). (Konron no Ou Ryu no Monsyou-hen) (June, 1988). (Konron no Ou Ryu no Houkou-hen) (June, 1988). (Shishi no Mon Seiryu-hen) (July, 1988). (Ougonjyu 2) (August, 1988). (Onmyoji) (August, 1988). (Kakutou Hyouryu Takeki Kaze ni Tsugeyo Shisetsu UWF den) (October, 1988). (Genka Mandara) (November, 1988). (Taitei no Ken Vol.2 Youma Fukkatsu-hen) (December, 1988). (Kimaira Kyoubutsuhen) (February, 1989). (Jyukin Doushi) (March, 1989). (Ayu Shi) (May, 1989). (Tsuki no Ou) (May, 1989). (Hikarino Hakubutsushi) (August, 1989). (Jyougen no Tsuki wo Taberu Shishi) (September, 1989). (Ougonkyu2 Rimitsu-hen) (October, 1989). (Nekohiki no Oruorane, Oruorane Series) (October, 1989). (Garouden4) (October, 1989). (Gyouten Puroresu Waka Shyuu) (October, 1989). (Shigotoshi Tachi no Aika) (October, 1989). (Buddha no Hakobune) (November, 1989). (Kamigami no Kuni Hito no Kuni) (November, 1989). (Taitei no Ken Vol.3 Jinmahoukou-hen) (December, 1989). (Kimaira Dokkakuhen) (December, 1989). (Tadaima Bakudantyuu) (February, 1990). (Ougonkyu 3 Butsujyu-hen) (May, 1990). (Kouya ni Kemono Doukokusu 1 Jyuuge no Shyou) (May, 1990). (Tabi ni Hatetashi) (December, 1990). (Yumemakura Baku Atogaki Taizen) (January, 1991). (Chyousou no Yama) (February, 1991). (Gyouten Bungaku Taikei) (March, 1991). (Kimaira Taizouhen) (April, 1991). (Kiba no Monshyou) (October, 1991). (Konton no Shiro 1) (October, 1991). (Konton no Shiro 2) (November, 1991). (Midori no Meikyuu) (November, 1991). (Taitei no Ken) (December, 1991). (Nehan no Ou Vol.1 Jyuujin Henge・Jyama-hen) (January, 1992). (Nehan no Ou Vol.2 Jyuujin Henge・Reisui-hen (January, 1992). (Rasen Ou) (March, 1992). (Kimaira Kongouhen) (March, 1992). (Nehan no Ou Vo.3 Jyuujin Henge・Furoukyuu-hen) (March, 1992). (Senritsu! Gyoukai Yougo Jiten) (April, 1992). (Ougon Kyuu 4 Bouryuu-hen) (May, 1992). (Gyouten・Bundan Waka Shyuu) (June, 1992). (Yumemmakura Baku Shyoujyo Mangakan) (July, 1992). (Shin Majugari 1 Kidou-hen) (October, 1992). (Oni Odori nite Sourou) (November, 1992). (Jyunjyou Hyouryuu) (December, 1992). (Taitei no Ken Vol.5 Hida Dairan-hen) (December, 1992). (Karatedou Bijinesumankurasu Nerimashibu) (February, 1993). (Garouden 5) (March, 1993). (Shin Majugari 2 Kujyaku-hen) (March, 1993). (Gyouten・Heisei Gannen no Karate Chyoppu) (April, 1993). (Seirakudou Suimutan) (June, 1993). (Kouya ni Kemono Doukokusu 2 Kyoujyuu no Shou) (June, 1993). (Inochi no Mizu no Monogatari) (July, 1993). (Kiba Nari) (October, 1993). (Chiheisen Monogatari) (October, 1993). (Nehan no Ou Kan no Jyo Genjyuhenge) (March, 1994). (Kimaira Bontenhen) (April, 1994). (Nehan no Ou Vol.4 Shinjyuhenge・Mara-hen) (June, 1994). (Gunrou no Hata) (August, 1994). (Etsuraku no Tabibito) (September, 1994). (Saizou Kairou) (October, 1994). (Yumemakura Baku no Gedou Kyouyou Bunko) (October, 1994). (Tsuri ni Tsurarete) (January, 1995). (Sonohi Gurashi no Techou) (March, 1995). (Garouden6) (April, 1995). (Ruri no Hakobune) (April, 1995). (Kenran taru Sagi) (June, 1995). (Onmyoji Hiten no Maki) (June, 1995). (Honokana Yoru no Gensoutan) (July, 1995). (Shin Majugari 3 Tsuchigumo-hen) (October, 1995). (Seihari no Yama) (October, 1995). (Kitan Carnival) (December, 1995). (Garouden 7) (February, 1996). (Nekomachi Tsukiyo Sonohigurashi no Techou 2) (March, 1996). (Nehan no Ou Vol.5 Jinjyuhenge・Genki-hen) (April, 1996). (Nehan no Ou Vol.6 Jinjyuhenge・Kakushakourin-hen) (April, 1996). (Nekohiki no Oruorane Kanzenban)