Whoever Steals This Book

Whoever Steals This Book
Novel volume cover (hardcover edition)
この本を盗む者は
(Kono Hon o Nusumu Mono wa)
GenreFantasy, mystery, yuri
Novel
Written byNowaki Fukamidori
Published byKadokawa Shoten
English publisher
ImprintKadokawa Bunko (paperback)
Published
  • October 8, 2020 (hardcover)
  • June 13, 2023 (paperback)
Manga
Written byNowaki Fukamidori
Illustrated byKakeru Sora
Published byKadokawa Shoten
English publisher
  • NA: Yen Press
ImprintKadokawa Comics A
MagazineYoung Ace
Original runDecember 3, 2021 – March 3, 2023
Volumes3
Anime film
Directed byDaisei Fukuoka
Written byYasuhiro Nakanishi
Music byMichiru Ōshima
StudioKagokan
ReleasedDecember 26, 2025 (2025-12-26)
Runtime85 minutes

Whoever Steals This Book (Japanese: この本を盗む者は, Hepburn: Kono Hon o Nusumu Mono wa) is a Japanese novel written by Nowaki Fukamidori. It was published by Kadokawa Shoten in October 2020, with a paperback edition being released under its Kadokawa Bunko imprint in June 2023. A manga adaptation illustrated by Kakeru Sora was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace magazine from December 2021 to March 2023 and was compiled into three tankōbon volumes. An anime film adaptation produced by Kagokan premiered in Japan in December 2025.

Premise

Mifuyu Mikura, a high school girl whose family has a long history of book collecting, has not inherited her great-grandfather and father's love for books. Her great-grandfather set up a library, known as the Mikura Hall, which became popular among the locals. However, it was closed to the public following a theft incident, with rumors spreading about the nature of its closure. One day, Mifuyu visits Mikura Hall following complaints from the neighbors. There, she encounters a talisman that came from a stolen book, warning that consequences were to happen if the book was stolen. Mifuyu then accidentally triggers a curse that transforms the town. A mysterious girl named Mashiro appears, saying that only by finding the book's thief will the town return to normal. The two set off on a journey to find the book thief and save the town.

Characters

Mifuyu Mikura (御倉 深冬, Mikura Mifuyu)
Voiced by: Rin Kataoka[1]
A member of the Mikura family, which has long been known for their love of books. However, she did not inherit this interest, instead feeling disdain towards books. Her mother died when she was young, leaving her with just her father.
Mashiro (真白)
Voiced by: Sora Tamaki[1]
A mysterious and cool girl who joins Mifuyu on her journey. In contrast to Mifuyu, she is a book lover. She has the ability to turn into a white dog.
Hirune Mikura (御倉 ひるね, Mikura Hirune)
Voiced by: Nao Tōyama[1]
Mifuyu's aunt, who is the caretaker of Mikura Hall. As her brother Ayumu, Mifuyu's father, is in the hospital recovering from an injury, she is currently taking care of Mifuyu.
Ayumu Mikura (御倉 あゆむ, Mikura Ayumu)
Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe[1]
Mifuyu's father, who runs a dojo hall. He is currently hospitalized following a cycling accident.
Keiko Yosano (与謝野 蛍子, Yosano Keiko)
Voiced by: Shizuka Itō[1]
Takafumi Haruta (春田 貴文, Haruta Takafumi)
Voiced by: Shimba Tsuchiya[1]
Tamaki Mikura (御倉 たまき, Mikura Tamaki)
Voiced by: Romi Park[1]
Junichirō Kaname (要純 一郎, Kaname Junichirō)
Voiced by: Shigeru Chiba[2]
Tanbi Che (チェ・タンビ, Che Tanbi)
Voiced by: Ryōta Suzuki[2]
Natsume Harada (原田 夏芽, Harada Natsume)
Voiced by: Reina Ueda[2]
Osamu Kikuchida (菊地田 治, Kikuchida Osamu)
Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki[2]
Shiori Haruta (春田 栞, Haruta Shiori)
Voiced by: Rie Takahashi[2]
Kakihara (柿原)
Voiced by: Yō Taichi[3]
Hiroda (廣田)
Voiced by: Makoto Koichi[3]
Takayama (高山)
Voiced by: Yumiri Hanamori[3]
Osanai (小山内)
Voiced by: Hitomi Ueda[3]
Uhara (羽原)
Voiced by: Manaka Iwami[3]
Mysterious Man (謎の男, Nazo no Otoko)
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama[3]
Kazune Mikura (御倉和音, Mikura Kazune)
Voiced by: Inori Minase[4]
Coffeehouse Owner (喫茶店のマスター, Kissaten no Masutā)
Voiced by: Akio Otsuka[4]
Negima (ねぎま)
Voiced by: Shun Horie[4]
Regular at the Coffeehouse (常連客, Jōren Kyaku)
Voiced by: Masaya Matsukaze[4]

Media

Novel

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1October 8, 2020 (hardcover)[5]
June 13, 2023 (paperback)[6]		978-4-04-109269-9 (hardcover)
978-4-04-113411-5 (paperback)		February 18, 2025[7]979-8-8554-0317-6

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Kakeru Sora was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's seinen manga magazine Young Ace from December 3, 2021, to March 3, 2023.[8] The manga's chapters were collected into three tankōbon volumes from June 3, 2022, to April 4, 2023.[9][10] The manga adaptation is also licensed in English by Yen Press.[11]

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1June 3, 2022[9]978-4-04-112385-0February 20, 2024[12]978-1-9753-7135-7
2November 4, 2022[13]978-4-04-113057-5June 18, 2024[14]978-1-9753-7229-3
3April 4, 2023[10]978-4-04-113511-2October 15, 2024[15]978-1-9753-9028-0

Anime film

An anime film adaptation was announced on June 3, 2025. The film is produced by Kagokan and directed by Daisei Fukuoka, from a screenplay written by Yasuhiro Nakanishi, characters designed by Keiko Kurosawa, and music composed by Michiru Ōshima.[16] It was released in Japan by Kadokawa Animation on December 26, 2025, after being previously scheduled for 2026.[17] The film's theme song is "Share" performed by Yuki.[1]

Reception

The novel was nominated for the 2021 Japan Booksellers' Award.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Tai, Anita (October 15, 2025). "Whoever Steals This Book Anime Film's New Trailer Reveals Cast, More Staff, Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 30, 2025). "Whoever Steals This Book Anime Film Reveals 5 More Cast Members, New Trailers". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 5, 2025). "Whoever Steals This Book Anime Film Reveals New Trailer, 6 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 26, 2025). "Whoever Steals This Book Anime Film Reveals 4 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  5. ^ "この本を盗む者は" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  6. ^ "この本を盗む者は" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  7. ^ "Whoever Steals This Book (light novel)". Yen Press. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  8. ^ "2021年本屋大賞ノミネートの話題作がコミカライズ！ 本に没入する感覚を疑似体験できる『この本を盗む者は』" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. June 30, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "この本を盗む者は　（１）" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "この本を盗む者は　（３）" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  11. ^ Saabedra, Humberto (August 26, 2023). "Horimiya Author's Ako and Bambi Leads New Yen Press Licenses". Crunchyroll News. Crunchyroll. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  12. ^ "Whoever Steals This Book, Vol. 1". Yen Press. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  13. ^ "この本を盗む者は　（２）" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  14. ^ "Whoever Steals This Book, Vol. 2". Yen Press. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  15. ^ "Whoever Steals This Book, Vol. 3". Yen Press. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  16. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (June 3, 2025). "Nowaki Fukamidori's Whoever Steals This Book Novel Gets Anime Film in 2026". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  17. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (July 31, 2025). "Whoever Steals This Book Anime Film Debuts on December 26". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  18. ^ "2021年『本屋大賞』ノミネート10作が決定 加藤シゲアキ『オルタネート』など" (in Japanese). Oricon. January 21, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
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