In this darkly ironic novella, 17-year-old Haruo, isolated in his Tokyo apartment, develops an intense obsession with the endangered Japanese crested ibis, Nipponia Nippon. Living on an allowance and immersed in online research, he descends into a fantasy world where he believes he has a unique connection with these birds, held at a conservation center. Convinced it is his destiny to liberate them from a society he feels misunderstands them, Haruo's emotional state becomes increasingly erratic as he begins to gather weapons, preparing for a confrontation rooted in his distorted sense of purpose.

Why You Should Read?

• Explores themes of obsession, solitude, and toxic masculinity through a darkly humorous lens.
• Offers a fast-paced, psychological narrative set in contemporary Tokyo.
• Introduces an acclaimed Japanese literary voice, Kazushige Abe, to English-language readers.
• Presents a concise yet impactful study of a troubled youth's descent into extremism.