Honobu Yonezawa and Gen Hoshino collaborate on legal mystery novel

KADOKAWA has announced the release of ‘Ishino Yaiba’ (Stone Blade), a collaborative legal mystery novel by author Honobu Yonezawa and artist/musician Gen Hoshino, scheduled for November 25, 2026.

Yonezawa, a Naoki Prize winner, marks his first foray into the legal mystery genre with this work. The story follows lawyer Eshima as he investigates a murder case involving a defendant who remains silent during an appeal process. The narrative utilizes court documents, witness interviews, and field investigations to uncover the truth.

The project, which originated from an idea by Hoshino in 2018, involves Hoshino serving as a producer, photo director, and model for the book's cover and interior visuals. Hoshino personally selected the photography and design teams to create a cohesive visual identity for the protagonist, Eshima.