The multi-award-winning mystery fiction author, ISAKA Kotaro, is making his North American debut this year! A featured guest at the 2025 Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA), the author of the Assassins series is most widely known for his thrilling take on crime fiction, although he has experience across various genres of writing. Mr. Isaka’s works have been translated into over 20 languages around the world and many of his novels have been adapted into films, including the 2022 Hollywood adaptation of Bullet Train.
Check out the various events and programs featuring Mr. Isaka this fall – keep an eye out for registrations to open!
Bullet Train
Wednesday, October 29, 6:45 PM (ET)
Film Screening | In-person at Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto, ON M5S 1J5) | Registration opens in October
Unlucky assassin Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe—all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives—on the world’s fastest train from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Adapted from ISAKA Kotaro’s 2010 novel Maria Beetle, Bullet Train features a cast of unforgettable characters and takes audiences on a wild, high-speed ride that’s as stylish as it is fun, blending thrilling action sequences, witty banter and a dazzling neon style.
Special pre-screening introduction by the author of the original novel — ISAKA Kotaro, who is a featured guest at the 2025 Toronto International Festival of Authors!
Crafting Twists and Thrills: A Conversation with Author ISAKA Kotaro
Thursday, October 30, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (ET)
In-person at the Japan Foundation, Toronto Event Hall | Admission Free | Registration opens in October
Author ISAKA Kotaro will share rare insights into his life as a creative at the Japan Foundation, Toronto, in conversation with Brian Bergstrom, translator for one of his novels Hotel Lucky Seven. The pair will talk about creative processes, inspirations, and challenges, in addition to experience with translation and film adaptations. Audience can also expect to learn more about Isaka’s most recent English translations Seesaw Monster and Hotel Lucky Seven and ask any burning questions they may have about his intricately woven plotlines.
Attendees can join a signing session with the author immediately after the event!
Kotaro Isaka at TIFA 2025
Saturday, November 1, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (ET)
In-Person @ Isabel Bader Theatre | Ticketed admission | Available now
Internationally bestselling Japanese novelist Kotaro Isaka (Bullet Train) makes his first North American appearance with his latest in the Assassins series Hotel Lucky Seven. Known for razor-sharp plotting and eccentric, unforgettable characters, Isaka blends satire and suspense to expose society’s hidden violence. The author continues his reinvention of the crime novel with humour, philosophy, and heart-stopping twists. This exclusive event offers Canadian audiences a rare chance to hear directly from one of Japan’s most inventive storytellers.
A book signing will follow this event.
GUEST
Kotaro Isaka is the internationally acclaimed Japanese author of Bullet Train (Japanese title Maria Beetle, 2010). One of the most consistently bestselling authors of contemporary Japanese fiction, Isaka is known for works that straddle the literary and entertainment genres. His novels include Audubon’s Prayer (2000, Shincho Mystery Club Award), Lush Life (2002), Three Assassins (Japanese title Grasshopper, 2004), The Precision of the Agent of Death (2005, Mystery Writers of Japan Award), Shumatsu no Fool (2006), Golden Slumber (2007, Yamamoto Shugoro Award and Japan Booksellers’ Award), The Mantis (Japanese title AX, 2017), and Gyaku Socrates (2020, Shibata Renzaburo Award). His latest novel is 777 (2023). Isaka’s books have been translated into over 20 languages worldwide. Bullet Train was the basis of the eponymous movie from Sony Pictures (2022), directed by David Leitch and starring Brad Pitt.
Photo Credit ©️Munemasa Takahashi
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