Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Lonely Castle in the Mirror (Japanese: Kagami no Kojō) is a young adult fantasy novel written by Japanese author Mizuki Tsujimura and first published in 2017. The narrative follows seven middle school students facing personal hardships, including bullying and social isolation, who discover portals in their bedroom mirrors leading to a vast, rule-bound castle where they must collaborate to locate a wish-granting key while confronting their inner struggles. The novel explores themes of escapism, friendship, and emotional resilience, blending magical realism with realistic depictions of adolescent challenges in contemporary Japan. It topped Kadokawa's Da Vinci magazine "Book of the Year" list in 2017 and received the Japan Booksellers' Award in 2018 for its commercial success and literary impact. An anime film adaptation, directed by Keiichi Hara and produced by A-1 Pictures, premiered in Japan in December 2022, emphasizing the story's focus on human connection amid loneliness. The work has been translated into multiple languages, including English by Philip Gabriel in 2022, and praised for its poignant examination of mental health issues among youth without resorting to simplistic resolutions.

Publication History

Original Novel Release

The Lonely Castle in the Mirror (Japanese: Kagami no Kojō, lit. "Lonely Castle in the Mirror") is the original Japanese written by . It was published as a single-volume by Publishing on May 11, 2017. The book spans 558 pages and carries the ISBN 978-4-591-15332-1, with a list price of 1,800 yen (excluding tax). Marketed toward readers, it explores themes of social and interpersonal connections through the story of a junior high school girl who enters a fantastical via her bedroom mirror. The initial release preceded significant commercial success, with cumulative sales exceeding 2 million copies by October 2023.

Awards and Initial Recognition

Kagami no Kojō (Lonely Castle in the Mirror) was published on May 11, 2017, by Publishing in . The novel received the 2018 Booksellers' Award (Hon'ya Taishō), an annual prize determined by votes from booksellers nominating and selecting titles they deem most recommendable to customers, with Kagami no Kojō earning 651 points to decisively outscore the runner-up's 283.5 points. This recognition, announced on April 10, 2018, reflected strong early endorsement from the bookselling community for its thematic depth on adolescent and interpersonal bonds. No other major literary prizes were conferred on the at the time of its initial release, though the award's emphasis on sales potential highlighted its prompt resonance with readers facing similar issues of school non-attendance and emotional withdrawal.

Narrative Elements

Plot Overview

Lonesome Castle in the Mirror centers on Kokoro Anzai, a seventh-grade at Yukishina No. 5 Junior High School who withdraws from after enduring severe , becoming unable to attend even an arranged by her parents. While isolated in her bedroom, a talking appears in her mirror and invites her to enter the realm beyond it. Kokoro passes through and arrives in a vast, labyrinthine , where she encounters six other hikikomori—socially withdrawn—junior high students from schools across the area, each drawn similarly through their own mirrors. The , transforming into the form of a , establishes the 's rules: the group may explore freely within its walls, engaging in and , but venturing outside results in petrification and death. To exit permanently and return to the real world, they must locate a hidden key somewhere in the , which grants its finder a single wish. The students agree to search collaboratively, forming tentative bonds over shared experiences of and , though interpersonal dynamics and the quest's constraints introduce conflicts and revelations about their circumstances.

Character Profiles

Kokoro Anzai is the and primary narrator, a first-year junior high school student who withdraws from school after enduring persistent from a classmate, confining herself to her home where she immerses in books and . Her entry castle represents an escape from isolation, during which she gradually builds courage and interpersonal connections with the group. Akiko Inoue (Aki), a third-year , projects an outgoing and cheerful personality that conceals deep-seated emotional fragility stemming from a dysfunctional home life marked by parental neglect and inappropriate dynamics. She often assumes informal among the female members of the group, facilitating discussions and support within the castle. Rion Mizumori, a and accomplished soccer player, copes with profound over the death of his older sister from a , which prompted his family's relocation to . His reserved demeanor in the castle reflects ongoing idolization of his sibling and reluctance to form new attachments. Subaru Nagahisa, the tallest among the third-year students, was abandoned by his parents and raised by grandparents, fostering a mature and detached exterior accentuated by his bleached hair and possession of a cherished inherited from his father. His participation highlights themes of familial abandonment and gradual emotional thawing through peer interactions. Fuuka Hasegawa, a second-year from an impoverished background, faces intense pressure from her mother's ambitions for her musical career, resulting in a blunt and initially standoffish attitude. She channels her reserved nature through piano performances in the castle, eventually warming to the collective and expressing suppressed vulnerabilities. , a second-year and avid derisively nicknamed "Liar Masa" by peers for exaggerating ties to the gaming industry, exhibits a grumpy disposition but demonstrates loyalty, particularly toward , amid his struggles with social credibility. , a first-year student of heavier build, frequently falls into unrequited crushes and is exploited by acquaintances for financial or social gain, contributing to his bullied status and low . His kind-hearted participation in the castle fosters a sense of belonging and self-worth absent in his real-world experiences. Ōkami-sama (Wolf Queen) functions as the masked, anthropomorphic overseer who convenes the seven students in the , imposing rules such as a strict and a search for a concealed key that promises wish fulfillment at the price of memories. Her cryptic guidance and enigmatic origins underscore the narrative's fantastical elements and psychological depth.

Themes and Symbolism

The novel Lonely Castle in the Mirror explores themes of profound isolation among adolescents, particularly those experiencing and in contemporary , where such issues contribute to youth crises. The protagonists, seven middle-school students, retreat into a fantastical as an escapist mechanism, reflecting real-world phenomena like —social withdrawal affecting an estimated 1.15 million Japanese aged 15–64 as of recent surveys—where individuals avoid societal pressures by isolating indoors. This theme underscores causal links between peer aggression, academic stress, and emotional shutdown, portraying not as mere avoidance but as a temporary —a literary space-time outside —for processing without immediate confrontation. Central to the narrative is the redemptive potential of interpersonal bonds forged in adversity, emphasizing that healing emerges from mutual vulnerability rather than solitary endurance. The characters' interactions within the castle reveal shared wounds from and familial discord, fostering gradual that mirrors empirical findings on reducing depressive symptoms in isolated youth. Tsujimura integrates European motifs to symbolize unresolved childhood traumas, such as or , transforming archetypal narratives into metaphors for personal reckoning; for instance, quests for "keys" to wishes represent pivotal life choices amid despair. This approach critiques passive fantasy consumption, advocating active engagement with one's to break cycles of alienation. Symbolically, the mirror functions as a gateway to the , inverting external judgments to expose internal truths and enabling absent in the protagonists' oppressive real-world mirrors of . The titular embodies paradoxical —a grand yet empty fortress signifying both protective and the hollowness of unshared existence—evoking Gothic literary traditions where externalizes states. The Wolf Queen, a spectral , allegorizes predatory or internalized guilt, subverting gendered villains by aligning her with the children's guardian instincts, thus highlighting ambiguity in threat perception during vulnerability. These elements collectively symbolize the tension between retreat and reintegration, positing that true resolution demands confronting symbolized fears to reclaim agency in reality.

Adaptations

Manga Version

The manga adaptation of Lonely Castle in the Mirror, illustrated by Tomo Taketomi and based on Mizuki Tsujimura's novel, was serialized in Shueisha's magazine from the June 2019 issue to the February 2022 issue. The series spans 35 chapters, collected into five volumes under the Young Jump Comics imprint, with the final volume released on May 19, 2022. licensed the manga for English-language release, with the first volume published on November 7, 2023, and subsequent volumes following in 2024. Taketomi's artwork emphasizes the novel's introspective tone through detailed depictions of the protagonists' emotional isolation and the fantastical castle setting, using soft shading and symbolic mirror motifs to convey psychological depth. The adaptation remains faithful to the source material's structure, following seventh-grader Kokoro Anzai and six other withdrawn middle schoolers who enter a mysterious castle via bedroom mirrors, tasked with finding a hidden key to grant wishes while confronting personal traumas. Unlike the novel's prose-driven internal monologues, the incorporates visual pacing to heighten tension during castle explorations and interpersonal revelations, such as the wolf-masked girl's guidance and the gradual unveiling of characters' backstories involving and family issues. Critics noted the five-volume format as concise yet comprehensive, avoiding unnecessary expansion while preserving the story's focus on friendship's role in overcoming .

Anime Film Adaptation

An film adaptation of Lonely Castle in the Mirror, titled Kagami no Kojō in Japanese, was produced by and directed by Keiichi Hara, known for prior works such as Colorful (2010) and (2015), both of which explore introspective themes of youth and self-discovery. The screenplay was written by Miho Maruo, with music composed by Harumi Fuuki and a theme song "merry-go-round" performed by Yuuri. Principal voice cast included Ami Tōma as the protagonist , Naho Yokomizo as Fūka, and Rihito Itagaki as Subaru, among others portraying the group of seven students central to the story. Production emphasized faithful adaptation of Mizuki Tsujimura's novel while incorporating Hara's stylistic approach to emotional depth through , including detailed rendering of the titular castle's labyrinthine architecture and symbolic mirror portals. The film premiered in on December 23, 2022, distributed by Co., Ltd., coinciding with the holiday season to target family and young adult audiences. GKIDS acquired North American distribution rights in April 2023, arranging a on June 21 and 22, 2023, followed by digital and Blu-ray availability on September 26, 2023. The adaptation screened at international festivals, including Loves Anime in 2023, broadening its exposure beyond domestic markets.

Reception and Analysis

Critical Evaluations

Critics have commended Mizuki Tsujimura's novel Lonely Castle in the Mirror for its sincere depiction of adolescent anxieties, including bullying and social withdrawal, framed through a magical refuge that allows characters to process trauma via shared narratives inspired by European fairy tales such as Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia. The story's use of fantasy elements, like a mirror portal to a castle where seven bullied children undertake quests, serves as a metaphorical space for psychological healing, addressing Japanese societal issues such as futoko (school refusal) and hikikomori (acute social withdrawal) without overt didacticism. Analytical reviews highlight the novel's strength in evolving , where initial gives way to tentative friendships, revealing the internalized of conformity pressures in Japan's system and parental expectations that exacerbate . Tsujimura's narration through protagonist effectively captures the "astoundingly earnest and often awkward" journey of lonely youth, prompting adult readers to reflect on their own experiences while critiquing how societal intensifies parental "management" of children. However, some evaluations note limitations, such as a resolution that ties narrative threads too neatly, diminishing the ambiguity expected in explorations of and potentially undermining the story's emotional . The orientation may restrict broader appeal, requiring readers to suspend disbelief regarding the magical mechanics without deeper subversion of conventions. The 2022 anime film adaptation, directed by Keiichi Hara, has elicited mixed critical responses, praised for its mature handling of themes like rebuilding trust among traumatized teens but faulted for execution flaws. Reviewers appreciate the film's hopeful message—emphasizing as a counter to isolation, amid Japan's reported 514 school-aged suicides in the prior year—but criticize its pacing, with early slice-of-life segments building tension that culminates in rushed revelations and plot whiplash. Animation quality draws particular scrutiny, featuring routine character designs and underwhelming integration of 2D and 3D elements in key sequences, which underutilize the castle's potential for visual whimsy to balance bleak trauma discussions. While the climax employs striking mirror imagery to symbolize personal transformation, the overall narrative feels overlong and heavy-handed, with predictable mysteries and stereotypical dialogue that weaken character depth compared to the novel's introspective focus.

Commercial Success

The novel Lonely Castle in the Mirror, originally published in Japanese as Kagami no Kojō in 2017 by , achieved significant commercial performance in , with cumulative print run exceeding 2 million copies as of 2023. This figure reflects strong domestic sales following its receipt of the 2018 Hon'ya Taishō (Bookstore Award), which boosted its visibility among retailers and readers. Earlier milestones included surpassing 1 million copies by March 2021 and 1.6 million by January 2023, underscoring sustained demand driven by word-of-mouth and literary acclaim. The anime film adaptation, directed by Keiichi Hara and produced by , grossed over 1 billion yen (approximately $7.5 million USD at contemporary exchange rates) at the , marking a solid performance for an original animated feature amid competition from higher-budget releases. Worldwide earnings reached at least ¥848 million (about $6.3 million USD), with limited international theatrical releases contributing modestly, including a North American rollout via and . The film debuted at sixth place in Japan's weekly rankings upon its December , reflecting appeal to audiences interested in introspective fantasy narratives. The adaptation, illustrated by Tomo Taketomi and serialized starting in , has seen publication in multiple volumes by in and internationally, but specific sales data remains undisclosed in public reports, suggesting more niche appeal compared to the and . Overall, the franchise's success stems primarily from the novel's bestseller status and the anime's theatrical earnings, capitalizing on Tsujimura's reputation for youth-oriented mysteries.

Societal Impact and Debates

The novel Lonely Castle in the Mirror has contributed to heightened awareness of youth issues in , particularly (ijime) and social withdrawal (futoko), which affect an estimated 250,000 students annually refusing to attend school as of recent government data. By framing these problems within a fantastical , the story encourages readers to confront emotional without overt didacticism, resonating with adolescents facing real-world pressures where correlates with elevated rates—Japan's child suicide figures reached 440 in 2022, often linked to school-related stress. Its commercial success, including over 700,000 copies sold by 2023, underscores a cultural shift toward acknowledging isolation's psychological toll, as evidenced by publisher notes in English editions highlighting Japan's crisis among youth. Academic analyses position the work as a modern that articulates otherwise inexpressible traumas, using to explore and societal without romanticizing . Psychoanalytic interpretations emphasize its depiction of "dark identities" rooted in bullying's long-term effects, such as fragmented self-perception and relational distrust, framing it as a tool for feminist-informed discourse in . Reviews, including one in The Japan Times, argue it prompts facing bullying's consequences rather than evasion, potentially aiding therapeutic reflection for affected readers. Debates surrounding the center on fantasy's role in processing versus perpetuating avoidance of real-world , with some critics cautioning that magical resolutions might undervalue clinical for conditions like or PTSD prevalent in futoko cases. However, proponents highlight its empirical alignment with chronotopic storytelling—blending time and space to mirror therapeutic narratives—that fosters and , as seen in reader discussions linking characters' arcs to experiences of anxiety. No widespread controversies have emerged, but its adaptations have amplified calls for integrating such literature into to address systemic failures in prevention, where only 20% of cases receive formal per Ministry of Education reports.

References

  1. [1]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura - Goodreads
    Rating 4.2 (37,835) First published May 1, 2017. Book details & editions. 2438 people are currently reading. 123663 people want to read. About the author. Profile Image for Mizuki ...
  2. [2]
  3. [3]
    'Lonely Castle in the Mirror' by Mizuki Tsujimura (Review)
    Aug 19, 2024 · A fantasy with a hint of real-world darkness, Lonely Castle in the Mirror takes a contemporary Japanese theme, bullying and school drop-outs.
  4. [4]
    Reviews and Recommendations: Lonely Castle in the Mirror
    Mar 23, 2023 · The book won the 2018 Japan's Bookseller Award due to its high sales and excellent reception. Some adult readers commented that this story ...
  5. [5]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror - Films - GKids
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a heartfelt drama about the pains of growing up and the unlikely bonds that can bring people together.
  6. [6]
    Amazon.com: Lonely Castle In The Mirror
    Book details ; Publisher. Erewhon Books ; Publication date. October 18, 2022 ; Dimensions. 5.72 x 1.17 x 8.75 inches ; ISBN-10. 1645660400 ; ISBN-13. 978-1645660408.Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  7. [7]
    Mizuki Tsujimura's Lonely Castle in the Mirror Novel Gets Anime ...
    Feb 23, 2022 · Tsujimura released the original novel in Japan in 2017. It won the 2018 Japan Booksellers' Award, topped Da Vinci magazine's Book of the ...
  8. [8]
    辻村 深月 - Amazon.co.jp: かがみの孤城
    Rating 4.6 (4,824) かがみの孤城 ; 言語. 日本語 ; 出版社. ポプラ社 ; 発売日. 2017/5/11 ; 寸法. 13.7 x 3 x 19.5 cm ; ISBN-10. 4591153320.Missing: 初版 | Show results with:初版
  9. [9]
    かがみの孤城|一般書|小説・文芸|本を探す - ポプラ社
    不登校の少女が鏡の向こうの世界で出会ったのは――生きづらさを感じているすべての人に贈る物語。一気読み必至の著者最高傑作。 発売年月, 2017年5月. ISBN, 978-4-591- ...
  10. [10]
    かがみの孤城 | 本の総合カタログBooks 出版書誌データベース
    ISBN:9784591153321 出版社:ポプラ社判型:B6変ページ数:558ページ定価:1800円(本体) 発行年月日:2017年05月発売日:2017年05月10日国際分類コード【Thema(シーマ)】 1: ...Missing: 中 初版<|separator|>
  11. [11]
    かがみの孤城 辻村深月 | ポプラ社
    2021.03.03 3月5日文庫版『かがみの孤城』が上下巻同時発売! 2021.03.03 コミック版3巻が好評発売中! 2019.11.21 オーディオブック版『かがみの孤城』が配信開始しました。Missing: 初版 | Show results with:初版
  12. [12]
    【祝!】辻村深月の代表作『かがみの孤城』(ポプラ社刊)が
    Oct 26, 2023 · 『かがみの孤城』(辻村深月・著)は、2017年5月にポプラ社より刊行以来、年齢を問わず、幅広い世代に熱い感動を届けてきた。 · いよいよ累計200万部突破。Missing: 初版 | Show results with:初版
  13. [13]
    2018年 第15回 - 本屋大賞
    その結果、2018年本屋大賞に「かがみの孤城」辻村深月(ポプラ社)が決まりました。 大賞. 651.0点. かがみの孤城. 辻村深月(著). ポプラ社. かがみの孤城. 2位. 283.5点.
  14. [14]
    祝!本屋大賞受賞『かがみの孤城』辻村深月さん「子どもとかつて ...
    辻村深月さんの『かがみの孤城』が、2018年 本屋大賞を受賞しました! 辻村さんはこれまでに3作品がノミネートされていますが、本屋大賞は初の受賞となります。
  15. [15]
    2018年本屋大賞受賞!辻村深月『かがみの孤城』はここがスゴイ!
    Apr 12, 2018 · 2018年4月10日に発表された、「2018年本屋大賞」。大賞には辻村深月さんの『かがみの孤城』が見事選ばれました。鏡をくぐり抜けた先にあった不思議な ...
  16. [16]
    次の誰かを救う「バトン」に 「かがみの孤城」で本屋大賞受賞の ...
    May 14, 2018 · 中学生の葛藤や成長を繊細な筆致でつづったファンタジー小説『かがみの孤城』(ポプラ社)で、「2018年本屋大賞」を射止めた辻村深月(みづき)さん(38)。
  17. [17]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror - Publishers Weekly
    Sep 1, 2022 · Seventh grader Kokoro Anzai is bullied so badly that she drops out of Yukishina No. 5 Junior High School and can't bring herself to attend the ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  18. [18]
    Characters in Lonely Castle in the Mirror - TV Tropes
    Aki has a turbulent relationship with her neglectful mother and is ostracized by her peers for · Rion had an older sister he idolised who died of a terminal ...Missing: descriptions | Show results with:descriptions
  19. [19]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror | Summary, Analysis, FAQ - SoBrief
    Rating 4.6 (105) May 20, 2025 · Kokoro Anzai, a junior high student, is trapped in a cycle of anxiety and isolation due to relentless bullying. Her days are spent in the confines of her home.Plot Summary · The Mysterious Castle's... · Kokoro's Courageous...
  20. [20]
    Lonely Children in the Mirror: Isolation, Young People's Mental ...
    Mar 23, 2023 · In Lonely Castle in the Mirror, the virtual world of a fairy-tale castle serves as a chronotope, located outside conventional time-space. Here, ...Missing: analysis | Show results with:analysis
  21. [21]
    Trauma and Fairy Tales in Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki ...
    Jun 7, 2023 · This article deals with the metaphoric representation of childhood traumatic experiences through references to European fairy tales in the novel ...Missing: analysis | Show results with:analysis
  22. [22]
    Review: The Lonely Castle in the Mirror - Beneath the Tangles
    Jun 19, 2023 · Kokoro and six teens enter a castle to heal and form bonds, focusing on healing through interactions, and the film conveys a message of hope.
  23. [23]
    Wolf Queens and Girl Heroes: How Lonely Castle in the Mirror plays ...
    Dec 15, 2021 · The Lonely Castle uses the trappings of familiar fairytales to create an escapist space: here, the characters can be free of the issues that ...<|separator|>
  24. [24]
  25. [25]
    MANGA REVIEW: Lonely Castle in the Mirror Vol. 1 explores trauma ...
    Nov 8, 2023 · Mizuki Tsujimura's story in Lonely Castle in the Mirror (with a wonderful manga adaptation by Tomo Taketomi) is a raw look at the emotional strains caused by ...
  26. [26]
    かがみの孤城 - まんが王国
    かがみの孤城 -辻村深月,武富智の電子書籍・漫画(コミック)を無料で試し読み[巻]。学校に居場所をなくし、閉じこもっていた中学1年生の安西こころの目の前で、ある日、 ...
  27. [27]
    Firechick's Manga Reviews: Lonely Castle In The Mirror
    Mar 22, 2023 · The manga adaptation for Lonely Castle In The Mirror is five volumes long, which to me feels like the perfect length for this, as every ...
  28. [28]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror (movie) - Anime News Network
    Ami Tōma as Kokoro ; Aoi Miyazaki as Kitajima-sensei ; Karen Takizawa as School Nurse ; Kumiko Asou as Kokoro's mother ; Mana Ashida as Ōkami-sama.
  29. [29]
  30. [30]
    'Lonely Castle In The Mirror' Sets Release Date With Gkids - Deadline
    Apr 13, 2023 · The film based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Mizuki Tsujimura, featuring animation from A-1 Pictures, is slated for a theatrical release.<|control11|><|separator|>
  31. [31]
    Anime Film Comes to Theaters June 21 & 22 From GKIDS | News
    LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR - Anime Film Comes to Theaters June 21 & 22 From GKIDS ... Source: GKIDS press release, Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Sites: https:// ...
  32. [32]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror Review — Scotland Loves Anime 2023
    Nov 15, 2023 · Now with 2023's Scotland Loves Anime festival, Hara returns with Lonely Castle in the Mirror, an adaptation of Mizuki Tsujimura's acclaimed 2017 ...
  33. [33]
    The Wonders and Horrors of Youth in Mizuki Tsujimura's Lonely ...
    Oct 20, 2022 · A moving psychological journey for adults who have tried, as hard as they can, to forget the most perplexing and emotionally turbulent stage of human life.<|control11|><|separator|>
  34. [34]
    [PDF] Trauma and Fairy Tales in Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki ...
    Jun 18, 2023 · Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura tells a story about a 12-year-old girl, Kokoro, who has dropped out of junior high school. She ...<|separator|>
  35. [35]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror movie review (2023) - Roger Ebert
    Rating 2/4 · Review by Rendy JonesJun 22, 2023 · "Lonely Castle in the Mirror" is dull and overlong, weighed down by its heavy-handed and intense discussions about teenage trauma and loneliness.Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
  36. [36]
    累計発行部数200万部突破の本屋大賞受賞作を映像化した劇場アニメ ...
    Jan 12, 2024 · ... かがみの孤城』。子どもから大人まで幅広い世代からの支持を集め、累計発行部数は200万部を突破し、大ヒットとなりました。ファンタジーやミステリー ...
  37. [37]
    『かがみの孤城』(辻村深月)の3つの魅力|感想 - RUKI BOOKS
    タイトル, かがみの孤城 ; 著者, 辻村深月 ; 出版社, ポプラ社 ; 発売日, ハードカバー|2017年5月11日文庫|2021年3月5日 ; ページ数, 554ページ.
  38. [38]
    原作160万部超『かがみの孤城』はいったい「何が凄いのか」…十代 ...
    Jan 21, 2023 · 2017年に刊行され、2018年に本屋大賞を受賞し、累計発行部数160万部を超える辻村深月の小説『かがみの孤城』が原恵一監督の手によりアニメーション映画化
  39. [39]
  40. [40]
    Keiichi Hara's 'Lonely Castle in the Mirror' Takes Audiences Through ...
    Jun 1, 2023 · “Lonely Castle in the Mirror has grossed more than ¥848 million (about $6.3 million in U.S. dollars) at the box office worldwide. It's ...
  41. [41]
  42. [42]
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror (novel) - The Japan Society
    An innovative and tender blend of social commentary and magical realism, is a prizewinning novel by Tsujimura Mizuki published in 2017.
  43. [43]
    Dark Identities in Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
    This research establishes Lonely Castle in the Mirror as a significant work in modern Japanese literature, emphasizing its role in addressing mental health, ...