Exploring Murata Sayaka's "World 99": The Human Experience Unveiled
In 2016, Murata Sayaka made waves in the literary world with her novel Convenience Store Woman, which won the prestigious Akutagawa Prize. The book, translated as Konbini ningen by Ginny Tapley Takemori, depicted reality through a protagonist who departed from common sense.
Five years later, in 2025, Murata returned with another thought-provoking novel, "Sekai 99," or World 99 as it's known in English. The cover for this intriguing book was unveiled on August 22, 2025.
In World 99, the main character, Kisaragi Sorako, refers to herself as a "human robot" due to her ability to always meet others' expectations. This theme of identity is further explored with the introduction of mysterious creatures called pyocorns, high-end pets that everyone wants.
Pyocorns are a unique blend of panda, dolphin, rabbit, and alpaca genes, with round eyes, round white noses, and little pink mouths with four teeth. They have become a symbol of wealth in World 99, and their depiction of giving birth is a significant event in the story.
As society evolves in World 99, it becomes normal for friends to marry each other and have pyocorns give birth. However, negative emotions like anger or sadness are discouraged, and people aim to show no hostility towards each other.
The arrival of a pyocorn in Sorako's house leads to a dramatic development in the story, but it's unclear how much is real and how much is imagined. The sheer cuteness of pyocorns puts an invisible pressure on anyone who does not find them adorable.
Interestingly, people in World 99 are divided by DNA, economic power, and upbringing, leading them to live in different worlds. This division is reminiscent of the themes explored in Murata's earlier work, Convenience Store Woman.
Murata's new book, World 99, published by Shūeisha in 2025 with ISBN: 978-4-08-771879-9, continues to challenge readers to question the nature of reality and the role of societal norms in shaping our identities.
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