Twinstar Cyclone Runaway (novel)
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Name: Twinstar Cyclone Runaway (ツインスター・サイクロン・ランナウェイ)
Publisher: Hayakawa Bunko
Date: March 18, 2020 - June 20, 2023 (3 volumes)
Author: Issui Ogawa
Illustrators: Kei Mochizumi
Synopsis: 6000 years in the future, humanity has established itself in orbit around the gas giant planet Fat Beach Ball. The planet's atmosphere is inhabited by Besshu, fish-like creatures composed of a valuable clay -like substance that forms the foundation of the planet's export economy. Fishers work in enforced husband-wife pairs, with the husband piloting the ship and the wife reshaping the ship's malleable hull.
The story follows Terra, a misfit woman whose imaginative transforming skills frustrate prospective husbands, and Diode, a mysterious runaway girl with prodigious piloting ability. Their skill sets prove to be a remarkable match for one another, and they work to maintain their independence and nurture their budding romance within the omnipresent heteronormative and patriarchal clan culture of Fat Beach Ball.
Reason: I've enjoyed Ogawa's previous work that has been translated to English (Lord of the Sands of Time, The Sixth Continent) and am extremely excited to see him working in yuri sci-fi. I've also seen this particular series receive a lot of critical praise both for its characterization, the imagination of its setting and its thoughtful exploration of LGBT issues. The initial short story version of this was even nominated for the Seiun in 2020. Iori Miyazawa has also been bringing it up quite a bit on Twitter, and after the most recent Otherside Picnic volume I'm very interested to check out other stories he's excited by.
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Yuri sci-fi, I want this now!
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When was the last time JNC picked up something from Hayakawa? Definitely would want this as well
