Light Novels you Might have Missed: Ryuo no Oshigoto!

Hi everyone! Welcome back to Tiro Finale! Its been... awhile since I put another entry into this series where I simply put out shows, books, games or whatnot that I think really flew under the radar, particularly outside of Japan, that it just make someone's day. Today, I will be featuring a relatively new discovery, and boy it's a good one, and damn did I not see it coming.

The Japanese sleeper hit Ryuo no Oshigoto! (The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!) by Shiratori Shirow is more than anything, about the sport of Shogi, or to be precise, the World of Shogi, the people that play it, run it, and by no exaggeration, live for it. Some of us may have fancied the idea of making a living doing what we love, before putting it away as a fancy pipe dream, perhaps not even realizing what monumental amount of talent, hard work and grit it takes to Attempt turning a hobby into a profession in a competitive field success comes to so, so few. Most people wouldn't even try, some do before realizing its okay to give up this dream, but there are of course there are those That.Just.Can't. live without it. It's the road of a Professional player.

The primary protagonist of the series, Kuzuryu Yaichi, is a young Shogi Professional, who achieved the status of Ryuo, a foremost title among the 8 major pro Shogi titles, at the age of 16. His young age and the burden of a title holder does leave him a in a bit of a slump as his relatively low rank and losing streak makes him ponder if he really deserves it. Into his life steps Hinatsuru Ai, a 9-year-old elementary schooler, who, deeply inspired by Yaichi's title match, appears before him to ask for apprenticeship. Initially dismissive of his ability to take care of just himself, let alone an apprentice, Ai under normal circumstances would be considered to have taken up Shogi too late at TOO OLD an age to make it far. And in a professional world where a lot of people who make it train from a young age and are be able to walk over the average adult player as children, that isn't too much of an expectation. However, impressed by her insanely prodigal talent, and later encouraged by her passion for the game, Yaichi, is eventually compelled to nurture this raw talent and teach her about the world of Shogi.

That's the gist of it anyway... for the first book. The series as a whole branches out over course of the series to center around Yaichi, Ai, their extended Shogi family, and the people associated with each of them. New side characters are often introduced, adding competitors, their support networks, the Shogi Association staff, Shogi journalist to the ever expanding (and often reoccurring) cast of characters. I will get back to this later.

Now, let's get to the crux of the matter, Shogi isn't for everybody. It's easy enough to pick up and play casually, sure. But to dedicate to the path of a professional, entirely to shogi is quite another matter, to put it extremely mildly. The series delves a lot into the mindset of Shogi players, how their lives essential revolves around the game, how much time they spend preparing and researching, how much of a normal social life they consciously give up, how much of a role they have in teaching others and promoting the game, how most everyone in their immediate lives play or work in the field of Shogi, even how their biological family can sometimes be less a part of their lives than their Shogi family. To them, Shogi is a major part of lives.

All of them love the game of Shogi of course, but once someone decides and COMMITS to go pro, there is no turning back. The game then becomes Dead.Serious. Whichever level on the path of a pro, from the initial Practice League, professionals-in-training Sub League, the Women's Pro League,  and the various Professional Leagues, competition is fierce with the ever looming possibility of hitting the age limit for turning Pro, the threat of demotion, or juuust coming short of promotion for yet another year. In world where only the top few promote, in leagues where its not uncommon to have enough competition that going 9-1 in a season hardly guarantees promotion, every game can end up being a do-or-die situation. The ever looming risk missing that important promotion, drawing year after year closer to the age limit to go pro, to fall out of the leagues... many, no most will fail, and more than a few will have to deal with almost wasting a life dedicated to Shogi. And when the opponents you face are all have spend at least just as much time and effort committed to the game, yeah the pressure can get to you. It's not a series to shy away from the pain of competition.

Add to that reality the existence of prodigies of immense talent and work ethic, and these "Monsters" are fully capable of warping that very same reality. Going further, higher and faster than most, enough to even the aforementioned level of effort look like a farce. These geniuses are perhaps rightfully loved, respected, even revered by their fellow peers, but that same talent undoubtedly draws feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and despair. No competitor or fans can take their gaze of these Monsters, but by the same token few are likely to be able to stand the pressure staying to near to them.

This is just one of a number of underlying themes behind the series and its various chapters. From truly trusting the value of hard work, the strength & will to end another's competitive courier, the struggle of a veteran getting passed-by and the strength to ask for help, the increasing reality of computer-assisted research and more are are woven into a mere Light Novel with a memorable cast, intense competition, all steeped neck deep in Shogi culture. Shiratori's writing & prose make the process of reading it near effortless, its snappy, fun to read, and oh so very intense when it needs to be. But more than anything, it's not difficult felt the truly immense amount of effort put into his work.

Reading through the series, especially into the later chapters, one can't help but it feels... real. You do believe in the struggles, doubts and insecurities of the characters, and their pride, and the worth of their efforts. A look into the various afterwords by Shiratori does shine a light as to why, as it reflects both how he felt as an Light Novel author, and how Ryuo no Oshigoto! became so much a part of his life. 

Shiratori Shirov as a Light Novel author only ever saw a decent amount of success with his previous works such as Nourin. Moderately successful as he was, he never quite felt satisfied of the level of his work, both by his own evaluation, and the perception of Light Novel authors being second rate writers, even being thrown out by grandfather for his courier choices. Sacrificing everything and putting everything into his work, alone, never gained him the satisfaction he wanted, until this time.

Feeling some connection to the struggles of Shogi players, Shiratori immersed himself into the World of Shogi and the lives of the people who make it work. His dedication and appreciation of the craft eventually bore fruit, over time gaining the support  of the Shogi Federation, winning Literary awards (a Light Novel !?), becoming a guest commentator, and even getting to sit near a title match. It's not too far fetched to call him a minor celebrity, and his live has definitely taken a turn for the better. But as Shiratori struggled with the value of his work to society, and seeking, in a period where he lost all his remaining direct relatives, a reason to keep writing, as much as his characters find theirs to keep playing. His story of his grandfather, mother, and forming his own family are moving, and without spoiling it, all tie in to the series in one way or another, and it does rub off into his work.

The Light Novel is currently in its 11th volume in Japan. As for English readers, the book is published by BookWalker Global up to volume 9, with volume 10 debuting later this month. It's a comfortable read with gorgeous illustrations by artist Shirabii, a large, lovable cast, punctuated by intense moments and alleviated by surprisingly funny humor. The series' success and popularity in Japan despite its niche subject matter is more testament to its quality than I am capable of putting into words. It's a series written in search of genuine meaning of hard work in the face of Monsters both within and without, whatever its outcome, in the hope it may yet comfort and inspire just one more person. This one is a keeper.