is the
pen name
A pen name, also called a ''nom de plume'' or a literary double, is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name.
A pen na ...
of a Japanese author who has published over 100
light novel
A light novel (, Hepburn: ''raito noberu'') is a style of young adult novel primarily targeting high school and middle school students. The term "light novel" is a ''wasei-eigo'', or a Japanese term formed from words in the English languag ...
volumes. He is best known for the creation of the ''
A Certain Magical Index
is a Japanese light novel series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura, which has been published by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki Bunko imprint since April 2004 in a total of three sepa ...
'' franchise which, as of 2019, has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and has been licensed in North America by
Yen Press
Yen Press, LLC is an American manga and graphic novel publisher co-owned by Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. It published ''Yen Plus'', a monthly comic anthology, between 2008 and 2013. In addition to translated material, Yen Press ...
with the first novel being released in Q4 2014.
Career
Kazuma Kamachi has stated that ever since he was a child, he had always wanted to become a novelist, spending his student days in trying to achieve this dream. However, his intention was never to become a popular writer.
From the time he was in junior high school, bit-by-bit he started writing, but it was not until he graduated from high school that he ever completed any of his work.
Kamachi submitted his novel ''Schrödinger's Machi'' (シュレディンガーの街) to the 9th Dengeki Game Novel Prize, but it was rejected in the third round.
Despite this, his work caught the attention of editor-in-charge of the award,
Kazuma Miki
is a Japanese light novel editor. He is CEO of Straight Edge Inc, editor-in-chief of LINE novel, and outside director of Egg Firm. He is from the Tokushima prefecture. He graduated from Sophia University as a physics major.
Overview
After gr ...
, who offered him a chance to write another work.
For around a year, Kamachi exchanged and discussed prototype stories with Miki,
and made his debut with ''A Certain Magical Index'' in April 2004 after 6 or 7 revisions. The initial volume was written as a complete story in case that it would not sell,
however after selling well, it was decided that it would become a series. ''A Certain Magical Index'' would soon be adapted to a manga, then to an anime, a movie, games, etc. turning into an extremely popular franchise. This, in turn, led to the series breaking many
Dengeki Bunko
is a publishing imprint affiliated with the Japanese publishing company ASCII Media Works (formerly MediaWorks). It was established in June 1993 with the publication of '' Hyōryū Densetsu Crystania'' volume one, and is a light novel imprint a ...
, the series' publisher, records, such as being the first series to have 1, 2, and then 3 million copies in circulation. In April 2016, Kamachi signed a contract to write for Kazuma Miki's new company Straight Edge Inc. On July 10, 2020, he became the first Dengeki writer to have published 100 volumes under their label.
He states that many of his pre-debut works, including the prototypes he sent to Miki, remains stored away at his house.
Personal life
Not much is known about Kazuma Kamachi's personal life, which is also true for other light novel authors in
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
. As an author, he is known for his consistent output in writing his books, releasing at least 3 per year. Starting in December 2014, Kazuma has been releasing novels monthly in 4 different titles while working on 3 different manga titles.
Kazuma Miki
is a Japanese light novel editor. He is CEO of Straight Edge Inc, editor-in-chief of LINE novel, and outside director of Egg Firm. He is from the Tokushima prefecture. He graduated from Sophia University as a physics major.
Overview
After gr ...
, editor of the ''A Certain Magical Index'' series, released a book and a chapter named ''Kamachi Kazuma the Legend'' confirms/debunks rumors about him and talks about him.
Works
Novels
Manga
Film
Video games
Awards
* ''
Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!
is an annual light novel guide book published by Takarajimasha. The guide book publishes a list of the top ten most popular light novels according to readers polled on the Internet and votes from "collaborators" (critics, influencers, and other p ...
''
** 2009 - 4th Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2010 - 9th Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2011 - 1st Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2012 - 2nd Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2013 - 2nd Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2014 - 3rd Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2015 - 4th Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2016 - 7th Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2017 - 3rd Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
** 2019 - 9th Place in Best Novel Series, ''A Certain Magical Index''
References
External links
Kazuma Kamachi 10 Year Anniversary official website
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kamachi, Kazuma
21st-century Japanese novelists
Light novelists
Living people
Unidentified people
Year of birth missing (living people)
21st-century pseudonymous writers