Haruko Ichikawa’s critically acclaimed manga series, Land of the Lustrous (Hōseki no Kuni), has been awarded the prestigious top prize in the Sense of Gender Awards by the Japanese Association for Gender, Fantasy & Science Fiction. The announcement was made on Sunday at the 63rd Japan Science Fiction Convention (Nihon SF Taikai), where the manga also secured the Best Comic award.
The Sense of Gender Awards recognize science fiction and fantasy works that profoundly explore and deepen the concept of gender, inviting readers to reconsider its complexities. Often described as the Japanese equivalent of the Otherwise Award (formerly the James Tiptree Jr. Award) in the United States, the accolade highlights works that challenge conventional understandings of gender through their narrative and world-building.
Exploring Gender in a Gemstone World
Land of the Lustrous is set in a distant future where immortal humanoid lifeforms, embodiments of gemstones, battle against celestial beings known as Lunarians. Despite the characters in the story being future beings without reproduction or traditional gender, creator Haruko Ichikawa consciously aimed to instill a sense of continuity with ancient “humans” while developing the unique social dynamics of these new beings. This nuanced approach to identity and social structure within a non-binary context resonated deeply with the Sense of Gender Award’s mission.
Kodansha, the manga’s publisher, accepted the award on Ichikawa’s behalf at the ceremony, conveying a message of gratitude from the author for the significant honor.
The Legacy and Recognition of Land of the Lustrous
The Sense of Gender Award is the latest in a series of major accolades for Land of the Lustrous. The manga has garnered significant recognition for its unique art style, intricate narrative, and philosophical depth.
Previous Acclaim and Accolades
Earlier this year, in February 2025, the series won the grand prize at the 45th Nihon SF Taishō Awards, a highly respected honor in Japanese science fiction. This was followed by another triumph in July 2025, when it received the Seiun Award in the Best Comic category, presented by the Japan Science Fiction Convention. These awards solidify its standing as a groundbreaking work within the science fiction and fantasy genres.
Past recognitions also include nominations for the 8th Manga Taishō award in 2015 and ranking 19th in the inaugural Next Manga Award. The manga, which concluded its serialization in April 2024 after more than a decade, has consistently been praised for its innovative storytelling and distinctive visual presentation. With over 1.4 million copies in circulation by October 2017 and 1.8 million by April 2018, its impact on readers and the industry is undeniable.
The Sense of Gender Award: A Focus on Inclusive Storytelling
Established in 2001, the Sense of Gender Awards are annual honors bestowed by the Japanese Association for Gender, Fantasy & Science Fiction. They celebrate works published in the Japanese language during the preceding year that effectively “explore and deepen the concept of Gender.” The award also recognizes translated works. This focus on gender exploration sets it apart, encouraging creators to push boundaries and offer diverse perspectives within their fantastical and scientific narratives. Previous winners have included works such as The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe, Raven of the Inner Palace, and The Promised Neverland, showcasing a history of recognizing influential and thought-provoking storytelling.
Land of the Lustrous‘s latest victory underscores its profound cultural and literary significance, further cementing its legacy as a pivotal work that challenges perceptions of identity, existence, and gender in speculative fiction.
