Keigo Higashino, Author Behind The Camphorwood Custodian Anime Film, Dies at 68

Keigo Higashino, one of Japan's most celebrated mystery novelists and the author behind The Camphorwood Custodian anime film, died on July 23 at the age of 68. His publisher, Kodansha, confirmed the cause of death as colorectal cancer. A private funeral ceremony was held by his family.

A Career That Defined Modern Japanese Mystery Fiction

Born in Osaka in 1958, Higashino began writing novels while working as an engineer at what is now auto parts manufacturer Denso Corporation. His debut novel, Hokago (After School), won the prestigious Edogawa Rampo Prize in 1985 and launched what would become one of the most prolific careers in Japanese literary history.

Over the following four decades, Higashino built an extraordinary body of work spanning mystery, thriller, and drama genres. His Galileo detective novel series became a cultural touchstone in Japan, while standalone works like The Devotion of Suspect X (Yogisha X no Kenshin), The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, and Mugenbana (Dream Flower) cemented his reputation as a master of intricately plotted storytelling. He was also a recipient of the Naoki Prize, one of Japan's most esteemed literary awards.

Higashino's popularity extended far beyond Japan's borders. His novels achieved massive readership across East Asia - particularly in South Korea and China - where his cultural influence drew comparisons to fellow Japanese author Haruki Murakami.

Anime and Film Legacy

Higashino's works inspired a wide range of adaptations, including live-action films, theatrical productions, musicals, and anime. Most recently, his 2020 novel The Camphorwood Custodian (Kusunoki no Bannin) was adapted into an anime film by A-1 Pictures. The film premiered on January 30, 2026, earning approximately $800,400 during its opening weekend in Japan.

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, another of his best-known novels, was also adapted into a live-action film that found audiences across multiple Asian markets. His Galileo series spawned a long-running Japanese television drama franchise starring Masaharu Fukuyama, along with associated theatrical films, further expanding Higashino's reach into mainstream entertainment.

A Lasting Impact on Storytelling

With cumulative sales in the tens of millions across his catalog, Higashino was among the best-selling authors in Japanese publishing history. His distinctive approach to mystery writing - which often prioritized emotional depth and moral complexity over procedural mechanics - influenced a generation of Japanese crime fiction authors.

His final published novel, Swans and Bats (Hakucho to Komori), continued the thematic hallmarks that defined his career: layered character dynamics, carefully constructed reveals, and narratives that interrogated the boundaries between justice and compassion.

Highashino's death at 68 leaves a significant void in Japanese literature. For anime fans, The Camphorwood Custodian remains available in Japanese theaters and stands as the most recent creative work to carry his storytelling into the medium of animation.