TOKYO - The sequel to Tokyo Swindlers, the thrilling Japanese crime novel that was adapted into the Netflix hit of the same name, picks up where it left off - in Singapore.
It was the city-state where the charismatic yet sadistic ringleader Harrison Yamanaka fled to, after defrauding a major real estate developer of 10.3 billion yen (S$89 million) in a high-stakes, high-returns scam.
Ko Shinjo, 41, the self-professed accidental author who says he stumbled into writing, tells The Sunday Times that he chose Singapore as the backdrop because of its reputation among the Japanese.
"There are casinos and, yet, there is the perception that it is impossibly clean and incorruptible. The preferential tax policies also mean a lot of wealthy Japanese have been going to Singapore for tax benefits," Shinjo says.
It is in Singapore where Yamanaka hatches an even more audacious real estate scam back in Japan, as he reels in and hooks a despairing compatriot whom he meets at a casino into his band of jimenshi (land swindlers).
The sequel, titled Tokyo Swindlers: Final Bets, was first serialized from May 2022 to January 2024 and published in novel form in July.
It will likely take years for the book to be dramatized or translated into English - Shinjo and his publisher Shueisha were adamant that nothing has been decided yet.
But it is clear that global interest in Shinjo's works has soared after Tokyo Swindlers was adapted into the 2024 Netflix sensation - a seven-parter that stars A-listers such as Go Ayano and Lily Franky and has led to an exclusive five-year deal with director Hitoshi Ohne.
With the drama's success comes the English translation of the source material, out in bookstores in November.
ãã®èšäºã¯ The Straits Times ã® November 10, 2024 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ The Straits Times ã® November 10, 2024 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
Singer Karol G apologises for song said to sexualise minors
Colombian reggaeton star Karol G apologised on Nov 11 after her latest song, +57, was criticised for sexualising minors.
Mattel mistakenly lists porn site on packaging for Wicked dolls
All may be good in the Land of Oz, but the same cannot be said for the world of Mattel.
Singer G.E.M. to perform at National Stadium in March
Hong Kong singer G.E.M. is slated to hold a concert at the National Stadium on March 1, 2025.
Actress Megan Fox pregnant again after miscarriage
After a previous miscarriage, American actress Megan Fox is pregnant again. American rapper Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, is reportedly the father, according to US media.
Singer Yu Tian's son-in-law receives suspended jail sentence for scam involvement
Gary Chen, the son-in-law of famed Taiwanese singers Yu Tian and Li Ya-ping, has been given a suspended jail sentence for his involvement with a scam syndicate.
Irish pop band The Corrs to hold February concert
Irish pop quartet The Corrs will be back in Singapore for a concert at The Star Theatre on Feb 13, 2025.
A French veterinary psychiatrist puts cats on the couch in new book
Even dog people must admit that cats are having a moment.
Lisa shares her love of Singapore food
The Thai rapper-singer is the first member of Blackpink to hold a solo fan meet here
Gladiator gets sequel after two decades
After many delays, Gladiator II hits cinemas, and star Paul Mescal feels pressure to measure up to original
Moana follow-up may accelerate Disney's film studio comeback
Walt Disney Company's most streamed movie of all time has nothing to do with Star Wars, The Avengers, or the singing sisters of Frozen.