Seiryusyuppan will publish the picture book "The Little Mouse and the Owl" (Story: Arai Shigeto / Illustrations: Seki Shuichi) at bookstores nationwide on January 25, 2026.
This work is the first picture book in 33 years by Seki Shuichi, an animator and character designer who created numerous legendary characters in Japanese anime history, including "Vicky the Viking," "The Story of Perrine," and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" for the television anime series World Masterpiece Theater (Fuji TV).
The story is written by Arai Shigeto, who has been involved in the film industry for over 30 years, working on publicity and production for numerous films. He currently serves as an advisor to the Tokyo International Film Festival. This is his first original work for a picture book.
Prior to the book's publication, an original artwork exhibition and a gallery talk featuring the authors will be held as a venue to experience the world of the work in three dimensions.
During the exhibition period, the book will be available for purchase at the venue ahead of its nationwide release.
About the Picture Book "The Little Mouse and the Owl"
The story is set in a northern forest. It begins when a hungry owl catches a small mouse.
However, immediately after, the sounds of gunfire and artillery from a human war echo through the forest, and the owl falls to the ground from a stray bullet. The little mouse is now free and could escape. Yet, the little mouse does not flee.
To save the wounded owl's life, the little mouse offers its precious cheese and continues to bring food every night. Eventually, a mysterious friendship grows between the two that transcends the relationship of eater and eaten.
This picture book quietly delivers the questions "How are lives connected?" and "What does it mean to think of others?" not through explanation, but through the accumulation of illustrations and words.
Rather than directly addressing the heavy theme of war, the story is told through the perspective of animals, making it a story that can be received at different depths by both children and adults.
A Picture Book That Generates Dialogue After Reading
Text volume and structure readable from upper elementary school age
Space that makes you want to read again with family and share impressions
Narrative quality as an entry point to thinking about peace and life
Combining both narrative and artistic qualities, this is a picture book that will not be read just once, but read many times, a book that can remain on shelves for a long time.
Commemorative "Seki Shuichi Original Artwork Exhibition" - Free Admission
Period: January 15, 2026 (Thu) to January 20, 2026 (Tue)
*Closes at 4:00 PM on the final day
Venue: Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store 4th Floor Gallery
Centered on original artwork drawn specifically for this work, visitors can see up close the expression of lines, use of white space, and scene composition unique to Seki Shuichi, as well as the process leading to completion as a picture book.
*During the exhibition period, the picture book "The Little Mouse and the Owl" will be available for advance purchase at the venue
Details: https://honto.jp/store/news/detail_041000124216.html?shgcd=HB300
(The nationwide bookstore release date is January 25, 2026)
Gallery Talk Event
Date and Time: January 18, 2026 (Sun) 2:00 PM to
Speakers: Seki Shuichi (Illustrator), Arai Shigeto (Author)
Moderator: Kimura Miyuki (Author, Editor, Picture Book Catalyst®)
The moderator is Kimura Miyuki, a picture book author, editor, and professional read-aloud specialist with 40 years of career experience as a Picture Book Catalyst.
Comment from Kimura Miyuki
"I will introduce this book, which moved me the most this year. A masterpiece has been born that warms the heart with the preciousness of life, altruistic spirit, love and courage."
Kimura empathized with the themes and expression of "The Little Mouse and the Owl" and participated in this gallery talk out of a desire to create a space to deeply appreciate this picture book together with readers.
On the day, dialogue will be deepened while incorporating readers' perspectives about the background of creation and the themes of "life" and "choice" that can be conveyed precisely because it is expressed as a picture book.
Author Profiles
Seki Shuichi (Illustrator)
Born in 1946. After working at TCJ (now Eiken), joined Nippon Animation. Created numerous characters loved across generations in the "World Masterpiece Theater" series, including "Vicky the Viking," "The Story of Perrine," and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." This is his first picture book creation in about 30 years since "REX in four seasons" (published by Kadokawa Shoten).
Arai Shigeto (Author)
Born in 1961. Worked for over 30 years at a major film company in publicity, sales, and production for both Japanese and foreign films. Currently active as a freelance advisor in the film and video fields. This is his first original work for a picture book. Current advisor to the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Book Information
Title: The Little Mouse and the Owl
Author: Arai Shigeto
Illustrator: Seki Shuichi
Format: A4 variant size / Hardcover
Target Readers: 5th and 6th grade elementary school students and up
Release Date: January 25, 2026
Publisher: Seiryusyuppan
