- Hotel Lucky Seven follows Nanao, a character with a reputation as the “unluckiest assassin in the world.” What inspired you to create a character like Nanao, and how does his unlucky streak shape the story?
I wanted to introduce a trickster-like character who would move the story forward. The other assassins are scary or serious, so I thought it would be good to have a sympathetic character in the mix. I figured an "unlucky person" would have the readers’ sympathy and arrived at Nanao. It’s a turn-off when a story progresses in a way that’s too convenient for the protagonist or the author. In that sense, Nanao's bad luck means that things are going to be difficult for both Nanao and me as the author. This forces me to come up with ideas to overcome Nanao’s predicaments, which I feel makes the story more interesting.
- The setting of a luxury hotel filled with assassins, all converging on a mysterious young woman is very intriguing! What drew you to this setting?
The prequel, Bullet Train, was set on a moving train. I wanted to create something new while still having a similar situation, so I went for a vertical, rather than a horizontal, movement within a closed space and decided on a hotel to set the story. I wanted Nanao to be dragged into the story because of someone else, as that would highlight his unluckiness, so I introduced the young woman as the target, rather than making Nanao himself the target.
- How did you approach developing each of the assassins’ motives and missions without giving too much away too soon?
I like novels in which, as the story progresses, the overall picture becomes clear little by little. So perhaps that's the way I write my own.
- You've won multiple awards for your work in mystery and suspense. Are there any particular influences that have shaped your approach to these genres?
I think I was influenced by writers such as Lawrence Block, Donald E. Westlake, and Peter Lovesey, in that in their stories, there is always humour in the midst of serious or disturbing events, and the writing itself is enjoyable to read.
- With fourteen of your novels adapted for film/TV, what has the experience of seeing your work on screen been like? Do you imagine Hotel Lucky Seven might be adapted for film as well?
Novels are enjoyed by reading the text, and I think there is a joy specific to novels that cannot be experienced through film. At the same time, films have the excitement and a sense of speed and power that novels don’t have. They offer different experiences, so when I see films based on my novels, I sometimes discover things I never imagined. There are some scenes in Hotel Lucky Seven that I would love to see as a film, so I would be happy if that were to happen.
- Do you have any advice for aspiring authors, especially those interested in writing complex, suspenseful plots with unconventional characters?
It doesn't work so well for me if I try too hard to create unconventional characters. I always think about creating characters that function organically to make the story move forward. And if I'm going to introduce a character with specific quirks, I'll come up with ideas that that make those quirks a major part of the story.
- Finally, if readers could take away one thing from Hotel Lucky Seven, whether a theme or a feeling, what would you hope it to be?
I hope that while reading, you will imagine that Nanao is carrying all of your misfortune on his shoulders, so that you can forget about everyday worries and hardships and enjoy the story.
