Now on sale! “Graphic version of Sophie's World, Vol. 1 and 2: Mysterious Letters from a Philosopher”

The huge bestseller “Sophie's World,” which has sold over 2.1 million copies in total and 50 million copies worldwide, is back 30 years after its publication as an easier-to-understand comic! The first and second volumes of “Graphic Edition Sophie's World: Mysterious Letters from a Philosopher” are now on sale from May 21st from NHK Publishing.

The world's easiest philosophy book is now even easier!

A Norwegian philosophical fantasy that has become a global bestseller and a record-breaking long-selling novelNow available in full color as a comic by popular French author Nicoby in a bande dessinée edition!

Sophie, the girl, wrote just one line.“Who are you?”From the day she receives this letter, mysterious events begin to occur around her. “Where does the world come from?” “Who exactly am I?” Things that she had previously taken for granted are now being thrust into question one after another. As she gains the mysterious mentor Alberto, who are the people she will meet?

Introducing reviews submitted to “NetGalley”!

While reading,Experience a major reversal of thought!The original expressions possible only in manga made it easy to understand about philosophers and their worldviews. Each episode was more memorable than the original “Sophie's World” perhaps because the ingenious and impressive panel layout allowed me to grasp more of the senses as I read.An exciting reading experienceI feel that the wisdom of philosophers thought up thousands of years ago is connected to cutting-edge topics such as genome editing and the framework of the web space represented by social networking sites.I became very interested in “philosophy,” which is the basis of all academic disciplines.Next, I'll re-read the original “Sophie's World”! (I think I read it last time when I was in high school.) (Bookstore staff member)

Never has learning about the history of philosophy been so excitingI didn't think so. In fact, I had tried to read the original twice in the past but failed, so I had given up on it. However, this time, I heard it was being published in a new format, a graphic version, so I decided to try again.I had a very enjoyable time with the dialogue-based lectures.Yes, we could. Together with the lively and energetic Sophie, we were able to follow the flow of events, from the birth of philosophy to its development into other academic fields, and its connection to religion. (Library staff member)

About 30 years ago, when I was working at a junior high school library, I recommended it to the children, but I remember it being a little difficult. The comic is much easier to understand, and it shows how philosophers of the next generation have inherited, furthered, and deepened the thoughts of philosophers of the previous generation.History comes easily.It is interesting for adults to read, can be understood by upper elementary school students, and can be read casually by high school students. The illustrations have a similar feel to “The Adventures of Tintin,” so it's easy to pick up. Also, Sophie's attitude of thinking thoroughly about problems while having a conversation and trying to find an answer is indicative of the academic ability and behavior that is required of children today.Perfect for the era of active learning educationI think so. (Education official)

* “NetGalley” is a service provided by publishers that allows you to read works in digital format before they are released.

Also check out the newspaper ads!

An advertisement will be placed in the May 26th (Sunday) morning edition of the Asahi Shimbun.

A preview is now available in the NHK Publishing Digital Magazine!

To commemorate the release, we have published a preview article of three chapters from “Graphic Edition Sophie's World (Part 1) Mysterious Letters from a Philosopher.” Please use it to get an idea of ​​what the book is like.

Volume 1 Contents

1. Who are you? / 2. Myths and natural philosophers / 3. Atoms and fate / 4. Athens and Socrates / 5. Plato / 6. Aristotle / 7. Hellenism / 8. Two cultures / 9. St. Augustine, Averroes, and St. Thomas Aquinas / 10. The Renaissance / 11. Baroque

Volume 2 Contents

12. Descartes / 13. Spinoza / 14. The Empiricists / 15. The Social Contract / 16. The Enlightenment and Kant / 17. Romanticism / 18. Marx / 19. Darwin / 20. Freud / 21. The 20th Century / 22. Hilde / Epilogue

Author Information

Original author: Jostein Gaarder

Born in Oslo, Norway in 1952. He published his works while teaching philosophy and intellectual history at a high school in Bergen. He later devoted himself to writing. His worldwide bestselling philosophical history novel “Sophie's World” (NHK Publishing, 1995) was highly praised by readers and critics alike, and as of 2024 has been translated into 67 languages. He has donated much of his royalties to establishing a foundation and to funding prizes that support individuals and organizations that contribute to a sustainable environment.

Screenplay: Vincent Zabus

Playwright and comic book artist. Lives in Namur, Belgium. A long-time favorite magazine in France.SpirouShe is known for her children's series published in.Les OmbresandIncroyable! The work was adapted into a play and graphic novel and won numerous awards.

Illustration: Nicoby

Born in 1976, he has published over 40 works in a variety of genres, styles and formats, including autobiography, humor, adventure, social history and reportage. He lives in the countryside near Rennes, France, far from exhaust fumes and electric scooters.

Japanese version supervision: Akira Suda

Born in 1947. Professor Emeritus at Chuo University. Supervised the Japanese translation of the original “Sophie's World.”

His works include “Basic Philosophy Course” (edited and published by Chikuma Gakugei Bunko) and “Sophie's World: A Philosophy Guide for Those Who Want to Know More” (NHK Publishing).

Translated by Tomoko Yamamoto

French translator. Graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University. Her translations include Wagner's “The Simple Way to Live” (Kodansha), Roberto's “Then There is Philosophy” (Futabasha), Chavez's “Tokyo Walk” (Asuka Shinsha, co-translated), Verne's “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” (Poplar Kimi Novel), “NO SIGNAL” (Nikkei National Geographic), Schreber's “A Life That Works for Cancer” (NHK Publishing), and many others.

Product Information

“Graphic Edition: Sophie's World (Part 1): Mysterious Letters from a Philosopher”

Original author: Jostein Gaarder

Screenplay: Vincent Sabus

Illustration: Nicoby

Japanese edition supervision: Akira Suda / Translation: Tomoko Yamamoto

Publisher: NHK Publishing

Price: 2,640 yen (tax included)

Release date: May 21, 2024

Format: B5 paperback

Number of pages: 264 pages (all color)

ISBN: 978-4-14‐081961‐6

Purchase here!

◆Amazon

◆Rakuten Books

◆NHK Publishing EC site*Free shipping until June 15th!

“Graphic version of Sophie's World (Part 2) Mysterious Letters from a Philosopher”

Original author: Jostein Gaarder

Screenplay: Vincent Sabus

Illustration: Nicoby

Japanese editor: Akira Suda / Translation: Tomoko Yamamoto

Publisher: NHK Publishing

Price: 2,640 yen (tax included)

Release date: May 21, 2024

Format: B5 paperback

Number of pages: 264 pages (all color)

ISBN: 978-4-14‐081962‐3

Purchase here!

◆Amazon

◆Rakuten Books

◆NHK Publishing EC site*Free shipping until June 15th!

Related Items

“Sophie's World: Mysterious Letters from a Philosopher”

Written by: Jostein Gaardel

Supervisor: Akira Suda / Translator: Kayoko Ikeda

Publisher: NHK Publishing

Price: 2,670 yen (tax included)

Release date: June 1, 1995

Format: 46-size hardcover

Number of pages: 672

ISBN: 978-4-14-080223-6

At bookstores nationwide orNHK Publishing EC site(Free shipping until June 15th!)