On July 3 in London, Akira Otani (right), winner of the 2025 Dagger prize for crime fiction in translation, speaks to the press. On the left is Sam Bett, who translated the novel. (©Sankei by Yoshinari Kurose)
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On July 3, the United Kingdom's Crime Writers' Association (CWA) announced that The Night of Baba Yaga by Japanese author Akira Otani, translated by Sam Bett, has won the 2025 Dagger award for crime fiction in translation. Otani is the first Japanese author ever to receive this honor.
Originally published in 2020, The Night of Baba Yaga is a hard-boiled novel featuring a violent, no-nonsense female protagonist. She is tasked with protecting the only daughter of a yakuza boss, plunging her into the dark heart of Japan's criminal underworld. The novel was also a finalist for the 2021 Mystery Writers of Japan Award in the best novel and short story collection category.
Praise from the Judges
The CWA judges praised the novel for its brutal, almost manga-like portrayal of the yakuza world. They said it brings out the deep humanity of its eccentric characters. The writing is sharp, unsparing, and original, and it tells a strange and beautiful love story.
Speaking at the award ceremony in London, Otani expressed her surprise and joy. "I still can't believe it. I'm incredibly grateful that so many people in the English-speaking world read my work — even though I'm virtually unknown here — and that I was welcomed so warmly."
She continued, "An honor like this only happens once in a lifetime. I hope to keep writing and maybe return to this stage again someday."
A Personal Dedication
Reflecting on the award, Otani shared a personal memory: "My grandfather, who passed away some time ago, loved foreign mystery novels. I've known about the Dagger since I was a child. For me, overseas mysteries are tied to memories of him. If I could tell anyone first, it would be him."
Otani also remarked, "I'm not a full-on mystery writer, but I'm a little worried that winning a Dagger might make people think I am," she said with a laugh. Turning to publishers and editors, she added jokingly, "If you ask me to write a proper detective novel, I might be in a bit of trouble."
Born in Tokyo in 1981, Akira Otani made her literary debut in 2012 with 猛獣使いと王子様 金色の笛と緑の炎 (lit "The Beast Tamer and the Prince: The Golden Flute and the Green Flame"). The Night of Baba Yaga is her first full-length novel.
The Dagger awards were established in 1955, with the translation category introduced in 2006. While works by Japanese authors such as Hideo Yokoyama's Six Four, Keigo Higashino's The Devotion of Suspect X, and Kotaro Isaka's Bullet Train have previously been shortlisted, none had won until now. This year, Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki, translated by Polly Barton, was also among the finalists.
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Author: Yoshinari Kurose, The Sankei Shimbun
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