Release Date: October 16, 2018
160 pages
ISBN 13: 978-1-940535-17-3

The universe falls into chaos. The moon and the stars vanish from the night sky. The son of a fickle deity must restore balance to the cosmos… by pushing a sticky ball around and picking up every toothpick, tree, and skyscraper in its path. A plotline this wild could only describe “nah… nah nah nah nah nah nah nah” Katamari Damacy, the irresistible little cult game turned cultural juggernaut.

But the 2004 release of Katamari almost didn’t get the ball rolling. Reviewers worldwide weren’t sure how to classify it and initial sales numbers were low. Those who actually played it, though, were won over by its novel gameplay, goofy surrealism, and catchy soundtrack. Pushed into the mainstream by its passionate fans, Katamari remains one of the best video game examples of pure anarchic fun.

Based on new interviews with Katamari creator Keita Takahashi himself, game designer and writer L. E. Hall explores the unlikely story of the game's development, its unexpected success, and its lasting cultural impact. Along the way, she uncovers Katamari’s deep roots in Japanese culture, in contemporary art, and in the transformative power of play itself.

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L. E. Hall is an artist, writer, puzzle-maker, and immersive environment & narrative designer living in Portland, Oregon. Her work focuses on the intersections between arts, culture, and technology, especially in gaming.

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"I have not read this Katamari book, and also I don't remember 100% what I told to L. E. Hall in the interviews. But I would recommend this book irresponsibly." - Keita Takahashi, creator of Katamari

"A really great documentation of Katamari Damacy. Fans of the game or fans of the game’s creator should absolutely buy the book from Boss Fight Books and read it." - Caleb J. Ross

"A perfect pairing of author with subject matter. Who better to write about the celebration of play for play's sake that is Katamari Damacy than someone whose work as a designer of puzzles and escape rooms also represents a championing of the need for play in all of our lives?" - Carolyn Petit

"A neat, well-researched peek into the workings of a Japanese video game company. [...] if you dig quirky video games and/or how they can be viewed as capital-A Art, Katamari Damacy is well worth a read." - Dial H for Houston

"I’ve only played a few minutes of Katamari, but L.E. Hall’s book made me want to revisit it. But even if I don’t, I’m freshly sold on how it was conceived, from the ground up, to be something that brings one joy, and I felt that joy just reading about it." 4/5 - Vaguely Offensive

"Great read that makes me love the game even more." - Adam Hartling

8/10 - The Pixels

Excerpt: Kotaku

More Reviews: Goodreads