Born in 1972 on the island of Hokkaido, Yū Nagashima is one of the most interesting authors of the current Japanese literary scene. He started writing while studying literature at the University of Tokyo. After graduating, he worked a short period of time in the business world, before making his literary debut in 2001 with "Un perro en sidecar", a novel with which he won the Bungakukai Prize for young authors. The following year, he won the Akutagawa Prize with "Mom at full speed". In 2007 he consolidates as one of the most talented writers of today by winning the prestigious Kenzaburo Oé Award with "Yuko's shortcuts". Two of his novels have been taken to the movies in 2007 and 2008.

Yū Nagashima is also a Hakuist and writes columns regularly under the pseudonym Bourbon Kobayashi. In addition, as a video game analyst, his criticisms are published in newspapers and specialized magazines of Japan, Taiwan and Sweden under the title "I do not play either."