Ryū Murakami (村上 龍, Murakami Ryū) was born on February 19, 1952, in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan. He is a distinguished novelist, short story writer, essayist, and filmmaker, renowned for his exploration of human nature through themes of disillusion, drug use, surrealism, murder, and war, set against the dark backdrop of Japan. His narrative often delves into the rawness of descriptions and the violence of the situations portrayed, which has led him to be a significant figure in Japanese literature.

Murakami's literary journey began with his debut work, Almost Transparent Blue, written while he was still a student. This short novel, which deals with promiscuity and drug use among disaffected Japanese youth, was critically acclaimed as a new style of literature. It won the newcomer's literature prize in 1976 and later, the prestigious Akutagawa Prize, eventually becoming a bestseller. Another notable work, Coin Locker Babies, published in 1980, further cemented his status as a prominent writer.

Among his best-known novels are Almost Transparent Blue, Audition, Coin Locker Babies, and In the Miso Soup. Notably, Audition was adapted into a feature film by Takashi Miike in 1999, a rendition that Murakami highly praised. In addition to his literary achievements, Murakami has directed the cinematic adaptation of Azul casi transparente (Almost Transparent Blue), showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.

His upbringing near a U.S. military base in Sasebo provided him with a deep understanding of American culture and idiosyncrasies, influencing his work significantly. Despite the commonality of the surname, he is not related to Haruki Murakami or Takashi Murakami, making his mark independently in the literary world.