Set in the city of Tokorozawa, Saitama prefecture, Hariyama-san is a series of light novels written by Ryohgo Narita of Durarara!! and Baccano! fame. It is a collection of almost completely unrelated short stories, where the only commonality between them is the passing appearance or mention of Hariyama-san, a man no one can bring themselves to hate (or one of his family members). The books feature stories from all sorts of genres, including Urban Legends, axe murderers hiding under the bed, Magical Girls crashing through ceilings, an isolated island where everyone is a destined hero, and where people suddenly vanish. The final chapter of each volume blends together the stories from earlier in the book, with Hariyama-san and his family playing a much larger role.
The series is part of Narita's Verse of light novels, which includes Vamp!, Baccano!, Durarara!!, and Etsusa Bridge. Also nothing to do with the Pokémon.
- An Axe to Grind
- Fantasy Kitchen Sink: A staple of Narita's work, but highlighted in this one.
- Magical Girl
- Megane - Hariyama's only defining feature.
- Ridiculously Average Guy: The titular Hariyama-san.
- Serial Killer
- There Was a Door: The magical girl is described as crashing through ceilings.
- Urban Legends
