A century-old bestseller, The Divine Comedy, is flying off the shelves. The reason? A popular Japanese mobile game.
Just learned that #FGO is behind the sudden reprint of Dante’s The Divine Comedy. No surprise, given the game’s impact.
The book’s out of stock, with sales up 130% from last year. The complete edition with artwork is a hot pick, even at 5,900 yen.
Thanks to FGO, The Divine Comedy is getting a new lease on life. https://t.co/vTrM6gXJyD pic.twitter.com/gCEhVdZKmc
— Kawade Shobō Shinsha (@Kawade_shobo) June 5, 2025
Kawade Shobō Shinsha, a major Japanese publisher, announced on Twitter that it’s rushing to reprint The Divine Comedy due to its sudden surge in popularity. The catalyst? A new character in the game FATE/ Grand Order, named Dante Alighieri.
Dante Alighieri, a limited-time Servant, joined FATE/ GO about a month ago. His skills and attacks are inspired by The Divine Comedy. Players of FATE/ GO are known to be interested in history and related topics, so it’s no surprise that the novel is selling out.
What’s striking is that sales of The Divine Comedy have jumped 130% since the character’s introduction. FATE/ Grand Order is available on iOS and Android.
Why the sudden interest?
The game’s impact on book sales is significant. With FATE/ GO’s large player base, it’s likely that many fans are curious about the novel that inspired the character. The complete edition, with its artwork, is a particular draw, despite its 5,900 yen price tag.
What’s next?
As the reprint of The Divine Comedy is underway, fans can expect to get their hands on the novel soon. With the game’s continued popularity, it’s likely that other classic works will see a resurgence in interest. The intersection of gaming and literature is an exciting space to watch.