While the original Japanese book has been published in several editions and languages, an official English translation is not widely available. However, there is an "augmented English translation" of the book that has been published. This translation is described as "the most complete and uncensored version" of the autobiography. It is available for purchase as a paperback from the website serialpleasures.com . However, this seems to be a niche, possibly self-published edition rather than a mainstream release.
The original light novel and its manga adaptations are published under official Japanese imprints.
Which would you like?
No legitimate publisher offers a free downloadable PDF of the English translation. If you see a “Zekka English PDF” link on a forum or file-sharing site, it’s almost certainly pirated. Piracy hurts the author, artist, translator, and publisher — and can also expose your device to malware. zekka book english translation pdf link
Find the fan translation script. On MangaDex, view the Zekka comments. Usually, a user has posted a .txt or .srt file of the English dialogue.
: Platforms like Radish, Tappytoon, or Manta frequently host officially licensed translations.
As of today, no permanent public link exists that is both safe and legal. Your best bet is to check the Internet Archive, request access on rare manga forums, or—preferably—import the Japanese physical edition and support the creator. While the original Japanese book has been published
: He targeted young school children, brutally murdering 10-year-old Ayaka Yamashita and 11-year-old Jun Hase, alongside assaulting several other young girls.
Published in 2015 by Ota Publishing, Zekka (which translates to "Desperate Song") is the autobiography of Seito Sakakibara (a pseudonym for Shinichiro Azuma). At age 14, Sakakibara committed a series of gruesome murders in Kobe, Japan, that shocked the nation and led to changes in the country’s juvenile laws. The book details his crimes, his psychological state, and his life after release from a medical reformatory. English Translation Status
You do not always have to pay to read legally. Digital library apps like or OverDrive partner with local public libraries. If your library carries the digital catalog of the publisher, you can borrow the English version for free on your device. Dedicated Manga & Light Novel Apps It is available for purchase as a paperback
: This database tracks the official licensing status of international novels and points users to legal English publishers.
For those who can read French, an "augmented translation" of Zekka is also available, described as the most complete and uncensored version of the testimony.
Export the images as a PDF. In Adobe Acrobat or even Microsoft Word (insert images -> Save as PDF), create your clean copy.
I understand the urge to get a free PDF of Zekka right now. But waiting for a legal copy or buying a digital volume (often $6–10) ensures more manga like this gets translated. Plus, official eBooks are better formatted, have accurate translations, and support the artists.