Hideo Nakata
"Out" had an initial print run of 500,000 in Japan. Although Kirino received much criticism for her gruesome and disturbing scenes, "Out" sold a significantly large number of copies, won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award, and was even made into a film directed by Hideyuki Hirayama, which was released in 2002. According to "Variety", New Line Cinema has purchased the rights for an American version, to be directed by Hideo Nakata.