Picture a Korean-American storyteller who took the young adult sci-fi scene by storm with giant mechas and fierce queer heroines—meet Zoe Hana Mikuta! At just 19, she landed a two-book deal and film rights for her debut novel, Gearbreakers, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in dystopian fiction.
Born to a Korean mother and a white father, Mikuta’s biracial and queer identity shapes her vibrant narratives, blending high-octane action with heartfelt representation. Her stories aren’t just about saving the world—they’re about finding yourself in it.
The Making of Zoe Hana Mikuta
Zoe Hana Mikuta grew up in Boulder, Colorado, after spending her early years in Washington, D.C. As a kid, she devoured books like Percy Jackson and Spiderwick Chronicles, sparking a love for storytelling. Her passion for writing took root in third grade, but it was watching Pacific Rim that ignited her obsession with giant robots. By her senior year of high school, she was scribbling Gearbreakers during lunch breaks in the library, inspired by the dramatic Rocky Mountains. A creative writing major at the University of Washington, Mikuta also minored in History of Religion, weaving her fascination with belief systems into her worlds.
Zoe Hana Mikuta’s Unforgettable Stories
Mikuta’s debut, Gearbreakers (2021), is a dystopian sci-fi thrill ride set in the Badlands, where rebels battle 200-foot mechas worshipped as gods. The story follows Eris, a Gearbreaker, and Sona, a cybernetically enhanced pilot, whose enemies-to-lovers arc pulses with sapphic romance and found-family vibes. Its sequel, Godslayers (2022), amps up the stakes as the girls fight to topple the tyrannical Godolia.
In 2024, Mikuta pivoted to fantasy horror with Off With Their Heads, a Korean-inspired Alice in Wonderland retelling. This dark tale of monster-hunting girls and lovers-to-enemies sapphics showcases her knack for blending visceral action with emotional depth. Her upcoming The Coven Tendency (2025) promises more gothic horror, cementing her versatility. Mikuta’s prose is sharp and poetic, her worlds gritty yet tender, always centering queer, Asian characters who defy expectations.
Influenced by Pacific Rim and Neon Genesis Evangelion, her stories tackle identity, resilience, and love against dystopian backdrops. Whether it’s mechas or monstrous forests, Mikuta’s worlds are as cinematic as they are intimate, earning her a devoted following.
Why Zoe Hana Mikuta Matters
Zoe Hana Mikuta is redefining young adult sci-fi and fantasy by centering biracial, queer voices in genres where they’ve been historically underrepresented. Her stories resonate with readers craving authentic, diverse protagonists who are as flawed as they are fierce. At just 24, she’s already inspired a new generation of writers to embrace their identities and tell bold stories. With film rights for Gearbreakers sold, her influence is poised to grow beyond the page.
- Born: 2000
- Key Works: Gearbreakers (2021), Godslayers (2022), Off With Their Heads (2024), The Coven Tendency (2025)
- Hobbies: Muay Thai kickboxing, embroidering runes on jeans, feeding campus crows
Ready to dive into Zoe Hana Mikuta’s electrifying worlds? Grab Gearbreakers for a dose of mecha-fueled rebellion or Off With Their Heads for a haunting twist on a classic tale!