Yen Press thrilled fans at Anime NYC by unveiling nine new licenses during their main industry panel. The announcement includes two highly anticipated light novel series and seven diverse manga titles, promising a rich array of new stories for readers to explore. While no specific release windows were provided, the diverse selection ensures there's something for every fan.
New Light Novel Adventures from Yen Press
Yen Press is expanding its light novel catalog with two compelling fantasy titles, each offering a unique premise and intriguing characters.
Title: The Witch's Conviction, The Beast's Redemption (Majo no Danzai, Maju no Shokuzai) Author(s): Yuki Sakai (story), Ao Nekonabe (illustrations) Summary: Leonardo Nix, an alchemist wrongly accused of taboo acts, finds himself transformed into a hideous monstrosity after imprisonment. Fleeing with a dark hunger for human flesh, he encounters Elena the witch. She offers to break his curse on one condition: he must become her familiar. This path, however, will inevitably lead to more bloodshed, pushing him further from any hope of redemption.
Title: 'Cause I'm Freedom! (Datte, Watashi wa Freedom!) Author(s): Taro Hitsuji (story), Akitake Azumi (illustrations) Summary: Faye Leonheart, a seventeen-year-old sword-fighting prodigy, returns from her training pilgrimage not with a sword, but a magical machine gun. Promptly disowned by her family, Faye embraces her newfound freedom, dedicating herself to studying ancient 'overgear' technology and exploring archaic ruins with her beloved firearm.
Exciting Manga Titles Joining Yen Press
Seven new manga series spanning various genres, from romance to fantasy, are also set to join the Yen Press lineup, offering fresh narratives and captivating artwork.
Title: Seal My Lips With a Kiss (Kiss de Funaide, Barenaide.) Author(s): Fudou Fudono Summary: When Kaede misses her last train, she ends up at coworker Shiotani's place. Shiotani, who has secretly carried a torch for her, shockingly asks her to bind his hands to prevent himself from assaulting her. Their tense situation intensifies when his roommate returns, forcing them to hide in a cramped closet. In this close proximity, Kaede discovers an unexpected, fiery side to her unassuming colleague.
Title: Ubel Blatt II: Knights of the Fallen King (Ubel Blatt II: Shiseru O no Kishidan) Author(s): Etorouji Shiono Summary: A year after his battle with Glenn, Köinzell serves as Viceroy Ascheriit within Empress Elsaria's Imperial Army, deployed to quell ongoing rebellions. As he works alongside other commanders to defend the Empire, a new resistance group emerges in the southern territory. Calling themselves the Knights of the Fallen King, they believe in Glenn's resurrection, setting Köinzell's fate once again on a collision course with the legacy of the Seven Heroes.
Title: The Gray Exorcist (Haiiro Onmyoji) Author(s): Hachioki Nekono Summary: Seiko is an exorcist for the Public Safety diviners' office, tasked with hunting man-eating 'Twilight' spirits. However, he harbors a dark secret: his only remaining family is a Twilight named Kyue, whom he secretly keeps at home. When his superior officer uncovers the truth, Seiko's life is thrown into chaos, as he is branded a traitor, and wanted posters mark the beginning of his new fight for survival.
Title: Interdimensional Memoir (Ikoku Memoir) Author(s): Runta Summary: Tomo has always found his life mundane and uninteresting. But his world is turned upside down when he encounters a naive, childlike creature from a parallel reality on his way home from school. This bizarre meeting sends him tumbling into an extraordinary world filled with people and towns beyond his wildest imagination, transforming his boring childhood forever.
Title: Make It an Eternity (Eikyu Shimei Onegaishimasu!) Author(s): Sato Kanae Summary: Towako, a quiet shut-in, lives peacefully with her older brother. Her solitude is shattered one day when a group of incredibly handsome hosts suddenly appear, claiming to be her brother's friends. As the situation quickly becomes hot and heavy, Towako's serene home life is thrown into complete disarray.
Title: Can I Call You Unnie? (Unnie-tte Yonde mo Ii Desu ka?) Author(s): Alt Hanakage Summary: Natsuki, a devoted K-pop fan, has been heartbroken since her favorite girl group's main vocalist retired. Inspired by a coworker to move on, she downloads a dating app. To her astonishment, the first woman she matches with bears a striking resemblance to her beloved idol, sparking a thrilling new connection.
Title: Hot Nights at the Hot Springs, Secret Trip No. 241 (Onsen de Himitsu no Otomari, 241-kkaime) Author(s): Sonoo Michiru Summary: Middle-aged salarymen Ishida and Kimura share a twenty-year-long secret: a monthly weekend trip to a hot spring. This tradition, hidden from their friends and colleagues, has quietly nurtured their enduring love. Though they agreed either could call it off anytime, they've never missed a trip, finding more warmth in each other's arms than in any hot spring.
These new licenses showcase Yen Press's continued commitment to bringing diverse and engaging stories to English-speaking audiences. Fans can look forward to adding these captivating light novels and manga to their collections soon.
