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Anime NYC 2023: Yen Audio Adds Three New Audiobooks

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Audio will be releasing three new audiobook adaptations of Yen On novels (Bungo Stray Dogs, Baccano!,and Reign of the Seven Spellblades). With a commitment to bringing popular and compelling stories to life in a different format, Yen Audio will introduce the thrilling adventures and enthralling characters of these stories to a wider audience, giving fans a chance to experience the stories in a whole new way.

Bungo Stray Dogs

Story by Kafka Asagiri

Doppo Kunikida is an idealist and a straitlaced detective at the Armed Detective Agency, an organization that takes on dangerous jobs even the police won’t handle. Everything in his life is going just as he’s planned…until one day, he’s paired up with the agency’s newest hire: a suspicious, eccentric, suicide-obsessed man named Osamu Dazai. Their first case together turns out to be far more complicated than Kunikida anticipated—and it looks like the detective agency’s sworn enemy, the Port Mafia, is somehow involved, too! Set two years before the events of the manga series, this is the tale of how two seemingly incompatible personalities end up forming the partnership that has made them one of Yokohama’s top detective duos!

Bungo Stray Dogs is an iconic action-adventure story with manga and light novels published by Yen Press. With its slick character designs and captivating plot, the globally renowned serieshas entertained fans for over a decade. The novels are standalone episodes that focus on fan-favorite characters, like Osamu Dazai and Ryuunosuke Akutagawa, through special episodes, prequel stories and alternate universe spin-offs. It also has an anime adaptation with five seasons available to stream on Crunchyroll. The audiobook series is set to release May 2024.

Baccano!

Story by Ryohgo Narita

New York, 1931. The manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by law, but behind this prohibition, organized crime flourishes – so, too, do bank robbers, bootleggers, assassins, and homunculi. Some want money, some are chasing the secret to immortality, and others just want to have a really good time. You know what they say, though: You can’t always get what you want.

The noir setting of New York in the 1930s along with its distinct and captivating characters are two reasons why the Baccano! light novel, manga, and anime series are well loved! The story is written by Ryohgo Narita, the author of Dead Mount Death Play and the hit light novel, manga, and anime property Durarara!!The audiobook edition is set to release May 2024.

Reign of the Seven Spellblades

Story by Bokuto Uno

Springtime at Kimberly Magic Academy brings a new batch of first-year students, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as they begin their journey to become full-fledged mages. Among these newcomers are Oliver Horn, a studious boy equally skilled with the wand and the blade, and Nanao Hibiya, a strong-willed samurai girl from the distant nation of Yamatsu. The wheels of fate bring these two souls together at Kimberly, where they become both comrades and rivals in equal measure. However, lurking within the academy’s halls are countless dangers and dark secrets guaranteed to threaten not only their friendship—but their very lives…

With fun character interactions and action-packed fights, the Reign of the Seven Spellblades manga and light novels appeal to fans of ensemble casts in magical schools. The anime adaptation aired summer 2023 on Crunchyroll. The audiobook series is set to release May 2024.

Podcasts

Yen Audio Releasing Ishura, Vol. 1 for the first time in English!

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Audio has announced the audiobook cast for Ishura, Vol 1. Available on 10/10/2023, the recording will feature Chris Guerro and Emily Bauer, both American voice actors who have previously voiced other anime series.

Ishura is a Japanese light novel series written by Keiso, with illustrations by Kureta. The series began publication on September 17, 2019 by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki no Shin Bungei publishing imprint. Ishura has been licensed for its first ever English release by Yen Press.

In a world where the Demon King has died, a host of demigods capable of felling him have inherited the world. They include a master fencer who can figure out how to take out their opponents with a single glance; a lancer so swift they can break the sound barrier; a wyvern rogue who fights with three legendary weapons at once; an all-powerful wizard who can speak thoughts into being; an angelic assassin who deals instant death. Eager to attain the title of “True Hero,” these champions each pursue challenges against formidable foes and spark conflicts among themselves. The battle to determine the mightiest of the mighty begins.

Chris Guerrero will be voicing all the male characters; a total of 15 characters. Chris is an American voice actor working for FUNimation Entertainment/Crunchyroll, Sound Cadence Studios, OkraTron 5000 and NYAV Post. He is best known for voicing Momonga/Ains Ooal Gown in Overlord, Gecko Moria in One Piece, Marcus Pietoras in Thermae Romae, Albert James Moriarty in Moriarty the Patriot, Maiharu Gansoku in Golden Kamuy and Impey Barbicane in Code:Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~.

Whereas Emily Bauer will be voicing all the female characters; a total of 11 characters. Emily is an American voice and stage actress. She has worked in several English language dubs of Japanese anime shows including Shinobu in Ninja Nonsense, Megumi Morisato in Ah! My Goddess, Dawn from the Pokémon anime and Lastelle in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Manga, Manhwa, Manhua, and Anime

Anime Expo 2023: Yen Audio Spicing Up its Lineup with Five New Audiobooks

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Graphic Policy Team

At the Yen Press Industry Panel at Anime Expo 2023, Yen Audio announced the upcoming release of five new audiobook adaptations of Yen On novels (Yami-hara, Goblin Slayer, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level,and The Executioner and Her Way of Life). Already known for audiobook adaptations of hit series, such as Solo Leveling and Overlord, Yen Audio adds a significant amount of new content to an already impressive catalog of titles with this latest slate of announcements.

Yami-hara

The strange kid at school, the odd woman in the apartment building, the troublesome man at work. Such people exist everywhere, in everyone’s lives. All it takes is a word for it to start. An unsettling question, a bizarre remark, or even a kind apology. Once their hooks sink in, the cracks form. Darkness floods into the recesses until nothing else remains, and then…Sirens, screaming, dull thuds on the pavement. They have always existed. They just are. And when they show up, people die.

Yami-hara is a horror mystery novel by famed author Mizuki Tsujimura, the creator of Lonely Castle in the Mirror and the writer of the manga series A School Frozen in Time. This audiobook is set to release November 2023, and it will be the first horror audiobook released under Yen Audio.

Goblin Slayer

A young Priestess joins her first adventuring party, but blind to the dangers, they almost immediately find themselves in trouble. It’s Goblin Slayer who comes to their rescue—a man who has dedicated his life to the extermination of all goblins by any means necessary. A dangerous, dirty, and thankless job, but he does it better than anyone. And when rumors of his feats begin to circulate, there’s no telling who might come calling next…

Filled with brutal action and a heavy dose of RPG references, Goblin Slayer is one of today’s most popular fantasy light novel, manga, and anime franchises. The anime debuted in fall 2018 and airs on Crunchyroll. The audiobook edition is set to release November 2023.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

In Orario, fearless adventurers band together in search of fame and fortune within the monstrous underground labyrinth known as Dungeon. But while riches and renown are incentive enough for most, Bell Cranel, would-be hero extraordinaire, has bigger plans. He wants to pick up girls. Is it wrong to face the perils of Dungeon alone, in a single-member guild blessed by a failed goddess? Maybe. Is it wrong to dream of playing hero to hapless maidens in Dungeon? Maybe not. After one misguided adventure, Bell quickly discovers that anything can happen in the labyrinth—even chance encounters with beautiful women. The only problem? He’s the one who winds up the damsel in distress!

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is an iconic comedy adventure story with manga, light novels, and spin-offs being published by Yen Press. It also has an anime adaptation with four seasons available to stream on HIDIVE. The audiobook series is set to release November 2023.

I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level

After living a painful life as an office worker, Azusa ended her short life by dying from overworking. So when she found herself reincarnated as an undying, unaging witch in a new world, she vows to spend her days stress free and as pleasantly as possible. She ekes out a living by hunting down the easiest targets—the slimes! But after centuries of doing this simple job, she has ended up with insane powers… How will she maintain her low-key life now?!

I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level is a comedic fantasy featuring a female protagonist. The original light novel, manga adaptations, and spin-off series are being published by Yen Press, and the 2021 anime series is available to stream on Crunchyroll. The audiobook series is set to release December 2023.

The Executioner and Her Way of Life

The “lost ones” are wanderers who stumble onto this planet from “Japan,” a country in some distant world, seemingly bringing disaster and calamity in their wake. The role of exterminating Otherworlders falls to Menou, a young Executioner always on the prowl for these forbidden interlopers. When she meets Akari, it seems like just another job…until she discovers the girl is impossible to kill. Menou schemes to lure her target out of the city, and Akari is more than happy to tag along! So beings a journey that will change Menou’s life forever…

The Executioner and Her Way of Life is a popular light novel series published by Yen Press, featuring expansive world-building and a compelling storyline. An anime adaptation of this girls’ love title debuted in April 2022 on HIDIVE. The audiobook series is set to release December 2023.

Yen Audio adds Two Titles to its Audiobook Roster

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Audio will be releasing two new audiobook adaptations of Yen On novels: The Samurai and the Prisoner and Ishura.

The Samurai and the Prisoner

The winter of 1578, four years prior to the Honno-ji Incident. Araki Murashige has betrayed his ally Oda Nobunaga and holed himself up in Arioka Castle—but a string of unsettling incidents within the castle walls has him at his wit’s end. The desperate warlord’s only hope for solving these mysteries is imprisoned in the castle’s dungeon: a man named Kuroda Kanbei, one of Oda’s most gifted strategists. When all the conflict and intrigue come to a close, what will these two men have gained…and lost? Award-winning author Honobu Yonezawa’s English-language debut is a page-turning blend of historical and detective fiction.

The Samurai and the Prisoner is the latest novel by prolific mystery writer Honobu Yonezawa and his first work to be translated into English. Throughout his two decades in publication, Honobu Yonezawa has received numerous awards, such as the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize for his short story collection Mangan and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel for his book Oreta Ryūkotsu. The Samurai and the Prisoner has earned Honbu Yonezawa two more prestigious awards to add to his list of accolades:the Yamada Fūtarō Prize and the Naoki Prize. The English edition of the novel will be released in June 2023.

Ishura

In a world where the Demon King has died, a host of demigods capable of felling him have inherited the world. A master fencer who can figure out how to take out their opponents with a single glance; a lancer so swift they can break the sound barrier; a wyvern rogue who fights with three legendary weapons at once; an all-powerful wizard who can speak thoughts into being; an angelic assassin who deals instant death. Eager to attain the title of “True Hero,” these champions each pursue challenges against formidable foes and spark conflicts among themselves. The battle to determine the mightiest of the mighty begins.

In the 2021 edition of Takarajimasha’s This Light Novel Is Amazing! (Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!) guidebook, Ishura topped the tankōbon, novel, and new title categories with the most votes recorded in its history. Earlier this year, it was announced that this popular fantasy novel would be receiving an anime adaptation to be streamed worldwide exclusively on Disney+. Ishura, Vol. 4 is set to release July 2023.

The Samurai and the Prisoner audiobook is scheduled to debut September 2023, and the Ishura audiobook is scheduled to debut October 2023. Voice actors will be announced at a later date.

Yen Audio Announces Three Spring 2023 Audiobook Series

Posted on December 13, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Audio is expanding its lineup with the release of three new audiobook adaptations of Yen On novels: Even If This Love Disappears Tonight (March 2023), Tezcatlipoca (April 2023), and Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (June 2023). In addition to light novels, Yen On is quickly becoming the home for critically acclaimed works of literary and genre fiction, and the immense popularity of its titles have led to highly anticipated audiobook adaptations produced by Yen Audio, such as the November 2022 release of The Miracles of the Namiya General Store audiobook. Voice actors for the three upcoming audiobooks will be announced at a later date.

Even If This Love Disappears Tonight

Story by Misaki Ichijo

When Tooru Kamiya is pushed into falsely confessing his love to Maori Hino, she tells him they can date on three conditions: 1. Don’t talk to her until after school. 2. Keep any communication between them short. 3. Don’t truly fall in love with her. Unfortunately, Tooru finds he cannot adhere to the last rule. When he finally tells her how he feels, Maori reveals she has an illness—she’s unable to remember anything that happened the day before. Nevertheless, Tooru is determined to build a relationship with her one day at a time…

Even If This Love Disappears Tonight is a critically acclaimed Japanese novel that has made its way to the Western world. A beloved tale of love and loss that was adapted to a live-action film, this title has captured attention and acclaim for its beautiful yet heartbreaking story of a complicated love from a boy who falls for a girl with memory issues. The audiobook adaptation of Even If This Love Disappears Tonight is scheduled to debut on March 14, 2023.

Tezcatlipoca

Story by Kiwamu Sato

In the wake of a brutal war with a rival cartel, a certain drug lord flees Mexico and ends up halfway around the world, where he runs into a Japanese organ broker doing business in Jakarta. After their fateful meeting, the two of them travel to Japan to establish a new business in the organ trade. There, the former cartel leader takes a young, lonely boy under his wing. These three lives gradually become inextricably entangled in a web of crime, violence, and human flesh…

Kiwamu Sato’s Tezcatlipoca is a brilliant and compelling crime novel that won the 165th Naoki Prize as well as the 34th Yamamoto Shugoro Prize. This prestigious novel has received critical acclaim from other lauded Japanese authors, such as Miyuki Miyabe (Brave Story, All She Was Worth) and Shion Miura (The Great Passage, The Easy Life in Kamusari), as well as celebrated figures in the world of Japanese media, such as Mamoru Oshii (director of Ghost in the Shell) and Paru Itagaki (mangaka of BEASTARS). The audiobook adaptation of Tezcatlipoca is scheduled to debut on April 18, 2023.

Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!

Story by Natsume Akatsuki

Game-loving shut-in Kazuma Sato’s life as a young schoolboy in Japan abruptly comes to an early end…or at least it was supposed to. When he opens his eyes, he sees a beautiful goddess that offers him a once-in-an-afterlifetime chance to be reborn in a parallel world. The catch is that the world is violent and threatened by a growing evil! Fortunately, he can choose one thing to bring with him. So he chooses the goddess, Aqua! And his adventure with his gorgeous companion begins—if he can just get enough money and food to survive, keep his goddess out of trouble, and avoid grabbing the attention of the Demon King’s army!

Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! is a staple comedy series in the world of light novels and was one of the earliest isekai properties to reach mainstream heights. The iconic anime adaptation debuted in 2016, which propelled the original light novel released by Yen On in 2017 to become a bestseller in the category. The audiobook adaptation of Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! is scheduled to debut on June 20, 2023.

Books

Yen Audio Announces Narrators for Upcoming Yen Audiobook Titles

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

Following the November 2021 announcement of upcoming releases from Yen Audio at Anime NYC, Yen Press has announced the narrators for these new audiobook adaptations of beloved light novel series.

Spice and Wolf Vol. 1 will be narrated by J. Michael Tatum. J. Michael Tatum is an actor, writer, ADR director, and adaptive scriptwriter. Nurtured by anime classics, Tatum has lent his voice to several popular anime franchises over the years. After being cast as Rikichi in 2005’s Samurai 7, Tatum was able to attain a slew of dream roles, most notably Kyoya Ootori in Ouran High School Host Club, suave, demonic Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler, France in the Hetalia franchise, Tomoe in Kamisama Kiss, and the equal parts maniacal and vulnerable Rintarou Okabe from Steins;Gate. Recently, he can be heard in the epic My Hero Academia as Tenya Iida. Most relevantly, he also played Kraft Lawrence in the 2009 anime adaptation of Spice and Wolf. The Spice and Wolf Vol. 1 audiobook is scheduled to release on March 15, 2022.

Fans of the iconic light novel series are sure to be thrilled with this casting, especially on the heels of the recent announcement by creator Isuna Hasekura of a new Spice and Wolf anime after nearly thirteen years since the airing of Spice and Wolf Season 2.

So I’m a Spider, So What! Vol. 1 will be narrated by Caitlin Kelly. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Caitlin Kelly got started in voice acting in Tokyo, Japan. She fell in love with narrating audiobooks in New York. She has recorded over 250 titles and won Earphone Awards, SOVAS, and Audie nominations for her work. Kelly loves working in all genres but usually finds herself in fantasy worlds, notably narrating Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series. Caitlin currently lives in Tokyo with her husband and daughter. The So I’m a Spider, So What! Vol.1 audiobook is scheduled to release on April 12, 2022.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Vol. 1 will be narrated by Andrew Grace. Andrew Grace is a Los Angeles–based, multi-racial, SAG-AFTRA actor. He recently completed work on an upcoming series for Showtime and another for the CW. He has lent his voice to The Summit of the Gods and The Journalist on Netflix, as well as other exciting projects premiering mid-2022. On stage he played the lead role in Cupid and the End of Love,his original stage play, which ran for over six months including at the Hollywood Fringe Festival (2019). Grace can also be seen in numerous commercials for brands such as Apple, Verizon, and Intel. In his free time, Grace enjoys writing stage plays and indie folk records, and shooting abstract photography. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Vol. 1 is scheduled to release on June 14, 2022.

Spice and Wolf

Story by Isuna Hasekura

The life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one, a fact with which Kraft Lawrence is well acquainted. Wandering from town to town with just his horse, cart, and whatever wares have come his way, the peddler has pretty well settled into his routine—that is, until the night Lawrence finds a wolf goddess asleep in his cart. Taking the form of a fetching girl with wolf ears and a tail, Holo has wearied of tending to harvests in the countryside and strikes up a bargain with the merchant to lend him the cunning of “Holo the Wisewolf” to increase his profits in exchange for taking her along on his travels. What kind of businessman could turn down such an offer? Lawrence soon learns, though, that having an ancient goddess as a traveling companion can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Will this wolf girl turn out to be too wild to tame?

So I’m a Spider, So What!

Story by Okina Baba and Tsukasa Kiryu

I used to be a normal high school girl but in the blink of an eye, I woke up in a place I’ve never seen before and—and I was reborn as a spider?! How could something that’s nothing more than a tiny spider (that’s me) possibly survive in literally the worst dungeon ever? Are there no rules? There should be some rules! Who the hell is responsible for this? SHOW YOUR FACE!

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

Story by Hajime Kamoshida

Bunny girls do not live in libraries. This is simply common sense. And yet, that’s exactly where Sakuta finds one in the wild. More bewildering is who the bunny girl is: Mai Sakurajima, a girl one year older than Sakuta, famous at their school for her acting career even though she’s currently on break. To top it all off, it seems like no one else in the library can see Mai at all, no matter what she does or…wears. Wanting to find out more about this mystery and maybe get a little closer to this beautiful upperclassman in the process, Sakuta launches an investigation to discover why an unforgettable bunny girl keeps becoming totally invisible.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

Yen Audio Announces Three Future Audiobook Series

Posted on November 21, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

For the first time since the news of the Yen Audio imprint was shared with the world, Yen Press has announced new audiobook series at the Yen Audio Panel at Anime NYC. Three fan-favorite Yen On series will have full audiobook adaptations in 2022—Spice & Wolf (March 2022), So I’m a Spider, So What? (April 2022), and Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (June 2022). Voice actors for the three upcoming audiobook series will be announced at a later date.

Spice and Wolf

Story by Isuna Hasekura

Spice and Wolf stands out as one of the most iconic light novel series to make its way to the Western world—a Yen Press classic that is remembered as one of the first light novels released by the prolific publisher. The audiobook adaptation of Spice and Wolf is scheduled to debut on March 15, 2022.

So I’m a Spider, So What?

Story by Okina Baba

So I’m a Spider, So What? has been the breakout Yen On hit of 2021, a light novel series that has become immensely popular following the success of the hit anime adaptation. This fan-favorite isekai filled with comedy, action, and a whole lot of surprises is one of the brightest stars in the current generation of light novels, and it’s on track to be a future Yen On classic. The audiobook adaptation of So I’m a Spider, So What? is scheduled to debut on April 12, 2022.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

Story by Hajime Kamoshida

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai stands out as one of this generation’s most beloved romance stories in the world of anime and light novels. This tale of attraction and magical realism took the anime world by storm when the show debuted in 2018, with the original light novel becoming equally popular in the English-speaking world following its Yen On release in 2020. The audiobook adaptation of Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is scheduled to debut on June 14, 2022.

Spotlight

Yen Audio’s Sword Art Online, Overlord, and The Saga of Tanya the Evil Narrators Revealed

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

Following the June 2021 announcement of actor Ki Hong Lee narrating the Solo Leveling, Vol. 1 audiobook, Yen Press announced the narrators for the remaining launch series of Yen Audio, a newly created imprint dedicated to audiobook adaptations of light novels. These series include adaptations of some of the most popular light novels from Yen On—Sword Art Online, Overlord, and The Saga of Tanya the Evil.

Sword Art Online, Vol. 1 will be narrated by Bryce Papenbrook. Bryce Papenbrook has been a professional voice-over artist since the age of eight and has since starred in numerous roles, including Kirito from the Sword Art Online anime. Additional noteworthy roles include Inosuke Hashibira from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. The Sword Art Online, Vol. 1 audiobook is scheduled for an August 2021 release.

Overlord, Vol. 1 will be narrated by Christopher Guerrero. Christopher Guerrero is a Dallas-based actor who started his career in theater before transitioning fully into voice-over. Since becoming a voice actor nine years ago, he has voice acted in over 100 anime titles, which includes work on the Overlord anime as protagonist Ainz Ooal Gown. Additional noteworthy roles include Gecko Moria from One Piece and Shadow from SK8 the Infinity. The Overlord, Vol. 1 audiobook is scheduled for a September 2021 release.

The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Vol. 1 will be narrated by Monica Rial. Monica Rial has been working in the anime industry for over 20 years and is considered to be one of the most prolific anime voice actors in the United States. Among her many roles, Monica voiced Tanya Degurechaff in The Saga of Tanya the Evil anime. Additional noteworthy roles include Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card and May Chang from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The audiobook for The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Vol. 1 is scheduled for a November 2021 release.

To help launch the Yen Audio imprint, Yen Press is hosting a Yen Audio Panel at Virtual Crunchyroll Expo, which will take place August 5–7. The panel will feature samples from upcoming Yen Audio releases as well as a discussion with Solo Leveling director Caitlin Davies and voice actors Christopher Guerrero and Bryce Papenbrook on their work on upcoming releases.

Ki Hong Lee Will Narrate Yen Audio’s Solo Leveling, Vol. 1

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Audio has announced that their first digital audiobook release, Solo Leveling Vol. 1 will be read by actor Ki Hong Lee. This debut publication in the Hachette Audio/Yen Press collaboration will release July 13, 2021, online wherever audiobooks are sold.

Solo Leveling is a Korean novel series by Chugong. Originating as a webnovel that boasted over 3 million readers, it is the basis of one of the world’s bestselling webcomics, and the popularity of the franchise only continues to grow. The highly anticipated English-language release of the SOLO LEVELING comic in print in March 2021 stands out as North America’s biggest graphic novel series debut of the year, according to NPD BookScan. This soon-to-release audiobook edition, as interpreted by Ki Hong Lee, adds yet another format for existing fandom to devour and to engage newcomers in the adventures of Jinwoo, the “weakest hunter of all mankind.”

Ki Hong Lee is perhaps best known as lead runner ‘Minho’ in the MAZE RUNNER film franchise. Lee also appeared in THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT, winner of Sundance’s best screenplay and Alfred P. Sloan prizes, alongside Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller, and Olivia Thirlby, and Lee received rave reviews for his comedic work on the Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Raised in different cultures from Seoul to Auckland, Lee currently resides in Los Angeles, and is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment, Artists & Representatives, and United Talent Agency.

Yen Press announced its worldwide partnership with Hachette Audio to produce, sell, and distribute digital audiobooks in early 2021, to great acclaim by fans of the formats. Yen Press’s second release is slated for August, when the initial volume of the acclaimed light novel series SWORD ART ONLINE by author Reki Kawahara will be published as a digital audiobook. Voice casting for this upcoming release, as well the Fall releases OVERLORD by Kugane Maruyama and THE SAGA OF TANYA THE EVIL by Carlo Zen, will be announced in the near future. After these initial releases, it is expected that the Yen/Hachette Audio partnership will release regular seasonal adaptations.

Yen Press Announces an Audiobook Partnership with Hachette Audio

Posted on May 8, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Press has announced a new partnership with Hachette Audio to produce, sell, and distribute digital audiobook editions of select titles. Heading up the program under the Yen Audio label is Publisher and Managing Director Kurt Hassler, who is teaming up with Hachette Audio’s longtime Publisher and SVP Anthony Goff, who negotiated the world rights deal for Hachette Book Group.

Yen Audio will launch four debut titles in Summer and Fall 2021. The first volume of Solo Leveling, a South Korean novel by Chugong originally published online in serial releases and the basis of the bestselling webtoon of the same name, will be the first audiobook in the collaboration, slated for publication July 2021. The second release will take place in August, when the initial volume of the acclaimed light novel series Sword Art Online by author Reki Kawahara is published as a digital audiobook. Voice casting for these titles, as well as for narrators of Fall titles Overlord by Kugane Maruyama and The Saga of Tanya the Evil by Carlo Zen, will be announced soon separately. After these initial releases, it is expected that the Yen/Hachette Audio partnership will release regular seasonal adaptations.

These audiobooks based on Yen Press content will be available wherever downloadable audiobooks are sold, across platforms including Apple Books, Audible, Audiobooks.com, Downpour, Google Books, Libro.fm, Kobo, and more.

TITLE	AUTHOR	ISBN	US/CAN DLP	EST. RUN	RELEASE
SOLO LEVELING, VOL. 1	Chugong	9781975325886	$25.98/$32.98	9.5 hours	July 2021
SWORD ART ONLINE 1: AINCRAD	Reki Kawahara	9781975337186	$25.98/$32.98	7.5 hours	Aug 2021
OVERLORD, VOL. 1	Kugane Maruyama, so-bin	9781975337490	$25.98/$32.98	7.5 hours	Sep 2021
SOLO LEVELING VOL. 2	Chugong	9781975325893	$25.98/$32.98	10 hours	Oct 2021
SWORD ART ONLINE 2: AINCRAD	Reki Kawahara	9781975337209	$25.98/$32.98	7.5 hours	Oct 2021
THE MIRACLES OF THE NAMIYA GENERAL STORE	Keigo Higashino	9781975338350	$25.98/$32.98	9.5 hours	Nov 2021
THE SAGA OF TANYA THE EVIL, VOL. 1	Carlo Zen, Shinobu Shinotsuki	9781975337452	$25.98/$32.98	10 hours	Nov 2021
OVERLORD, VOL. 2	Kugane Maruyama, so-bin	9781975338336	$25.98/$32.98	7.5 hours	Dec 2021
SWORD ART ONLINE 3: FAIRY DANCE	Reki Kawahara	9781975337216	$25.98/$32.98	7.5 hours	Dec 2021