At the “Yen Press Industry Panel” at Anime NYC 2026, Yen Press announced nine acquisitions, adding to a selection of announcements made on social media the day prior.
Among the many announcements, two were light novels joining the Yen On lineup (The Witch’s Conviction, The Beast’s Redemption and ’Cause I’m Freedom!), providing some of the most unique twists to fantasy storytelling for an imprint that prides itself on creative concepts.
The Witch’s Conviction, The Beast’s Redemption
By Yuki Sakai
Illustration by Ao Nekonabe
THE CRUELEST OF ALL BEASTS—HUMANKIND
Leonardo Nix once dreamed of becoming an alchemist. Instead, he’s in a maximum-security prison, languishing in guilt and self-disgust. After all, he admitted to breaking an unspeakable taboo—eating his comrades. Then, not long into his imprisonment, he is suddenly transformed into a hideous monstrosity. He flees the prison as guards sound the alarm, but nowhere is safe for such a terrible beast. And though he doesn’t want to hurt anyone, a dark hunger for human flesh stirs within him. When all hope seems lost, he crosses paths with Elena the witch, who offers to find a way to break his curse! Unfortunately, there’s a catch: As her familiar, he’ll still get blood on his hands…straying even farther from the path of redemption.
’Cause I’m Freedom!
By Taro Hitsuji
Illustration by Akitake Azumi
THE GUN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD!
Faye Leonheart is a seventeen-year-old sword-fighting prodigy and the heir apparent to the mightiest warrior clan. After three long years, she finally returns from her sword-training pilgrimage…with a magical machine gun in hand?! Promptly disowned by her family with nothing but her beloved firearm for company, this trigger-happy young lady commits herself to studying ancient technology called overgear. After all, who has time for regrets when freedom calls? The world is full of archaic ruins, and Faye is ready to explore them, full-metal style!
The Yen Press Industry Panel also gave manga fans much to look forward to with seven announcements (Seal My Lips with a Kiss; Übel Blatt II: Knights of the Fallen King; The Gray Exorcist; Interdimensional Memoir; Make It an Eternity; Can I Call You Unnie?; Hot Nights at the Hot Springs, Secret Trip No. 241) that included two of the most highly anticipated romance series fans have been eagerly requesting.
Seal My Lips with a Kiss
By Fudou Fudono
When Kaede misses the last train home from work, she winds up spending the night staying over with her coworker Shiotani, who’s carried a torch for her for two long years. But she’s thrown for a loop when Shiotani asks her to bind his hands—since he can’t promise he won’t assault her otherwise… Just when she does as he asks, they’re interrupted by his roommate, Mizoguchi from sales, coming home! Their only recourse is to hide in the closet, but in that cramped space they have no way to avoid each other…
“If this comes undone…I don’t know what I’ll do…”
Kaede’s never seen this side of her unassuming STEM coworker, but his words and her position at his mercy start to light a fire in her…!
Übel Blatt II: Knights of the Fallen King
By Etorouji Shiono
One year after the battle with Glenn, Köinzell—now serving as Viceroy Ascheriit within the Imperial Army led by Empress Elsaria—is deployed to quell the rebellions that continue to plague the realm. Alongside him, Commander in Chief Geranpen, Chief Consul Aht, and Blatt Meister Ichfeis join forces to defend the Empire and support Elsaria. Through it all, in the remote southern territory of Helenirdo, a resistance group calling themselves the Knights of the Fallen King, who believe in Glenn’s resurrection, begins to move in the shadows. The fates of Köinzell and the Seven Heroes have once again become inextricably intertwined…
The Gray Exorcist
By Hachioki Nekono
Seiko is an exorcist working for the Public Safety diviners’ office in a world under attack by man-eating beasts/spirits(??) known as “Twilight.” Every night at the third hour of the ox(?), his work of hunting and banishing the creatures begins. But Seiko has one dark secret: His only remaining family is a Twilight named Kyue, whom he’s harboring in his own home! When the truth comes out to Seiko’s superior officer, however, Seiko’s life turns upside down—because anyone supporting the Twilight becomes branded as a traitor, and the wanted posters of him are just the beginning…
Interdimensional Memoir
By Runta
Tomo has never found a single ounce of meaning or interest in his life in the real world. But his boring childhood gets turned upside down when, on his way home from school, he runs into a naive, childlike creature hailing from…a parallel reality?! This bizarre encounter sends him tumbling down a rabbit hole into a world full of the people and towns beyond his wildest imagination!
Make It an Eternity
By Sato Kanae
Towako is a shut-in who lives a quiet life together with her older brother. But one day, her world is turned upside down when a gaggle of drop-dead handsome hosts suddenly stop by all claiming to be her brother’s friends! Then clothes begin to fly, and the mood gets hot and heavy… What on earth will become of Towako’s peaceful solitude?!
Can I Call You Unnie?
By Alt Hanakage
As a diehard K-pop fan, Natsuki has spent every day in tears since the main vocalist of her favorite girl group retired and vanished from social media. That is, until her coworker hits her with a truth bomb—is Natsuki really going to spend the rest of her life waiting for her idol to come back?! Filled with new energy, Natsuki downloads a dating app. Except the first woman she matches with…looks just like her fave?!
Hot Nights at the Hot Springs, Secret Trip No. 241
By Sonoo Michiru
If there’s one thing middle-aged salarymen Ishida and Kimura love more than each other, it’s a good hot spring. These two have carved out a weekend every month to spend a steamy night together soaking in the rejuvenating waters, carrying on a tradition from their youth. Hidden from their friends and colleagues, their love has simmered quietly as the decades passed. Sure, they both agreed either one could call it off anytime, but for twenty years, they’ve never missed a trip—because the thought of lying in each other’s arms warms them more than any hot spring ever could.
