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Yen Press Wraps Up 2024 with Fourteen New Licenses

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

Wrapping up 2024, Yen Press has announced fourteen new title acquisitions, filled with romance, brave heroes, magical schools, and more.

Releasing in June 2025, this lineup includes eight manga (Sword Art Online Unital Ring, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Isekai Samurai, Convenient Semi-Friend, The Heroic Tale of the Villainous Prince, The Hitman Stans, Dara-san of Reiwa), four light novels (Who Killed the Hero?, The Girl Who Wants to Be a Hero and the Girl Who Ought to Be a Hero, This Is the Wizard’s Secret Weapon, Secrets of the Silent Witch (spin-off) -another- Part 1, and one digital exclusive manga (SAILOR ZOMBIE). Additionally, Yen Press announced the release of Lord of Mysteries, a popular Chinese webnovel that will soon be adapted into an animated show.

Sword Art Online Unital Ring, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Reki Kawahara
Art by Masato Kanetsuki
Original Character Design by abec

Orchestrated by genius scientist Akihiko Kayaba, the SAO Incident created a game you couldn’t leave until you beat it. One where death in the game meant death in the real world… Kirito is a survivor of SAO who now spends his time playing the new VRMMORPG Alfheim Online with his old SAO friends, Asuna and Alice. But Kirito soon finds himself caught up in a mysterious game he never expected…

Secrets of the Silent Witch (spin-off) -another- Part 1 (light novel)

By Matsuri Isora
Illustration by Nanna Fujimi

After memorizing his magecraft textbook in a single week, Louis is accepted as a scholarship student at Minerva’s Mage Training Institution. But surrounded by nobles, the rough and rowdy boy from a poor, remote village is treated as a problem child and feared for the way he trounces his opponents in magic battles. And yet Louis still finds teachers he respects and friends he can rely on as he grows into the man who will become a Sage. Learn all about the notorious deeds of the Barrier Mage’s youth in this two-part prequel to Secrets of the Silent Witch.

Secrets of the Silent Witch (spin-off) -another- Part 1

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Sunsunsun
Art by Saho Tenamachi
Original Character Design by Momoko

Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, nicknamed Alya, is a half-Russian beauty with silver hair, at the top of her class, student council accountant, and completely unapproachable. She’s taken to reprimanding the slacker who sits next to her in class, Masachika Kuze—a geeky, unmotivated, and unexemplary student who couldn’t care less about keeping up his grades. Secretly, Alisa holds a certain fondness for Masachika, only revealed by the occasional Russian muttered under her breath that no one in her class can understand…except Masachika! He eavesdrops on these embarrassing revelations, pretending to be clueless, all the while wondering what her flirtatious comments actually mean!

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Vol. 1

I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Rin Ono
Original Story by Takata
Art by Azuri Hyuga

Maki Maehara is always on his own at school. He has no friends or hobbies others share, and he doesn’t expect the upcoming academic year to be any different, even surrounded by new faces. And six months later, it seems like he was right—until he runs into his popular classmate Umi Asanagi at a video store! Always at the center of attention and called the “second prettiest in class” by the boys, Asanagi’s from a totally different world. But it turns out the two have more overlapping interests than just the B-grade movies they came to check out…and Asanagi asks Maehara to be her friend!

I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Vol. 1

Isekai Samurai, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Keigo Saito

As the final years of the Sengoku period dwindle away, Ginko, the strongest swordsman of the era, has yet to find a worthy opponent to slake her thirst for a fight to the death. Just when she’s finally lost hope that anyone stronger than her exists, she gets transported to another world! And the first thing Ginko sees there is—a dragon?!

Convenient Semi-Friend, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Minori Chigusa

“What if we became friends with benefits…?” Suuna, a gloomy high school student, leaves home to live in a dorm. But when she nervously enters her room, she finds her roommate, Ruka, feeling up another girl! She finds out Ruka needs a “friend with benefits,” so Suuna takes charge and proposes they form a “(semi) friends with benefits” contract…?

The Heroic Tale of the Villainous Prince, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Hirosaki
Original Story by Ryu Hidari
Art by Hana Amano

As the only royal with pitch-black hair and eyes, Prince Alfred is the literal black sheep of his family. But one day, he happens to see his older brother Leor, the crown prince, publicly breaking off his engagement to his fiancée, Charlotte. To rescue Charlotte from the false accusations being hurled at her, Alfred puts himself in harm’s way instead. With that, everything is resolved…or is it?

The Heroic Tale of the Villainous Prince, Vol. 1

The Hitman Stans, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Rintarou Ohshima

Meet “the Killing Machine” Owaru Endou: the cold-blooded and strongest hitman of a massive underworld organization, who has decided to retire out of the blue. His reason? To stan his favorite underground idol with his head held high! But old habits die hard, especially for a man whose hands are stained with blood. Can Owaru truly shed his identity to live the ultimate fan life of concerts, meet and greets, and picture lotteries—even when his past comes knocking?

Dara-san of Reiwa, Vol. 1 (manga)

By Haruomi Tomotsuka

Clouds blacken the sky and sheets of rain turn the mountain forest into a treacherous maze… A landslide crushes a razor wire fence, and buries a “NO TRESPASSING” sign… Two young siblings wander into a dark world where they do not belong, and a long, horrid shadow rears up to meet them— Anyway, so that’s how we met Dara-san! She might look kinda scary, but just wait until you get to know her!

“Look, I’m a god of misfortune, okay!? Aren’t you kids gonna freak out about my grotesque visage!?”

Who Killed the Hero?, Vol. 1 (light novel)

By Daken
Illustrated by toi8

Four years have passed since the Demon Lord was defeated. The kingdom, now at peace, has undertaken the task of compiling the many great deeds of the fallen Hero, interviewing the members of his former party: Leon the Sword Saint, Maria the Holy Maiden, and Solon the Sage. Yet in between their tales of the Hero’s past and their adventures together, the truth about his death slowly comes to light. Who killed the Hero? The Demon Lord? …Or his comrades?

The Girl Who Wants to Be a Hero and the Girl Who Ought to Be a Hero, Vol. 1 (light novel)

By Inori
Illustrated by Akamoku

After the Great Human-Demon War comes to a close, humans use a magical device known as the Gear to found the Hero Institute, a school for raising a new kind of hero. Ruchika, a wild and reckless demon girl, travels to the city in the hopes of joining the institute. There she meets Leonie, the serious-minded daughter of the Almighty Hero who defeated the Demon Lord. Taking a liking to her immediately, Ruchika proposes—right in the middle of their entrance exam! Do these two girls have what it takes to become heroes? And can love bloom between a human and a demon?

The Girl Who Wants to Be a Hero and the Girl Who Ought to Be a Hero, Vol. 1

This Is the Wizard’s Secret Weapon, Vol. 1 (light novel)

By Taro Hitsuji
Illustrated by Kurone Mishima

On a bloody battlefield, the master swordsman Rix finally gives in to his deep-seated dislike for warfare. So he fakes his own death to go into retirement! He starts fresh by entering a magic school…despite his magical aptitude being zero. However, alongside the scholarship student Shino, he’s ready to work hard. Even her cold attitude doesn’t discourage him! Using his swordsmanship prowess, he overpowers his magic-wielding peers—inadvertently smashing through anything that’s common practice at magic school. In the process, his skills catch the eye of the Imperial princess. She tries to recruit him into the army, but he shoots her down. He doesn’t want to be the strongest—all he wants is to live a peaceful and enjoyable life!

This Is the Wizard’s Secret Weapon, Vol. 1

SAILOR ZOMBIE, Vol. 1 (digital manga)

By Jiji & Pinch
Art by Isshin Inudo

Two months have passed since the world was overrun by zombies. High schooler Maiko Inui, a girl who longs to become an idol, finds refuge in Fujimi Girls’ High School, where the surviving students reside. When hordes of zombies mercilessly attack the girls, how will Maiko and her friends fight back?! Horror meets harmony in this vibrant tale where heroes don’t wear capes…but sailor suits instead!

Lord of Mysteries, Vol. 1 (novel)

By Yuan Ye

Through the storm of steam and machinery, who can achieve the extraordinary? In the mist of history and darkness, who whispers to me? When I woke up from the haze of mystery, I found myself in a world of guns, cannons, giant ships, airships, difference engines, potions, divination, curses, hanged men, and sealed artifacts.

But the light still shines between it all, and the mystery is never more than two steps away. This is the legend of the Fool.

Anime Expo 2024: Yen Press announces over a dozen new licenses

Posted on July 6, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

Fresh off the heels of its last batch of acquisition announcements just three weeks prior, Yen Press held its annual Industry Panel at Anime Expo, announcing the upcoming release of thirteen more titles. With familiar authors such as Yuu Morikawa, creator of My Gemini, and Ghost Mikawa, author of Days with My Stepsister and Looks Are All You Need, Yen Press will be publishing eight manga titles (Hereditary Triangle; Luciole Has a Dream; Blend-S; Be My Worst Nightmare!; Revenge Agent Hizumi-san; Stomp, Kick, Love; With You, Our Love Will Make It Through; Ubel Blatt (3-in-1 omnibus)), four novels (Before the Tutorial Starts: A Few Things I Can Do to Keep the Bosses Alive; I’m the Strongest in This Zombie World, But I Can’t Beat This Girl!; Monsterholic; The BS Situation of Tougetsu Umidori), and one art book (Sword Art Online abec Artworks New World). These thirteen titles are set to release in December 2024.

Sword Art Online abec Artworks New World

Art by abec, Story by Reki Kawahara

This third collection of SAO illustrations highlights events from Volumes 16 through 22 of the main story as well as Volumes 1 through 3 of Sword Art Online Progressive. Art from the anime and games is also featured, along with all-new illustrations you won’t find anywhere else!

Sword Art Online abec Artworks New World

Hereditary Triangle

By Fumiya Hayashi

Childhood friends Koutarou Fujiki, Kajiwara, and Fuyuko thought they would always be together. They spent their youth in a strange love triangle, the two boys fighting over who would date Fuyuko. But suddenly one day, that life ends. Kajiwara goes missing, and Koutarou takes his sweetheart’s hand in marriage. Now middle-aged, Koutarou is left to wonder—would his wife have chosen differently if Kajiwara were still around? On a visit to his hometown, the memories come rushing back…

Luciole Has a Dream

By Yuu Morikawa

Awakened by a radiant light, Luciole realized he’d been asleep for a long, long time. Stretching to the horizon before him lay an abandoned world. Whatever life had once taken root here was long gone, leaving Luciole all alone—except for Claude. Now, with a self-proclaimed five-hundred-year-old archmage for his only companion, Luciole will set off on a journey to discover how alone the two truly are.

Blend-S

By Miyuki Nakayama

High schooler Maika Sakuranomiya can’t seem to land a part-time job, so when an opportunity comes knocking, she’s up for anything. Waitressing at a cute café—sounds perfect! The manager demands that each waitress adopt a quirk in their service? Not a problem. Maika’s ready to act flirty, or hot-and-cold, or like a little sister, or…sadistic?! Oh. That might be a tough one for our cheery and caring heroine! The original manga behind the popular anime!

Be My Worst Nightmare!

By Michelle

Sayo Hoshikawa, a high schooler who’s insecure about his height, witnesses his unrequited crush getting rejected by a tall and handsome boy named Mashiba. Sayo challenges Mashiba to contest after contest, but he can’t win a single time. Nothing gets under his skin more than when Mashiba calls him cute! But then he starts having strange dreams about a certain someone embracing him—and soon enough, the dreams devolve into something even deeper…!

Revenge Agent Hizumi-san

By Miyako

Masaichi Hizumi is a revenge agent, professionally dishing out just deserts to anyone who may have incurred the wrath of his clients. His latest target? Mikoto Kuga, an elite salaryman, narcissist, and way-more-than-two-timing cheater. Hizumi’s task is to teach this piece of trash a lesson—by thoroughly humiliating him, body and spirit! Whether he’s ready for it, Kuga is about to get his comeuppance, served with a smile by Hizumi!

Stomp, Kick, Love

By Sumi Ichiya

What’s the best way to relax after a hard day’s work? If you ask Kaho, it’s to kick back and relax at a bar with her best drinking bro, Akira. Sure, everyone around her thinks he’s pretty hot, but he smokes, gets in fights, and is a bit of a playboy—so definitely not boyfriend material. But when one thing leads to another and she wakes up in his bed one morning, it makes it infinitely harder to deny that there is absolutely nothing between them…

With You, Our Love Will Make It Through

By Chihiro Yuzuki

When high schooler Mari bumps into a fellow tardy student, she’s surprised to find out he’s a beastfolk who’s to attend her school! After all, it’s not rare for beastfolk to coexist alongside humans, but it’s still uncommon, with the prejudice and all. Nervous to meet one at first, Mari soon learns there’s more to him than his furry exterior. In fact, the more she gets to know him, the more she finds herself drawn to him, his steadfastness, his kindheartedness, and…his body…

Before the Tutorial Starts: A Few Things I Can Do to Keep the Bosses Alive

Story by Kotatsu Takahashi, Illustration by Kakao Lanthanum

As soon as he opens his eyes, the man realizes he has been reincarnated into the world of the famous RPG series Spirit Wars: Dungeon Magia. However, it isn’t as the protagonist that he has been reincarnated, nor even as a background character… With weak abilities, little to no talent, and the catchphrase “Nya-ha-ha!” he has been born again as a bottom-feeder boss destined to die in the tutorial! All that awaits him is his own grim end! But after finding out that his beloved older sister is destined to die from illness, he makes her a promise: “I’m going to wreck every unfair plot point in this damned world with my own two hands!” Taking advantage of his vast knowledge of games, the man decides to rebel against the original scenario. The strongest secret boss, the boss from the saddest route… He sets out to meet all the bosses of the world. But what lies in store…?!

Before the Tutorial Starts: A Few Things I Can Do to Keep the Bosses Alive

I’m the Strongest in This Zombie World, But I Can’t Beat This Girl!

Story by Ryou Iwanami, Illustration by TwinBox

In a Japan that’s on the verge of ruin, he’s surviving alongside a cute underclassman! A sudden zombie outbreak ravages the country. Amid the fleeing crowds, high school student Yuuma Kousaka ended up being bitten. Afraid of dying, he reunited with his friend’s sister Haruka Hinata for the first time in years. She offers to fulfill his dying wish and be his girlfriend. And with that, Yuuma makes his best and final memory. But after becoming a zombie, he retains his consciousness! “I thought you were going to die soon, so I showed you my boobs! This wasn’t the deal! You need to take responsibility!” And thus, a romantic comedy begins between Yuuma, the strongest boy in a world of zombies, and Haruka, a girl who knows all his weaknesses.

I’m the Strongest in This Zombie World, But I Can’t Beat This Girl!

Monsterholic

Story by Ghost Mikawa, Illustration by Rag Miwano

This is the Masked Ballroom: a place where people revert to beasts, let go of reason, and revel in freedom and anonymity. Here, with the help of a “monster supplement,” anyone can transform into beasts and do as they please. It’s the only “government-approved slum,” where people can forget the suffocating atmosphere of the surveillance state. It’s in this city where Reiji, a young vampire and a real monster, and his werewolf partner Tsuki take on the task of keeping the streets clean. They search for centaurs who have committed hit-and-runs and fight life-and-death battles against the urban legends that manifest. And a meeting with the “Medicine Witch” will change the fate of Reiji and his friends…

The BS Situation of Tougetsu Umidori

Story by Kaeru Ryouseiru, Illustration by Natsuki Amashiro

One day, Tougetsu Umidori suddenly receives a mysterious request from Nara Yoshino, a classmate of hers she is rather close with. Little does she know, however, that this is only the beginning of a series of bizarre events. Soon after, an enigmatic girl in a cat hoodie shows up at Umidori’s house, calling herself “Bullshit.” Thanks to Bullshit, all manner of strange things happen, including toilet borrowing, betrayal, threats, a grapple for freedom, and finally a desperate plea for mercy. Once everything is over, Bullshit asks: “Hey, will you kill the lies with me?” And without knowing why, Umidori joins Bullshit on her quest.

Ubel Blatt (3-in-1 omnibus)

By Etorouji Shiono

Rumors stir throughout the land: When the wielder of the black sword draws his dark blade, all who stand in its path are torn asunder…! Köinzell, the mysterious young boy who carries the black sword, undeniably wields it with exceptional skill, but can he truly be responsible for the bloody rumors? Pursued by the Traitorous Lances, four powerful warriors who were thought to have been defeated by the Seven Heroes, the strength of the young swordsman will be tested to its limit. At battle’s end, only the shocking truth of Köinzell’s quest will stand above the corpses of his enemies… An epic fantasy on the grandest of scales!

Yen Press reveals ten new manga and light novel releases for August 2024!

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Press has announced the acquisition of ten new titles, including seven manga (The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Short Story Collection; Rejected by the Hero’s Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside; Riviere and the Land of Prayer; In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name; Strategic Lovers; The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love; The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies) and three light novels (Sword Art Online Alternative Clover’s Regret; Hell Is Dark with No Flowers; My First Love’s Kiss).

The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Short Story Collection

By Akiharu Touka

In a world of her own creation, the lives of Konoha’s many characters are filled with the kind of cringey doom and gloom that only an adolescent mind can produce. But where’s the fun in that? Throwing in a pinch of crossdressing, a dabble of sickfics, and oh—a date with a fellow bookworm—really spices up the story! From ninjas to assassin butlers and yanderes, there’s never a dull moment in the many alternate universes Konoha Satou lives through as the most despicable villainess, Iana Magnolia!

The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Short Story Collection

Sword Art Online Alternative Clover’s Regret

Story by Soitiro Watase
Illustration by Ginta
Supervised by Reki Kawahara

Sword Art Online, as reimagined by famed fantasy author Soitiro Watase!

Asuka Empire. A Japanese-style VRMMO created by Akihiko Kayaba from a VR engine entitled “The Seed”—a game once played by Yuuki, Ran, and Merida of the Sleeping Knights that hides many stories. Two young women—warrior priestess Nayuta and ninja Koyomi, who became friends in-game—come across a mysterious priest named Yanagi. The elderly man tells them that he’s looking for a detective to solve a riddle with a one-million-yen reward. The girls are shocked by the outlandish sum for this peculiar request, and then they meet an equally peculiar young man, who claims to be able to do this job as well as any other detective. With all his stat points invested in Luck, the man is useless in battle, but he does still seem to have some tricks up his sleeve, like that unbeatable drop rate for rare items… The mystery unfolds as two young girls and their dubious detective partner try to solve the case in this cutting-edge VRMMO world!

Sword Art Online Alternative Clover’s Regret

Rejected by the Hero’s Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside

Story by Zappon
Art by Mutsuki Higashioji
Character Design by Yasumo

Before she reunited with Red in the frontier town of Zoltan, Rit was renowned as the brave warrior who helped the Hero’s party save her country from the demon king’s forces and the second princess of the Duchy of Loggervia, Rizlet. But after being suddenly exiled, Rit must embrace her new, untethered life as an adventurer traveling wherever the wind blows…though who knows where that journey will take her?! This is the story of Rit’s exploits across the continent of Avalon prior to finding Red!!

Rejected by the Hero’s Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside

Riviere and the Land of Prayer

Story by Jougi Shiraishi
Art by Neriume
Character Design by Azure

After Riviere saved her from dying on the street, MacMillia chose to start working as her new assistant! The enigmatic Riviere runs an antique shop, where she specializes in dispelling troublesome (and sometimes dangerous) curses. Magic, witches, prayers (and the curses they turn into) mean there’s never a dull day for these two!

In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name

Story by Kotoko
Art by NiKrome

Through a handheld mirror connected to another world, college student Ichika befriends a boy named Cecil. But when the mirror disappears one day along with her older sister, Karen, Ichika thinks she’ll never see the two of them again…until a year later, when the mirror suddenly turns up and sends Ichika to the world on the other side! There, she finds a grown-up Cecil and her sister, who, for some reason, has become a saint named Ichika—?! After Karen has stolen her name and life, Ichika must forge her own destiny in this otherworldly, doting fantasy! 

In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name

Strategic Lovers

By Sanshokuamido

Kouta Higashiyama’s father is the enormously wealthy founder of a corporate behemoth—but his mother was the man’s twenty-third mistress! He thought the issue of succession and inheritance had nothing to do with him. And it didn’t—until he was suddenly kidnapped as a candidate to be the next chairman and dropped in front of five beautiful girls, who are all in contention to become his lover…But is his whole life really about choosing whatever and whoever he wants? Or will Kouta himself be the one to be chosen…?

The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love

By Tomo Nanao

Upon his return to his hometown near Mt. Takao, the lonely youth Kotarou reunites with a tengu girl he used to know, Hime. To his shock, Hime decrees that they must wed! Intent on marrying Kotarou, will Hime be able to break down his walls and build a happily-ever-after with him?!

Hell Is Dark with No Flowers

Story by Yoru Michio
Illustration by Ruka Todo

Seiji Tohno sometimes sees the people around him as monsters. It is a curse that had driven him to a life of despair, living out of internet cafés with nowhere to call home…but all that changes one twilit evening when he stumbles across a huge European mansion. There, Seiji meets a bewitchingly beautiful boy dressed in a kimono with a white peony motif on the shoulder, who introduces himself as Shiroshi Saijou. This mysterious young man seems to know more about Seiji than he does himself, and before he knows it, Seiji has agreed to become Shiroshi’s assistant in exchange for room and board. Little does he know, however, this “proxy service,”’ as Shiroshi puts it, is none other than outsourced death! Sending monster-possessed sinners to Hell, will bring Seiji face-to-face with terrifying new creatures each and every day!

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies

By Cocoa Fujiwara

She’s a magical girl, sworn to fight for peace, love, and justice. He’s a lieutenant, born into a military family that serves an evil empire. And yet, it was love at first sight…From Inu x Boku SS creator Cocoa Fujiwara comes a four-panel comic about hostile enemies who won’t kill (and love) each other!

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies

My First Love’s Kiss

Story by Hitoma Iruma
Illustration by Fly

Takasora Hoshi’s life is upended when a girl from her class named Umi Mizuike and her mother temporarily move into her family’s cramped apartment. From the outset of this arrangement, Takasora finds herself annoyed by Umi’s behavior…and her good looks. And though the two girls initially agree to avoid interfering with each other’s lives, Takasora can’t help but start to wonder where Umi keeps wandering off to at night…

From the author of Adachi and Shimamura comes the bittersweet tale of two high school girls whose lives are thrust together under the same roof.

Yen Press Starts Off 2024 with New Licenses

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Press has announced nine new titles joining its June 2024 lineup, including seven manga (A Sinner of the Deep Sea; Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra; Sister and Giant: A Young Lady Is Reborn in Another World; Penguin Highway; Senpai, This Can’t Be Love!; Sword Art Online: Kiss & Fly; This Monster Wants to Eat Me), one novel (Demons’ Crest), and one artbook (Visions 2023__Illustrators Book).

A Sinner of the Deep Sea

By Akihito Tomi

The ocean covers about 70 percent of the earth’s surface—a whole world, yet unknown to humanity… And in its depths, a nation, thousands of meters beneath the waves. There, the mermaid Jo has been whiling away her days in peace. But that tranquility is shattered when her friend Ryuu is locked away for breaking the gravest of undersea laws: that humans must never know of the world below.

But why would Ryuu let the secret slip? And who did she tell? The curtain rises on Jo’s adventure to save her friend—and on her love..!? 

Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra

Original Story by Fehu Kazuno
Art by Yasaiko Midorihana

“I reincarnated as an evil god.” Takuto Ira, after dying from illness at a young age, is reborn into a world just like the strategy simulation game he loved in his past life, Eternal Nations. There, what appears before his eyes is a girl, Atou, whom he had used before in the evil civilization he previously subdued in the game, Mynoghra. The two resolve to create a new nation in this world once more. 

Sister and Giant: A Young Lady Is Reborn in Another World

By Be-con

Reincarnated in another world, Hinako declines the abilities offered to her by the Goddess, and instead takes a vow of sisterhood with the giant Eiris, becoming known herself as “the smallest giant.” The two may be different species, born on different worlds, but they share one goal—searching for the precious siblings they lost. But they must be cautious, for just as their bond and strength win them fame, they also bring attention from the knights of the church…

Sister and Giant: A Young Lady Is Reborn in Another World

Penguin Highway

Original Story by Tomihiko Morimi
Art by Keito Yano

One day, penguins are spotted in the suburban town that fourth-grader Aoyama calls home. The penguins make their sudden appearance in a residential district—nowhere near the ocean—and disappear just as mysteriously. Where could they have come from, and where did they go? Aoyama is determined to get to the bottom of it! This is the slightly curious, unforgettable tale of that summer.

Senpai, This Can’t Be Love!

By Shinta Harekawa

Friendly, confident, amazing at his job…All words applicable to veteran CG designer Yanase, who was asked to teach the hardworking new hire, Kaneda, the ropes! Although excited about the prospect, he begins to lose heart in the face of Kaneda’s frosty indifference. However, on the inside, Kaneda’s been struggling to play it cool whenever Yanase so much as pats him on the back…

Sword Art Online: Kiss & Fly

Original Story by Reki Kawahara
Art by Rico Bekko
Character Design by abec

Delve deeper into Kirito’s and Asuna’s pasts in this collection of three short stories adapted to manga for the first time! From their newlywed life in SAO to Asuna’s time in ALO, revisit events from throughout the series as they originally appeared in the novels!

This Monster Wants to Eat Me

By Sai Naekawa

“I’ve come to eat you.” So softly utters the mermaid Shiori as she emerges from the sea and takes high school girl Hinako by the hand. Hinako lives alone in a town by the sea and possesses an unusually delicious body that is irresistible to nearby monsters. To ensure that she matures to the best condition, Shiori seeks to protect Hinako—all so that someday, she can devour every piece of her. What will become of Hinako’s feelings as this looming unjust death closes in on her…?

Visions 2023__Illustrators Book

Edited by pixiv Inc

The ultimate collection of pixiv artists returns with a 2023 compilation featuring 170 of the greatest illustrators on the platform. This year’s collection boasts a broad selection of styles and contributors from across the globe that any art fan is sure to love!

Demons’ Crest

Original Story by Reki Kawahara
Illustration by Yukiko Horiguchi

Yuuma Ashihara is playing Actual Magic, a virtual reality MMORPG, when it suddenly begins to fuse with the real world. While he tries to make sense of what’s happening, he runs into Sumi, one of his classmates. Before, she was one of the cutest girls in his grade, but she’s undergone a terrible metamorphosis—into one of the game’s monsters! From the author of Sword Art Online and Accel World comes a story beyond VR and AR, where game and reality are one and the same. 

NYCC 2023: Yen Press announces fifteen new licenses

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Press held a panel on the last day of New York Comic Con 2023, at which they announced fifteen new acquisitions. With titles releasing in March and April 2024, this lineup includes eight manga (Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule; Trinity Seven Revision; The Tiger Hasn’t Eaten the Dragon Yet; My Gemini; All or Nothing; Fox-Colored Jealousy; I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me; Adults’ Picture Book) andfive novels (Amalgam Hound; Classroom for Heroes, Riviere and the Land of Prayer; Once Upon a Witch’s Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy; You Can’t See the Snow). Along with the eight new manga series listed were a couple more manga announcements tied to familiar properties, which include a new manga adaptation of The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life with art by Aya Obara, and the print publication of the Black Summoner manga under Yen Press’s JNC imprint.

Black Summoner (manga)

Story by Doufu Mayoi
Art by Gin Ammo
Character Design by Kurogin (DIGS)

While being transmigrated to another world, Kelvin gave up his memories for powerful new abilities. Setting out on the ultimate adventure as the world’s strongest Summoner—his first Follower the very goddess who brought him over!—he soon discovers his true calling as a battle junkie. Faced with one formidable foe after another, Kelvin can hardly contain his exhilaration! The curtain rises on this epic saga as the black-clad warrior and his allies carve their way into the annals of history!!

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life (manga)

Story by Usata Nonohara
Art by Aya Obara
Character Design by ox

For an alchemist like Mariela, performing incredible feats of magic are just part of the job. So when a stampeding horde of monsters threatens to devour the kingdom of Endalsia, she decides to put herself in a brief state of suspended animation to survive. Luckily, she awakens safe and sound—200 years in the future… Now, all Mariela really wants is a quiet, laid-back life in this land she barely recognizes. It’s too bad potions have become a luxury good, and she’s the only girl in town with the skills to make them.

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life

Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule

Story by Reki Kawahara
Art by Mugetsu
Character Design by abec

The SAO Progressive series continues, following Asuna and Kirito to the sixth floor of Aincrad, where puzzles and brainteasers galore await them! Will our sword-swinging pair burn out on a mental challenge, or will the frightening gang of player-killers catch up with them first…?

Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule

Trinity Seven Revision

Art by Youichi Nishio
Story by Kenji Saito
Character Design by Akinari Nao

From the world of Trinity Seven comes a sizzling new spinoff!

High schooler Mitsunari Miyazawa had aspirations of becoming a writer until a run-in with a demonic creature turns deadly. Now, Mitsunari has been reborn with the power of the Magus of Envy, fighting with the help of the living grimoire Lydia!

The Tiger Hasn’t Eaten the Dragon Yet

By Hachi Inaba

“Make me think it’s okay if you’re the one who eats me…”

In the mountains somewhere, a tiger catches its prey: a lone dragon, the kind that is hardly ever seen. Eating the dragon’s meat extracts the ultimate flavor, drinking its blood heals all injuries, and devouring its heart grants immortality…And yet, upon seeing the dragon’s undeveloped stature, the tiger refuses to eat it. Dragon and tiger, predator and prey—is what ties them together simply natural hunting instincts or something more…?

Amalgam Hound

Story by Midori Komai
Illustration by Domino Ozaki

Theo, a young investigator, crosses paths with Eleven, an amalgam perfectly mimicking the form of a girl. In a strange twist of fate, the two become partners on a special mission to track down other amalgams on the run after the war. However, Eleven only looks like a young girl. She’s a living weapon who doesn’t understand what it means to be human. Theo has no love for amalgams, but he’ll have to deal with it, because a terrorist attack has rocked the nation to its core…and someone needs to get to the bottom of it!

Classroom for Heroes

Story by Shin Araki
Illustration by Haruyuki Morisawa

When the hero Blade defeated the demon king, he lost all his powers. For him, this should have been a dream come true—finally, life as a normal student without fighting or adventuring. That is, until he discovers his school is a school for heroes. He just wants to get by with a solid average, but as a hero with real experience, it turns out his idea of average is a little off…!

My Gemini

By Yuu Morikawa

Plain, redheaded, and freckled John has nothing going for him, except his two friends who are incredibly popular at school—twins Jekyll and Hyde. The twins, indistinguishable, have always enjoyed taking each other’s places for fun. But when the pair is fragmented by an untimely death, it’s up to John to find out…which twin is left? 

All or Nothing

By Shikke

When Kadoi and Hasumoto reveal that they’ve been dating for a whole month, Oka and Sawada are more jealous that their friends have lovers than anything else. So when the change in their friends’ relationship causes them to be more conscious of each other, they can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to be together—in more ways than one…

Fox-Colored Jealousy

By Machi Suehiro

They first met on the train. While Akiha Konno was on his way to his first day of school in Tokyo, some creep just had to touch his butt… Thankfully, the nice college guy saved him, but—uhhh…Akiha really didn’t mean to just glomp him like that! Worse, he called the fox ears that appear when he’s all worked up “cute”! Welp, it’s not like he’ll ever see him again…

I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me

By Geshumaro

When high school shut-in Raito Sasaki hires a pro gamer coach to help hone his FPS skills, he never expected that the one knocking on his door would be Rion Suzuki—a cute and fashionable beauty the same age as him! With such a charming and supportive gamer gal cheering him on, can Raito take his game to the next level, or will the pressure of being up close and personal with a bombshell like Rion lead him to throw?

Riviere and the Land of Prayer

Story by Jougi Shiraishi
Illustration by Azure

Return to the world of the Wandering Witch in a brand-new spin-off!

The stage is set for two girls in a land where prayers have become curses. In a small island nation, there is a mysterious town where people’s prayers are answered by a mysterious force. I, Makmilia, assist the enigmatic Riviere in our shop, where we deal with the dangerous items borne of those prayers. We’ve got a fate-changing perfume, a talking vase, and a bag containing strange creatures, just to name a few. Yes, indeed, the deeds of the marvelous duo, Makmilia and Riviere, will overshadow even the Ashen Witch Elaina!

Once Upon a Witch’s Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy

Story by Saka
Illustration by Chorefuji

On her seventeenth birthday, the apprentice witch Meg learns that she only has one year left to live. Her teacher, the long-lived witch Faust, explains that the only way to undo the death curse is to collect tears of joy and grow the seed of life. To find them, Meg will have to leave the sheltered life she’s always known and head out into the world. There will be meetings, partings, and friendships aplenty, and of course many tears. Meg will learn that the most important lessons for a witch are bright, sweet, and somewhat heart-wrenching.

Once Upon a Witch's Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy

Adults’ Picture Book

By Kei Itoi

Erotic manga author Kudou’s friend Haruki passes away, leaving behind his young daughter, Kiki, and a note bequeathing her to Kudou. Strange as the situation is, Kudou commits to making a real family with the girl—so when he meets a woman who reminds him of his late friend, he fires off a marriage proposal on the spot! By blood, friendship, love, or circumstance, family is family…

You Can’t See the Snow

By Rokudo Ningen

College freshman Natsuki and sophomore Yuki meet and fall in love one summer night—the first of many they spend together. But as autumn approaches, Yuki suddenly tells Natsuki she wants him to be happy and find a cute girlfriend, then disappears from campus. Hoping to see Yuki one final time, Natsuki visits her home and learns she suffers from an unknown illness that forces her to sleep through the winter. This modern-day version of Sleeping Beauty explores the miracle of love.

Sword Art Online Gets a Platinum Box Set

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Press has announced the acquisition of the Sword Art Online Platinum Collector’s Edition, a deluxe limited edition box set of the iconic Sword Art Online light novel series written by Reki Kawahara with illustrations by abec.

Spanning twenty volumes of Sword Art Online, this special boxed set includes exclusive prints and a poster featuring gorgeous art by abec! With two beautiful collector’s edition volumes, this boxed set is an absolute must-have for fans of the series!

For nearly a decade, Sword Art Online has been one of the most beloved franchises in the world of light novels, manga and anime. This deluxe box set appeals greatly to passionate fans of the series as well as collectors of limited edition offerings, such as the Spice and Wolf Anniversary Collector’s Edition and the PandoraBox: Limited PandoraHearts Collection previously released by Yen Press.

Sword Art Online Platinum Collector’s Edition is on sale December 22. Pre-orders are available now on YenPress.com.

Yen Press Announces New Manga Acquisitions

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Press has announced its latest publishing acquisitions, which include manga debuts for The White Cat’s Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King’s Lap, Wolf & Parchment, and Sword Art Online Project Alicization. New light novels titles include A Certain Magical Index SS and Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana and a new art book acquisition for Keito Koume Illustrations: Spice & Wolf – The Ten Year Calvados.

Additional titles will be announced during the Yen Press Industry Panel at Anime Expo Lite on July 3^rd.

A Certain Magical Index SS

Story by Kazuma Kamachi
llustrations by Kiyotaka Haimura

Kamijou Touma faces his roughest challenge yet-a classroom hot pot party! Meanwhile in London, the women’s dorm in a base of magicians may never see another day as wild as this one. And in the underbelly of Academy City, Accelerator stumbles upon someone who has been waiting for him all this time…? Here begins the supplementary SS series of A Certain Magical Index!

Originally published in Japan during the serialization of A Certain Magical Index, A Certain Magical Index SS was the first spin-off of the popular light novel series. The side stories featured in A Certain Magical Index SS are led by fan favorite characters such as Touma, Hamazura and Accelerator.

The White Cat’s Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King’s Lap

Story and Aki
Art by Yamigo Kureha

My life was pretty ordinary. Go to college, live in an apartment, hang out with people. But because of that pompous, irritating girl I grew up with, I got dragged into a huge mess. As usual. Now I’m in another world where she’s a well-respected shrine maiden…and I got turned into a cat. How did it come to this?!

Adapted from an online novel, The White Cat’s Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King’s Lap falls into the growing category of shojo isekai titles. This adorable and beautifully illustrated manga will appeal to a large audience of shojo fantasy fans eager for more.

Keito Koume Illustrations: Spice & Wolf – The Tenth Year Calvados

Art by Keito Koume

Never before has the stunning color art of the manga adaption of Spice and Wolf been seen like this! As a compendium of the illustrations delivering a story that ran strong for ten years, this is a must-have for any fan of everyone’s favorite apple-loving wolf!

Over a decade ago, the series Spice & Wolf became one of the first light novels to gain mainstream popularity, a series that remains a fan favorite to this day. Keito Koume Illustrations: Spice & Wolf – The Tenth Year Calvados is a deluxe collection of Spice & Wolf illustrator Keito Koume’s artwork for the manga adaptation which includes cover art and a full color manga excerpt.

Keito Koume Illustrations: Spice & Wolf – The Tenth Year Calvados

Wolf & Parchment (manga)

Story by Isuna Hasekura
Art by Hidori

When Col leaves the cozy mountain village of Nyohhira aspiring to become a full-fledged member of the clergy, a certain impetuous wolf can’t help stowing away aboard his ship to follow him for a chance to have a grand adventure of her own!

A gorgeous manga adaptation of the light novel, Wolf & Parchment is a spin-off of Spice and Wolf taking place 10 years after the end of the original series. The ongoing series features Lawrence and Holo’s travelling companion Col as well as their daughter Miyuri.

Sword Art Online Project Alicization (manga)

Story by Reki Kawahara
Art by Koutarou Yamada
Original Illustrations by abec

Deep in an unfamiliar forest, Kirito awakens with sensations far too convincing for a virtual world… With memories of a life he doesn’t remember living. A boy and a girl…and a name that sticks in his mind: Alice.

Sword Art Online Project Alicization is a manga adaptation of Sword Art Online’s Alicization Arc, the basis of the ongoing anime titled Sword Art Online: Alicization. Fans of the anime have been eagerly anticipating the release of the Sword Art Online Project Alicization manga along with the upcoming Season 2 of Sword Art Online: Alicization.

Sword Art Online Project Alicization (manga)

Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana (light novel)

Story by Kumo Kagyu
Art by lack

Not a soul knows how the death and destruction started. Only one thing is certain—it came from the north. Deep within the Dungeon of the Dead is where the the Demon King resides and the only hope humanity has of defeating this great evil rests on the shoulders of a handful of adventurers. This tale of Sword Maiden’s past smells of ash and sounds like the ringing of bare steel.

Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana takes place a decade prior to the events of the original series. The spin-off series tells the story of Sword Maiden and her party of six as they journey to slay the Demon King, a feat which made her a legend in the world of Goblin Slayer.

Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana (light novel)

Yen Press Announces Three New Manga Series for October 2020

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Graphic Policy Team

Yen Press has announced its latest manga acquisitions today, which include Sword Art Online Progressive Transient Barcarolle, Heterogenia Linguistico and My Broken Mariko. All three will release in October 2020.

Sword Art Online Progressive Transient Barcarolle

Story by Reki Kawahara
Art by Shiomi Miyoshi
Original Illustration by abec

Though the fourth floor of Aincrad was supposed to be only a dreary, dried up riverbed, it’s been transformed into a lattice of countless canals! Kirito and Asuna will need a gondola if they want to continue forward…

Sword Art Online Progressive Transient Barcarolle is a continuation of the manga adaptation of Sword Art Online Progressive, a spin-off of the original light novels that tell the untold stories taking place in the first two years of the characters’ time trapped in the game world.

Heterogenia Linguistico

Story and Art by Salt Seno

After his professor is injured, rookie linguist Hakaba is entrusted with his work, a research trip to study the language of monsters. Travelling together with his guide Susuki, he dives into the complex world of interspecies communication!

Heterogenia Linguistico is a fantasy manga with slice-of-life elements, a unique series that focuses on how various creatures such as werewolves and slimes communicate. Heterogenia Linguistico is part of a rising trend in manga with unconventional twists on fantasy storytelling such as Delicious in Dungeon and A Witch’s Printing Office.

My Broken Mariko

Story and Art by Waka Hirako

Shiino is an ill-tempered office assistant, but when her friend Mariko dies unexpectedly, she becomes determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. Portraying the soulful connection between girls, this is a striking story of sisterhood and romance.

My Broken Mariko is an intense and emotional josei manga that addresses suicide and abuse. An utterly impressive work that is sure to appeal to the passionate josei fanbase, My Broken Mariko will be published in a deluxe hardcover format.

VIZ Media Will Release Accel World: Infinite Burst This Fall

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Graphic Policy Team

VIZ Media has announced they have acquired the home media rights for the Accel World: Infinite Burst movie during its official panel event held this past weekend at Anime Central 2018. The film is a sequel to the 2012 Accel World animated series, which are based on the light novels of the same title written by Reki Kawahara. Accel World: Infinite Burst will be released this Fall on Blu-ray and DVD, with special extras including the two OVAs “Reverberation” and “Vacation.”

In Accel World: Infinite Burst, Haruyuki and his friends are playing the online fighting game Brain Burst, locked in a territory battle with a rival group as usual. But things take an unexpected turn when a mysterious black cloud kicks them out of the game and prevents them from reentering. The seemingly impossible phenomenon isn’t just an isolated incident—it’s spreading and preventing all Burst Linkers from accelerating. Haruyuki and the others soon learn that to protect the bond that connects them, they must confront a powerful ancient being that has been sealed away since the dawn of the “Accelerated World”!

Sword Art Online Comes to 500 U.S. Theaters this March

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Graphic Policy Team

The wildly popular anime series Sword Art Online is set to make its U.S. cinematic premiere with the English subtitled “Sword Art Online The Movie -Ordinal Scale– A Special Event.” At this exclusive event, anime fans will experience an all-new adventure with Kirito, Asuna and their party members as they explore the world of “Ordinal Scale,” a new hit game utilizing augmented reality technology.

This one-night event comes to movie theaters on Thursday, March 9 at 8:00 p.m. local time, from Fathom Events, Aniplex of America Inc. and ELEVEN ARTS. In addition to the full-length, English sub-titled feature, the Fathom event will include exclusive content to be announced soon.

Immediately following the Fathom premiere event, “Sword Art Online The Movie-Ordinal Scale-” will kick-off its wide theatrical release.

Tickets for “Sword Art Online The Movie -Ordinal Scale- A Special Event” can be purchased online or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 500 select movie theaters.

The animated TV series Sword Art Online is based on author Reki Kawahara’s light novel of the same name. Since the first volume was published in April 2009, the series has sold more than 12.5 million copies in Japan and 19 million worldwide and spawned two TV anime adaptations, video games, comic books and merchandise.

In “Sword Art Online -Ordinal Scale-” the game’s players find the line between the virtual world and reality beginning to blur, and their worst nightmares coming true. As his fellow players find themselves in danger, Kirito, the hero, is called upon once again. Can he save his friends, or is this going to be game over for him?