After attending Sakura-con 2014, North American anime publisher Yen Press have announced some of the major acquisitions made during the convention, particularly a new imprint titled “Yen On“, a program that is dedicated to bringing fans English versions of the purportedly best light novels that Japan have to offer.
The three titles currently announced for this program include:
ANOTHER by Yukito Ayatsuji
Yen Press Comment: Not technically new or a light novel (you might see more of that!), but before and since publishing this deliciously spine-chilling horror tale digitally last year, we’ve gotten tons of requests for a print release. Well, we’re happy to say your prayers have been answered! Look for the hardcover omnibus print edition of ANOTHER hitting bookstores this October as part of the Yen On launch!
A CERTAIN MAGICAL INDEX by Kazuma Kamachi, art by Kiyotaka Haimura
Yen Press Comment: I can’t tell you how thrilled we are to finally be bringing A CERTAIN MAGICAL INDEX to you guys! One of the most popular and acclaimed light novel series in Japan, INDEX is also one of our most requested titles! This winter, science and magic clash in Academy City, when one unlucky young man finds a mysterious nun in his room and gets landed in the middle of a war he never expected!
IS IT WRONG TO TRY TO PICK UP GIRLS IN A DUNGEON? by Fujino Omori, art by Suzuhito Yasuda
Yen Press Comment: Like that title alone isn’t reason enough to check out this new breakout light novel series! Also known as DanMachi, Fujino Omori’s hilarious fantasy tale about a fateful encounter in the labyrinthine Dungeon between a hapless boy who wants to make a name for himself as an adventurer and a failed goddess rounds out the Yen On launch list this winter!
As primarily a manga publishing company, they haven’t failed to acquire and announce the rights for a number of different manga franchises that are also set to be released starting later this year in English.
KING OF EDEN by Takashi Nagasaki, art by SangCheol Lee
Yen Press Comment: Maybe you’re not familiar with the name Takashi Nagasaki, but you sure should be! Nagasaki, the critically acclaimed co-author of Monster, 20th Century Boys, Master Keaton, Billy Bat, and Pluto, pens a grotesque thriller that will leave you begging for more! Starting May 1, digital chapters will be simultaneously published worldwide!
PandoraHearts ~odds and ends~ by Jun Mochizuki
Yen Press Comment: If you love the cracking mind-warp that is PandoraHearts, you won’t want to miss this art book! Lavishly presented in hardback with a slipcase, Mochizuki’s darkly whimsical world comes to vivid life in this collection of over 120 color and black-and-white illustrations from PandoraHearts,Crimson-Shell, and more! Look for it in November 2014!
GOU-DERE SORA NAGIHARA by Suu Minazuki
Yen Press Comment: No Yen list would be complete without a little raunch, am I right? In this hilarious fantasy romp out in November 2014, Shouta Yamakawa, a boy in love with his favorite demure manga heroine, Sora Nagihara, casually wishes she could be real…only to find himself staring into her eyes?! But Shouta soon realizes he got more than he bargained for ’cos this Sora turns out to be one bold, brazen babe!
LOVE AT FOURTEEN by Fuka Mizutani – Serialized in Hakusensha’s Rakuen Le Paradis anthology
Yen Press Comment: LOVE AT FOURTEEN is a charming, bittersweet slice-of-life story about two very mature students in junior high falling in love like the teenagers they are. If you have a soft spot for subtle (not to mention adorable) romance, you’re going to have to read this in November 2014!
THE ANGEL OF ELHAMBURG by Aki
Yen Press Comment: In this beautiful standalone volume, a close friendship between a king blessed by a strange angel and his knight begins to crumble under the weight of jealousy and contempt when a woman, and soon her child, comes between them. We love Aki with a burning passion here at Yen, so we’re beyond excited to be adding the gorgeousness of THE ANGEL OF ELHAMBURG to our Spring 2015 list!
