North American publisher of manga, light novels and more has in recent days shared a new suite of license acquisitions, for titles which will commence distribution in the latter half of 2026 – and continuing beyond that date. Scroll down to see whether any of your potential next favourites made the cut, and may soon find a home on your bookshelf:
GIVE ME A HUG, MR. FROG!
Type: Manga
By: Enhi
Release Date: September 2026
USD Price: $15.99
Takanashi is the capable student council president admired by his classmates for his perfection, but recently, he’s been hiding quite a secret. Lately, he’s been secretly visiting a frog-themed milk tea cafe and indulging in an odd habit. For every cup he buys, he gets a hug from the adorable frog mascot that works in the cafe! He has no idea who inhabits the suit, only that the soothing hug seems to relieve him of the pressures of everyday life. But after so many visits, he starts to get curious: who is the person inside?! Will knowing who they are ruin his reputation as the perfect student council president, or could this be the start of a totally new relationship? Grab a lilypad and jump into this adorable manga about two total opposites!
GILDED SEVEN
Type: Manga
By: Tasuku Karasuma
Release Date: September 2026
USD Price: $13.99
With the criminals of “La Llorona” finally caught after a successful raid, Keigo and his team’s celebration of success is short-lived when disaster strikes: Yellowstone erupts! In the chaos of the eruption, Keigo is separated from his fellow officers and flung towards his death—except, when Keigo comes to, he’s perfectly fine, but he quickly learns he’s far from home. That’s when he comes face-to-face with someone he never expected to meet: Abraham Lincoln.
Somehow, Keigo has been sent back to the wild American West of the 1800s, only this isn’t the same period he learned about. Here, Abraham Lincoln was still shot, but never died. And that’s not even the most surprising news he drops on Kiego: the six dangerous members of “La Llorona” are here too! Throw out the history books and get ready for a new take on the American Wild West!
TOO MANY LOSING HEROINES! SHORT STORIES
Type: Light Novel
By: Takibi Amamori and Imigimuru
Release Date: December 2026
USD Price: $15.99
Get ready for a collection of super short stories featuring Kazuhiko and the unlucky girls of Too Many Losing Heroines! This book is bursting with various tales of dates, birthdays, and so much more. It even includes detailed profiles of your favorite characters!
RIKU CAN’T BE A GODDESS (AUDIOBOOK)
Type: Audio Book
By: Kumi Tamaru and Yukihiro Nakamura
Narrator: Kristyna Zaharek
Format: Audiobook
Release Date: 16 October 2025
From an award-winning author comes this collection of four emotionally gripping stories about high schoolers’ acceptance of themselves…and each other.
High school student Ichika has a secret. She allows Riku, her childhood friend and crush, to explore his interest in cross-dressing by acting as his personal dress-up doll: a canvas upon which he can present his ideal of feminine beauty. One day, an unexpected kiss upends this arrangement, sending Ichika fleeing in a panic. What was she really hoping for in their private meetings–and what does Riku want, deep in his heart? And they’re not the only students in their class who struggle with love and identity. In this collection of four coming-of-age tales, teenagers grapple with hidden fears and secret desires as they search for themselves in a complicated world.
LONER LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD (AUDIOBOOK)
Type: Audio Book
By: Shoji Goji and booota
Narrator: Maxwell Glick
Format: Audiobook
Release Date: 16 October 2025
When sarcastic loner Haruka gets transported with his class to another world, he’s not wild about adventuring, but he wouldn’t mind having some cool powers. Unfortunately, he’s last in line when the magic cheat skills get divvied up, so by the time it’s Haruka’s turn, there are no good choices left. Now Haruka will have to take on this fantasy world the hard way–on his own, with a hodgepodge of bizarre skills! When infighting and chaos break out among his classmates, can this loner come to the rescue?
RELUCTANT SPACE COMMANDER: FROM DEATH WISH TO GALACTIC HERO!
Type: Light Novel
By: Norasiro and Johndee
Format: Digital-only
Release Date: July 2026
Nao has had it rough. His girlfriend dumped him and ran off with another man, and now his life has lost all meaning. As he contemplates suicide, he catches sight of an advertisement for Space Force—a military force dedicated to protecting the planet from extraterrestrial threats. Finally, a sign that maybe he can do more with his pathetic existence!
Without a moment’s hesitation, he joins the force with a simple plan in mind: he’ll sacrifice himself for his comrades after a suave line and be free. Except…Nao is too good at this job! Like, really good—there’s no way he’ll die on his own at this rate! Can Nao find his sweet release, or will he become a hero and have to live with it?
RELUCTANT SPACE COMMANDER: FROM DEATH WISH TO GALACTIC HERO! (MANGA)
Type: Manga
By: Norasiro, Katatewaza, and Johndee
Format: Single volume edition; ebook editions available
Release Date: September 2026
USD Price: $13.99
When all he wants to do is die a hero, one man joins the Space Force to look cool while saving the planet! The only problem? He’s too good at his job to die!
Nao has had it rough. His girlfriend dumped him and ran off with another man, and now his life has lost all meaning. As he contemplates suicide, he catches sight of an advertisement for Space Force—a military force dedicated to protecting the planet from extraterrestrial threats. Finally, a sign that maybe he can do more with his pathetic existence!
Without a moment’s hesitation, he joins the force with a simple plan in mind: he’ll sacrifice himself for his comrades after a suave line and be free. Except…Nao is too good at this job! Like, really good—there’s no way he’ll die on his own at this rate! Can Nao find his sweet release, or will he become a hero and have to live with it?
I LIKE CAT BUTTS
Type: Manga
By: Nanaon
Release Date: September 2026
USD Price: $15.99
If you think you’re a fan of cats, can you profess your love of cat butts without batting an eye? Or do you cringe in disgust whenever they shove it in your face? In this collection of colorful comics, one woman is completely devoted to her furry feline friend and adores one feature specifically: his butt! An unhinged comedy about a woman and her chaotic cat.
