TO Books’ Corona EX manga website officially launched the manga adaptation of Miya Kazuki’s popular “Ascendance of a Bookworm: Hannelore’s Fifth Year at the Royal Academy” (Honzuki no Gekokujō ~Hannelore no Kizokuin Gonensei) spinoff novel series today, Monday, September 22, 2025. The new manga, titled Honzuki no Gekokujō ~Hannelore no Kizokuin Gonensei~ Koishite Mitai Ohime-sama (Ascendance of a Bookworm: Hannelore’s Fifth Year at the Royal Academy -The Princess I Want to Fall in Love With-), will be drawn by Rei Kusakabe, known for their work on My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex manga.
A New Chapter for Hannelore’s Story
Fans of the beloved Ascendance of a Bookworm universe can now follow Hannelore’s journey in a new visual format. The manga adaptation is set to bring to life the challenges and romantic entanglements faced by the archduke candidate of Dunkelfelger. This expansion into manga signifies the continued popularity and growth of the Ascendance of a Bookworm franchise.
The Creative Team Behind the Adaptation
Rei Kusakabe, an artist recognized for their distinctive style in My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex, takes on the responsibility of illustrating Hannelore’s narrative. Their involvement promises a fresh artistic interpretation of the world and characters established by Miya Kazuki and original novel illustrator You Shiina.
The Journey of Hannelore
The Hannelore no Kizokuin Gonensei spinoff novels, which began serialization on the “Shōsetsuka ni Narō” website in 2017 and are still ongoing, delve into the life of Hannelore as she navigates her fifth year at the Royal Academy. The story unfolds half a year after Yurgenschmidt crowns its first underage aub, placing Hannelore, now an archduke candidate for the country’s leading duchy, in a precarious position.
Navigating Noble Society and Matters of the Heart
Hannelore finds herself amidst a crisis, pressured to choose a marriage candidate from a growing list, despite her naturally indecisive nature. Her father proposes her childhood friends, Kenntrips and Rasantark, while her half-brother Raufereg also enters the fray. Adding to her dilemmas is Wilfried, the object of her affection. Believing that Liebeskhilfe, the Goddess of Binding, is meddling with her destiny, Hannelore seeks advice from her close friend Rozemyne.
Publication Details
TO Books has already announced that the first compiled book volume of the manga adaptation is slated for release on December 10. For those following the original light novel series, TO Books published the first volume of the Hannelore spinoff novels in August 2024, with illustrations by You Shiina, and the second volume on August 10. J-Novel Club is also actively releasing the English translation of the spinoff novels for international readers.
