J-Novel Club announced a significant expansion of its catalog at New York Comic Con on Saturday, October 11, revealing licenses for 11 new light novel series, two manga series, three upcoming print releases from its original light novel contest, and two new audiobooks. These announcements highlight the publisher’s continued growth in bringing Japanese light novels and manga to English-speaking audiences.
New Light Novel Acquisitions Bolster Digital Catalog
The company’s latest slate of light novel licenses includes a diverse array of genres, with the first parts of the initial volumes expected to be immediately available on the J-Novel Club service. Among the newly licensed titles are:
- Even Exiled, She’s Still the Beloved Saint! St. Evelyn’s Weird and Wonderful Friends (Tsuihō Sareta Seijo desu ga, Jitsu wa Kunijū kara Aisare Sugitete Kowain desu kedo!?) by Harunadon with illustrations by Kurodeko. This story follows Evelyn, a saint exiled by her fiancé, the crown prince, who must navigate new challenges while unexpectedly gaining widespread adoration.
- Scooped Up by an S-Rank Adventurer! This series focuses on Lloyd, a white mage with immense hidden power who is kicked out of the Hero’s Party for being “too weak.”
- The Villainess Speaks Not
- The Adorable Dungeon Master by Hunter and LLO.
- An Unruly Summon by Cathfach and Kurodeko.
- ATLAS: Her, the Combatant, and Him, the Hero by John Rohman and ttl.
- Guild Handyman? More like Mastermind! Using My Hidden Skills in the Shadows by Sakaku Hishikawa and Yu-nit, which introduces Tenes Lumel, a handyman secretly orchestrating major changes from the shadows.
- The Accursed Chef and His Pair of Furry Foodies by Yuu Tanaka and Llo, about a man reincarnated as Thor, who uses his unique cooking magic in a harsh new world.
- Looks like a Job for a Maid! The Tales of a Dismissed Supermaid
- Time to Lift the 200-Year Curse!
- Miss Blossom’s Backward Beauty Standards: Give Me the Ugly Crown Prince! by Sankaku Mikaduki and riritto.
- The Fearsome Witch Teaches in Another World: Pay Attention in Class! by Mitsuru Inoue and Suzuno.
- Heir to a Monstermancer
- Royal Spirits Are a Royal Pain! Give Me a Regular Romance
- The Isle of Paramounts: Reborn into a Slow Life Among the Strongest in the World
New Manga Series Joins the Roster
J-Novel Club is expanding its manga offerings with two new licenses announced at the event. Specific titles mentioned from previous announcements include:
- Isekai Tensei: Recruited to Another World (Manga)
- The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows (Manga)
- Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill (Manga)
- Gushing over Magical Girls (Manga)
Three JNC Original Light Novel Contest Winners to Receive Print Releases
In a move to bring more of their digital-first content to physical shelves, J-Novel Club revealed print editions for three winning titles from its 2024 “JNC Original Light Novel Contest.” These include:
- The Adorable Dungeon Master by Hunter and LLO, the BOOK☆WALKER Prize Winner.
- An Unruly Summon by Cathfach and Kurodeko, a First Prize Winner.
- ATLAS: Her, the Combatant, and Him, the Hero by John Rohman and ttl, the Grand Prize Winner.
All three of these print releases are slated for April 2026.
Beyond these contest winners, J-Novel Club has previously announced other print releases for 2025, including omnibus editions of Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill, The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows, and Isekai Tensei: Recruited to Another World, with releases scheduled throughout August, September, and October 2025.
Upcoming Audiobook Releases
J-Novel Club also detailed two new audiobook licenses set to debut soon, in collaboration with Dreamscape. These audiobooks will allow fans to experience popular series in a new format:
- Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill by Ren Eguchi, narrated by Jason Vu. Volume 1 is scheduled for release on October 14.
- Now I’m a Demon Lord! Happily Ever After with Monster Girls in My Dungeon by Ryuyu, narrated by David Lee Huynh. Volume 1 is slated for release on November 4.
These announcements underscore J-Novel Club’s commitment to expanding its offerings across various formats and bringing a wide range of Japanese and original content to its global readership.
