J-Novel Club had an absolutely packed schedule of announcements at its New York Comic Con panel today, revealing a treasure trove of new licenses for fans! This massive unveiling includes eleven brand-new light novels, two exciting manga series, three physical print releases from the inaugural J-Novel Club Original Light Novel Contest, and a pair of audiobooks to immerse yourself in. Many of these first volumes will be available digitally on J-Novel Club’s platform right away. For audio enthusiasts, ‘Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill’ Volume 1 is set to release on October 14th, followed by ‘Now I’m a Demon Lord! Happily Ever After with Monster Girls in My Dungeon’ Volume 1 on November 4th.
New Light Novels to Explore!
Prepare for epic tales and compelling characters with these fantastic new light novel acquisitions:
Even Exiled, She’s Still the Beloved Saint! St. Evelyn’s Weird and Wonderful Friends by Harunadon with illustrations by Kurodeko
Synopsis: Imagine losing your fiancé, your sister, and your esteemed position as a saint all in one fell swoop! Evelyn, who diligently served her country with prayers and healing, finds her life utterly shattered when the crown prince exiles her, replacing her with her seemingly incompetent sister. Penniless and without practical skills, she faces a daunting future. Yet, hope arrives in the form of a mysterious young boy who helps her find work. Her healing talents quickly earn her recognition and unwavering devotion from the people—even a marriage proposal! As whispers of discontent spread about the prince and adoring fans flock to Evelyn’s side, she must navigate political intrigue, her blossoming fame, and unexpected romance. Can the greatest heroes of their age truly solve every problem?
Buying You on the Day You Were to Die by Shiki Narito with illustrations by Yamimaru Enjin
Synopsis: “I’d like to buy your time—for two hundred thousand yen a month.” For Sakata, his junior year winter is a time of profound loss. His mother is gone, his irresponsible father has vanished, and he struggles daily just to survive. Then, a young man named Nishikawa appears with an unusual offer: generous pay that could finally give his mother a proper funeral. However, this deal comes with peculiar conditions: Sakata must attend school every day, get into the same university as Nishikawa, and, most bizarrely, act as his friend until the contract ends. As their bond deepens, these two boys, starved for affection, must confront a haunting question: Can a friendship built purely on money ever become truly real?
So Dearly Reckless by Tenma Asahi with illustrations by Tsutsuji Takahashi
Synopsis: Louis grew up doing whatever it took to survive in his small village. Now that he’s come of age, he must leave the orphanage, and his greatest desire is freedom from poverty. His best chance lies in graduating from Arneval Academy, but the tuition is astronomical. Seeking work, Louis registers with the Adventurer’s Guild, where he encounters Bolt, a seasoned adventurer who insists they party up and even helps Louis save for school. Yet, academy life still demands a price, and Louis finds that staying with Bolt’s party might not be so bad, especially as new feelings emerge with each adventure. But not everything is as it seems. Bolt might not be who he claims, and the mysteries of Louis’s own past could unravel everything he thought he knew. Will the truth break their bond, or forge it stronger than ever?
The Azure Dragon’s Devotion: An Offering of Three Centuries to You by Haru Sakura with illustrations by Ciel
Synopsis: Kohaku, an outcast of the White Tiger Clan, once shared an unbreakable bond with Seiryu, the formidable chieftain of the Dragon Clan. As children, Seiryu was the only one who made Kohaku feel he belonged. But centuries have passed, driving them apart. Seiryu now hides behind a perpetual smile, and Kohaku struggles to trust his heart to another’s whims. On their rare meetings, Seiryu would casually propose marriage, only for Kohaku to refuse, skeptical of his seemingly cavalier promises. However, things take a dramatic turn when Kohaku finds himself among Seiryu’s next round of matchmaking partners. Despite their long history, nothing could prepare Kohaku for the profound secret Seiryu has guarded for years. As the truth unfolds, can Kohaku finally understand his old friend’s feelings, or have time and trauma already doomed their chance at happiness?
Scooped Up by an S-Rank Adventurer! This White Mage Is One Heck of a Healer by Sora Suigetsu with illustrations by DeeCHA
Synopsis: Lloyd, a member of the most illustrious Hero’s party… wait, he’s not anymore?! Kicked out for being deemed too weak, no one realizes that Lloyd is, in fact, an absurdly powerful white mage, personally trained by the legendary Lady Merlin! Manipulating magic is second nature to him, often leaving even S-rank adventurers utterly speechless. The irony is, Lloyd himself has no idea just how incredibly strong he truly is. Fortune finally smiles upon him when a perceptive seasoned adventurer recognizes his true worth and immediately brings him into her party. But their initial quest to hunt high wolves quickly spirals into chaos when the city comes under attack. Now, Lloyd must navigate new social dynamics, face a quest far more perilous than anticipated, and perhaps, just perhaps, finally prove his immense value to the world.
Repeated Vice: I Refuse to Be Important Enough to Die by Hitsugi Kurokawa with illustrations by Kuki Kushiro
Synopsis: A chilling dream of his own demise was the ultimate wake-up call for Lofus Ray Lightless. Far from a paragon of virtue, Lofus revels in his villainy. But a vivid vision of his many gruesome fates convinces him that he must change his ways—or at least convincingly pretend to. With his loyal butler by his side, Lofus embarks on a mission to twist the threads of destiny in his favor, hoping to secure a long, selfish life. Yet, the future isn’t quite what he envisioned, and he might have bitten off far more than he can chew…
Sowing Vengeance: The Eldest Son’s Disgraceful Green Thumb by Okamoto Takeya with illustrations by Sumihei
Synopsis: Disowned, disgraced, and condemned to a life of farming—being “blessed” with a farmer affinity is practically a death sentence for Chris Sparring. It’s a far cry from the sword-wielding class he was groomed to inherit. To add insult to injury, his twin brother receives the affinity of a sword god and wastes no time channeling years of jealousy into an attempt on Chris’s life. With nothing left to lose, Chris must forge his own path and exact his revenge. And his “useless” poison resistance might just be the unexpected key to turning the tables!
The Canon Fodder’s Ascension from Pawn to World Unifier by Rei Yayoi with illustrations by Kyozip
Synopsis: Arrogant, charismatic, and seemingly untouchable—Zil was the quintessential final boss, dominating the first part of the anime ‘Ragnarök: Twilight of the Gods’. Yet, in a cruel and cliché twist, he was reduced to mere fodder, instantly killed to make way for the next grand villain. It’s hardly the fictional character you’d want to embody, but that’s the unfortunate reality our protagonist faces after dozing off in front of his TV. Refusing to surrender, he vows to defy his destined fate, even if it means confronting gods! But breaking canon is easier said than done. First, he must build his strength and forces while flawlessly maintaining Zil’s imposing façade. And… wait, why is everyone suddenly worshipping him as a god? Oh well, if it boosts his chances of survival!
The Villainess Speaks Not by Kei Yose with illustrations by Ruria Miyuki
Synopsis: They tried to silence her, but she needs no voice to master her destiny. When Liliana awakens in the body of an otome game villainess, she understands it’s a matter of life or death. As the daughter of a duke and a prime candidate to marry the crown prince, she faces constant threats from assassins and her father’s political rivals. Worse still, a fever has left her mute, seemingly unable to call for help or defend herself with magic. Or so they all think! A single attempt shatters the common wisdom of her world, which dictates that incantations are essential for spellcasting. Now, all she has to do is escape the grim fate awaiting her. Though her foresight only extends so far—the game doesn’t truly begin for another seven years—nothing can stop a six-year-old armed with keen intellect and cheat-level magic!
Reforming an Icy Final Boss: Getting Back at the Self-Proclaimed Villainess with the Power of Friendship by Takamedou with illustrations by Nemusuke
Synopsis: To some, she was the “final boss”—Milly, an ice queen of noble birth with little interest in others. Her life takes a brutal turn when she is coldly murdered by Angelina Grey, a self-proclaimed villainess convinced this world is an otome game. Milly then awakens three years in the past, her memories perfectly intact. Determined to escape her humiliating fate, she sets out to rewrite the future by gathering intelligence, forging alliances, and reevaluating her world. Unfortunately, her rival won’t rest until she secures her happy ending with Prince Gilbert, and she’s prepared to kill for it. Poisoned teacups, intense political rivalries, and hidden reincarnators transform everyday academy life into a treacherous battlefield. But for Milly, surviving this second chance means more than just revenge—it’s about carving out a life where she can finally belong!
The Petty Villain Plays by the Rules: Rewriting This Otome Game with Honest Work! by MIZUNA with illustrations by Ruki
Synopsis: The Valdias appear to be a normal noble family, yet no one would predict a future steeped in death and condemnation—a fate that is about to be dramatically rewritten. After a mysterious accident, former salaryman and avid gamer Hajime Kanda wakes up as Reid, the eldest child of the Valdias, in the world of an otome game he once completely cleared. He knows the terrible future that awaits them all. Reid may have been a petty villain in the main story, but he possesses exceptional stats that can help him become truly formidable. The real challenge lies in avoiding the impending conflict, and that means reuniting his family. He just needs to be sweet to his younger sister, earn his father’s favor, and cure his mother’s terminal illness, of course. Sounds simple enough, right? Reid is absolutely determined to save his family from a dark fate, and he plans to do it by playing strictly by the rules!
Exciting New Manga Series!
Dive into these visually stunning and captivating new manga titles:
What’s with the Bag, Kamiyama-san? by Pochi Edoya, Original Work by Abyss Enoshima
Synopsis: On his first day of high school, Namito Kominato dreams of making friends and walking home with a girl. Luckily, he’s seated behind a gorgeous classmate! She’s tall, strong… constantly sweating… and she wears a paper bag over her head?! Meet Samidare Kamiyama, a kind yet incredibly shy student with severe social anxiety. Though Kamiyama couldn’t talk her way out of a wet paper bag (literally—it’s hard to breathe in there!), Namito manages to get her to open up. The two quickly become close friends, soon joined by the outgoing, uniform-obsessed class representative. Together, they decide to form the “Conversation Club” to help Kamiyama embrace high school life. The club needs four members to become official, and a perfect addition appears: a student who can only speak to a cardboard cutout of a magical girl! When offered a welcoming space to be themselves, even social outcasts can flourish. Let the first meeting of the Conversation Club begin!
Fluffy-Eared Realm Restoration: Taking It Slow with My Cool Big Brother by Momotips Original Work by Iota Aiue
Synopsis: Rescued from a lonely life as a poor orphan, Lune was taken in by House Renard. Yet, despite her best efforts to repay them, she was always met with coldness and kept at a distance, especially by her older brother, Liam. When faced with financial ruin, the Renards sold her off as a bride to the crown prince, only for a revolutionary army to seize control of the kingdom and condemn her family to death. At the moment of her execution, Lune makes one final, desperate wish for a chance to save them all. The Great Fox Spirit Reineke hears her prayer, sending her back in time and granting her mystical fox ears that allow her to hear the voices of spirits. If she wants to change the future, Lune must win over her adoptive family—including Liam, who now seems surprisingly… doting? With her spirit friends and Liam’s unexpected affection, Lune embarks on a journey to avert her family’s unjust fate and finally find true happiness!
Exclusive Print Releases!
Mark your calendars for April 2026, as these incredible print titles, including the winners of the J-Novel Club Original Light Novel Contest, hit shelves:
The Adorable Dungeon Master by Hunger with Illustrations by Llo
Synopsis: After her death, Lucia is reborn as Lilac, her avatar from her favorite game! However, she finds herself in a perilous, dark forest. Armed with the power to create towering dungeons and summon powerful allies, Lilac is ready to show everyone what the Queen of Cute can truly achieve! This title earned the prestigious Bookwalker Prize in the first-ever J-Novel Club Original Light Novel Contest!
An Unruly Summon by Cathfach with Illustrations by Kurodeko
Synopsis: With his starving kingdom overrun by demons, King Edward desperately summons a hero: Thomas Smith. To manipulate Thomas’s perception of the war he’s thrust into, he is gifted a luxurious harem of beautiful, deadly women. But Thomas is shockingly well-equipped to cut through all the lies and deception!
ATLAS: Her, the Combatant, and Him, the Hero by John Rohman with Illustrations by ttl
Synopsis: In the sprawling, futuristic metropolis of NOAH, a corporate-backed hero and a revolutionary combatant find themselves battling on opposing sides of justice. But when their intense clashes ignite a spark far deeper than conflict, they must fight desperately to escape the rigid power structures that entrap them—or perish in the attempt. This captivating story was the Grand Prize winner in the first-ever J-Novel Club Original Light Novel Contest!
Immersive Audiobooks!
Experience these beloved stories in a whole new way with J-Novel Club’s upcoming audiobooks:
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill by Ren Eguchi and Narrated by Jason Vu
Synopsis: Mukouda Tsuyoshi was an utterly ordinary man in modern Japan, so when he was unexpectedly summoned to a world of swords and sorcery, he braced himself for the adventure of a lifetime. Unfortunately, the kingdom that summoned him did so by mistake! Not only was he not one of the three prophesied heroes, but his stats were comically low compared to theirs. On top of that, there was something undeniably suspicious about this kingdom… “Ah, these people are the type to try and exploit the Hero,” he wisely concluded, and promptly left to forge his own path in this new world.
Now I’m a Demon Lord! Happily Ever After with Monster Girls in My Dungeon by Ryuyu and Narrated by David Lee Huynh
Synopsis: Yuki finds himself reincarnated as a demon lord in a fantasy world, suddenly in charge of his very own dungeon! His survival hinges on gathering allies to protect his lair in a realm teeming with powerful monsters and lurking dangers. Within mere days, he acquires a legendary dragon, an adorable pet slime, and a charming vampire girl. Yet, despite all the precautions and threats, life as a demon lord overseeing a constantly endangered dungeon turns out to be… surprisingly mellow?