Here are all the light novels releasing during the week of May 4 to 10, 2020
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash: If I Could Meet You Again Volume 14++ (ebook)(paperback to release later) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Releasing May 04, 2020 — ASIN: B083XMQXQ2
JK Haru: Summer
JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World: Summer (paperback)(ebook released earlier) Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf Releasing May 5, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1718351110
An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Volume 5 (paperback)(ebook released earlier) Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf Releasing May 5, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1718357044
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Volume 1 (eBook)(print will release later) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released May 07, 2020 — ASIN: B0866J1DWY
Restaurant to Another World Volume 4 (eBook)(print will release later) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released May 07, 2020 — ASIN: B0866GDL87
English Title: Welcome to the Diner of the Exiled! Japanese Title: 追放者食堂へようこそ！ — “Tsuihousha Shokudou e Youkoso!” Author: Yuuki Kimikawa – 君川優樹 Illustrator: Gaou – がおう Translator: Alejandro de Vicente Suárez Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy Original Run: June 2019 – ongoing English Run: Month Year – ongoing Japanese Publisher: Overlap Novels (OVERLAP) English Publisher: Tentai Books Volumes in Japanese: 2 (In Progress) Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)
Leave everything to the strongest cook of them all!
Backstabbed by those he considered friends, Dennis has been exiled from one of the strongest guilds around: The Silver Wings Battalion. He doesn’t think much of it, though, as he was dying to use his Level 99 cooking skills anyway. That’s why he decides to leave the city behind and open up a diner in the countryside.
While pursuing his dream, Dennis meets Atrielle, a girl exiled from her noble household and relegated to slavery until he saves her.
The pair open the diner together, and their first client is… an exiled knight from a different guild? How peculiar. But she is not the only customer; a cocky mage and a drastically overworked yet underpaid sage become regulars as well.
The knight brings trouble to the diner at times, but Dennis’s cooking skills and beloved butcher knives cut through trouble and hunger alike!
Thus begins the legend of Dennis and his diner, the talk of the town!
Volume 1 Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf Released TBA — ISBN-13:
Volume 2 Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########
Reviews of Welcome to the Diner of the Exiled!
(forthcoming)
Illustrations Sampler
Anime Adaptation
None
Manga Adaptation
BAKA Entry — Currently serialized in Comic Gardo (Overlap). No collected volumes have been released.
If you liked Welcome to the Diner of the Exiled!, you might also want to try…
Suppose a Kid From the Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town
Japanese Title: たとえばラストダンジョン前の村の少年が序盤の街で暮らすような物語 — “Tatoeba Last Dungeon Mar no Mura no Shounen ga Joban no Machi Kurasu Youna Monogatari” Author: Toshio Satou — サトウとシオ Illustrator: Nao Watanuki — 和狸ナオ Translator: Andrew Cunningham English Publisher: Yen On (Yen Press)
Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town is one of those rare light novels where virtually all the components are typical tropes, yet magically blend together into something that, while not ground-breaking, prove to be enjoyable.
The title pretty much sums up the main plot (light novel trope #1). Lloyd is a boy who considers himself average (trope #2). If anything, he has a very poor opinion of himself and his abilities because his village is ridiculous. It’s a place located in one of the most remote areas of the world, where fish are sea monsters, the trees roam the land in a murderous rage, and the villagers themselves are descended from mythic heroes, each of them equal to god-tier characters. Since Lloyd feels he can’t compare with the other villagers, he decides to move to the main city and join the military so he can learn to be stronger. Naturally, his logic is flawed, because even as the weakest in his village, he is light-years ahead of any person living in the city (trope #3).
As the story progresses, numerous girls become enamored with Lloyd (trope #4) and he inadvertently becomes involved in a plot to destroy the kingdom (trope #5). This doesn’t even begin to address how each of the secondary characters and members of Lloyd’s harem are all pretty archetypal.
Yet the book manages to rise above this and be entertaining.
First off, I credit the author’s voice as being a large factor in the enjoyment of the book. The voice is a third-person omnipotent narrator who regularly interjects how ridiculous, silly, naive, or just plain dumb situations are. This self-aware commentary on the book’s events was a source of numerous laughs and it’s hard to pick on tropes when the author themselves are already doing it for you.
Speaking of laughs, there were plenty of them in this book. And what I appreciated was not all of them were a repetitive mess of “Lloyd is so OP and doesn’t get it.” There are plenty of other running gags (such as a secondary character who keeps threatening to destroy the world–and can!) that keep the book from being one-note.
Also, there’s the character of Lloyd himself. Unlike other clueless OP main characters, Lloyd’s backstory provides an explanation for his lack of common sense. Lloyd is a character you root for. He’s kind, selfless, and a good house-husband. But even his ability to cook and clean is born out of the belief he isn’t strong enough to do anything but chores around the house. As a reader, instead of being exasperated by Lloyd’s low self-awareness, I pitied him because his continued lack of awareness wasn’t out of stupidity, but rather low self-esteem. This flips the usual paradigm in a positive way. With these clueless OP main characters, their character journey is typically limited to becoming aware of their power. But for Lloyd, this is more about self-acceptance and confidence. It’s a far more compelling and satisfying character growth trajectory.
The secondary characters, as I said above, fall into some common archetypes. We have a mercenary, Riho Flavin, with a mithril arm who’s an obvious tsundere, yet she’s nicely balanced out by having more common sense than other characters. Selen Hemein has a curse that has made her an outcast. When Lloyd breaks it, she falls deeply in love with him (as girls often do in similar situations in light novels). But her devotion is comedically tempered by her yandere leanings! Marie the Witch is the older-sister archetype. Her backstory combined with her moral compass make her very likeable. But she is also easily flustered and in a constant tizzy about the chief from Lloyd’s village (the aforementioned world-destroyer). Speaking of the chief, she’s referred to regularly as loli-grandma. That and her regular world-threatening tantrums tells you most of what you need to know. I often found her funny, but her designs on Lloyd make her cringey! Definitely not a character for everyone.
I could go on and on about these various characters. There’s quite a sizable cast for a first book, but they all have individual quirks that add to the story and makes them memorable.
I know I’m pointing out lots of positive things about this book. But there’s no point in discussing the obvious negatives. Yes, the plot itself is predictable (except for one little twist I was surprised by), ticking most paint-by-number boxes for an over-powered main character, fantasy, light novel. No, you won’t walk away from this marveling at how it did something new. You won’t walk away from this with a new worldview.
But combining the familiar with enjoyable characters and decent humor helps this book be a winner. Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town is highly recommended for those times you need some warm, escapist entertainment.
You can pick up your own copy of this light novel at the following retailers…
Justus R. Stone has been running a light novel dedicated YouTube channel since 2014. He’s also the founder of the Light Novel Podcast, one of the first English language podcasts dedicated to Light Novels. In addition to his love of Japanese light novels, he is also the author of his own light novel-inspired series, The Bleeding Worlds.
English Title: Sarazanmai Japanese Title: さらざんまい Author: Kunihiko Ikuhara – 幾原邦彦 & Teruko Utsumi – 内海照子 Illustrator: Miggy – ミギー Translator: TBD Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, LGBT+ Original Run: April 2019 – August 2019 English Run: June 2020 – ongoing Japanese Publisher: Gentosha Comics English Publisher: Seven Seas Volumes in Japanese: 2 (Completed) Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)
Based on the hit anime by Kunihiko Ikuhara (Sailor Moon, Revolutionary Girl Utena, PENGUINDRUM), three boys are transformed into mythical creatures with a mission in this action-filled LGBT+ comedy about friendship, secrets, and growing up. And don’t miss the manga spin-off, Sarazanmai: Reo and Mabu!
After accidentally breaking a statue of a kappa, junior high students Kazuki, Toi, and Enta are transformed into kappa themselves as punishment by Keppi, prince of the Kappa Kingdom. Keppi has a task for the boys if they want their bodies back: work for him to hunt down zombie kappas! Can the boys complete their mission—even if it means exposing their own darkest, deepest fears and desires to each other?
Volume 1 Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker eBook Released June 11, 2020 — ASIN: B0882TNNJT
Volume 2 Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf Releasing November 17, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645057963
Reviews of Sarazanmai
(forthcoming)
Anime
MAL Entry — 11 episodes — aired April 12, 2019 to June 21, 2019 Amazon — RightStuf Note: The light novels were adapted from the anime
Manga Adaptation
MAL Entry — Serialized in Comic Boost — Published May 2019 – ongoing (No current English release)
Spin-Off Series Reo and Mabu — MAL Entry (Japan) Published May, 2018 to March, 2019. (English release by Seven Seas) Published June, 2020. Amazon — Book Depository — RightStuf
If you liked Sarazanmai, you might also want to try…
English Title: Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Japanese Title: 魔女の旅々 — “Majo no Tabitabi” Author: Jougi Shiraishi — “白石定規” Illustrator: Azure — “あずーる” Translator: Nicole Wilder English Publisher: Yen On (Yen Press)
Wandering Witch The Journey of Elaina Volume 1
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina is a series of adventures held together by their shared main character, the witch Elaina. While the book has some semblance of linearity, it does not have an over-arching narrative. This is more of a magical travel log than a novel.
After passing the certification exam to become a full-fledged witch, Elaina decides to follow the inspiration from her favorite series of books and explore the world. While she sometimes gets pulled into events, she does her best to maintain an impartial and distant stance and act only as an observer. After a short period of time, days at the most, she leaves, whether situations have been resolved or not.
There are fourteen tales in this first volume. Some give background on Elaina and also on how one becomes a witch. A few are linked by goofy characters and played strictly for laughs. But the majority are standalone stories that have a mostly melancholy tone. Some chapters are stronger than others. Overall, the book seems more concerned with giving us glimpses into an odd and magical world. There are times when the stories present a slightly heavy-handed moral, typical of fairy tales, but overall they fall more into the category of showing the nature of the world and its humans without commentary.
Part of this lack of commentary comes from the detached nature of Elaina herself. In fact, one of the more jarring things to me about this story was the lack of a clear hero.
My natural inclination was to think of Elaina as one who would right wrongs or fix things which are broken. But she isn’t that person at all. More often, she flies away with her back to the horrors still occurring, or set to occur, behind her. Even her voice makes her feel distant from the events of the stories–she is snarky and judgemental. It is often at odds with the events happening around her. For this reason, I initially disliked Elaina. In the beginning I found myself asking, “how could you not do anything?” This was particularly an issue immediately after the first story, where Elaina seemed more willing to help someone in need (even though, looking back, she was only doing it because she was currently stuck in that town).
But after spending some time traveling with Elaina, I started to change my way of thinking about this book. It isn’t a typical light novel filled with wrongs for the hero to fix. Instead, it is a journal about a world with flaws and wonder to match. And all of it is narrated by this young girl who has a bit of a sharp tongue who keeps most of the ugliest things at bay by never getting too involved herself. As we traveled further, I found myself intrigued about seeing more of this world. And with the chapters giving us some more insight into Elaina’s character, I found that I liked her a bit more with each trip.
I suppose what I’m saying is, I ended up really enjoying this book despite myself. But it took realizing that the world, not Elaina herself, is the main character. Elaina is our guide, not our hero. I think it also helped to improve my thoughts of the novel as it progressed as the stronger of the stories occur later in the book. This could be due to the webnovel origins of the series as the author would’ve become more acquainted with his character and world as they wrote more.
I see where down the road, perhaps that might change. After all, there are some hints Elaina might be more than she lets on. Is there a reason she needs to see the world? Will her judgements after seeing all there is have larger ramifications? I don’t know the answer. I don’t even know if the author intends for any of that to matter. But I am intrigued.
In the end, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina is not going to be for everyone. It’s lack of cohesive narrative and tone will turn some people off. But this world held wonder for me. It was a different experience than most light novels. And for that reason, I intend to journey with Elaina again. Recommended for fantasy fans who love exploring the world as much/or more than the actual stories told there.
You can pick up your own copy from the following retailers:
Justus R. Stone has been running a light novel dedicated YouTube channel since 2014. He’s also the founder of the Light Novel Podcast, one of the first English language podcasts dedicated to Light Novels. In addition to his love of Japanese light novels, he is also the author of his own light novel-inspired series, The Bleeding Worlds.
Here are the light novels releasing this week, May 18-24, 2020.
For the complete list of light novel releases, visit the Preorders Page.
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Volume 6 (eBook) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released May 18, 2020 — ASIN: B0858YYKJW
The Weakest Manga Villainess Wants Her Freedom! (eBook) Amazon Released May 22, 2020 — ASIN: B0871DYDXH
The Honeyfeed Webnovel Community website has announced they are publishing three new light novels in digital installments on their website. These are Japanese works being published exclusively in English on their website.
From their press release:
For those who can’t keep their eyes off from quality web fiction, Honeyfeed presents our spectacular and exclusive collection of original Japanese light novels. These novels will form part of Honeyfeed’s new light novel web series; a weekly publication of translated Japanese original light novel series of stories you won’t find in English anywhere else! Presenting works from talented Japanese authors like big bear, Gaia, and Akiraizun, this showcase brings you the best web light novels of qdopp’s World Novel Project 2020 Awards.
qdopp’s World Novel Project was a Japanese light novel writing competition in which over 300 talented professional Japanese writers participated and only the best 3 were selected to be translated to English and featured in Honeyfeed.
The publication of these web novel series began on May 15, 2020, with the prologue of “I’m Taking Revenge for My Murdered Classmates Using Weapons Made from Their Souls” followed by “Burned Out Heroes” prologue and “It’s My First Time Working Late Nights at a Convenience Store, and If I Keep Getting Demon Lords, Kappa and Other Oddballs as Customers, I’m Giving My Two-Weeks’ Notice” chapter 1 on May 16, 2020.
Burned Out Heroes
by big bear and artist Tierla
The discovery of a miracle substance called “anamnesis” that allows human brain waves to alter matter itself plunges mankind into an all-out war, the Anamnesisian Conflict. Cyborg 01 (ZeroOne), a hero of the war, now wanders through its aftermath, roaming from place to place with Karen, a girl with the power to bend digital networks to her will.
The pair visit a massive artificial island dubbed the “Soul Settler” during their travels. A request to look into the disappearance of Erde Hadias, the daughter of a Federation Parliament member, awaited 01 upon arrival. A colossal conspiracy lurked behind the scenes, however, and now the two of them are in the eye of the storm.
It’s My First Time Working Late Nights at a Convenience Store, and If I Keep Getting Demon Lords, Kappa and Other Oddballs as Customers, I’m Giving My Two-Weeks’ Notice
(Shinya no Convini Baito Hajimeta kedo Maou toka Kappa toka Henna Hito ga Kisugite Tsuduketeijkeru Jishin ga Nai) by Gaia and artist MACOZI
On his first ever graveyard shift at the local convenience store, Haru Muramatsu has to contend with a genuine, albeit out-of-touch, demon lord. His clientele only gets weirder from there, ranging from kappa to kuchisake-onna. Each chapter brings new challenges for the snarky (but secretly altruistic) cashier, and no two customers are the same!
I’m Taking Revenge for My Murdered Classmates Using Weapons Made from Their Souls
(Classmate wo Zenin Korosareta Ore wa Sono Tamashii wo Bukini shite Fukushū Suru) by Akiraizun and artist Tsuiru
During a school trip, my classmates and I are suddenly dragged into the middle of a raging war. A crazy woman tells us that we’re on another planet and won’t be able to return to Earth unless we take back a castle from the enemy. She grants us powers to do battle, but while all of my classmates obtain powerful skills, I can’t seem to activate mine. That’s because my skill is the ability to turn my dead classmates’ souls into weapons.
Thus begins a grand tale of a banished man taking revenge for his murdered classmates.
English Title: The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Japanese Title: 俺だけ入れる隠しダンジョン — “Ore dake Haireru Kakushi Dungeon” Author: Meguru Seto – 瀬戸メグル Illustrator: Takehana Note – 竹花ノート Translator: TBD Genre: Fantasy, Harem Original Run: August 2017 – ongoing English Run: July 2020 – ongoing Japanese Publisher: K Lanove Books (Kodansha) English Publisher: Seven Seas Volumes in Japanese: 5 (In Progress) Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)
A fantasy light novel series about a new hero exploring a secret labyrinth–and don’t miss the manga adaptation, also available from Seven Seas!
Noir is the son of a minor noble with very little to his name other than a job offer–which is canceled before he can even start his first day. He does possess one rare trait, though: the magical ability to consult with a great sage, even if using the skill gives him terrible headaches! Unsure of what his future holds, he accesses the sage for advice on how to move forward and is directed to a secret dungeon filled with rare beasts and magical items. It is here that Noir will train, compiling experience and wealth, until he’s powerful enough to change his fate.
Volume 1 Amazon — iBooks — — Kobo — Google Books — Bookwalker eBook Released July 2, 2020 — ASIN: B087M8FPLS
MAL Entry — (Japan) Published May 2018 – ongoing (English release by Seven Seas) Published November 2020 – ongoing Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
If you liked The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter, you might also want to try…
Japanese Title: 女神の勇者を倒すゲスな方法 — “Megami no Yuusha wo Taosu Gesu na Houhou” Author: Sakuma Sasaki – 笹木さくま Illustrator: Asagi Tosaka – 遠坂あさぎ Translator: Jordan Taylor Genre: Comedy, Isekai, Fantasy Original Run: January 2017 – December 2018 English Run: July 2019 – ongoing Japanese Publisher: Famitsu Bunko (Enterbrain) English Publisher: Yen On (Yen Press)
The Dirty Way to Destroy the Goddess’s Heroes Volume 1
The Dirty Way to Destroy the Goddess’s Heroes is an isekai comedy series that looks to differentiate itself from numerous others by having its hero summoned by a Demon Lord to help defeat heroes!
Shinichi Sotoyama is your typical Japanese high schooler. Until he finds himself summoned to another world by a Demon Lord who asks Shinichi to do him a favor–get rid of the heroes who keep trying to start a fight! As it turns out, the Demon Lord is only in the human world to get good food for his sweet little daughter. He’s not interested in fighting or conquest. But humans keep attacking and he’s getting sick of it. Not to mention it makes it near impossible to find the aforementioned good eats! Can Shinichi figure out a way to deal with these chosen heroes of the Goddess?
First off, this one succeeds at being pretty funny. Shinichi actually relishes his role as advisor to the Demon Lord. As it turns out, he’s one of those characters who loves to unleash his inner-bastard online. And now, in a world where no one knows him and his only friends are demons who value strength and winning above all else, he’s allowed to behave that way in the physical world. How he dispatches his first set of heroes gave me a good laugh.
With the introduction of the hero Arian, this book takes a turn for the sweeter. Shinichi befriends Arian as he plans to destroy her from a place of friendship. But as they get to know each other, their relationship grows and Shinichi decides there’s a way to help the Demons and turn his twisted nature toward some truly deserving targets that will also aid Arian.
This book is one of those simple pleasures. The plot is pretty straight ahead and the humans are made to look so corrupt you never really question why Shinichi sides with the demons. The setup allows for a character who operates in some very dark grey areas, but because of the behavior of the humans and heroes (aside from Arian) you never feel like Shinichi is much more than a troll being allowed to live his “best” life. Even his end goal is something most decent people can support without much reservation. It also helps that Shinichi is actually quite clever. His plans, especially his grander scheme toward the end of this volume, demonstrate not only well-thought out ideas, but also insight into human nature. I liked that he was able to identify flaws in his plan and that much of it hinged on a few elements of luck.
Arian also ends up being a major component in the enjoyment of this one. Initially, she is setup as an exceedingly happy, kind, and naive young girl. During this time, when we had yet to learn of her full story, Shinichi’s designs on her did seem creepy. But the truth about her goes a long way to make the character more relatable. Not to mention it also changes Shinichi’s plan as well (less creepy! Yeah!).
In addition to our main characters, we have a demon maid who is about as tsundere as you can get and the venom she spits at Shinichi often gave me cause to chuckle. The Demon Lord is just this decent, doting dad, who is OP and knows it. And his sweet daughter, who looks like a cute, young human girl, provides the “little sister” support character Shinichi needs to inspire him.
The Dirty Way to Destroy the Goddess’s Heroes can be silly fun. It fails to make use of a cool concept by making Shinichi’s loyalty to the demons the more morally correct choice. But fun characters with decent chemistry and some good laughs make it an enjoyable read.
You can purchase this light novel at the following retailers:
Justus R. Stone has been running a light novel dedicated YouTube channel since 2014. He’s also the founder of the Light Novel Podcast, one of the first English language podcasts dedicated to Light Novels. In addition to his love of Japanese light novels, he is also the author of his own light novel-inspired series, The Bleeding Worlds.
Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town Volume 2 (paperback, ebook) Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf Releasing May 26, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975306236
The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life Volume 3 (paperback, ebook) Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf Releasing May 26, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975306236
Adachi and Shimamura Volume 2 (eBook)(print to release later) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released May 28, 2020 — ASIN: B086W25YFP
There’s No Way a Side Character Like Me Could Be Popular, Right? Volume 1 (eBook) Amazon — iBook — Google Play — Kobo — Nook — Bookwalker Released May 29, 2020 — ASIN: B0882HTNGR
Showcasing J-Novel Club’s entire catalog of over 100 manga and light novel previews!
(PORTLAND, OREGON– May 25, 2020) – Anime-Planet, the most popular destination for watching aggregated, legal streaming anime, breaks into the manga realm with their newest endeavor: an official Online Reading Portal supported by major publishers in the industry. J-Novel Club LLC is proud to announce that they’ve partnered with Anime-Planet to showcase their entire catalog of over 100 manga and light novel previews in the portal, along with links to purchase the eBooks or physical volumes.
In addition to the Online Reading Portal, Anime-Planet features an information database for a wide range of content such as manhwa, manga, webtoons, OELs, light novels, and other media, with the ability to keep track of your reading history. Users can discover new content by browsing personalized recommendations, or filtering the database using hundreds of curated tags, publisher or label information, or many other options.
With over 80 light novel series and 20 manga series’ previews available on the Online Reading Portal on launch, J-Novel Club will continue to work closely with Anime-Planet to introduce more English-translated content to readers in the future.
ABOUT ANIME-PLANET
Anime-Planet was created by fans, for fans. Reaching 6 million users a month, the site is the most popular destination for streaming legal anime from many industry partners. Anime-Planet offers the ability to track the anime you’ve seen, and the manga, webtoons, and OELs that you’ve read; has personalized anime and manga recommendations; and has a vast content database for anime and manga, tags, characters, and staff. Learn more at Anime-Planet.com.
ABOUT J-NOVEL CLUB
J-Novel Club is a digital publishing company started by translators and fans like you! By focusing on digital releases and providing a membership service to let people read our books as soon as they are translated, our goal is to build a growing community of light novel and manga readers, so that more and more releases can be officially licensed and translated. J-Novel Club has published over 450 volumes of light novels and manga in 3 years.
(The content of this article is from the official J-Novel Club Press Release)
Hello, I am a Witch and My Crush Wants Me to Make a Love Potion!
English Title: Hello, I am a Witch and My Crush Wants Me to Make a Love Potion! Japanese Title: どうも、好きな人に惚れ薬を依頼された魔女です。 — “Doumo, Suki na Hito ni Horegusuri wo Iraisareta Majo desu.” Author: Eiko Mutsuhana – 六つ花えいこ Illustrator: Vient Translator: Charis Messier Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy Original Run: October 2019 – ongoing English Run: June 2020 – ongoing Japanese Publisher: M Novels f (Futabasha) English Publisher: Cross Infinite World Volumes in Japanese: 2 (In Progress) Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)
The Good Witch of the Lake’s four-year crush ended in heartbreak with a single request from the object of her affections! Wanting to increase what little time she has with Royal Knight Harij, Rose sends him on a wild-goose chase for the ingredients but gets more than she bargained for when the grumbling knight starts visiting her every day…to feed her?
This is the heartwarming story of a shut-in witch and an arrogant, straitlaced knight whose romance starts from a love potion.
English Title: Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Japanese Title: VRMMO学園で楽しい魔改造のススメ — “VRMMO Gakuen de Tanoshii Makaizou no Susume” Author: Hayaken — ハヤケン Illustrator: Akita Hika — 晃田 ヒカ Translator: Benjamin Daughety Genre: Action, Fantasy, School Life, Science Fiction Original Run: June 2017 – ongoing English Run: April 2019 – ongoing Japanese Publisher:HJ Bunko (Hobby Japan) English Publisher: Sol Press Volumes in Japanese: 6 (In Progress) Volumes in English: 2 (In Progress)
Nothing like a bit of modding to change the weakest class in a VRMMO into the strongest! Our game-loving protagonist, Ren Takashiro, enjoys nothing more than taking the weakest classes and wimpiest skills, only to flip their inadequacies on their heads! After hearing from his MMO buddy about a special school that provides lessons in VRMMO games, he decides to enroll. Like second nature to him, he quickly picks the so-called weakest job, Symbologist. Just as he’s setting about transforming it into the strongest class known to mankind, a girl walks in… “Wait, you’re Akira? You’re a girl?!” “Uh, yeah?” Thus, his new gaming life with his long-time, beautiful friend begins!
Welcome to another post where I take a look at the light novel series making their debut! This time, of course, it’s for June, 2020.
This month has an interesting mix of titles. One of them is of a recent, and quirky, anime by the same creator as Utena and Penguindrum. But this isn’t the only experienced creator featured in new releases. We also have a title coming from the author of Outbreak Company, Bluesteel Blasphemer, and more!
First up, we have a digital advance release from Seven Seas. It’s based on a recent anime from the visionary creator of Utena and more! Funny enough, this isn’t the first adaptation of this creator’s works that Seven Seas has licensed. We just spoke about Penguindrum last month. This time, Seven Seas has the adaptation of…
Based on the hit anime by Kunihiko Ikuhara (Sailor Moon, Revolutionary Girl Utena, PENGUINDRUM), three boys are transformed into mythical creatures with a mission in this action-filled LGBT+ comedy about friendship, secrets, and growing up. And don’t miss the manga spin-off, Sarazanmai: Reo and Mabu!
After accidentally breaking a statue of a kappa, junior high students Kazuki, Toi, and Enta are transformed into kappa themselves as punishment by Keppi, prince of the Kappa Kingdom. Keppi has a task for the boys if they want their bodies back: work for him to hunt down zombie kappas! Can the boys complete their mission—even if it means exposing their own darkest, deepest fears and desires to each other?
Volume 1 (eBook)(print to release September 01, 2020) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released June 11, 2020 — ASIN: B0882TNNJT
Next up is a new title from J-Novel Club. This is from Ichiro Sakaki, the author of two titles J-Novel has previously released officially in English. While this isn’t his earliest work, it is earlier than the titles we have from him previously. This one started publication in 2007. It sounds like an example of the slapstick harem hijinks typical of that time.
Kyouhei is the kind of person who cherishes every moment of his peaceful, ‘normal’ everyday life. Choose whichever synonym you like; he just wants a quiet life. However, with his dad being involved in some really shady businesses, his best friend being a wannabe rockstar, and his schoolmate Sanae… being Sanae, that’s easier said than done, but he does his best. One day, he ends up accidentally releasing a naked girl from a coffin, who has no idea what ‘normal’ means. Unfortunately for him, Kyouhei can kiss that peace and quiet goodbye. Now, on top of his dad’s lack of regard for anything approaching common sense or decency, his friend’s thirst for excitement, and his admirer’s… attention, Kyouhei has to deal with a (self-proclaimed) body double android of a princess from some European country? He just wants off this fake fake princess’ wild ride!
The next new release is also coming from J-Novel Club. It’s another in the growing line of characters reincarnated as the villain in an otome game. But unlike our favorite baka, this girl has to get her wits together as every bad flag is a fatal one. And even worse, she didn’t finish every route in the game! Sounds like this will have a decent amount of action and be a bit more serious in tone. It was also recently announced to be receiving a manga adaptation.
One evening in early spring, eight-year-old Erika Aurelia realizes she’s the detestable little villainess from an otome game called Liber Monstrorum: The Winter Maiden and the Phantasmic Beasts. As if that wasn’t bad enough already, Erika’s role in the game is to pester the main character… and then die in order to kick off a mysterious series of events! These incidents are different in each love interest’s route, and seven routes means seven deaths to avoid. Not one to throw in the towel, Erika knows she must take action to destroy her death flags—and since her life is on the line, there’s no time to lose! Her very first death flag is set to rise after she meets two noble children from a prominent magician’s house. In order to prevent the resulting incidents, the Gold Rush Murders, she arms herself with her brother’s expensive(!!!) magical items and heads into the ancient Seafarer’s Ruins. But things don’t quite go according to plan…
The final new release of the month comes from Cross Infinite World. Unlike many of their recent releases, this is a series! It’s a cute tale of romance, witchcraft, and love potions!
The Good Witch of the Lake’s four-year crush ended in heartbreak with a single request from the object of her affections! Wanting to increase what little time she has with Royal Knight Harij, Rose sends him on a wild-goose chase for the ingredients but gets more than she bargained for when the grumbling knight starts visiting her every day…to feed her?
This is the heartwarming story of a shut-in witch and an arrogant, straitlaced knight whose romance starts from a love potion.
So those are all the new series making their debut during the month of June, 2020. Which of these are you interested in checking out? Let us know in the comments down below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Justus R. Stone has been running a light novel dedicated YouTube channel since 2014. He’s also the founder of the Light Novel Podcast, one of the first English language podcasts dedicated to Light Novels. In addition to his love of Japanese light novels, he is also the author of his own light novel-inspired series, The Bleeding Worlds.
The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar Volume 11 (eBook) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released June 02, 2020 — ASIN: B0868XFYRM
Volume 1
Sexiled: My Sexist Party Leader Kicked Me Out, So I Teamed Up With a Mythical Sorceress Volume 1 (paperback)(ebook released earlier) Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf Releasing June 02, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1718366404
In Another World With My Smartphone Volume 10 (paperback)(ebook released earlier) Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf Releasing June 02, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1718350090
Skeleton Knight in Another World Volume 6 (eBook)(print to release September 1, 2020) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released June 04, 2020 — ASIN: B084JQCX6H
The World’s Least Interesting Master Swordsman Volume 3 (eBook) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released June 07, 2020 — ASIN: B0868YC45D
English Title: I’m In Love With the Villainess Japanese Title: 私の推しは悪役令嬢。 — “Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou.” Author: Inori – いのり。 Illustrator: Hanagata – 花ヶ田 Translator: TBD Genre: Yuri, Romance, Otome Game, Isekai Original Run: February 2019 – August 2019 English Run: November 2020 – ongoing Japanese Publisher:GL Bunko (Ainaka Shuppan) English Publisher: Seven Seas Volumes in Japanese: 2 (Completed) Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)
Ordinary office worker Oohashi Rei wakes up in the body of the protagonist of her favorite otome game, Revolution. To her delight, the first person to greet her is also her favorite character, Claire Francois—the main antagonist of the story! Now, Rei is determined to romance Claire instead of the game’s male leads. But how will her villainous ladylove react to this new courtship?!
Volume 1 Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker eBook Released September 03, 2020 — ASIN: B088P9G8KR
J-Novel Club Announces the Acquisition and Digital Launch of Five New Series!
Three new light novel series and two new manga series are available to read now on J-Novel Club!
(SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – June 5, 2020) – J-Novel Club LLC is excited to announce the acquisition of several new titles following their latest announcement livestream on June 5, 2020. Three brand new light novel series and two new manga series were announced to have digital launches the same day with parts of Volume 1 being available to J-Novel Club Members. In addition, the manga series are being published under the J-Novel Heart shoujo label. A free preview will be available to everyone to enjoy for all of these brand-new additions to J-Novel Club’s library.
The time of zombies is upon us in author Ichirou Sakaki’s When the Clock Strikes Z! A FPS-obsessed gamer and his horror-junkie companion must attempt to save humanity from a global zombie apocalypse. Parts one and two of this dramatic supernatural light novel series launch today on J-Novel Club for your reading pleasure.
Majima Takahiro is thrust into an unfamiliar world with one thousand other Japanese students only to find that he does not have any of the new unexplainable powers that his peers have. Wandering the forest alone, he finds salvation in the unlikeliest form: monsters! The first two parts of Monster Tamer by Minto Higure are now available to read on J-Novel Club!
In The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik, our otaku protagonist, Ryoko Hayakawa’s life tragically comes to an end one day – but she is reincarnated as a beautiful prince in a fantasy world! However, her dream-like royal life won’t last long when there’s convoluted politics and rampant corruption in her kingdom. Will the young prince persevere and spark a change in the kingdom despite all the odds stacked against him? Interested readers can preview this series written by Nobiru Kusunoki by reading the first part today on J-Novel Club!
With beautiful art by Yui Kikuta, the manga adaptation of the Bibliophile Princess light novel series is coming to J-Novel Club under the J-Novel Heart label! The first chapter is available to read now on J-Novel Club so feel free to fall in love with this breathtaking series. When book-loving Lady Elianna spots her betrothed Prince Christopher consorting with another noble lady, she worries that the annulment of their engagement is swiftly approaching and sadly inevitable! With secrets and conspiracies afloat everywhere, Lady Elianna finds out that courtly life and love are much more complicated than at first glance!
Fans can also rejoice as The Tales of Marielle Clarac manga adaptation by Alaskapan will be published under the J-Novel Heart imprint as well! Marielle, a plain young noblewoman, is proposed to by the gorgeous Simeon, heir to an earldom—but why? Simeon has his secrets, but he’s not the only one! The first chapter is available to read right now on J-Novel Club.
J-Novel Club Membership is only $4.50 a month for an annual membership and gives you a new chapter a week from more than 70 ongoing series, including Invaders of the Rokujouma!?, Ascendance of a Bookworm, Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles, In Another World With My Smartphone, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, and many more!
Announced Title List:
When the Clock Strikes Z
by Ichirou Sakaki with illustrations by Katsudansou Zの時間
When hardcore FPS enthusiast Dewa Hiroaki pulls off his VR headset and steps outside for the first time in ages, he realizes that the whole world is in ruins! Soon after, he coincidentally runs into horror junkie Judo Otoha, and the two of them team up to endure the zombie apocalypse. One fateful night, a VR AI known as “Raven” leaves them a cryptic message: “Survive, and humanity may flourish once again.”
Follow these ragtag oddballs as they cling to hope in a hopeless world!
Monster Tamer
by Minto Higure with illustrations by Napo モンスターのご主人様
One thousand Japanese high school students are suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar world rife with dangerous monsters. Their survival becomes dependent on those who awaken to unexplainable powers.
Majima Takahiro, a normal second-year student, does not get any such power. Instead, he joins the majority of students building the homestead. But when a group of empowered students revolt, Takahiro is left wandering the forest on the verge of death. Having lost all faith in humanity, he finds salvation from an unlikely source: monsters!
The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik
by Nobiru Kusunoki with illustrations by Arico ハーシェリク 転生王子の英雄譚
The life of Ryoko Hayakawa, a hard-core otaku, came to an abrupt end the day before her 35th birthday, before she was reincarnated as a beautiful prince in a fantasy world. However, her dream-like royal life didn’t last long, as she soon uncovered the depths of politics and corruption of her kingdom. To protect the king and his people, Ryoko, reincarnated as Prince Herscherik, resolved to conquer the darkness within his country.
The problem was, the prince had no physical strength or magical powers, and even his stunning looks were surpassed by every other member of the royal family. Still, the prince persevered, using the skills he acquired during his previous life—the experience of an office worker, Ryoko’s drive for change, and her otaku brain.
Bibliophile Princess (Manga)
by Yui Kikuta 虫かぶり姫
When book-loving Lady Elianna spots Prince Christopher—her betrothed in name only—consorting with another noble lady, she realizes the recent rumors must be true. The prince has someone he truly loves, which means the annulment of their engagement is both inevitable and fast-approaching. What she doesn’t realize is that this is merely a surface ripple—one of many where the truth runs deep, in a conspiracy surpassing her imagination! Note: Published under J-Novel Heart
The Tales of Marielle Clarac (Manga)
by Alaskapan マリエル・クララック
As a plain, unassuming noble’s daughter, Marielle doesn’t stand out in high society. Imagine her surprise when she receives a marriage proposal from the sought-after Simeon, second-in-command of the Royal Order of Knights!
Note: Published under J-Novel Heart
ABOUT J-NOVEL CLUB
J-Novel Club is a digital publishing company started by translators and fans like you! By focusing on digital releases and providing a membership service to let people read our books as they are being translated, our goal is to build a growing community of light novel and manga readers so that more and more releases can be officially licensed and translated. J-Novel Club has published over 450 volumes of light novels and manga in 3 years.
English Title: When the Clock Strikes Z Japanese Title: Zの時間 — “Z no Jikan” Author: Ichirou Sakaki — 榊一郎 Illustrator: Katsudansou — 活断層 Translator: InpsMoink Genre: Action, Comedy, Apocalypse Original Run: March 2018 – September 2018 English Run: June 2020 – ongoing Japanese Publisher:HJ Bunko (Hobby Japan) English Publisher: J-Novel Club Volumes in Japanese: 2 (Complete) Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)
Note: Also available to read online through a J-Novel Club subscription. This series is currently digital-only.
Synopsis: When hardcore FPS enthusiast Hiroaki Dewa pulls off his VR headset and steps outside for the first time in ages, he realizes that the whole world is in ruins! Soon after, he coincidentally runs into horror junkie Otoha Judo, and the two of them team up to endure the zombie apocalypse. One fateful night, a VR AI known as “Raven” leaves them a cryptic message: “Survive, and humanity may flourish once again.” Follow these ragtag oddballs as they cling to hope in a hopeless world!
Volume 1 Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play –Nook — Bookwalker Released TBA — ASIN:
Volume 2 Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Nook — Bookwalker Released TBA — ASIN: **********
Reviews of When the Clock Strikes Z
(forthcoming)
Illustrations Sampler
Anime Adaptation
None
Manga Adaptation
None
If you liked When the Clock Strikes Z, you might also want to try…
Reincarnated as a Sword Volume 6 (eBook)(print to release later) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released June 11, 2020 — ASIN: B0866GQLK9
Sarazanmai Volume 1 (eBook)(print to release later) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released June 11, 2020 — ASIN: B0882TNNJT
Volume 6
The Combat Baker and Automaton Waitress Volume 6 (eBook)(wide release) Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker Released June 13, 2020 — ASIN: B087CC2X6G
