Yen Press Announces 15 New Manga & Light Novel Series at NYCC 2023

Yen Press held an industry panel on the last day of New York Comic Con 2023, in which they announced fifteen new manga and light novel acquisitions. Many of the newly licensed titles will be released in March and April 2024 and include a total of 10 manga and five novels. 

Along with the eight acquired manga series listed were a few more manga announcements connected to familiar properties, such as Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule, a new manga adaptation of The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life, and the print publication of the Black Summoner manga adaptation under Yen Press’s JNC imprint.

Here are the details on Yen Press’ latest titles: 

Manga 

Black Summoner

Story: Doufu Mayoi

Art: Gin Ammo

Original Character Design: Kurogin (DIGS), DaiXt 

Synopsis: 

While being transmigrated to another world, Kelvin gave up his memories for powerful new abilities. Setting out on the ultimate adventure as the world’s strongest Summoner—his first Follower the very goddess who brought him over!—he soon discovers his true calling as a battle junkie. Faced with one formidable foe after another, Kelvin can hardly contain his exhilaration! The curtain rises on this epic saga as the black-clad warrior and his allies carve their way into the annals of history!! 

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life 

Story: Usata Nonohara

Art: Aya Obara

Character Design: ox

Synopsis: 

For an alchemist like Mariela, performing incredible feats of magic are just part of the job. So when a stampeding horde of monsters threatens to devour the kingdom of Endalsia, she decides to put herself in a brief state of suspended animation to survive. Luckily, she awakens safe and sound—200 years in the future… Now, all Mariela really wants is a quiet, laid-back life in this land she barely recognizes. It’s too bad potions have become a luxury good, and she’s the only girl in town with the skills to make them. 

Sword Art Online Progressive Canon of the Golden Rule

Story: Reki Kawahara

Art: Mugetsu

Original Character Design: abec

Synopsis: 

The SAO Progressive series continues, following Asuna and Kirito to the sixth floor of Aincrad, where puzzles and brainteasers galore await them! Will our sword-swinging pair burn out on a mental challenge, or will the frightening gang of player-killers catch up with them first…?

Trinity Seven Revision

Story: Kenji Saitou

Art: Youichi Nishio

Original Character Design: Akinari Nao

A new spin off manga series from the world of Trinity Seven. 

Synopsis: 

High schooler Mitsunari Miyazawa had aspirations of becoming a writer until a run-in with a demonic creature turns deadly. Now, Mitsunari has been reborn with the power of the Magus of Envy, fighting with the help of the living grimoire Lydia!

The Tiger Hasn’t Eaten the Dragon Yet

Story and Art: Hachi Inaba

Synopsis: 

“Make me think it’s okay if you’re the one who eats me…”

In the mountains somewhere, a tiger catches its prey: a lone dragon, the kind that is hardly ever seen. Eating the dragon’s meat extracts the ultimate flavor, drinking its blood heals all injuries, and devouring its heart grants immortality…And yet, upon seeing the dragon’s undeveloped stature, the tiger refuses to eat it. Dragon and tiger, predator and prey—is what ties them together simply natural hunting instincts or something more…?

My Gemini

Story and Art: Yuu Morikawa

Synopsis: 

Plain, redheaded, and freckled John has nothing going for him, except his two friends who are incredibly popular at school—twins Jekyll and Hyde. The twins, indistinguishable, have always enjoyed taking each other’s places for fun. But when the pair is fragmented by an untimely death, it’s up to John to find out…which twin is left? 

All or Nothing

Story and Art: Shikke

Also known as Ichika ka, Bachi ka in Japan. 

Synopsis: 

When Kadoi and Hasumoto reveal that they’ve been dating for a whole month, Oka and Sawada are more jealous that their friends have lovers than anything else. So when the change in their friends’ relationship causes them to be more conscious of each other, they can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to be together—in more ways than one…

Fox-Colored Jealousy

Story and Art: Machi Suehiro

Also known as Yakimochi wa Kitsuneiro in Japan. 

Synopsis: 

They first met on the train. While Akiha Konno was on his way to his first day of school in Tokyo, some creep just had to touch his butt… Thankfully, the nice college guy saved him, but—uhhh…Akiha really didn’t mean to just glomp him like that! Worse, he called the fox ears that appear when he’s all worked up “cute”! Welp, it’s not like he’ll ever see him again…

I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me

Story and Art: Geshumaro

Synopsis: 

When high school shut-in Raito Sasaki hires a pro gamer coach to help hone his FPS skills, he never expected that the one knocking on his door would be Rion Suzuki—a cute and fashionable beauty the same age as him! With such a charming and supportive gamer gal cheering him on, can Raito take his game to the next level, or will the pressure of being up close and personal with a bombshell like Rion lead him to throw?

Adults’ Picture Book

Story and Art: Kei Itoi

Synopsis: 

Erotic manga author Kudou’s friend Haruki passes away, leaving behind his young daughter, Kiki, and a note bequeathing her to Kudou. Strange as the situation is, Kudou commits to making a real family with the girl—so when he meets a woman who reminds him of his late friend, he fires off a marriage proposal on the spot! By blood, friendship, love, or circumstance, family is family…

Light Novels 

Amalgam Hound

Story: Midori Komai

Illustration: Domino Ozaki

Synopsis: 

Theo, a young investigator, crosses paths with Eleven, an amalgam perfectly mimicking the form of a girl. In a strange twist of fate, the two become partners on a special mission to track down other amalgams on the run after the war. However, Eleven only looks like a young girl. She’s a living weapon who doesn’t understand what it means to be human. Theo has no love for amalgams, but he’ll have to deal with it, because a terrorist attack has rocked the nation to its core…and someone needs to get to the bottom of it!

Classroom for Heroes

Story: Shin Araki

Illustration: Haruyuki Morisawa

Synopsis: 

When the hero Blade defeated the demon king, he lost all his powers. For him, this should have been a dream come true—finally, life as a normal student without fighting or adventuring. That is, until he discovers his school is a school for heroes. He just wants to get by with a solid average, but as a hero with real experience, it turns out his idea of average is a little off…!

Riviere and the Land of Prayer

Story: Jougi Shiraishi

Illustration: Azure

A brand new light novel spinoff based on the Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina series. 

Synopsis: 

The stage is set for two girls in a land where prayers have become curses. In a small island nation, there is a mysterious town where people’s prayers are answered by a mysterious force. I, Makmilia, assist the enigmatic Riviere in our shop, where we deal with the dangerous items borne of those prayers. We’ve got a fate-changing perfume, a talking vase, and a bag containing strange creatures, just to name a few. Yes, indeed, the deeds of the marvelous duo, Makmilia and Riviere, will overshadow even the Ashen Witch Elaina!

Once Upon a Witch’s Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy

Story: Saka

Illustration: Chorefuji

Synopsis: 

On her seventeenth birthday, the apprentice witch Meg learns that she only has one year left to live. Her teacher, the long-lived witch Faust, explains that the only way to undo the death curse is to collect tears of joy and grow the seed of life. To find them, Meg will have to leave the sheltered life she’s always known and head out into the world. There will be meetings, partings, and friendships aplenty, and of course many tears. Meg will learn that the most important lessons for a witch are bright, sweet, and somewhat heart-wrenching.

You Can’t See the Snow

Story: Rokudo Ningen

Synopsis: 

College freshman Natsuki and sophomore Yuki meet and fall in love one summer night—the first of many they spend together. But as autumn approaches, Yuki suddenly tells Natsuki she wants him to be happy and find a cute girlfriend, then disappears from campus. Hoping to see Yuki one final time, Natsuki visits her home and learns she suffers from an unknown illness that forces her to sleep through the winter. This modern-day version of Sleeping Beauty explores the miracle of love.

Source: press release