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Seoul Business Agency Launches 2026 Seoul-Themed Webtoon, Web Novel Support Program
2026 program will select 5 projects, each receiving 100 million Korean won
― The Seoul Business Agency (SBA) announced on March 16 a new initiative to support the development of web novels and webtoons based on Seoul-themed intellectual property, aiming to expand original stories into film, television, and other formats. The 2026 program will select five projects, each receiving 100 million Korean w...
Kakao Entertainment Reports 1 Billion Pirated Content Removals in Latest Anti-Piracy White Paper
Company states it has helped shut down 32 illegal websites in past 4 years
― Kakao Entertainment released its 8th Anti-Illegal Distribution Response White Paper on March 11, reporting that the company has removed more than 1 billion instances of pirated content globally since launching its anti-piracy task force. The report details the activities of Kakao Entertainment's Anti-Piracy Response Team, P...
Itaewon Class Creator Gwangjin Launches Jangga Spin-Off Web Novel on Kakao
Jangga follows Jang's rise from extreme poverty and instability during the post-Korean War period
― Kakao Entertainment will release Jangga, a new web novel by Gwangjin, on March 21 at 6:00 p.m. KST (5:00 a.m. EDT) via KakaoPage. The series marks Gwangjin's first web novel and serves as a spin-off set in the universe of Itaewon Class, focusing on the origin story of its main antagonist Jang Dae-hee....
North American Anime, Manga Releases, March 15-21
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-, The Boy and the Beast anime; Sakamoto Holidays, OMORI manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date The Boy and the Beast BDPlease Shout! Factory US$26.98 March 17 Food Wars! The Third Plate Complete Collection BDCite Sentai Filmworks US$89.98 March 17 Green Green: Complete BDAnimeNewsNetwork Media Blasters US$39.99 March 17 So...
Yen Press Licenses I'm Just in a Faux BL, Servant Beast, Spy Classroom 4th Period: Blazing Fire, More Manga
Also: Ayakashi à la Mode, Why Run? My Summoned Beast Is Cute! novels
― Yen Press announced on Friday that it has licensed 13 manga and two novel series for release in September. Title: JUDGE Omnibus Edition manga
Creators: Yoshiki Tonogai
Summary: Envy, lust, sloth, wrath, gluttony, pride, greed. A group of sinners who bear the guilt of the seven deadly sins has been gathered in an old courthouse to ...
Read it First: Manga, Light Novel Sources for Spring 2026 Anime
Not sure what to watch in the coming anime season? Read our reviews of the manga and light novels that inspired the shows from Witch Hat Atelier to Daemons of the Shadow Realm!
― It's hardly a rule that you have to read the source material before you watch the adaptation, but what if you want to? A decade ago, anime fans who wanted to read the manga or light novel before the show debuted were out of...
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria Volume 13 Novel Review
It feels like this is the moment author Fujino Omori has been striving for: when Lefiya and Bell are fully running parallel to each other.
― Although this side story started out being about Aiz, it's really about Lefiya. That has been increasingly apparent as the books progress. Still, volume thirteen really cements the idea, and it feels like this is the moment author Fujino Omori has been striving ...
Kakao Ent. Reports Early Success for KakaoPage Rookie Web Novel Debut Program
38 new web novels have started serialization on KakaoPage since program's first recruitment round in October
― Kakao Entertainment announced on March 12 performance results for its KakaoPage Rookie program, a debut initiative designed to support new web novel writers, revealing that dozens of titles launched through the program have already attracted strong reader engagement. According to the compan...
Publang Adds 3 Web Novels Digitally to Catalog
Beware the Pup, Ebony Castle, Beware the Ides of March available now
― Publisher Publang announced on Saturday three new digital titles joining its catalog: Beware the Pup, Ebony Castle, and Beware the Ides of March. All the titles are web novels. The titles were revealed through the company's newsletter and are available on the publisher's digital platform, publang.com. Beware the Pup is a shifter-...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, March 8-14
MONOGATARI Series: OFF & MONSTER Season, Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time anime; Akira Failing in Love, Demi-Human Sharehouse manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date I'm Living with an Otaku NEET Kunoichi? BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$69.98 March 10 MONOGATARI Series: OFF & MONSTER Season BDCite Aniplex of America US$127.98 March 10 Possibly the Greatest Alc...
Multi-Mind Mayhem: Isekai Tensei Soudouki Novels Get TV Anime
Yūsuke Kobayashi stars in series as Bard
― AlphaPolis announced on Friday that author Ryōsen Takami and illustrator Ririnra's Multi-Mind Mayhem: Isekai Tensei Soudouki (Isekai Tensei Sōdōki) light novel series is getting a television anime adaptation. The anime will star Yūsuke Kobayashi as Bard. One Peace Books is publishing Honoji's manga adaptation in English in print, and Alpha Manga is also publ...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, March 1-7
Chainsaw Man, The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 anime; Cells at Work! Lady, Shugo Chara! Jewel Joker manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Chainsaw Man BDCite Viz Media US$35.00 March 3 The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 BD Premium Box SetAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai Filmworks US$179.98 March 3 Print Manga Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date 10 DANCE Graphic N...
Phantom Thief Red Novels to End in 30th Volume
Final novel ships in June
― Author Shin Akigi announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday that the Phantom Thief Red novel series will end in the 30th volume, which will ship in June. The writer also announced that the first volume reached its 50th printing on February 10. Yen Press publishes the series in English and describes the story:“In our family, it's tradition to become a phantom thief upon...
Seven Seas Offers Virgin Knight, The Tale of a Little Alchemist Blessed by the Spirits, I Like Villains, so I Reincarnated as One Audiobooks
1st volumes arriving between March 5 & March 19
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced the following audiobooks on Wednesday: Title: Virgin Knight: I Became the Frontier Lord in a World Ruled by Women audiobookCreator(s): Mitizou, MELON22
Release Date: March 19 (volume 1, Siren imprint)
Summary: Reborn from modern Japan into a medieval fantasy world where gender roles are flipped, Faust is an anomaly—a...
No-Rin Light Novels Return with Final Novel After Decade
14th novel ships on June 13
― Writer Shirow Shiratori announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday that his and illustrator Kippu's No-Rin light novel series will return from its decade-long hiatus with its 14th and final volume on June 13. Shiratori cites the efforts of a crowdfunding campaign, which ended on February 28 and raised 13.76 million yen (approx. US$87,500). The story centers on teen...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 22-28
2.5 Dimensional Seduction, Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance- anime; Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS, My Favorite VTuber Is Scary IRL manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date 2.5 Dimensional Seduction BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$89.98 February 24 2.5 Dimensional Seduction Collector's Edition Steelbook BDCite Sentai Filmworks US$129.98 February 24 Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto...
Dark Moon: The Blood Altar Novel Review
Dark Moon: the Blood Altar is the literary equivalent of a Twinkie.
― You've read the manhwa and watched the anime – why not read the novel as well? Possibly because it's 888 pages long. Like the BTS novel 7 Fates Chakho, Dark Moon is an exercise in Wattpad madness – a story that ties in with a K-pop boy band and casts them all as various supernatural versions of themselves in a complicated story. Th...
Viz Media Licenses My Hero Academia, Dorohedoro Art Books, More
Other books include Sakamoto Days novel, Kiki's Delivery Service cookbook, more
― Viz Media announced on Friday that it has licensed 10 new novels, biographies, and artbooks for print in English, including three entries in publisher Iwasaki Shoten's Horror Picture Book (Kaiden Ehon) series. The titles are scheduled for release in fall 2026: Title: My Hero Academia: Ultra Artworks art book Creators: K...
Solo Leveling Franchise's Audio Drama Adaptation on Pocket FM Launches 2nd Season
Immersive audio drama series debuted on Pocket FM on February 16
― The Solo Leveling webtoon and web novel is continuing its cross-media expansion with the release of Season 2 of its immersive audio drama series, which debuted on February 16 exclusively on Pocket FM. The new season is produced in partnership with Soundist Entertainment and is available worldwide in English, giving fans another way t...
Holy Boy Novel Review
I can already tell Holy Boy is one of those titles that is going to stay with me for a long time. When I first began reading it, I realized I’d need to close the covers or else I’d be up all night following its characters into the most unsettling recesses of their distorted minds.
― You don't need to look very far into real life events to see how idol singers bring out the worst in a select few of th...
Tokyopop Licenses Nagi & Hayasaki, Beneath the Fallen Camellia Blooms, More Manga
Ugly Girls light novel series; Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary manhwa; She is Still Cute Today manhua also licensed
― Tokyopop confirmed with ANN on Thursday it has licensed 11 manga, one light novel series, one manhwa, and one manhua for release in 2026. Barnes & Noble is listing them for release on the following dates: Title: Nagi & Hayasaki
Author: Neko Kiirono
Release Date: May 19
Summary: A spicy romco...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 8-14
Beheneko: The Elf Girl's Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster anime, Otaku x Gal manga ship
― The weekly North American Anime, Manga Releases article will be off next week, and will be back at the end of February. Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Beheneko: The Elf Girl's Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster BDCite Sentai Filmworks US$69.98 February 10 Beheneko: The Elf Girl's ...
J-Novel Club Reveals 10 Light Novel, 3 Manga Licenses, 6 Print Releases
Sister Mafioso, Starting on Hard Mode, Unsung Epics of the Hero's Journey, more
― J-Novel Club announced licenses for 10 light novel series and three manga series for release on Friday. The first two parts of the first volume for all new light novel series and the first chapter for all new manga are available now. The company also revealed print releases for the following six titles: Roharu Kai and Y...
Yen Press Licenses Scarlet, My Yandere Girlfriend Hiding in the Dungeon Kills Me Over and Over Again Novels, 11 Manga
Clevatess, Elden Ring, Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table, more
― Yen Press announced on Friday that it has licensed eleven manga, two novels, and one manhwa for release in August. The company also unveiled audiobooks for Dark Souls: Masque of Vindication, Blade & Bastard, The Holy Grail of Eris, and Whoever Steals This Book novels for release in August. Title: Scarlet novel
Creator: Mamo...
The Eternal Fool's Words of Wisdom Novels Get Anime
J-Novel Club releases Fuh Araki's manga adaptation of Hifumi's novels
― Bushiroad Move announced on Thursday that Hifumi's The Eternal Fool's Words of Wisdom (Yūkyū no Gusha Asley no, Kenja no Susume) novels are inspiring a television anime. Bushiroad Move released a teaser visual for the anime, but did not reveal any other details about the anime. J-Novel Club is releasing the novels' manga adaptati...
Doko Yori mo Tooi Basho ni Iru Kimi e Novel Gets Anime Film This Fall
Akiko Abe's novel about boy meeting mysterious girl on remote island debuted in 2017
― Shochiku revealed during its 2026-2027 lineup announcement of films on January 27 that it is producing an anime film adaptation of Akiko Abe's Doko Yori mo Tooi Basho ni Iru Kimi e novel that will open this fall. Shochiku's logo for the film contains the English title To You in the Beyond. The novel's story centers...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 1-7
The Ancient Magus' Bride: Fragments Collection, Ghost and Witch, Ichi the Witch, Perfect Addiction manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion BDPlease Crunchyroll US$49.98 February 3 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 BDCite Crunchyroll US$49.98 February 3 Kino's Journey Complete Collection SDBDAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai Filmworks US...
Hanashi Media Licenses A Journey Through Another World, Reincarnated Onmyoji, GATE: Thus the JSDF Fought There!, More Novels
Also: The Disfavored Prince is a Genius Alchemist, Reincarnated as a Poor Farmer, more
― English and Spanish book publisher Hanashi Media announced on Monday that it has licensed the following light novel series: A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring (Isekai Yururi Kikō: Kosodate Shinagara Bōkensha Shimasu) by Shizuru Minazuki (story) and Yamakawa (illustrations) Alphapolis ...
'Hello, I am a Witch and my Crush Wants me to Make a Love Potion!' Light Novels Get TV Anime This Year
Romance story about shut-in witch, arrogant knight launched in 2019
― Kadokawa revealed on Monday that writer Eiko Mutsuhana and illustrator Vient's Hello, I am a Witch and my Crush Wants me to Make a Love Potion! light novel series will get a television anime this year. The artist for the novels' manga adaptation Kamada also drew a commemorative illustration for the anime announcement:Cross Infinite...
The Isle of Paramounts Light Novel Series Ends in 10th Volume
Series centers on man reincarnated onto remote island occupied by world's strongest legendary beings
― Light novel author Heiseiowari revealed on their X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday that their The Isle of Paramounts: Reborn into a Slow Life Among the Strongest in the World (Tensei Shitara Saikyō Shu-tachi ga Sumau Shima Deshita. Kono Shima de Slow Life o Tanoshimimasu) light novel series wil...
The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess Light Novels End in 13th Volume
Mob Shōjo ga Last boss Majō wo Shiawase ni Suru Made project also announced
― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Piero Karasu's projects announced on Friday Karasu's The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess novel series will end in the 13th volume on February 20. Karasu's next project is titled Mob Shōjo ga Last Boss Majō wo Shiawase ni Suru Made (Until the Mob Girl Makes The La...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 25-31
Castlevania: Nocturne, Project A-ko anime; Scavengers Another Sky, Battle Royale Deluxe Edition manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 BDPlease Viz Media US$34.98 January 27 Naruto Shippuden Set 9 BDCite Viz Media US$39.95 January 27 One Piece Season 14 Voyage 8 BD/DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Crunchyroll US$44.98 January 27 Oshi No Ko Season 1 P...
Webtoon Views for Judge Lee Han-young Surge Following Live-Action Series Release
Views for original webtoon increased more than 20-fold
― The webtoon adaptation of Judge Han-young Lee has seen a dramatic spike in readership following the release of its live-action series adaptation on January 2. According to Naver, views for the webtoon version increased more than 20-fold during the first two weeks after the live-action series premiered, reflecting renewed attention across the f...
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio Novels End Print Format in 15th Volume, Continue Digitally From 16th Volume
Writer Kō Nigatsu: readers can either end story with 15th volume or continue reading from 16th volume
― The official X (formerly Twitter) account of writer Kō Nigatsu and illustrator Sabamizore's The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio (Seiyū Radio no Ura Omote) light novel series announced on Friday that the series will end in print format with its 15th volume, but the story will "quietly" continue digi...
Netflix Unveils New Snippets From Web Novel, Webtoon Adaptations
Newly previewed projects include Take Charge of My Heart, Bloodhounds season 2, Get Schooled, Field Mouse
― Netflix has revealed new snippets from several web novel- and webtoon-based titles as part of its 2026 content lineup, announced on January 20. The newly previewed projects include Take Charge of My Heart, Bloodhounds Season 2, Get Schooled (English title: Teach You a Lesson), and Field Mouse ...
The Winter 2026 Light Novel Guide
It's the perfect weather to read more books! Cozy up and find your next light novel read, whether it's horror in a certain region in Japan or a fantasy romance.
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Winter 2026 Light Novel Guide, the companion to our manga guide! Every included novel was published in December or January or is an upcoming February release. This guide focuses exclusively on series premier...
Light Novel Exhibit 2025: Viewing and Tasting the Experience
The event featured massive displays for Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Konosuba - God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!, Date A Live, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Sword Art Online.
― Light novels are an integral part of the otaku fandom both in Japan and abroad. With several popular anime series such as Slayers, Full Metal Panic!, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, The Familiar...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 18-24
Girls und Panzer das Finale Part 4, A Time Slip of 10000 Years: Prime Rose anime; Betrothed to My Sister's Ex, Scenes from Awajima manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date A Time Slip of 10000 Years: Prime Rose BDCite AnimEigo US$24.95 January 20 Girls und Panzer das Finale Part 4 BDAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai Filmworks US$29.98 January 20 Print Manga Releases Title Publish...
Hell Mode Volumes 2-3 Light Novel Review
In a word, Hell Mode has thus far been tedious.
― I get what Hell Mode is going for by having its protagonist—a 35-year-old gamer named Kenichi, who's renamed Allen upon his waking up in this new world—reincarnated into this generic RPG world as a baby. Born into this new world, our protagonist doesn't have to grapple as hard, if at all, with the logistical difficulties that come with being overnight...
Yen Press Licenses The Bubble Love of the Mermaid Manga, Love Unseen Beneath the Radiant Night Sky Novels, More Titles
Also: List Rouge, Seeds of Anxiety: Asterisk, The Crow's Ballad at Dawn, more
― Yen Press announced on Friday that it has licensed six manga and one novel for release in July 2026. The company also unveiled an audiobook for the novel adaptation of Mokumokuren's The Summer Hikaru Died (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu) manga for release in July 2026. The company's Ize Press imprint also revealed that it has lic...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 11-17
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 - The Conflict, Headhunted To Another World: From Salaryman To Big Four! anime; 3 Minute Bodyguard Yoko-Chan, Kaijin Fugeki: Kindled Spirits manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Assassination Classroom - The Complete Series - Limited Edition BDPlease Crunchyroll US$89.98 January 13 Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 - The C...
Inori Pens Sequel to I'm In Love With The Villainess Yuri Novels
"Furimukinasai, Watakushi ni!" debuts on January 26, focuses on Aleah
― Writer Inori revealed last week that her I'm in Love with the Villainess (Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijō) story will have a sequel titled Furimukinasai, Watakushi ni! (Turn Your Gaze Toward Me!) that is set for release digitally with its first novel volume on January 26. Hanagata returns as the illustrator for the novel. The no...
Answerman - How many light novels that got official publication originated on Narou?
What does the Narou-to-anime pipeline actually look like? Jerome has answers.
― A reader asks asks: “How many light novels that receive an 'official' publication originate on the Shōtetsuka ni Narō (“Narou”( web-publishing platform)?” First off, what the hell is Narou? It's short for Shōsetusuka ni Narō, the massive Japanese website where amateur authors publish free web novels. The English translat...
Naver Webtoon Halts Serialization of Web Novel After Plagiarism Admission
Author acknowledges series was published without securing formal license
― Naver Webtoon has suspended the serialization of The Warring States: Becoming Qin Shi Huang's Right Hand Man on Munpia, a web novel platform under Naver Webtoon, after its author admitted to plagiarism, the company confirmed on January 4. The web novel The Warring States: Becoming Qin Shi Huang's Right Hand Man, which had bee...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 4-10
Oshi No Ko: Season 2 anime, Super Psychic Policeman Chojo manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Oshi No Ko: Season 2 Collection BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$69.98 January 6 Oshi No Ko: Season 2 Collection Limited Edition Steelbook BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$129.98 January 6 Print Manga Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date 365 Days to the Wedding Gra...
This Week in Anime - Top of the Bookwalker Charts
Lucas and Chris explore BookWalker 's rankings of their top titles and attempt to make it make sense.
― Lucas and Chris explore Bookwalker's rankings of their top titles and attempt to make it make sense. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network. @RiderStrike @BWProwl @LucasDeRuyter @vestenet Chris Lucas, we must stay re...
I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level Light Novels End With 30th Volume
Final volume scheduled for release on June 15
― Mihhy of GA Bunko's editorial department revealed on Tuesday that Kisetsu Morita's I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level (Slime Taoshite 300-nen, Shiranai Uchi ni Level Max ni Nattemashita) light novel series will end with its 30th volume, scheduled for release on June 15. The novels' 29th volume will ship on January 15. Morita l...
Cross Infinite World Licenses 'Goodbye, Horrible Fiancé, Hello, Fun Magic School Life!', 2 More Novels
Also: "Strawberry Princess: The Time Loop Defying Villainess," "The Brooding Duke's Guide to the Lie-Detecting Lady"
― Cross Infinite World announced on Monday that it has licensed the following titles for release in Feburary and March: Title: Goodbye, Horrible Fiancé, Hello, Fun Magic School Life! light novels
Creators: Mashimesa Emoto (story), Nitou Akane (illustrations)
Release Date: February 28 (...
Kei Sazane's Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Novel Enters 'Final Battle'
Also: Sekai no Owari no Encore manga enters final arc
― Kei Sazane revealed on X/Twitter on January 1 that his and Ao Nekonabe's Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World (Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjō, Arui wa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen) light novel series is entering the "final battle." In addition, Ryū Usui's manga adaptation of Sazane and original character designer Haruaki Fuyuno's Sekai no Owa...
Publisher Crossed Hearts Announces Glam Beat! Girls Love Imprint (Updated)
Publisher to announce licenses for new imprint soon
― Crossed Hearts, a new California-based global English publisher, revealed its new girls love imprint GLAM BEAT! on Wednesday.Crossed Hearts describes the new imprint:GLAM BEAT! focuses on women-driven narratives that are intimate, bold and unapologetically romantic, celebrating girls' love (yuri) in all its intensity and emotional complexity.Updat...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, December 28-January 3
Digimon the Movies 4-6 Collection anime, Divine Incursions manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date City Hunter 2 BDPlease Discotek US$79.95 December 30 Digimon the Movies 4-6 Collection BDCite Discotek US$29.95 December 30 Project Arms SDBDAnimeNewsNetwork Discotek US$59.95 December 30 Print Manga Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date 12 Dirty Deeds to U...
Samurai Deeper Kyo's Akimine Kamijyō to Launch The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride Novels' Short Manga Spinoff
4-chapter Sumekuni no Sōheki Kizumono no Hanayome Gaiden spinoff manga launches on January 26
― The February 2026 issue of Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine revealed on December 25 that Akimine Kamijyō (Samurai Deeper Kyo, Code:Breaker) will launch a short manga spinoff of Midori Yūma's The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride (Kizumono no Hanayome) novels titled Sumekuni no Sōheki Kizumono no Han...
Webtoon Version of Bernard Werber's Empire of the Ants Novel Debuts on Kakao Webtoon
Series will run for 250 episodes, with adaptation handled by webtoon creator Yong-hwe Kim
― The webtoon adaptation of French author Bernard Werber's bestselling novel Empire of the Ants has debuted on Kakao Webtoon, Kakao Entertainment announced on December 23. The webtoon, based on Werber's 1991 science fiction and mystery novel, debuted on December 24 through Kakao Webtoon and KakaoPage. The serie...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, December 21-27
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II anime; H.P. Lovecraft's The Shadow Out of Time, Touched by Twilight manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Insatiable: Tale of An Immoral Wife BDPlease Kitty Media US$29.99 December 23 Learning the Hard Way BDCite Kitty Media US$29.99 December 23 Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II BDAnimeNewsNetwork Aniple...
Korea's Internet Self-Regulatory Body Introduces New Guidelines for Webtoons, Web Novels
Guidelines outline standards, review procedures for identifying hate speech, inappropriate expressions within narrative content
― The Korea Internet Self-Governance Organization (KISO) announced on December 12 that it has established new self-regulatory guidelines for story-based digital content, including webtoons and web novels. KISO is a non-governmental, industry-led self-regulatory body compris...
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity Anime Unveils Returning Cast, Staff, July 2026 Debut in Teaser Trailer
New mobile game Bleach Mirrors High also revealed
― The Jump Festa '26 event on Sunday unveiled the teaser visual and trailer, returning cast, staff, and the July 2026 debut for Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity, the fourth and final part of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime. The anime's cast for Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 - The Conflict will return for the new series...
Netflix's Last Samurai Standing Live-Action Series Gets 2nd Season
Series starring Junichi Okada is based on Shōgo Imamura's Ikusagami novels
― Netflix confirmed on Thursday it has greenlit a second season of Last Samurai Standing, the live-action series adaptation of Shōgo Imamura's Ikusagami novels. The below video features star Junichi Okada announcing the new season (English subtitles are available for Okada's interview portion). The first season premiered on No...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, December 14-20
Flower and Asura, KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! 3 anime; A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof, Animan manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date The Ambition of Oda Nobuna BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$59.98 December 16 Black Jack: The Complete OVA Series BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$55.95 December 16 Flower and Asura BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$69....
BookWalker Global Store Unveils 2025 Rankings
The Eminence in Shadow, The Apothecary Diaries, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime top list
― The BookWalker Global Store revealed on Monday its top selling volumes for the period of November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025. The top 10 titles on the service, including both light novel and manga, are as follows: The Eminence in Shadow (light novel)
The Apothecary Diaries (light novel)
That Time I Go...
Hanashi Media Licenses I Saved Myself with a Potion!: Life in Another World Light Novel Series
Story debuted in 2014
― The X (formerly Twitter) account for English and Spanish book publisher Hanashi Media announced on Wednesday it has licensed Akira Iwafune's I Saved Myself with a Potion!: Life in Another World (Potion, Waga Mi o Tasukeru) light novels for release in English.The publisher describes the story:Kaede was just an ordinary high school girl—until she woke up in another world of beas...
A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics Light Novels Planned to End in 10th Volume
Yomi Hirasaka debuted series in October 2021
― Author Yomi Hirasaka reported in the ninth Eccentrics (Henjin no Salad Bowl) light novel volume on Thursday that he plans to end the series in the next volume.The novels center on Sōsuke Kaburaya, a poor detective who, while tailing someone one day, meets Sara Da Odin, a princess from another world with magical powers. They gradually start living togeth...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, December 7-13
Kaiju No. 8, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc, Black Butler: Public School Arc, Blue Exorcist - The Blue Night Saga anime ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Azumanga Daioh BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$79.98 December 9 Black Butler: Public School Arc BDCite Crunchyroll US$69.98 December 9 Blue Exorcist - The Blue Night Saga BDAnimeNewsNetwork Aniplex o...
Horror Collector Children's Novels Get TV Anime in Fall 2026
Series centers on boy in red hood who helps those caught in urban legends
― NHK announced on Friday that Midori Sato's Horror Collector novel series is getting a television anime adaptation that will air on the NHK General in fall 2026. Sato writes the novels, Norio Tsuruta is the supervisor, and Yon draws the art for the novel series. Yen Press is releasing the novel series and Niko Yuki's manga ada...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, November 30-December 6
Gushing Over Magical Girls, Trinity Seven anime; Kaiju No. 8: Relax, I Won't Let Mistress Suck My Blood manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Gushing Over Magical Girls Limited Edition Steelbook BDCite Sentai Filmworks US$129.98 December 2 Trinity Seven BDAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai Filmworks US$38.98 December 2 Print Manga Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price...
The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon, Shadow of the Sea Part Two Novel Review
Youko may have been thrown in the deep end, but no matter how deep the water, she was always going to have to learn to swim on her own.
― One of the most familiar fantasies in children's literature is that the protagonist is secretly royalty from another world. But what if that's more of a nightmare than a fantasy? That's the position Youko finds herself in in the second volume of Fuyumi Ono's classi...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Novels Get Side Story Series in 2026
Novels' 23rd, final volume shipped on November 29
― The 23rd and final volume of author Fuse and artist Mitz Vah's That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) light novel series revealed on Saturday that the novels will get a side story series, with the first part slated for release next year. Fuse serialized the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime story on the "Shō...
Under the Oak Tree Volume 2 Novel Review
Under the Oak Tree’s second hardcover release is just as beautiful as the first, and the story makes real progress, both in terms of Maxi’s relationship with her husband and with herself.
― Are you the sort of reader who gets irritated when characters are just one good conversation away from understanding each other? Then Suji Kim's Under the Oak Tree may not be the novel series for you. As anyone wh...
Tōko Amekawa's Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim Novels Get Anime Adaptation
Original story launched in 2022, manga adaptation launched in 2023
― TO Books announced on Thursday that Tōko Amekawa's Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim (Akutō Ikka no Manamusume, Tensei-saki mo Otome Game no Gokudō Reijō Deshita. Saijōkyū Rank no Akuyaku-sama, Sono Dekiai wa Fuyō Desu!) light novel series is getting an anime adaptation. TO Books also revealed that the book series has reached a cum...
Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! Book Reveals 2026 Series Rankings
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten illustrator Hanekoto ranks #1 illustrator from #2 last year
― The 2026 edition of Takarajimasha's Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! (This Light Novel Is Amazing!) guidebook reported its lists of the tope light novel series on Thursday.This year's New Title rankings have been split into "New Bunkobon" and "New Tankōbon and Novel" categories. Author Sekina Aoi and illustra...
Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling Light Novels to End in Volume 17
Final volume ships on January 7
― Amazon and other retailers are listing the 17th volume of storywriter Nekoko and illustrator NAJI yanagida's Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling (Tensei Shitara Dragon no Tamago Datta: Saikyō Igai Mezasanee) light novel series as its final volume. Square Enix will ship the final volume on January 7.Seven Seas Entertainment is releasing both the light novel series and ...
Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint 1-2 Novel Review
When I reviewed the webtoon adaptation of SingNSong’s novel series Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, I said that it was for the smug readers. Having now read the first two books of the source material, I stand by that assessment.
― When I reviewed the webtoon adaptation of SingNSong's novel series Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, I said that it was for the smug readers. Having now read the first two books...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, November 9-15
I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down In History, I Parry Everything anime; Kingdom, D.N.Angel New Edition manga ship
― The weekly North American Anime, Manga Releases article will be off for the next two weeks, and will be back in December. Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Arifureta: From Commonplace To World's Strongest Season 3 BDPlease Crunchyroll US$69.98 November 11 I...
Toshiya Miyata's Kyōkai no Melody Novel Gets TV Anime
Drama CD cast reprise roles in anime
― Kadokawa announced on Thursday that boy band Kis-My-Ft2 member and voice actor Toshiya Miyata's Kyōkai no Melody (Melody of the Boundary) novel is inspiring a television anime adaptation. The cast from the novel's drama CD adaptation will reprise their roles in the anime. Kadokawa unveiled the below video on Thursday for the franchise, which also features the dr...
Seven Seas Licenses Reborn as an Aristocratic Scoundrel, Love is Money, The Death Defying Princess, 4 More Titles
Doing Secret Things with the Holy Maidens manga, 7th Time Loop audiobook, more licensed
― Seven Seas announced the following licenses on Wednesday:Title: Reborn as an Aristocratic Scoundrel, I Broke the Game and Mastered Magic Beyond Limits! light novel and manga
Creator(s): Kaisei Kikuchi, Douma Oda, Rein Kuwashima
Release Date: September 2026 (volume 1, manga), October 2026 (volume 1, light novel d...
Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Light Novels End in 12th Volume
12th volume of Nana Nanana, Parum's light novel series shipped on November 8
― The official X (formerly Twitter) for Nana Nanana and Parum's Danjo no Yūjō wa Seiritsu Suru? Iya, Shinai!! light novel series announced that the series ended in its 12th volume, which shipped on Saturday. Nanana launched the light novel series with its first volume in January 2021, with illustrations by Parum. Kadokawa re...
Does the Light Novel Translation Process Need AI?
As machine translation tools under the banner of AI become increasingly accessible and easy to use, the light novel landscape is at a crossroads. Do light novel publishers compromise their product for more speed, and if so, by how much?
― Tristan “Arkada” Gallant was hooked on Ascendance of a Bookworm, an isekai light novel series that is currently being translated by J-Novel Club. But when Part 5 Vo...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, November 2-8
Dragon Ball Super: Broly anime; Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku?!, Cupid is Struck by Lightning manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Dragon Ball Super: Broly SteelBook BDAnimeNewsNetwork Crunchyroll US$39.98 November 4 Print Manga Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Akane-banashi Graphic Novel (GN) 14Please Viz Media US$11.99 November 4 At 25:00 in Akas...
Institute of North Korean Studies Releases Webtoon Adaptation of Eun-kyung's Diary for Free
Original book depicts daily life of North Korean high school girl
― Eun-kyung's Diary, often referred to as the North Korean version of Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, has been adapted into a webtoon and is available for free. The Institute of North Korean Studies (INKS) in South Korea announced that a webtoon depicting the daily life of a North Korean high school girl will be distributed th...
Seven Seas Licenses Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami, Uesugi-kun Wants to Quit Being a Girl, 4 More Titles (Updated)
Also licensed: Saving a Weapon Shop from Bankruptcy after the Demon King's Defeat; Magic Repo Man: Dumped by My Party, I'll Cash In With a Cute Support Fairy to Become the Strongest!; more
― Seven Seas announced the following licenses on Wednesday: Title: Saving a Weapon Shop from Bankruptcy after the Demon King's Defeat light novel
Creator(s): Kohji Natsumi, Reita
Release Date: August 2026 (volume 1...
JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World Gets Winter Novel
Novel launches on December 5
― Shinchosha's Comic Bunch Kai announced on Friday that Ko Hiratori's JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World (JK Haru wa Isekai de Shōfu ni Natta) series will get a winter novel with illustrations by J-ta Yamada in the magazine beginning on December 5. Hiratori began serializing the story on the "Shōsetsuka ni Narō" (Let's Become Novelists) website in October 2016. Haya...
Mayo Momoyo's Always a Catch! Light Novels Get TV Anime in Spring 2026
Yū Serizawa, Atsushi Tamaru, Saori Hayami, Shūichirō Umeda, Taku Yashiro star in TROYCA anime
― A website opened on Monday and announced the television anime adaptation of Mayo Momoyo's Always a Catch! (Nigashita Sakana wa Ōkikatta ga Tsuriageta Sakana ga Ōkisugita Ken) light novel series, which will premiere in spring 2026. The website also revealed the anime's teaser visual, teaser trailer video, m...
Witch Hat Atelier Manga Gets Novel on November 21
Jun Esaka pens novel containing 3 short stories
― Kodansha is listing that Kamome Shirahama's Witch Hat Atelier manga is getting a novel titled Shōsetsu Tongari Bōshi no Atelier Special Stories that will ship on November 21. Jun Esaka (One Piece novel HEROINES, Naruto: Sasuke's Story--The Uchiha and the Heavenly Stardust) is writing the novel, with Shirahama credited with the original work. Shirahama...
Crossed Hearts Licenses Mai Ando's 'You're Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun!' Manga
Company also licenses Dodo's The Abandoned Villainess Became A Zombie Korean novel series
― Crossed Hearts, a new California-based global English publisher, revealed on Wednesday that it has licensed Mai Ando's You're Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun! (Namaiki sugiru yo, Chigaya-kun) manga, for a planned release in May 2026. Crossed Hearts describes the story: Ever since the day they met, no matter how ma...
The War With No Name Sci-Fi Book Franchise Set for Webtoon, Animated Adaptation
Robert Repino's original sci-fi story follows domestic cat-turned assassin during animal vs human war
― Television, video game, and comic book writer Curtis Baxter (Miles Morales: Spider-Man Annual #1 comic, Cartoon Network's Ben 10 series) announced on October 23 he has acquired the rights to Robert Repino's acclaimed sci-fi book franchise The War With No Name and is producing a webtoon adaptation ...
Cross Infinite World Reveals 2 New Light Novel Licenses for December Debut
If the Heroine Wants My Fiancé, I'll Marry a Yandere Villain Instead!; Breaking Up Was the Plan, the Duke Falling For the Villainess Was Not! debut on December 31 digitally
― Cross Infinite World announced on Thursday it has licensed two more light novel series: author Kobako Takara and illustrator Jun Natsuba's If the Heroine Wants My Fiancé, I'll Marry a Yandere Villain Instead! (Heroine ni Konyaku...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, October 26-November 1
Let This Grieving Soul Retire, The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs The World's Greatest Clan anime; Monster-Colored Island, Nezumi's First Love manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Cyborg 009 VS Devilman BDPlease Discotek US$29.95 October 28 Golden Boy BDCite Discotek US$29.95 October 28 Let This Grieving Soul Retire Part 1 BDAnimeNewsNetwork Crunchyroll US$69.98 Octob...
Rich Girl Caretaker Novels Have Anime in the Works
Series centers on young lady from conglomerate family who is lazy, has no life skills
― The official X/Twitter account for Hobby Japan's HJ Bunko label revealed on Thursday that author Yusaku Sakaishi and illustrator Sakura Miwabe's Saijo no Osewa light novel series has an anime adaptation in the works. ◤特報📢◢•┈┈┈••✦✦••┈┈┈• 「#才女のお世話」 アニメ化企画進行中！•┈┈┈••✦✦••┈┈┈•最新11巻は10/31発売！https://t.co/MBm1XB4hmV pic.tw...
Full Metal Panic! Creator Shoji Gatoh to Launch New Project With Fantasia Bunko
More details to be revealed on November 20
― Kadokawa announced on Saturday during the "Fantasia Bunko Hōsōkyoku Aki no Dai Kanshasai" livestream event that Full Metal Panic! light novel author Shoji Gatoh is launching a new project with Kadokawa's Fantasia Bunko imprint. Kadokawa will reveal more details on November 20, the same day the third volume of Full Metal Panic! Family will ship. ◤◢◤◢◤◢ 特 報...
King's Proposal Novels from Date A Live Creators Have Anime in the Works
Yen Press releases series in English about boy who inherits power from witch
― Kadokawa announced on Saturday during the "Fantasia Bunko Hōsōkyoku Aki no Dai Kanshasai" livestream event that author Koushi Tachibana and illustrator Tsunako's King's Proposal (Ōsama no Propose) light novel series has an anime adaptation in the works. The event did not reveal any further details about the anime. Tsunako ...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, October 19-25
HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle, The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest anime; Innocent Rouge, Ripples in the River manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone BDPlease Shout! Studios US$29.98 October 21 Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance BDCite Shout! Studios US$29.98 October 21 Frieren: Beyond Journey'...
The Fall 2025 Light Novel Guide
From kaiju to K-Pop, we have a bevy of books to choose from! Find your next light novel series obsession or read the ultimate guide to 100 essential anime in our Light Novel Guide! Sponsored by Yen Press.
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2025 Light Novel Guide, the companion to our manga guide! Every included novel was published in September or October or is an upcoming November release. This ...
Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table Volume 1 Light Novel Review
It’s easy to see why this won the Excellence Award at the 18th MF Bunko J Light Novel Newcomer Awards in 2022, and why it’s getting an anime in 2026.
― Playing Death Games to put Food on the Table (henceforth DG) is far from the first time there's been a story about death games as a perverse form of entertainment for a shadowy group of elites who bankroll them. In fact, that's a major element of Squi...
Yen Press Licenses Four Child Life Novels
Also: audiobooks for My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected, more
― Yen Press revealed on Wednesday that it has licensed author Himari Hino and illustrator Oriko Sakura's Four Child Life (Yotsugurashi) novel series for its JY for Kids middle-grade imprint for release on April 14, 2026. The company also announced audiobooks for the My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected, Banished f...
Kōji Miura's Blue Box Manga Gets 2nd Novel Adaptation on December 4
Miura, Nanao return to write Ao no Hako Interlude novel
― Shueisha is listing a second novel adaptation of Kōji Miura's Blue Box manga titled Ao no Hako Interlude (Blue Box Interlude), which will ship on December 4. Miura and Nanao are again writing the novel, which includes a story about Kyō Kasahara's own unrequited love and an episode about Taiki and Chinatsu's first part-time job experience.The m...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, October 12-18
Good Bye, Dragon Life, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 anime; Isekai Metaller, Makina-san's a Love Bot?! manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Good Bye, Dragon Life BDPlease Crunchyroll US$69.98 October 14 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 BDCite Crunchyroll US$69.98 October 14 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 L...
J-Novel Club Reveals New Manga, Light Novel Licenses; 3 Print Releases; Upcoming Audiobooks
New licenses include Scooped Up by an S-Rank Adventurer!, The Villainess Speaks Not novels, more
― J-Novel Club revealed licenses for 11 light novel series and two manga series at its panel at New York Comic Con on Saturday. In addition, the company announced licenses for three works in print, and two audiobook licenses. IMG the-adorable-dungeon-master-ln-cover.jpg
Image courtesy of J-Novel Club
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