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J-Novel Club to Suspend [New Life+] Novel Sales After July 1

J-Novel Club posted a statement on Friday saying that it will suspend publication and sales of its English version of MINE's [New Life+] Young Again in Another World novel series after the third volume on July 1. The decision comes after the Japanese publisher Hobby Japan halted shipments of the novel due to controversy over author's alleged insults and discriminatory remarks directed at China and South Korea, along with allegedly discriminatory content within the story of the novels themselves.

J-Novel Club's full statement is as follows:

With regards to the recent controversy surrounding problematic statements made by the original author of [New Life+] Young Again in Another World, J-Novel Club will be suspending its publication and sales of the English editions of the series after Volume 3, starting July 1st, 2018, pending further consultation with the Japanese rights holder.

J-Novel Club apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause our readers, and asks for their understanding in this difficult situation for all parties.

MINE responded to the controversy and issued an apology on Twitter last Tuesday. In the first of a series of tweets, he said, "Regarding some of my past tweets, I made many people feel extremely uncomfortable, and I give my deep apologies for writing inappropriate remarks." He said he is "deeply reflecting" for posting "without accurately understanding all the facts" and without giving deep thought to his words. MINE added that he does not expect to receive forgiveness from the people he upset, but he wanted to give a "heartfelt apology."

With regard to the [New Life+] Young Again in Another World light novel series, MINE noted his "poor writing" and "rash remarks." As a result of recognizing the inappropriate content in his work, MINE would discontinue offering the novels on the "Shōsetsuka ni Narō" website. He planned to discuss with Hobby Japan the possibility of correcting the relevant print versions of the novels. (At the time, Asahi had yet to report that Hobby Japan would halt shipments of the series.)

Voice actors Toshiki Masuda, Megumi Nakajima, and Kiyono Yasuno then announced their resignations from their respective roles in the planned television anime adaptation of the light novel series last Wednesday. The talent management agency 81 Produce also announced Nanami Yamashita's resignation from the anime on the same day. After Hobby Japan posted its apology that afternoon, the anime's official website announced the cancellation of the anime's production and broadcast.

MINE launched the novels on the "Shōsetsuka ni Narō" website in January 2014, and the series has since garnered over 189 million page views. Hobby Japan began publishing printed novels for the series starting in November 2014 with illustrations by Kabocha. Hobby Japan published the 18th novel volume on May 24.

Source: J-Novel Club Twitter

Thanks to Rukiia for the news tip.