J-Novel Club Adds 11 Licenses, Sets Five Print Releases for 2027

J-Novel Club announced licenses for 10 light novel series and one manga during its Anime NYC panel on Saturday. Readers can now access the first two parts of each light novel’s first volume and the manga’s opening chapter.

The company also announced five print releases:

• March 2027: Quadrilian's Beautiful Daydream, a J-Novel Club Original Light Novel Contest winner, with illustrations by Ixy.
• March 2027: Tamura Mutō’s Private Tutor to the Duke's Daughter manga, based on Riku Nanano’s original work.
• March 2027: Omnibus 1 of Ryuyu’s Now I'm a Demon Lord! Happily Ever After with Monster Girls in My Dungeon light novels, collecting volumes 1–2 with Daburyu’s illustrations.
• April 2027: Mao Nishiura’s Pens Down, Swords Up: Throw Your Studies to the Wind light novel, illustrated by Maro.
• April 2027: Collector’s Edition 1 of Riku Misora’s Chivalry of a Failed Knight light novels, collecting volumes 1–3 with illustrations by Won.

The newly licensed manga is Romeda Ando’s Crybaby Love Song (Amaenbo to Love Song).

High school saxophonist Kodai once found refuge in music. That changed when a severe anxiety attack during a performance caused his band to lose a competition.

Unable to avoid confronting his mother’s remarriage, Kodai gains a new family and a stepbrother, Fuyuki. Although gloomy, withdrawn, and intimidating at first, Fuyuki has a gentle nature and loves the guitar.

Fuyuki helps Kodai confront his fear of performing, and Kodai’s gratitude develops into deeper, more complicated feelings. When Kodai tries to help Fuyuki face the trauma that stopped his own music, their connection could strengthen—or buckle under the strain.

The 10 newly licensed light novel series are:

• Mirror, Mirror on the Wall (Kagami yo Kagami, Doku Ringo o Tabeta no wa Dare?), written by Daizu Konaka and illustrated by Ryou Mizukane.

  Eiri, a former child actor struggling as an idol, faces dismissal from his agency when perfectionist photographer Shoui personally selects him. Shoui regards his model solely as a muse, neither elevating nor diminishing that role.

  As Shoui’s current muse, Eiri knows the photographer would sleep with him if asked. But physical intimacy would not break through the famously aloof genius’s emotional defenses.

  Trying to avoid falling too deeply in love, Eiri buries his feelings for more than a decade. A new muse’s arrival forces him to choose between risking rejection and losing his chance without ever trying.

• Fraudulent Fiancés (Tamanokoshi Goyо̄i Shimashita), written by Shinobu Kuriki and illustrated by Hiroi Takao.

  Twenty-year-old Ebato Aoi has reached a low point. He left school in his early teens, cannot hold onto a job or girlfriend, and survives through crash-for-cash scams.

  His latest target proves disastrous: Inami Takane, an exceptionally handsome CEO traveling in an exceptionally expensive car. Offered a choice between prison and posing as Inami’s boyfriend, Aoi chooses the relationship.

  He soon suspects incarceration might have been easier than dealing with the CEO’s prickly, arrogant personality.

• An Otaku Prince Finds Love in Akiba (Otakuouji to Akiba de Koi wo), written by Kaori Shu and illustrated by Kyo Kitazawa.

  This romance crosses national and social boundaries, pairing an otaku prince with the game developer who captures his heart. Alphonse Eklund, Edihara’s fifth prince, becomes captivated by the moving simplicity of an indie game, Hanabi.

  The game offers no quests or combat, only a small sparkler burning away. Determined to meet its Japanese developer, Alphonse moves to Japan despite his father’s reservations.

  Hanabi’s sole creator, Akito, turns out to be an anxious university student who lacks confidence in his work. After his initial confusion, Alphonse resolves to help Akito recognize the value of his creations.

  Keeping his royal background secret, Alphonse regularly visits Akito’s workplace café, gradually drawing closer to him. As their relationship develops, keeping his feelings—and hands—to himself becomes increasingly difficult.

• Keep Me Close: Finding My Home in You (Watashi ga Kaeritai Basho wa Ibasho o Nakushita Reijо̄ ga "Tokenai Hyо̄zо̄" to Uwasa Sareru Ryо̄shu-sama no Moto de Shiawase ni Naru made), written by Morrinmomo and illustrated by whimhalooo.

  After her father dies, Claudia believes happiness is beyond her reach. Instead of inheriting the family business, she must serve in her own home while enduring daily mockery and abuse from her stepmother and sister.

  A false criminal accusation then costs Claudia her noble standing and sends her into exile at the kingdom’s distant edge. She expects further suffering under Duke Julius Graz, whose reputed cruelty earned him the nickname “unmelting ice sculpture.”

  Julius instead greets her with food, fresh clothing, and kindness she thought she had lost forever. With his support, Claudia begins healing, building the confidence to prove her innocence and perhaps finding a home where she belongs.

• Elegance in Exile: From Alchemy to Luxury with My Ardent Knight (Tsuihо̄sareta Akuyaku Reijо̄ wa [Renkin Skill] de Kareinaru Cheat Seikatsu wo Mankitsu-suru), written by Asa Asazuki and illustrated by Kyōzip.

  Anrietta Augustia has spent her life preparing to become the crown prince’s ideal consort. Her plans collapse when her fiancé publicly ends their engagement, denounces her as a wicked witch, and banishes her from the kingdom.

  For a sheltered duke’s daughter, exile amounts to a death sentence. However, the prince’s outburst awakens memories of Anrietta’s previous life as a powerful sorceress, along with a potent ability awaiting use.

  Drawing on that knowledge and power, Anrietta chooses to begin again. First, she needs a servant who will remain loyal, unlike the people who betrayed her in both her present and previous lives.

• Fleet-Footed Dungeon Delver: Tune in for Magical Girls and Motion Blur! (Shinsaku no Dungeon Tansaku-sha), written by Ameko Kaeruda and illustrated by U35.

  On an alternate Earth dotted with fantasy dungeons, Nonomura Nodoka hopes to succeed as a dungeon streamer. A superpowered delver, she ventures underground for treasure, glory, and online fame whenever her broadcasts manage to stay running.

  Her fortunes shift after she rescues rising streamer Hachisuka Subaru from a mutant cerberus. Subaru realizes Nodoka moves faster than cameras can record.

  Combining Subaru’s skill at entertaining viewers with Nodoka’s extraordinary speed, the girls become an unlikely team. Together, they race toward the top while outpacing their rivals.

• Middle-Aged and Mid No More: Rising in Ranks over Drinks with an Elite Priest (Mannen Silver Rank no Ossan, Shijо̄saikо̄ no Bо̄kensha to Naru Party of Tsuihо̄sareta Yakezake Shitetara Otonari no Shinkansan to Ikitо̄dо̄-shite Ichiya wo Sugoshita Ken, Tte Omae Saikо̄ Rank no Bо̄kensha ka yo), written by Takatsugu Awaki and illustrated by Benio.

  Veteran tank Rondo Glass is 32 and saddled with the nickname Forever Silver. Exhausted, wearing patched equipment and a tarnished badge, he no longer has an adventuring party.

  A miserable night of drinking brings him together with Lydia Claystia, a legendary Adamantite Rank priest struggling beneath impossible expectations. Their encounter pulls Rondo back toward a dream he had nearly given up.

• Being Famous Is NEET! Going Sister-Rank on Livestream (Imо̄to no Meikyū Haishin wo Tetsudatteita Ore ga, Ukkari S Rank Monster Aite ni Musо̄ shita Kekka ga Kochira desu), written by Ryūta Kijima and illustrated by motto.

  Cheerful high school student Suzuta Maya streams under a talent agency, but her older brother Jin takes the lead in this story. Unemployed and idle, he may dote excessively on his sister, though his intentions are good.

  Jin gladly handles camera work and security when Maya broadcasts her dungeon battles. When a trap puts her directly in the path of a lethal S-rank monster, he intervenes immediately.

  He does not realize his remarkable feat has streamed live to viewers worldwide. Suddenly headed toward streaming stardom, Jin faces the surprises of a modern world infused with magic.

• Déjà Vute: Betrayal Begets New Beginnings (Imо̄to ni Subete o Ubawareta Reijо̄ wa Konyakusha no Uragiri wo Shiri Kaiki-suru), written by Minami Kashiwa and illustrated by Suzunosuke.

  As Freesia nears death, a cruel question shatters her belief that her fiancé, Vute, loved her. She discovers his betrayal and realizes her cherished younger sister, Kalmia, has once again taken something dear to her.

  Freesia then awakens two years earlier. Given another chance, she decides to relinquish everything Kalmia previously stole: her engagement, the people who deserted her, and the life that brought her downfall.

  Determined to live by her own choices, Freesia encounters an unexpected obstacle. Vute will not end their engagement, and she gradually finds herself cornered.

• Grinding My Way to a Happy Ending: If Only My OP Big Bro Didn't Make Things So (Sister) Complex! (Bad End Mokuzen no Heroine ni Tensei Shita Watashi, Konse de wa Renai-suru Tsumori ga Cheat na Ani ga Hanashite Kuremasen!?), written by Kotoko and illustrated by Tsukasa Satsuki.

  Former office worker Reine initially welcomes her reincarnation as Renee Wainwright, an otome game’s beautiful heroine. Then she remembers the game’s reputation for requiring punishing amounts of grinding before players can unlock its romance routes.

  Renee also sits at the bottom of her academy’s social hierarchy and faces expulsion. She has none of the protagonist’s memories to guide her.

  Her difficult former life has strengthened her determination. Renee sets out to rise through the ranks, secure a love interest’s affection, and change her destiny.

  Her elite, estranged older brother complicates those plans by involving himself in every part of his supposedly amnesiac sister’s life. Renee must overcome the odds to reach the top while confronting whatever secret her brother appears to harbor.

Yen Press sponsors ANN’s Anime NYC 2026 coverage. Its promotional message highlights light novels, manga, and manhwa for readers’ shelves, directing visitors to Booth #1701 or YenPress.com for details.