Yen Press has unveiled a substantial slate of new manga and light novel acquisitions, including highly anticipated titles like Bad Girl, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End ~Prelude~, and Lycoris Recoil: Recovery Days. The announcements, made recently, highlight Yen Press’s continued expansion across various genres to be released between late 2024 and early 2026.
Diverse Genres and Fan Favorites Among New Licenses
The latest wave of licenses from Yen Press covers a broad spectrum, from action-packed fantasy and heartwarming slice-of-life to thrilling mysteries and unique romantic comedies. This strategic acquisition aims to cater to the diverse tastes of their global readership.
Noteworthy Manga Acquisitions
Among the newly licensed manga, several titles are poised to capture significant attention:
- Bad Girl: This new manga title joins Yen Press’s growing catalog, though specific details on its genre or premise were not immediately available in the initial search results, its inclusion suggests a compelling new series for readers.
- Sailor Zombie: Complete Omnibus: Yen Press is set to release this digital-exclusive manga in a complete omnibus edition. The story follows high schooler Maiko Inui, who seeks refuge in Fujimi Girls’ High School after a zombie apocalypse. It blends horror with harmony as the students fight back against zombie hordes.
- Battle Royale Deluxe Edition: The classic, hyper-violent series returns in a new deluxe edition, forcing forty-two middle school students to fight to the death until only one survivor remains.
- The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All: This popular series, previously licensed, is receiving a webstore-exclusive hardcover edition. It tells the story of high schooler Aya, who falls for a stylish CD shop employee, unaware that “he” is actually her female classmate, Mitsuki.
- Almark, Vol. 1: This manga follows young Almark in a war-torn northern land as he endeavors to become a mercenary, defying his father’s wish for him to attend a magical academy in the peaceful South. His journey to the institute of magic reveals a stark contrast in societal views and a divide between nobility and commoners.
- Common-Sense Monster: This yuri manga introduces Itou, a socially awkward teenager who, out of jealousy, witnesses her classmate Takahashi eat someone whole. This surprising event leads Itou to seek friendship with the “monster who knows how to blend right in with humans”.
Exciting Light Novel Additions
The light novel lineup also features several prominent series:
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End ~Prelude~: A companion to the critically acclaimed Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, this novel collection features five original short stories. Supervised by the original manga’s writer, Kanehito Yamada, it delves into new adventures with Frieren, Fern, Stark, and other beloved characters.
- Lycoris Recoil: Recovery Days: Expanding on the popular Lycoris Recoil universe, this novel offers new stories and insights into the daily lives and missions of Chisato, Takina, and the rest of the Café LycoReco crew. An official comic anthology, Lycoris Recoil Official Comic Anthology: Reload, is also set to explore more missions, mixers, and midnight snack runs.
- I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History: This novel tells the story of a protagonist reincarnated as a villainess who strives to become a woman beyond criticism. Despite her efforts to train her body, intellect, and magical skills, she finds herself unexpectedly endearing to others.
- Victoria of Many Faces: Retired from the espionage world, Victoria desires a peaceful civilian life, but her past as a spy continues to find her. Her encounter with an orphan named Nonna forces her to choose between her longed-for peace and her new friend.
- Legend of the Far East’s Savior: Set a hundred years after a demon-summoning ritual drastically altered the world post-WWII, this novel follows Keita Kawakami. In 2055, he enrolls in a military academy, possessing memories of an alternate modern era, and pilots a prototype mech, using his past knowledge to defy norms on the battlefield.
Anticipated Release Schedules
These newly licensed titles are slated for release across various months, with some appearing in June 2025, December 2025, and January 2026, and others in March 2026. Yen Press continues to make announcements, with previous releases planned for February and March 2025, and August 2025. This consistent flow ensures a steady stream of new content for readers throughout the upcoming year.
Yen Press remains a significant player in the manga and light novel publishing world, consistently bringing a wide array of new stories to English-speaking audiences. Their latest announcements further solidify their commitment to offering diverse and engaging content from Japan.
