J-Novel Club Announces Heir to a Monstermancer and More at Anime NYC

As revealed during the publisher’s Anime NYC 2025 panel today, J-Novel Club licensed nine new light novels and four manga. All of the latest additions are part of the J-Novel Club catalog starting today, so let’s take a look at all the new titles below. Here’s an overview of what joins the catalog today: Light Novels Finding My Way to (You) in This MMO World by Chiwako Fujiwara with illustrations by Enaga Shima Synopsis: After his grandparents—the last of his family—pass away, Kariya finds himself free to discover what awaits outside the harsh confines of his remote mountain village. However, beyond its borders lies a world embroiled in the fires of war, and Kariya is conscripted into the army before he can take his first step toward freedom. It doesn’t take him long to realize the truth: this world is a near carbon copy of a game he played in his previous life. When his identity as a reincarnated player comes to light, Kariya is tasked with a perilous mission to escort Wald, a handsome prince disguised as his twin sister the princess, safely through enemy territory and back to the royal capital. But Kariya isn’t the only one who knows the secret of this world—and having the combat proficiency of a common NPC won’t keep anyone safe. Armed only with player foresight and the skills of an S-tier craftsman, he’ll need every ounce of cunning he can muster to turn the tides of battle and bring his prince home. With the kingdom in turmoil, can this old knight survive his new post? Heir to a Monstermancer by Damu Amato with illustrations by shirabii Synopsis: Veteran adventurer Hakura has overcome countless trials, but his latest fight with a deadly hydra nearly costs him his life. In the nick of time, he is saved by an intriguing young lady named Liene, who, to his surprise, possesses the rare ability to tame any and all monsters! Now indebted to this unscrupulous monstermancer, Hakura decides to join her in her travels, the two of them arguing and bickering every step of the way. What has drawn them together, and what adventures await this unlikely pair? One Last Hurrah! The Grayed Heroes Explore a Vivid Future by fukurou with illustrations by johndee Synopsis: Even great heroes eventually grow old. Decades after saving the world, a band of brave heroes now live quietly in peaceful retirement as their final days await just beyond the horizon. Knowing time is short, Ferd the Hero longs to reunite with his old friends and meet his great-grandchild while he still can. In the company of his wife, Elrica the Saint, Ferd sets off on a transcontinental journey to see their comrades and finally visit their family abroad. Yet their last hurrah is bound to be anything but ordinary. After all, wherever legends of great tread, great trouble is sure to follow. Only one question remains: Is there any problem the greatest heroes of their age can’t solve? Miss Blossom’s Backward Beauty Standards: Give Me the Ugly Crown Prince! by Sankaku Mikaduki with illustrations by riritto Synopsis: While battling a deadly illness, Cocolette Blossom suddenly recalls her past life—a lonely existence spent fantasizing about her handsome 2D faves. Determined to finally live out her romantic dreams, she resolves to marry a real-life hottie this time around. But in her new world, “hotties” don’t exactly meet her expectations. In fact, they look like absolute monsters—and the guys who actually catch her eye? They’re considered hideous and total social outcasts! Undeterred, Cocolette sets out to snag her ideal man in Crown Prince Raphael. Yet even though they both fall for each other at first sight, the “hideous” Prince Raphael is weighed down by a dark past and cripplingly low self-esteem. With wedding bells still ringing, can Cocolette boost her prince charming’s confidence enough to prove her love is real? Looks like a Job for a Maid! The Tales of a Dismissed Supermaid by Yasuaki Mikami with illustrations by Kinta Synopsis: For plain little Nina, working as a maid in the house of Count Mirkwood is her whole world—until a false accusation has her swept out on the streets. Jobless and with nowhere left to turn, Nina decides to set out on her very first solo journey. But Nina isn’t just any maid—she’s a supermaid! Her talents quickly prove indispensable to the people she meets during her travels. There’s Emily, a mage who can’t use magic; Astrid, a brilliant inventor whose experiments never quite work; and Tien, an orphan who can’t seem to keep a meal down. Meanwhile, back at the Mirkwood household, things go awry in Nina’s absence... None of them realize it yet, but Nina might just be the answer they’ve all been searching for. Because when this supermaid is on the job, no mess can stand in her way! Royal Spirits Are a Royal Pain! Give Me a Regular Romance by Rei Kazama with illustrations by Fujiazuki Synopsis: Deirdre Abel von Belisario just wants to find love! After dying young in her fi st life—and worse, dying without a single hint of romance—this former office worker and self-proclaimed otaku has found herself reincarnated as the daughter of a margrave in another world. Determined to make the most of her second chance, she’s set on finding love and giving her parents the grandchildren they deserve. Unfortunately for Deirdre, fate has other plans in store. She never meant to catch the eye of her land’s Royal Spirits, let alone gain their blessing. And she definitely didn’t mean to get pulled into the conflict between spirits and humans. She was just bored! Left with no choice but restore harmony to the empire, her dreams of a peaceful married life seem farther out of reach than ever. This is the story of a “graceful” young lady reluctantly revolutionizing an empire along the rocky road to love! The Amazing Village Creator: Slow Living with the Village Building Cheat Skill by Shichio Kuzu with illustrations by Yasutaka Isegawa Synopsis: Luke wasn’t sure what he would receive in his blessing ceremony, but his father certainly expected more than a seemingly useless and altogether strange blessing: the Village-Making Gift. Now disowned and exiled to the borderlands under the pretense of “reclaiming the barren wasteland,” Luke has nothing left to lose. He sets off for the wilderness with only a dream of a quiet life and a single loyal maid. But the moment they arrive at the desolate frontier, his mysterious Gift automatically activates, building a village out of thin air! What was supposed to be a peaceful, off-the-grid life quickly spirals into something else entirely. As new villagers arrive and Luke’s Gift evolves with each new level up, his humble outpost quickly becomes one of the most formidable cities in the world. Luke dreams of a slow life, but that endgame seems more out of reach with each passing day. Because in this self-sufficient isekai fantasy, one failson’s throwaway Gift may just reshape the world! The Fearsome Witch Teaches in Another World: Pay Attention in Class! by Mitsuru Inoue with illustrations by Suzuno Synopsis: After her death on Earth, teacher Aoi Konominato awakens as a child in an unfamiliar world, filled with regret about her lackluster life and unfi nished goals. An elven sage named Owain takes her in, mentors her, and instructs her in the art of sorcery. Twelve years later, Aoi has mastered everything he’s thrown at her, and Owain deems her ready to further her studies of sorcery by becoming an instructor at the illustrious Fiddich Academy, the finest sorcery school in the world. Though she’s hesitant at fi rst, Aoi sees this as a second chance to become her ideal vision of a teacher, albeit in a fantasy world. However, this magical school is brimming with problems—and misbehaving students. The children of nobles and royalty are used to doing whatever they want, but soon they’ll learn to pay attention in this fearsome witch’s class! The Isle of Paramounts: Reborn into a Slow Life Among the Strongest in the World by Heiseiowari with illustrations by Noy Synopsis: Arata Toudou is just your average overworked corporate drone stuck in a monotonous grind—or at least he was, until a god’s careless mistake leads to his untimely demise. Life after death isn’t all that bad, though. As an apology, the god reincarnates him on a remote island in another world, complete with two overpowered cheats: a body immune to injury and illness, and a skill that lets him copy the spells and abilities of anyone he meets. At long last, Arata can finally live out his dream of a quiet, solitary life in the great outdoors. But blissful solitude isn’t what greets him. It turns out the not-so-deserted island is home to the world’s strongest legendary beings. One thing’s certain: With the charming castaway and master magician Reina here to help, Arata’s new life promises unexpected companions and delicious feasts galore! RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Lone Wolf & Cub Deluxe Edition Manga Volumes on the Way from Dark Horse Manga Fired? But I Maintain All the Software! by io, Original Work by Yuki Kashirome Synopsis: Ai Sato is the sole engineer maintaining her company’s internal systems. It’s too bad being the linchpin who keeps it all running won’t protect her from sudden layoffs. Apparently, the new CEO doesn’t approve of cosplaying at work. Depressed and jobless, Ai unexpectedly reunites with her childhood friend, Kenta Suzuki, who makes her an offer. His startup, True Coding School, provides personalized lessons to people struggling under the stress of modern society, and he wants her to join his team. With every passionate—and sometimes unconventional—lecture, Ai finds herself giving her students a renewed sense of purpose. Who knew that coding lessons could change so many lives? This Alluring Dark Elf Has the Heart of a Middle-Aged Man! by Utsugi, Original Work by Shimano Yuhi Synopsis: With no friends, family, or romance to speak of, Haruka has lived his life just going through the motions—until the day he awakens in the body of a beautiful, and womanly, dark elf! Suddenly, a world beyond his wildest imagination awaits, and uncontainable excitement races through him. There’s just one problem: He gave up on putting himself out there a long time ago and has no idea how to strike up a conversation with other people. Teenagers and (other) women are certainly no exception. But with a bottomless well of mana and a ridiculously tough body to boot, Haruka won’t let any overthinking get in the way this time. Little by little, the dark elf works past his (her) fears and self-doubt, forging deep bonds with precious new friends and growing together with them. So begins a heartwarming story of an old man determined to make the most of this new fantastical lease on life! My Death-Defying Dog: Man’s Best Friend, World’s Best Savior by Chizu Kamikou Synopsis: The years have felt hollow ever since Hayate lost his beloved dog, Rikimaru. But after losing his ordinary life in a freak accident, Hayate is reincarnated in a fantasy realm whose resident Goddess tasks him with saving her world from impending doom—and gives him the chance to reunite with Rikimaru. The twist is, Hayate’s not the one playing hero. His pup is! Granted the might of a legendary savior, Rikimaru wastes no time in vanquishing evil and enjoying his zoomies. Meanwhile, the good-natured and congenial Hayate is forced to navigate strange, new lands and thorny political intrigue. Still, if there’s one thing Hayate knows, it’s that he wants to do right by the innocents of this world...and pamper his lovable little pumpkin every step of the way! The Fearsome Witch Teaches in Another World: Ms. Aoi’s Lesson Plans by Sakura, Original Work by Mitsuru Inoue Synopsis: Stripped of her life for reasons unknown, Aoi Konominato wakes up as a child in an unfamiliar world, still haunted by regret and goals left unfulfilled. After twelve years of learning under the tutelage of an elven sage named Owain, she’s mastered the art of sorcery and is sent by her wise—if eccentric—mentor to the renowned Fiddich Academy to serve as an instructor and further her studies. Bitter memories of her past life as a fledgling teacher still nip at her heels, yet despite her initial reluctance, Aoi knows that this is her chance to do things better. Determination won’t be enough, though. Between misbehaving students of noble birth and elitist instructors, Aoi may have bitten off more than she can chew...or she might just be the missing ingredient the academy needs to become a paragon of educational equality and discipline. Class is in session, and the fearsome witch of Fiddich Academy has come prepared to teach them all a lesson they won’t soon forget. Source: Press release

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