New light novel licenses include: The Witch’s Conviction, The Beast’s Redemption; ‘Cause I’m Freedom!
Yen Press announced nine new licenses at its main industry panel at Anime NYC on Saturday, including two light novel series and seven manga series. The company did not give a release window for the new licenses.
The two new light novel licenses include:
Title: The Witch’s Conviction, The Beast’s Redemption (Majo no Danzai, Majū no Shokuzai)
Author(s): Yuki Sakai (story), Ao Nekonabe (illustrations)
Summary: THE CRUELEST OF ALL BEASTS—HUMANKIND
Leonardo Nix once dreamed of becoming an alchemist. Instead, he’s in a maximum-
security prison, languishing in guilt and self-disgust. After all, he admitted to breaking an
unspeakable taboo—eating his comrades. Then, not long into his imprisonment, he is
suddenly transformed into a hideous monstrosity. He flees the prison as guards sound the
alarm, but nowhere is safe for such a terrible beast. And though he doesn’t want to hurt
anyone, a dark hunger for human flesh stirs within him. When all hope seems lost, he
crosses paths with Elena the witch, who offers to find a way to break his curse!
Unfortunately, there’s a catch: As her familiar, he’ll still get blood on his hands…straying
even farther from the path of redemption.
Title: ‘Cause I’m Freedom! (Datte, Watashi wa Freedom!)
Author(s): Tarō Hitsuji (story), Akitake Azumi (illustrations)
Summary: THE GUN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD!
Faye Leonheart is a seventeen-year-old sword-fighting prodigy and the heir apparent to
the mightiest warrior clan. After three long years, she finally returns from her sword-
training pilgrimage…with a magical machine gun in hand?! Promptly disowned by her
family with nothing but her beloved firearm for company, this trigger-happy young lady
commits herself to studying ancient technology called overgear. After all, who has time for
regrets when freedom calls? The world is full of archaic ruins, and Faye is ready to explore them, full-metal
style!
The seven new manga licenses include:
Title: Seal My Lips With a Kiss (Kiss de Funaide, Barenaide.)
Author(s): Fudou Fudono
Summary: When Kaede misses the last train home from work, she winds up spending the night
staying over with her coworker Shiotani, who’s carried a torch for her for two long years.
But she’s thrown for a loop when Shiotani asks her to bind his hands—since he can’t
promise he won’t assault her otherwise… Just when she does as he asks, they’re
interrupted by his roommate, Mizoguchi from sales, coming home! Their only recourse is
to hide in the closet, but in that cramped space they have no way to avoid each other…
“If this comes undone…I don’t know what I’ll do…”
Kaede’s never seen this side of her unassuming STEM coworker, but his words and her
position at his mercy start to light a fire in her…!
MangaPlaza is also releasing the manga in English digitally.
Title: Übel Blatt II: Knights of the Fallen King (Übel Blatt II: Shiseru Ō no Kishidan)
Author(s): Etorouji Shiono
Summary: One year after the battle with Glenn, Köinzell—now serving as Viceroy Ascheriit within
the Imperial Army led by Empress Elsaria—is deployed to quell the rebellions that
continue to plague the realm. Alongside him, Commander in Chief Geranpen, Chief
Consul Aht, and Blatt Meister Ichfeis join forces to defend the Empire and support Elsaria.
Through it all, in the remote southern territory of Helenirdo, a resistance group calling
themselves the Knights of the Fallen King, who believe in Glenn’s resurrection, begins to
move in the shadows. The fates of Köinzell and the Seven Heroes have once again become
inextricably intertwined…
Manga UP! Global is also releasing the manga in English digitally.
Title: The Gray Exorcist (Haiiro Onmyōji)
Author(s): Hachioki Nekono
Summary: Seiko is an exorcist working for the Public Safety diviners’ office in a world under attack
by man-eating beasts/spirits(??) known as “Twilight.” Every night at the third hour of the
ox(?), his work of hunting and banishing the creatures begins. But Seiko has one dark
secret: His only remaining family is a Twilight named Kyue, whom he’s harboring in his
own home! When the truth comes out to Seiko’s superior officer, however, Seiko’s life
turns upside down—because anyone supporting the Twilight becomes branded as a traitor,
and the wanted posters of him are just the beginning…
Title: Interdimensional Memoir (Ikoku Memoir)
Author(s): Runta
Summary: Tomo has never found a single ounce of meaning or interest in his life in the real world.
But his boring childhood gets turned upside down when, on his way home from school, he
runs into a naive, childlike creature hailing from…a parallel reality?! This bizarre
encounter sends him tumbling down a rabbit hole into a world full of the people and towns
beyond his wildest imagination!
Title: Make It an Eternity (Eikyū Shimei Onegaishimasu!)
Author(s): Sato Kanae
Summary: Towako is a shut-in who lives a quiet life together with her older brother. But one day, her
world is turned upside down when a gaggle of drop-dead handsome hosts suddenly stop
by all claiming to be her brother’s friends! Then clothes begin to fly, and the mood gets
hot and heavy… What on earth will become of Towako’s peaceful solitude?!
Title: Can I Call You Unnie? (Unnie-tte Yonde mo Ii Desu ka?)
Author(s): Alt Hanakage
Summary: As a diehard K-pop fan, Natsuki has spent every day in tears since the main vocalist of her
favorite girl group retired and vanished from social media. That is, until her coworker hits
her with a truth bomb—is Natsuki really going to spend the rest of her life waiting for her
idol to come back?! Filled with new energy, Natsuki downloads a dating app. Except the
first woman she matches with…looks just like her fave?!
Title: Hot Nights at the Hot Springs, Secret Trip No. 241 (Onsen de Himitsu no Otomari, 241-kkaime)
Author(s): Sonoo Michiru
Summary: If there’s one thing middle-aged salarymen Ishida and Kimura love more than each other,
it’s a good hot spring. These two have carved out a weekend every month to spend a
steamy night together soaking in the rejuvenating waters, carrying on a tradition from their
youth. Hidden from their friends and colleagues, their love has simmered quietly as the
decades passed. Sure, they both agreed either one could call it off anytime, but for twenty
years, they’ve never missed a trip—because the thought of lying in each other’s arms
warms them more than any hot spring ever could.
Source: Press release
ANN’s coverage of Anime NYC 2026 is sponsored by Yen Press. Whether it’s light novels, manga, or manhwa, Yen Press has everything you might want to add to your reading shelves! Visit Booth #1701 or YenPress.com for more information!
Disclosure: Kadokawa World Entertainment (KWE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, is the majority owner of Anime News Network, LLC. Yen Press, BookWalker Global, and J-Novel Club are subsidiaries of KWE.
