J-Novel Club Announces New Light Novels and Manga Titles At Anime NYC 2022

© Sarasa Nagase, Hatipisuwan

J-Novel Club has announced the license acquisition of five light novel series and three manga titles at their Anime NYC 2022 industry panel. Most of these newly announced titles will be joining the J-Novel Club digital catalog and will be released on the service’s website and app a few hours after the conclusion of the panel.

Here are the full details for each of the newest titles: 


The first new light novel for J-Novel Club is Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, written by Tsukikage and illustrated by Chyko. The series was first published on August 30, 2018 and will be released soon on J-Novel Club’s website. It was originally licensed in English by Sol Press on December 28, 2020 and released only one volume before the company went defunct.

let this grieving soul retire volume one cover
© Tsukikage, Chyko

The light novel series is described by J-Novel Club as: 

It’s the golden age for treasure hunters—those who risk their lives in treasure vaults the world over, hungry for glory. Krai and his friends swore to become the greatest of them all, but there’s just one problem: this grieving soul wants to retire!.


Another light novel is Grand Sumo Villainess, written by Kawausoutan and illustrated by Murakami Yuichi. It was first published by Earth Star Entertainment on July 15, 2021. The series was also adapted into a manga on December 10, 2021 and was serialized in Comic Earth Star magazine. Two tankoubon volumes of the manga have been released so far. 

grand sumo villainess light novel volume one cover
© Kawausoutan, Murakami Yuichi

J-Novel Club will launch parts one and two of Grand Sumo Villainess today and describes the light novels as: 

When Floortje is reincarnated into the world of an otome game, things immediately go wrong. Her fiancé breaks off their engagement, and the supposed protagonist makes Floortje out to be the villainess. Little do they know, however, that Floortje was a sumo wrestler in her past life—and she won’t let these weaklings stand in her way! With the spirit of sumo—her most trustworthy ally—to guide her, she’s ready for a smackdown! But why was she reincarnated into an otome game, and how did its protagonist turn evil in the first place?


Enough with This Slow Life! I Was Reincarnated as a High Elf and Now I’m Bored is a light novel series written by rarutori and illustrated by ciavis. It was first published in 2021 by Earth Star Entertainment under its Earth Star Novel imprint. Parts one and two will launch on J-Novel Club’s website today. 

enough with the slow life light novel volume 1 cover
© rarutori, ciavis

The light novels are described by J-Novel Club as: 

Life in the Great Pulha Woodlands is the very definition of stillness and tranquility—and Acer’s had enough of it! He remembers living a past life as a human in another world…meaning he’s got a taste for meat, adventure, and plenty of other un-elven things! He’s also bored out of his skull after 120 years of the peace and quiet of their serene sylvan lifestyle. So Acer leaves the monotony of the forest behind to seek a new life, one that’s more his pace.


The Disowned Queen’s Consulting Detective Agency is a series of light novels written by Sarasa Nagase (I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss) and illustrated by Hatipisuwan. It was first published in 2022 by Earth Star Entertainment under its Earth Star Luna imprint. The series will also be launched under the J-Novel Heart today with parts one and two of the first volume. 

the disowned queen consulting detective agency volume one cover
© Sarasa Nagase, Hatipisuwan

J-Novel Club describes the story of The Disowned Queen’s Consulting Detective Agency as: 

When it comes to light that Octavia de Reine isn’t a legitimate member of the noble House of Reine, she swiftly finds herself disowned. At first she takes this in stride…until her power hungry father and ex-suitor start vying for the house full of mysterious heirlooms that her doting grandmother left her. Little does her family know that she’s destined to inherit an even greater legacy. Olivia hopes to follow in Granny’s footsteps and become a famous detective, after all! She’ll face off against young noblemen, phantom thieves, and magical items corrupted by demonic forces. Oh, and one vengeful angel queen. Moreover, who’s this suspiciously young marquis that seems so smitten with her…?


I Parry Everything: What Do You Mean I’m the Strongest? I’m Not Even an Adventurer Yet! is a light novel series written by Nabeshiki and illustrated by Kawaguchi. The light novels were first published in 2020 by Earth Star Entertainment under the Earth Star Novel imprint. Parts one and two of the first volume will be released today. 

i parry everything volume one cover
© Nabeshiki, Kawaguchi

J-Novel Club describes the light novels as: 

The Kingdom of Clays faces a conflict that will shape the face of the continent for centuries to come…but Noor doesn’t have a clue about any of that! Having freshly arrived at the royal capital after over a decade of rigorous, isolated training at his mountain home, he’s dead set on achieving his childhood dream of becoming an adventurer, even if the only skills he possesses are useless ones. Sure, he can [Parry] thousands of swords in the span of a single breath, but everybody knows you need more than that if you want to be an adventurer! Our hero’s road to making his dream come true will be long(?) and arduous(?)—but if there’s one thing Noor’s not afraid of, it’s some good ol’ fashioned hard work!


Karate Master Isekai is a manga adaptation by D.P of the light novels of the same name. The original light novel series is written by Eitou Terry and originally illustrated by bun150. The manga series was first serialized in Kadokawa’s Comic Hu magazine on April 24, 2019. Chapter one of the first volume will be released today. 

karate master isekai manga volume cover one
© Eitou Terry, D.P

The manga is described by J-Novel Club as: 

After losing a fight with a runaway truck, a karateka is transmigrated to another world, one full of swords and sorcery straight out of fantasy books. The goddess who sent him there offers him a superpowered cheat skill to assist him in his upcoming heroics—but naturally, he turns her down. After all, he already possesses the only technique he needs: karate! No matter what manner of otherworldly foe he may face, be they a minotaur, a gigantic steelclad knight, or a wicked sorcerer, none of them will discourage him from walking his own path in the way of the empty hand!


Shizuku Akechi’s manga adaptation of Peddler in Another World: I Can Go Back to My World Whenever I Want! will also be released by J-Novel Club. The original light novels were written by Hiiro Shimotsuki and illustrated by Takashi Iwasaki

The manga was first serialized in Hobby Japan’s Comic Fire magazine on July 17, 2020. The first chapter of volume one will be released today as well. 

peddler in another world manga volume one cover
© Hiiro Shimotsuki, Shizuku Akechi

J-Novel Club describes the manga series as: 

After quitting his job at a toxic company, Shiro Amata moves into the house his grandmother left him in her will. There, he soon makes two life-changing discoveries: one, his grandmother was really a witch from another world, and two, said other world is just on the other side of her closet door! Thanks to a book she left for Shiro, he also manages to obtain an all-powerful skill called “Equivalent Exchange,” which allows him to turn money from his world into otherworldly currency and vice versa. With this, Shiro decides to set up shop and sell convenient items like matches to the colorful inhabitants of the other world. His plan: Become so rich that he never needs another job ever again!


The manga adaptation of I’m Capped at Level 1?! Thus Begins My Journey to Become the World’s Strongest Badass! will be released on J-Novel Club’s service. The manga is illustrated by Dai Uemukai, based on the light novel’s story by Esora Amaichi and original illustrations by MiraijinA

 I’m Capped at Level 1?! manga volume one cover
© Esora Amaichi, Dai Uemukai

The manga was first launched on Kadokawa’s ComicWalker online website on March 1, 2020. The first chapter of volume one will be launched on the service today. 

J-Novel Club describes the manga series as: 

I’m Tetsuya Takahashi. I was transported to a different world while trying to save a girl from some thugs. In this world, I’m “defective,” and they tossed me out—all because my level caps at 1! Luckily, I’ve got an ability called Corpse Absorb, which lets me grab stat boosts and abilities off of any dead body I can get my hands on. With the help of an energetic cat-sith and a stuffed bear, my journey to make it to the top awaits! I’ll prove to everyone that I’m not defective—I’m a badass!


Source: press release

William Moo is a freelance writer who has previously written for OTAQUEST and MANGA.TOKYO. He also contributes work to the website Yatta Tachi. He enjoys watching lots of anime every season and reading from time to time. You can follow him on Twitter @thewriterSITB.
Leave a Comment!

Leave a Reply