Anime NYC 2023 brought fans a flurry of licensing announcements from many different publishers. Starting off the weekend was J-Novel Club who dropped over a dozen titles announcements for their readers, including one much requested license rescue. Now, let’s get into them, shall we?


Light Novel Announcements

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden (Vol. 1 – Parts 1 & 2 Available Now)

Author: Umikaze Minamino
Illustrator: JISHAKU

On her deathbed lays a great hero who never once suffered defeat. Wishing for a glorious death in battle, she peacefully passes away only to wake up in the body of Nia Liston, a frail and sickly young girl. With a brand new chance at finally achieving her goal, she sets out to mercilessly accomplish this dream.

The Exiled Nobel Rises as the Holy King (Vol. 1 – Parts 1 & 2 Available Now!)

Author: Yu Okano
Illustrations: Tapioca

Once the son of a noble family, Noah is excommunicated and exiled to a monster infested forest by the powerful state church. Out of his league, death is certain for Noah unless he can manage to master his “Holy King” ability, one that allows him to convert monsters and humans alike to his side. Using his charisma and leadership skills he manages to assemble a crew of dog-like monsters to his side, while determined to help them create a safe haven away from civilization. All while this is happening the church assigns a holy assassin to take Noah out… that is until she falls in love with him at first sight?!

The Oblivious Saint Can’t Contain Her Power: Forget My Sister! Turns Out I Was The Real Saint All Along! (Volume 1 – Parts 1 & 2 Available Now!)

Author: Almond
Illustrator: Yoshiro Ambe

Born the often overlooked daughter to a powerful Prime Minister, Lady Carolina believes herself to be the black sheep of her family. When compared to her elder sister, a powerful mage and assumed future Saint of their kingdom, Lady Carolina just isn’t even in the same league. Assigned to her fate as a failure and a complete nobody, she decides to live in the shadows away from everyone else, until one day she is shocked to hear she has been thrust into a political marriage with the “Bloodthirsty Prince”. As political obligations begin to mingle with hints of true love, her latent powers eventually begin to reveal themselves! Carolina must now learn what it means to truly be “exceptional”.

The Otome Heroine’s Fight For Survival (Vol. 1 – Parts 1 & 2 Available Now!)

Author: Harunohi Biyori
Illustrator: Hitaki Yuu

Orphaned by a monster attack on her village, young Alicia spends three horrid years in an orphanage before finally running away. As she’s fleeing, she attacked by a violent older woman. During this struggle for survival Alicia comes into contact with a strange but powerful crystal that bestows upon her a wealth of knowledge. With this newfound knowledge she discovers that she’s actually meant to be the main character of an otome game! Disgusted by her supposed fate, she sets out to take matters into her own end and win by any means possible. In a harsh and unforgiving world Alicia is determined to use this new knowledge survive, along with the help of a certain stranger.

The Water Magician (Vol.1 – Part 1 & 2 Available Now!)

Author: Tadashi Kubou
Illustrator: Nokito

Reincarnated into the fantastical world of Phi, Ryo is assuming he’s going to have a quiet and easy life as he explores and develops his newfound water magic. Almost immediately, Ryo is pitted against the wild lands and the many deadly monsters that call it home. Stuck fighting for his life, and along with his powerful “Eternal Youth” ability, the optimistic and cunning Ryo manages to survive.  In the blink of an eye, twenty years pass by as Ryo continues to develop his powers, bringing him ever closer to the pinnacle of human magic. With fateful meetings soon upon him, Ryo is thrust into the forefront of human history, changing the course of his life forever.

Management of a Novice Alchemist (Vol. 1 – Part 1 & 2 Available Now!)

Author: Mizuho Itsuki
Illustrator: Fuumi

Sarasa, a newly graduated state alchemist, has been gifted a shop of her very own by her master. The catch is…it’s an abandoned building on the frontier! Dreaming of a perfect life as a shop owner, her dreams are immediately crushed as she finds her new shop in complete disrepair. Determined to make a living and stand out as an alchemist, she sets out to tackle this fixer-upper. With the help of some new part-timers and friendly villagers, Sarasa’s shop is finally open for business!

Sword Saint Adel’s Second Chance: A Peerless Swordmaster Begins Anew As A Saint To Save The Princess (Vol. 1 – Part 1 & Part 2 Available Now!)

Author: Hayaken
Illustrator: Unapoppo

Adel, a highly talented but blind swordsmaster, personally put an end to the Great War that once engulfed his homeland. With that strength comes a dark past, one filled with horrible mistreatment, gruesome experiments, and countless battles to the death. In those darkest of days, it was the gentle compassion of Princess Euphinia that saved him. In return Adel fiercely vowed to be by her side. However winning the Great War came at a great cost – being unable to save her when she needed him the most. Wishing for a second chance to making things right, he is visited by a mysterious stranger with the ability to do just that! Now transported back in time into the body of a beautiful woman, he sets out to make things right and save Princess Euphinia!

The Banished Former Hero Lives As He Pleases (Vol. 1 – Part 1 & 2 Available Now!)

Author: Shin Kouduki
Illustrator: Chocoan

Born into the world with no innate God-given ability, Allen a low level noble, is banished from his home, the Duchy of Westfeldt. Allen has one secret though that he had been hiding – he was a great hero in a past life – and now just wants to take it easy. His drama-free life is soon interrupted by a desperate plea from his ex-fiancée, and as a former hero he just doesn’t have it in him ignore someone in need.

RVing My Way Into Exile With My Beloved Cat: This Girl Is Trippin’ (Vol. 1 – Part 1 & 2 Available Now!)

Author: Punichan
Illustrator: Canarinu

When a video game-loving office worker reincarnates as Mizarie Kraphtia, the villainess of an otome game, she’s determined to have a better life than the original character. Despite her best efforts the game as it corrects itself, and it forces her into an ending where she is exiled. Something bizarre ends up happening during this correction, as somehow Mizarie is able to summon an RV to this world! Mizarie now decides to make the most of her exile and sets out on a journey in the RV with her beloved cat, Ohagi. As she travels around the world she discovers she gains experience, and with this comes new unlocks she can add on to her RV like a bathroom, a kitchen, and more! Mizarie takes her time exploring this new fantastical setting with her adorable feline travel companion. Her storyline in the otome game may be over, but her leisurely vacation in exile is just getting started!

Chivalry of a Failed Knight (Debuts December 2023!)

Author: Riku Misora
Illustrator: Won

A highly fan-requested license rescue.

Ikki Kurogane is a Blazer, a person who can materialize his soul as a weapon. However, his proficiency with this skill is virtually nonexistent, earning him the reputation as a failure and the title “Worst One”. In spite of this, he spends his life training hard in swordplay in order to become a Mage-Knight. In contrast, Stella Vermillion – the second princess of the Vermillion Empire – is a naturally talented, prodigious, and undefeated Rank A Blazer. The two eventually meet at Hagun Academy and both learn they are very much the same in wanting to be powerful Mage-Knights, in spite of their gifts, or lack thereof.  In order to reach that goal, their first step is to meet in the finals of the Seven Stars Battle Festival, a no-holds-barred tournament, and fight for the title of Seven Stars King.


Manga Announcements

Duchess In The Attic (Vol. 1, Chapter 1 Available Now!)

Author: Mori
Illustrator: Maki Hayashi

On the night of her high society debut, an unknown culprit assaults Countess Opal. This single incident leads to a loss of her reputation among the nobility, and she now faces years of isolation and malicious gossip. One day, she suddenly finds herself married off to Duke Hubert, who it turns out he needs Opal’s family fortune to save himself from debt. Opal’s new life begins with hostility in the dusty old attic of a mansion where she is constantly bullied by the house staff. To make things worse for whole, Hubert’s childhood friend, Stella, also lives in the house and is completely adored by the staff. Forbidden from helping to manage the duchy, the stubborn Opal decides to take matters into her own hands, as she formulates a plan to outsmart them all!

Through The Viewport: Child of a Ruined World (Vol. 1, Chapter 1 Available Now!)

Creator: miaawa

Long after the fall of humanity, the world lies in ruin. Factions of autonomous war machines, monstrous biological weapons, and other horrors of a bygone era battle it out in the remains of the society that created them. Their conflicts endless and seemingly meaningless—until, that is, a machine finds its own meaning in the form of a human child. That machine, Humanoid Mobile Weapons Unit Number Ten, develops a fiercely protective bond with the child, and soon the two of them set out on a journey together. Their mission: to search for other human survivors, to deliver the child to her people…and to enjoy the trip for all they’re worth!

A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires (Vol. 1, Chapter 1 Available Now!)

Original Work: Hagure metabo
Character Design: masami
Manga: Oonoimo

Elizabeth Leiston, the daughter of Haldoria’s powerful prime minister, is the picture of a refined noble lady and the perfect future queen. But when her fiancé publicly humiliates her, calls off their engagement, and starts spreading nasty rumors about her, Elizabeth reaches her breaking point. Fed up, Elizabeth won’t stand it any longer and will bring down the kingdom, even if it’s the last thing she does! With her quick wit and, more importantly, her seven magic grimoires, she embarks on a quest for revenge.

Butareba: Story of a Man Turned into a Pig (Vol. 1, Chapter 1 Available Now!)

Author: Takuma Sakai
Illustrator: Minami
Character Design: Asagi Tohsaka

A run-of-the-mill otaku collapses from stomach pain after eating raw pig liver and wakes up as a pig in a whole new world! He’s helplessly trapped in his pen until Jess, a girl who can read minds, rescues him. Our porcine hero will have to work to keep his boar-ish thoughts to himself. But sweet Jess isn’t deterred. In fact, she wants to spoil this little piggy rotten! By her side, it seems like life as a hog might not be so bad after all! For our pig protagonist to transform back into a human, he must head to the capital and appeal to the king. Jess offers to go with him, kicking off the start of their cutesy, fluffy adventure! But while preparing for their journey, what seems like a harmless shopping trip quickly gets out of hand, revealing the dark side of this world hidden beneath its peaceful facade. What can a mere pig with no special powers do to protect his angelic savior?

The Water Magician (Vol. 1, Chapter 1 Available Now!)

Original Author: Tadashi Kubou
Manga: BOKUTENGO

Light Novel also previously announced.

Reincarnated into the fantastical world of Phi, Ryo is assuming he’s going to have a quiet and easy life as he explores and develops his newfound water magic. Almost immediately, Ryo is pitted against the wild lands and the many deadly monsters that call it home. Stuck fighting for his life, and along with his powerful “Eternal Youth” ability, the optimistic and cunning Ryo manages to survive.  In the blink of an eye, twenty years pass by as Ryo continues to develop his powers, bringing him ever closer to the pinnacle of human magic. With fateful meetings soon upon him, Ryo is thrust into the forefront of human history, changing the course of his life forever.


And that’s all for J-Novel Club’s announcements from Anime NYC ’23. Are there any series announcements that stood out to you? As always, feel free to leave a comment and let us know!

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