J-Novel Club announced a slew of new licenses today, including 10 light novels and three manga. There are also six fan-favorite series getting print editions later this year. All the digital releases are available to read in some form right now. Check out the full slate below. Light Novels Fired? But I Maintain All the Software! by Yuki Kashirome with illustrations by icchi Synopsis: Once the sole engineer maintaining the systems at her company, Ai Sato is laid off without warning one day. (Apparently, the new CEO doesn’t approve of cosplaying at work… Rude!) Moping won’t pay the bills, so Ai sets out to find a new job—only to bump into an old friend, Kenta Suzuki, who just so happens to need a business partner. Together, they’ll run a coding school for people truly in need. Their first student is of course…a salaryman hoping to improve his relationship with his family? Each new recruit that follows seems to be struggling under modern expectations: from a harried woman determined to prove her worth at work, to a jobless hopeful who wants to fulfill his mother’s dream, and more. If Ai wants to bring out their best, she’ll need to teach them a lesson in not just coding skills but also how to build up their confidence! Sister Mafioso by Adachi with illustrations by Kyozip Synopsis: Under the cover of darkness, Dina Ferletti—the young, golden-haired queen of the fiendish Ferletti family—was tossed into a nearby canal and left for dead. The next day, a redhead with “amnesia” washed up on the shore of a rural seaside town. For the past decade, Dina’s lived the charmed life of a nun-in-training, but her blessings seemingly run out when Teodoro, a member of the family, breaks into the chapel. He’s arrived under orders to bring the don’s little sister home, but Teo’s true intentions lie with bringing the Ferlettis to justice. As a result, Dina’s forced to give him a hand by posing as…herself?! And if she’s discovered, her death won’t be staged this time. So God, please let this lie stand! Starting on Hard Mode: God Levels, Got Problems by Hanmenkyoushi with illustrations by ririnra Synopsis: You have been reincarnated. From here on, a free life awaits you. Merlin awakens in a strange new world with all memories of his past life erased. He might have a princely face and god-tier stats now, but he quickly learns his so-called “freedom” may be limited by his ridiculous powers. Especially when a casual wave of his hand can sunder the ground and tapping his finger sends people flying! The last thing this equation needs is a series of chaotic new companions, even if they are beautiful. How else will Merlin find peace among all this noise? Return of the Corpse King: Reining in My Cringe Secret Society by Sty with illustrations by Tumeki Synopsis: Imagine being summoned to another world to be the hero, beat the Demon King, and live an adventure…only to be forced to return to modern-day Japan. That’s what happened to Hizaki Shio. Those exploits seem like forever ago—he is in high school now—even though it’s only been three years. But just as Hizaki has settled back into reality, he’s suddenly summoned again and this time to stop the Secret Society, Helheim! However, Shio has a slightly cringey secret… He founded Helheim himself, during an embarrassing phase when he went around calling himself the Corpse King. It’s physically painful to remember. So who could be using Helheim’s name in his place, and how did it become so powerful? It’s time to confront the marks he left behind. First stop: the Steel City of Gaghiel to rescue a noble heiress! Unsung Epics of the Hero’s Journey by Hachigatsumori with illustrations by Nat. Synopsis: A hero has been chosen by the divine blade! She's due to set out on a journey to defeat the archfiend, leaving the city abuzz. But from the shadows dawns a prophecy that the hero will be cut down before she ever reaches the archfiend's stronghold. To avert this tragedy, the temple dispatches Rhuys Ferme to redirect the stream of events leading to the hero’s death and to keep the omen secret. Only problem is that this is a job for two. Enter Araignée: (in)famously skilled adventurer who’s willing to help—for a price. And no one said it'd just be money that Rhuys had to pay. Miss Medic’s Diary at War by Tama Masaki with illustrations by Kureta Synopsis: As someone “blessed” with the rare potential for recovery magic, Tory Noelle is drafted as a combat medic at the tender age of fifteen. Fighting as a teen soldier won’t shake her confidence, though—not when she can recall carefree days of playing first-person-shooter games in a previous life. But a world full of magic isn’t as fun as it once seemed. Now living the nightmare that was once her playground, Tory faces a serious question: can she build her skills fast enough to buffer against the brutality of war, or is she doomed to become another bloody stain on the battlefield? The Reincarnated Mastermind: Sundering Fate with Magic Swords by Ryou Yuuki with illustrations by Nakamura Synopsis: Ren thought his reward for being the first to clear the sequel to The Legend of the Seven Heroes would be personal satisfaction. So when he’s rewarded with “special content, ” he quickly accepts…only to wake up as a baby in the game’s world. At first, hoping he’s been reborn as the hero, Ren instead discovers his new life is that of the story’s shadowy antagonist, the figure suspected to be the mastermind behind the entire trilogy. Good thing Ren is fully intent on living a peaceful life in the countryside—without getting involved with any characters or world-ending plots. But when he crosses paths with the very saint he is meant to kill in canon, Ren realizes fate may be the ultimate final boss. The Path of an S-Rank Adventurer: From Deadweight to Weapon Master by Satou with illustrations by Hitakiyuu Synopsis: The adventuring party Sacred is quickly becoming famous for its incredible heroic exploits—and its supremely talented leader, Sasha. Almost no one remembers that Sacred ever had a co-leader: Hyse. Once Sasha’s childhood friend, he was booted from the party, reduced from his already tenuous position as workhorse to plain deadweight. Devastation at the betrayal and shame over his own weakness drives Hyse to pour his bitterness into learning his Ability, an unfathomable power not even he fully understands. Now mistrustful but determined, Hyse steps up to take on the world—and the comrades who abandoned him. Reborn to Reign: Imposing My Rules with My Mastery of Magic by Byakushi with illustrations by Falmaro Synopsis: He cannot remember anything of his past life, not even his name. He can’t even remember the details of the novel he’s been reincarnated into. All the newly-awakened Vanitas Lindblum does remember is that he’s been cast as the villain in this world—and that by the novel’s end, he’s doomed to die. Determined to avoid that fate, he undertakes learning the ancient skill of Grasping Magic, which not one of his foes is able to wield. Along the way, the women enslaved by the evil Vanitas—destined to become the hero’s right-hand women and overthrow him—are instead allured by this change in his personality and begin to…admire their new master? Can the antagonist cheat death and even find love? Proud to Be the Villainess by Mary=Doe with illustrations by Kuga Huna Synopsis: For years, Wellmy Ernest has made her half-sister Iora’s life a living nightmare. She forced Iora to obscure her beauty, treated her like a servant, and even stole her fiancé. Their own father and his second wife joined in on the torment, cruelly confiscating Iora’s belongings and forcing her to live in a cold, drab detached building. Now that Iora has turned eighteen, Wellmy is ready for the final insult: marrying her off to Aides Ormirage, the handsome yet heartless mage lord. Tonight, at last, her brilliant scheme will reach its climax at the banquet held by Aides himself. Yet as the villainess prepares for her final act, she is acutely aware that all that awaits her is her own doom. Manga Starting on Hard Mode: God Levels, Got Problems by SOTONO, original work by Hanmenkyoushi Synopsis: After waking to find himself reincarnated and his past-life memories erased, Merlin is looking forward to a life of ease—but his reality is anything but easy! “Blessed” with god-tier stats and divine good looks, he quickly discovers that a normal life is next to impossible for someone who’s constantly mistaken for a deity. It doesn’t help that being OP means he can barely lift a finger without causing mass destruction! Then there’s the issue of all the girls who desperately need his help. Too overpowered and too overrun with damsels in distress—will Merlin ever get to kick back and enjoy his new life? The Accursed Chef and His Pair of Furry Foodies by Watarinica, original work by Yuu Tanaka Synopsis: Things get cooking right away in this dungeon epic with cheat skills and delicious dishes! Koichi Suzuki, an incorrigible lover of beastfolk and their adorably fluffy ears, dies young after heroically saving a child. In a divine exchange, his reward is reincarnation into another world… and the ability to cook up magical beasts? Now called Thor, he must use the knowledge of his past life and newfound culinary skills to survive a world that shows mercy to no one, not even children. But just as he manages to find his footing, who should appear before him but two beastfolk on the verge of death! Thor will have to cook up a recipe for success if he wants all three of them to survive. And so begins their story of furry ears, mouthwatering cooking, and dungeon crawling! All Eyes on Nekoyashiki-kun! Notice Me, Not My Characters by Kazuki Minamoto Synopsis: Meet up-and-coming indie manga artist, Nekoyashiki Mamoru! He might have garnered a small, dedicated fanbase devoted to his gay comics and even scored a coveted seller’s booth at the bi-annual Comic Kingdom event, but this paltry fame isn’t enough! It’s certainly not on the level of Kazama Issei, an actual idol and Mamoru’s childhood friend. When a chance encounter throws them back into each other’s orbit, things get complicated as the ever-cheerful Issei brings back messy childhood memories and inspires feelings of inferiority in Mamoru. Their paths crash together in this story about professional challenges, personal feelings, and…moobs? sense of purpose. Who knew that coding lessons could change so many lives? Print The 100th Time’s the Charm She Was Executed 99 Times, So How Did She Unlock “Super Love” Mode! Manga by Roharu Kai, original work by Yuji Yuji June 23, 2026 Synopsis: Falsely accused of plotting to assassinate the Saint, Lady Alphina finds her engagement to the frigid prince called off and her head under the guillotine. Time rewinds upon her death, but despite all efforts to stave off her fate, she faces the same end 99 times over. Just when all hope seems lost, she awakens a new power during her 100th loop. She can now hear the thoughts of those around her, and it turns out her accusers were a lot more enamored of her than she thought! Can she use this newfound ability to turn her fortunes around? The 100th time’s the charm! Safe & Sound in the Arms of an Elite Knight Manga by Yuyu Kouhara, original work by Fuyu Aoki June 23, 2026 Synopsis: Born with an unusual birthmark on her back, Chloe Ardennes was immediately branded a “cursed child” by her superstitious family and locked away in their estate for her entire life. Forced to cook and clean, Chloe’s world shatters one day when an encounter with her mother at knifepoint drives her to flee the only home she’s ever known. Desperately seeking refuge, she escapes to the only sanctuary she knows: the royal capital. But is the big city everything she hoped it would be? Just as she finds herself on the brink of despair, a mysterious, gallant knight rescues her, offering a glimmer of hope and the promise of a new beginning. The Water Magician Manga by BOKUTENGO, original work by Tadashi Kubou July 28, 2026 Synopsis: Upon being reincarnated into a fantasy world, Ryo wants to live out his days in peace with his newfound water magic. He can only conjure a cupful at a time, but it’s enough to eke out a comfortable existence—or so he thought. The powers that be cast him into the wild outlands with nothing more than a humble shack, a single knife, some food…and abilities that are yet beyond his comprehension. The area is overrun by monsters and there’s nary another human in sight. Ryo must now figure out how to survive above all else, but he’s ready to take bulls, boars, and a whole host of other monsters by the horns if it means seizing the life he wants for himself. Each new victory brings a new challenge, but what could a fateful encounter with a headless horseman, a dragon, and a castaway swordsman have in common? They’re the first steps on a grand journey that will take Ryo beyond the borders of all he knows to become the greatest water magician the world has ever seen—one adventure at a time. The Water Magician Light Novel by Tadashi Kubou August 25, 2026 Synopsis: Ryo is delighted to be reincarnated into the fantastical world of Phi, where he thinks he’ll get to live a quiet life learning to use his newfound water magic. Going with the flow here, however, means something very different. Ryo is immediately pitted against the wild lands he winds up in and the slew of deadly monsters that call the remote subcontinent home. You’d think he’d forget about taking it easy when he’s stuck fighting for his life, but lucky for Ryo, he’s naturally optimistic, clever, and blessed with the hidden “Eternal Youth” trait. Twenty years pass in the blink of an eye, and each encounter along the way pushes him one step closer to the pinnacle of human magic. Little does he realize that’s only the opening chapter of his tale. A fateful meeting soon thrusts Ryo to the forefront of history, forever changing the course of his life… Thus begins the adventures of the strongest water magician the world has ever seen—who also likes to do things at his own pace! An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Omnibus Edition by Fuminori Teshima with Illustrations by COMTA October 27, 2026 Synopsis: Zagan is feared by the masses as an evil sorcerer. Both socially awkward and foul-mouthed, he spends his days studying sorcery while beating down any trespassers within his domain. One day he's invited to a dark auction, and what he finds there is an elven slave girl of peerless beauty, Nephy. Having fallen in love at first sight, Zagan uses up his entire fortune to purchase her, but being a poor conversationalist, he has no idea how to properly interact with her. Thus, the awkward cohabitation of a sorcerer who has no idea how to convey his love and his slave who yearns for her master but has no idea how to appeal to him begins. The Young Lady Is the Substitute Harvest Goddess J-Novel Club Original Light Novel Contest Runner-Up by Gabihime with Illustrations by Reine Kuwashima October 27, 2026 Synopsis: Demeter Serraffield is a young lady aristocrat and enthusiastic gamer. One night she is summoned in her sleep by a goddess and is given an unexpected job—to take over as harvest goddess for a whole other world! She's suddenly whisked away to a world with rules that are strangely like those of the farming games she loves. In this cozy slow-life series, Demeter takes over the role of harvest goddess for a world of dryads, talking animals, lush wilderness, and quaint forest villages. With her gamified goddess abilities and noble charisma (and the help of some new friends), she’ll take a world under attack from environmental danger and make it thrive! Source: Press release
