Yen Press Licenses Cross-Dressing Villainess!

🚨 Yen Press Just BLEW UP MCM London! Get Ready for a License Avalanche! 🚨

If your TBR pile wasn’t already a minor Everest, prepare for a seismic shift! Yen Press just unleashed a staggering wave of new licenses at MCM London Comic Con, dropping everything from long-awaited light novel extensions to bone-chilling horror manga, steamy BL, and even a Mamoru Hosoda film tie-in audiobook. Seriously, our wallets are already weeping, but our hearts are singing!

Light Novel Delights: Double the Love, Double the Trouble!

Yen Press isn’t just serving up new stories; they’re expanding beloved worlds and kicking off fresh adventures with a twist.

Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie: Extra Round!

Fans, rejoice! We’re getting a bonus volume packed with “TWO TIMES THE HAPPILY EVER AFTERS!” This isn’t just a simple epilogue; it’s a deep dive into alternate realities and post-main story shenanigans. We’re talking Oscar’s Route, where our favorite villainess, Cecilia, and Oscar get caught up in royal wedding drama—with the bride herself crushing on Oscar! Then there’s Gilbert’s Route, imagining a world where Cecilia fell for Gilbert. After Volume 3’s events, Gilbert leaves, and Cecilia has to go incognito in the Prosper Kingdom’s underworld to win him back. This is exactly the kind of juicy extra content we crave!

And Thus, the Wizard Noi Garene Became a Bride 100 Years Later

Talk about a glow-up! This fantasy romance promises a massive twist. Noi Garene, the kingdom’s greatest wizard, sacrifices her life to save her apprentice, Kaldia, from the Demon Lord. But guess what? She wakes up a century later to a man who’s Kaldia’s spitting image… and he’s proposing! We’re talking epic magic, a century-long sleep, and a second chance at love. Sign us up!

Manga Mania: From Found-Footage Fear to Dungeon Despair

Yen Press is bringing the heat with a diverse lineup of manga, including a highly anticipated horror adaptation and a deluxe edition for a cult classic.

About a Place in the Kinki Region

THIS IS HUGE. The “found-footage” horror novel phenomenon, which already spawned a live-action film in Japan, is finally getting its manga adaptation! Follow the chilling search for an occult magazine editor who vanished while investigating spooky stories in the Kinki Region. Piecing together old articles, fan mail, and forum posts sounds like a recipe for sleepless nights and jump scares. This one is going straight to the top of our horror reading list!

Secret: Homicide Edition

Yoshiki Tonogai’s psychological horror is back and shinier than ever in a new deluxe omnibus. Six bus accident survivors are told three murderers are among them, with one week to confess before the police get involved. Tonogai’s work is always a mind-bending ride, and this deluxe edition is the perfect excuse for new readers to dive in or for old fans to revisit the terror.

My Yandere Girlfriend Hiding in the Dungeon Kills Me Over and Over Again

Kiska, falsely accused and banished to a high-level dungeon, gains a skill called “Save and Reset” just as a monster is about to finish him. This sounds like a dark, twisted take on the Isekai genre mixed with a time-loop mechanic. How will Kiska use his unique ability to survive a dungeon… and his potentially murderous “girlfriend”? We’re morbidly curious!

My Childhood Friend Meows Under the Skirt

Prepare for feline-fueled romance! In Miyake, Japan’s cat capital, cat-loving Ichika wants to reconnect with her estranged childhood friend, Maki. A magical cat’s curse throws their relationship into chaos. This sounds like a charming, supernatural slice-of-life that’s purr-fect for those who love a bit of whimsical romance.

BL & Beyond: Romances to Make Your Heart Skip a Beat

Yen Press is expanding its BL offerings with two new series that cover both high school reunions and unexpected streamer encounters.

Summer Boy Blues

Atsushi and Michiru reunite during high school entrance exams after an “embarrassing first time” wrecked their relationship. This is the classic second-chance romance we adore, filled with potential for awkward moments, heartfelt confessions, and plenty of summer vibes.

Is the Hot-Voiced Streamer Into Me?!

Sora Hoshino, a college student, unwinds listening to a BL roleplay ASMR streamer named Sojiro. But when Sojiro asks to meet in person, Sora gets a HUGE surprise. The online-meets-offline trope, ASMR, and BL? This title is ticking all the boxes for a contemporary, steamy, and potentially hilarious romance!

Audio Adventures: Hosoda’s World and Magical Mayhem

Expanding beyond print, Yen Press is diving into audiobooks with two intriguing titles, including a novel connected to a highly anticipated film.

Scarlet

Mamoru Hosoda fans, perk up! This is the novel tied to his 2025 animated film. Princess Scarlet, after failing to avenge her father, wakes in a land of the dead. There, she teams up with Hijiri, a nurse from present-day Japan. A blend of classic fantasy revenge with modern sensibilities and Hosoda’s signature emotional depth? This audiobook is a must for anyone who loves his cinematic universe.

‘Cause I’m Freedom!

Meet Faye Leonheart, a 17-year-old sword prodigy and heir to a mighty warrior clan. But instead of swords, she returns from her pilgrimage with a magical machine gun. Disowned, she sets off to study ancient “overgear” technology and explore ruins. A badass female lead with a magical machine gun in a fantasy setting? This sounds like an explosive and fun listen!

Quick Info Card: Yen Press Licensing Spotlight

Visual Vibes

Imagine Cecilia Sylvie popping with vibrant, jewel-toned shojo art, lush costumes, and expressive character reactions, perfectly capturing the comedic and romantic drama. Then pivot to the stark, gritty monochrome of About a Place in the Kinki Region, using distorted panels and heavy shadows to evoke found-footage dread, truly unsettling readers. Secret: Homicide Edition will likely lean into sharp, psychological unease with intense close-ups and a suffocating atmosphere. For My Yandere Girlfriend, expect dynamic dungeon aesthetics with a creepy-cute contrast, perhaps playing on the sinister undertones lurking beneath an otherwise fantastical setting. My Childhood Friend Meows Under the Skirt will be all soft lines, warm colors, and adorable feline antics, radiating cozy slice-of-life charm. The BL titles, Summer Boy Blues and Is the Hot-Voiced Streamer Into Me?!, will likely feature clean, attractive character designs with emotional depth, one embodying sun-drenched nostalgia and the other, modern, digital-age allure. While audiobooks don’t have visuals, the idea of Scarlet immediately brings to mind Hosoda’s signature blend of intricate world-building and profound character design, hinting at an emotionally resonant journey.

Why We’re Hyped

This Yen Press announcement isn’t just a list; it’s a statement. From returning to beloved characters like Cecilia with fresh perspectives to diving headfirst into groundbreaking horror with About a Place in the Kinki Region, Yen Press is catering to every corner of the community. The expansion into audiobooks, especially with a Mamoru Hosoda film tie-in, shows an exciting evolution. Whether you’re a romance fanatic, a horror hound, or just craving a new fantasy adventure, this diverse haul proves Yen Press is listening. Get ready to update those wishlists – our communities are buzzing, and so are we!