NEW LICENSE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Though the weather outside the Yen offices is gloomy, dark, and spooky on this Friday the 13^th, we have a feeling all you manga and light novel fans might just consider this your lucky day! We know you’ve all been waiting patiently for word on the Kingdom Hearts series, and we’re happy to finally announce the next volumes of KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS by Shiro Amano! Left alone to ponder the purpose of her existence and desperate for answers, Xion journeys alone to find out who—or what—she really is. But little do she, Roxas, and Axel know that her quest will lead to the close of one tale and the continuation of another… Find out how their story ends in the final two volumes of KH 358/2 Days due in late 2014! KINGDOM HEARTS II picks up where the previous volume left off with the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee having discovered something that could help everyone in their quest to save the worlds: Ansem’s computer. But Sora, Goofy, and Donald are in for a surprise when the computer pulls them inside of it! The next omnibus installment is also just around the corner in winter 2014! SECRET is the latest psychological thriller by Yoshiki Tonogai of Doubt and JUDGE fame. When six survivors of a tragic bus accident are called into a meeting by their school’s appointed therapist, the last thing they expect is to be told that there are murderers in their midst! With this declaration comes an ultimatum: the murderers must repent their crimes and find some way to answer for them within one week, or the evidence of their sins will be given to the police. Is this a twisted joke or a haunting reality? And just who can you trust when everyone has a secret? If you can’t wait for the first volume to come out in early 2015, be sure to check out the latest digital chapters every month simultaneously with Japan! Now onto the new stuff. ;)   AKAME GA KILL!, written by Takahiro and illustrated by Tetsuya Tashiro, follows teenage country-bumpkin Tatsumi, who dreams of earning enough money for his impoverished village by working in the Capital—but his short-lived plans go awry when he's robbed by a buxom beauty upon arrival! Penniless, Tatsumi is taken in by the beautiful and kindly Lady Aria, but just when his Capital dreams seem within reach once more, Lady Aria’s mansion is besieged by Night Raid—a team of ruthless assassins who target high-ranking members of the upper class! As Tatsumi is quick to learn, appearances can be deceiving in the Capital, and this team of assassins just might be…the good guys?! Expect the first volume out in early 2015! Though we’re certain this next title needs little introduction, SWORD ART ONLINE: PROGRESSIVE, written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec, is a retelling and expansion on the events that took place during Sword Art Online: Aincrad. Expect the light novel and the manga adaptation illustrated by Kiseki Himura in 2015! KAGEROU DAZE, written by Jin and illustrated by Shidu, joins Shintarou Kisaragi, a NEET—person “Not in Education, Employment, or Training”—who has refused to leave the comfort of his room for two whole years. But Shintarou’s easy and solitary life is about to take an unexpected turn when his computer crashes and he is forced to venture into the world he was happy to shut out forever…and stumbles into the middle of a hostage situation! Find out what the world has in store for Shintarou in the original light novel and the manga adaptation illustrated by Mahiro Satou in early 2015! Our last treat on the list is one that we’re absolutely thrilled to announce! ABSOLUTE SOLITUDE is the latest light novel series announced by Reki Kawahara, the acclaimed author of the Sword Art Online and Accel World series. With illustrations by Shimeji, the novel will publish for the first time in Japan in the very near future, and we could not be more excited to be bringing this one to you right from the jump!   We hope that was enough good luck to get you through the rest of the day! Happy Friday the 13^th!