At Anime Expo 2017, Seven Seas made the following light novel announcements:
Toradora! by Yuyuko Takemiya (with art by Yasu) has been licensed for English release, beginning in 2018. The ten-volume series released in Japan from 2006 to 2009, and had a popular anime adaptation in Fall 2008/Winter 2009. Seven Seas has already published in English the seven volumes out for the manga adaptation.
Synopsis: The story centers on high school protagonists Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka. Ryuji looks like a delinquent but is actually a decent person, while Taiga is infamous throughout school as the “palmtop tiger,” a rich girl who is confrontational about her height. Ryuji has a crush on Taiga’s friend, while Taiga has a crush on Ryuji’s friend. When Ryuji accidentally uncovers Taiga’s secret, they resolve to set the other up with each other’s friend.Â
Seven Seas will also be releasing print editions of two more J-Novel Club light novel series:
- Clockwork Planet — first volume to release February 2018
- Arifureta – From Commonplace to World’s Strongest — first volume to release March 2018
You can read these series digitally right now via J-Novel Club’s website. Ebooks for the first volume of Clockwork Planet will release on August 10th, while Arifureta will have its second volume release on July 21st.
Note: Seven Seas is already releasing print editions for J-Novel Club’s translations of Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash and Occultic;Nine.
Seven Seas also announced that their old light novel releases for the Boogiepop series will be getting ebook releases some time in the future. This includes volumes 1 to 3 as well as the prequel novel Boogiepop Doesn’t Laugh.
All in all I found these announcements to be pretty pleasant surprises! It’s great to see some of the older light novel series getting some love. And just in general, it’s great to see Seven Seas making a light novel comeback.