LightNovel.org

The Japanese publishing company PHP Institute (PHP Kenkyuujo) will start a new light novel label that's titled "Smash Bunko" (スマッシュ文庫). Its described as a super light new dimension light novel label that's loaded with illustrations.

The label is scheduled to start on March 9th, 2010 with the release of the following three light novel titles:

Shiken ni Deru Dragon Taiji

• Author: Hiyoshi Akira
• Illustrator: Akayama Toshifumi

Hakouji Neruno to Daten Ressha Jiken

• Author: Kido Minori
• Illustrator: Yamamoto Keiji

Oshiete! Mermaid

• Author: Mikazuki Kougetsu
• Illustrator: Usatsuka Eiji

Source: Ranobe no Mori

Ryou Mizuno, the author of the light novel series' Record of Lodoss War (Lodoss Tousenki) and Rune Soldier (Mahou Senshi Louie), will have the first volume of a new light novel series published on September 1st, 2009. The light novel series is titled Blade Line (ブレイドライン) which is authored by Ryou Mizuno, and illustrated by Tsuyuki.

The light novel series will be published by Kadokawa Shoten under their light novel label Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko.

A promotional video for the first Blade Line light novel volume can be watched here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZZTThkeCes

A commercial for Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko's new publications for September 2009 can be watched here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHYXXtWgY_8

So, it hit me sometime last week that there wasn't a single blog dedicated to Light Novels. Sure there are thousands of blogs for Anime and Manga, but not one single blog for Light Novel fans. I mean, yes, the occasional blog would do a side article on light novels, or have a section, but not a single one was DEDICATED to light novels.

That is....until now.

I have launched "The Ranobe Cafe" (cathy, no? lol). The first of its kind English Light Novel blog.

My goal is to unite the Light Novel fanbase under it and to update it with new material everyday.

News, Reviews, and Views, that's what we'll give you.

So come on by, bookmark the blog, and leave comments regularly.

http://www.ranobecafe.wordpress.com

Tell anybody you know who likes light novels to come and visit regularly. New stuff will be added daily, or at least attempted to, and I will do my best to give what you have sorely been lacking.

I cover the news you need (such as if a novel is being delayed, or out of print, or canceled), and the stories that just cause you to twitch (such as Tokyopop's light novels selling as high as $196!)

So check us out, you're sure to stay and come again and again.

-Matt ^_^

Hobby Japan has opened special pages for two new light novel series:

- Sakura no Shita de Aimashou (meet under the cherry blossom) by Kuon Kudoo (author) and Yuki Takahata (illustrator).

- Kuusou/Novelism by Miyako Fujiharu (author) and Pan (illustrator).

The first volumes of both light novel series will be released on August 1st, 2009 under Hobby Japan's light novel label HJ Bunko.

The Japanese publisher Take Shobo started the light novel label "BZ Novels" (BZノベルス) on July 17th, 2009, with the publication of the Seeder☆Luck! light novel by Koganemaru Yamato (author) and Tanahashi Namoshiro (illustrator).

VIZ Media's new science fiction imprint Haikasoru has debuted on July 9th with the release of Hiroshi Sakurazaka's "ALL YOU NEED IS KILL", and Issui Ogawa's "THE LORD OF THE SANDS OF TIME".

Many people confuse Haikasoru's novels as being light novels. Our staff member Matthew Reeves has answered the reason for that and other questions in Haikasoru blog's Haikasoru vs. Light Novels article.

Square Enix will be starting a new light novel label that's titled "GanGan Novels" (ガンガンノベルズ). Light novels serialized online on Square Enix's free web magazine GanGan Online will be published under this new label, and not under Square Enix's other light novel label "Square Enix Novels".

The "GanGan Novels" label will start on July 22nd, 2009 with the release of the following two light novels:

Ketsuraku Fetishism
Author: Ism Hino
Illustrator: Sadoru Chiba

Stand by me,Stand by you.
Author: Go
Illustrator: Tatsukichi

Source: GanGan Online

According to raiL-soft's homepage (the homepage for BusinessPartner's adult game brand "raiL-soft") a new novel brand has been announced that's titled "Rail Bunko" (レイル文庫). The first novel to be published under this new novel brand is titled "Bengarachou Hakubutsushi" which is based on raiL-soft's upcoming adult visual novel by the same name that's due to be released on July 24th, 2009.

The novel will be distributed free of charge at Japanese stores nationwide. The schedule of the distribution (which stores, which dates and times) can be seen at this link.

The author of the light novel series Ookami to Koushinryou (Spice and Wolf) Hasekura Isuna will be working on a manga series that's titled "Billionaire Girl" (ビリオネアガール). The manga will be drawn by Katsura Asuka, the mangaka of Weekly ASCII's HoneyComb manga, and will start serialization in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine good! Afternoon starting from its next issue, which is scheduled to be released on September 7th, 2009.

Source: Ki ga Muitara no Light Novel Shuuhou

Volume 12 of Ikaros Shobo's bishoujo military manga magazine MC☆Axis (released on March 21st, 2009), announces the start of a new novel label titled AXIS LABEL (あくしずレーベル). The label makes the "girl and military" its theme.

The label starts with the release of the following novel in June:

- Koutetsu no Anabasis Shinigami to Yoba-reta Shoujo
Author: Uchida Hiroki
Illustrator: Fujisawa Takashi

Note: according to Amazon Japan its release date is July 1st, 2009.

Source: MC☆Axis Official Blog