Hello everyone, and welcome to another look at the light novel series making their debut, this time during the month of February 2021.
Wow, seems like January just disappeared. And where January was a pretty decent month with 5 new releases (1 was pushed back to this month), February is here to crush it beneath its boot with 9 new series, plus the 1 delayed from last month. So, a total of 10 new titles to jump on board with!
For fans of Slice of Life Rom-Com titles, this is probably the biggest single month for new titles since the current era of light novels began (that’s circa 2014!). And it’s all thanks to J-Novel Club who decides to drop 3 new SoL books this month! And that’s not including the period piece set in an alt-history China.
But have no fear Fantasy fans, whether you love isekai, otome worlds, urban fantasy, or just a little magic in our real world, J-Novel Club, Yen On, Cross Infinite World, and Seven Seas all have titles to scratch that itch!
And remember, I’m only covering titles that are making their first ever appearance. There are several other titles coming out this month for the first time in print. To see everything releasing during the month of February, check the Preorders page.
On February 1st, we have the first of J-Novel Club’s slice-of-life romcom titles. The twist this time is the two main characters already have a strong friendship! Will it stay that way? Can they be cute and flirty with each other without falling in love? Who knows?
She's the Cutest… But We're Just Friends!
Kai Nakamura has the average range of otaku hobbies for a high school boy, but the buddy he shares them with is far from ordinary… Kai's best friend in the whole world is Jun Miyakawa, his classmate known as a super hottie. Though Kai and Jun just met when they enrolled in high school, they hit it off with passion for all the same hobbies! When they're together, the pair never have enough hours in the day. Kai and Jun can't get enough of each other's company as they chat about video games and manga or sing anime songs at karaoke. Love is fleeting, but friendship is forever in this “just friends†rom-com filled with flirty fun!
She's the Cutest… But We're Just Friends! Volume 1 (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 1, 2021 -- ASIN: B08PKRT59P
On February 2nd we get the Yen On release of the popular Korean novel series. This one was supposed to release in January, but was delayed. It seems we are getting this in 8 volumes. This is was the format most recently released in Korea in a two-box set.
Solo Leveling
The weakest of the weak, E-class hunter Jinwoo Sung has no money, no talent, and no prospects to speak of. And when he enters a hidden dungeon that fateful day, he ends up being left to die in the aftermath of a horrendous tragedy. At death's door, Jinwoo is suddenly invited to be a “player†by a mysterious voice. Desperate to live, Jinwoo jumps at the chance…but what is this strange new leveling system that only he can see?
Solo Leveling Volume 1 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Book Depository -- Rightstuf -- BAM! -- Indigo
Releasing February 2, 2021 -- ISBN-13: 9781975319274
Next up is the first of two isekai series from J-Novel Club. This one sees our main character doing his best to avoid meeting a gruesome death in this new world of magic and monsters.
The Great Cleric: White Collar Survival in Another World!
One moment, a certain salaryman is on cloud nine, that promotion finally within his grasp, and the next, he's keeled over pain, and that was all she wrote. Luckily for him, fate had a bit more to say. A world of magic, monsters, and other such life-shortening entities await his newly reincarnated self for a second shot at life. With nothing but his past-life experiences and sharp business skills to guide him in the foreign lands of Galdardia, he takes up the name Luciel and vows that his (next) demise will be from naught but old age. And what better way to avoid a(nother) gruesome death, than by taking up a nice, cushy job as a healer? But getting by in another world doesn't come easy, or cheap. It'll take a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to hone the skills he needs to make his way. But make it he will…or die (again) trying!
The Great Cleric Volume 1 (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 2, 2021 -- ASIN: B08P4WW3P6
In the second of J-Novel’s romcom titles, we have a slightly taboo relationship. This author is apparently no stranger to age-gap romances. Although this is their first English release of their novels, English audiences might know one of their previous works, When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace which had an anime back in 2014.
Are You Okay With a Slightly Older Girlfriend?
First-year high school student Momota Kaoru just saved a beautiful high school girl, Orihara Hime, from a train molester. One thing leads to another, and they end up going on a date! They have a lot in common: they both love video games, they both jam to their favorite songs on mixtapes, they were even both born in the Year of the Snake. Except… Orihara's first game console used cartridges… and her old mixtapes are all on MiniDisc… and, oh, her birthday is actually 12 years before Momota's! When her secret comes out, she thinks it must all be over… but will Momota really let something like a little age gap get in the way of his love for Orihara? Find out if love really can transcend generations in this sugar-sweet romantic comedy!
Are You Okay With a Slightly Older Girlfriend? Volume 1 (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 7, 2021 -- ASIN: B08PKPCMG2
The third and final romcom being release by J-Novel Club this month seems to be on a role. An anime was just announced this past weekend and it was already set for a special edition with a drama CD. The artwork is handled by same artist as volumes 1-2 of There’s No Way a Side-Character Like Me Could be Popular, Right?
My Friend's Little Sister Has It In for Me!
If a girl teases you, that means she likes you! Unfortunately, Akiteru knows from experience that isn't the case. Because every girl he interacts with shows him nothing but scorn, and he's not scored a single date from it! Luckily, he's more concerned with securing a spot for him and his game-development buddies at his uncle's business. But when his uncle throws him a condition that involves playing the part of his daughter's boyfriend, Akiteru has no choice but to take it. What will his best friend's sister Iroha, who bullies him relentlessly, think of the news?
My Friend's Little Sister Has It In for Me! Volume 1 (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 10, 2021 -- ASIN: B08PJG9P42
Cross Infinite World’s release this month returns to the familiar territory of a character being reborn as a villainess in an otome game. The catch this time, though, is that not only does she have to avoid her own bad endings, but she can’t let the heroine achieve any of her own good endings because those could be even worse for the entire world!!
As The Villainess, I Reject These Happy-Bad Endings!
Iris has awoken as the villainess in the world of her favorite otome game. But not just ANY otome game--one with nothing but bittersweet “Happy-Bad” Endings! If the heroine hooks up with one of her problematic love interests, the rest of the world is doomed… but if she fails, it’s the villainess who will pay with her life!
Fortunately, Iris has time on her side. All she has to do is set things up so that the heroine won’t go down those routes! Be it curing a fatal disease or re-parenting her possessive twin brother, she’ll do whatever it takes to reject these Happy-Bad Endings!
As The Villainess, I Reject These Happy-Bad Endings! (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 12, 2021 -- ASIN: B08KVJRDZ4
Next up, we something different coming from J-Novel Club. It’s a mystery period piece. The series is set in a nation very evocative of ancient China with a clever girl finding herself in service in the royal palace where she needs to unravel mysteries and plots.
The Apothecary Diaries
In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her--until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.
Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort… so she can taste the lady's food for poison!
At her lady's side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace--not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?
The Apothecary Diaries Volume 1 (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 14, 2021 -- ASIN: B08P4ZFMCD
The sole new release from Seven Seas this month is an adaptation of a highly acclaimed anime film. The studio and director behind this original story were the same ones who did Devilman Crybaby among a host of others.
Ride Your Wave
The novel version of the acclaimed anime film about surfing, summer love, grief, and a hint of magic.
Carefree Hinako moves to a small seaside town to surf. When her new apartment catches fire, she's rescued by Minato, a gentle firefighter with a heart of gold. The two soon begin surfing together, and before they know it, they're falling in love. But their young romance comes to an abrupt halt when tragedy strikes. Now Hinako is determined to rescue Minato, just like he once saved her. A moving tale of love and yearning based on the award-winning anime.
Ride Your Wave (paperback)
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Book Depository -- Rightstuf
Releasing February 16, 2021 -- ISBN-13: 9781648271205
The final J-Novel Club release of the month is an isekai titles from the author of The Magic in This Other World is Too Far Behind.
The Magician Who Rose From Failure
The Raythefts are an old, minor noble house defined by magical talent and martial service. When six-year-old Arcus Raytheft, firstborn son to the family, proves disappointingly inept at magic, he is stripped of his inheritance and written off by his parents. His adoptive sister Lecia still adores him, but as the new heir, she is forbidden to interact with anyone who might drag her down.
But when one inheritance is lost, fate arranges another: Arcus remembers another life, in a world where science prevails and magic belongs to the realm of fiction. Suddenly endowed with the life experience of a grown man and pressed to find a purpose as his family turns against him, Arcus resolves to find a way to break the laws of magic and Raytheft tradition over his knee!
The Magician Who Rose From Failure Volume 1 (ebook)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 17, 2021 -- ASIN: B08P512313
The final series debut for the month of February comes from Tentai Books. This is a long running and popular series in Japan. It’s the longest series Tentai has committed to so far! It’s an isekai series where the main character wants to help others grow by teaching them.
World Teacher
Sirius is one of the best special agents that his generation has ever seen, but he gets KIA in an effort to save his colleagues. Fortunately for him, he gets reincarnated after his death, and now he's a young boy in a completely different world!One of Sirius' unfulfilled tasks in his previous life was to pass on his knowledge and experience to a student, someone who could continue his legacy. Still wanting to fulfill this dream of his, he sets out to meet those who he will deem as pupils in this new world he's been reincarnated into!And thus the story of Sirius, the best special agent that has ever lived, and his quest to become someone else's mentor and role model begins!“If you have nothing to lose, follow me! I will teach you how to live in this world!â€
World Teacher Volume 1 (ebook)(Print releases March 17, 2021)
Amazon -- iBook -- Kobo -- Google Play -- Bookwalker
Released February 19, 2021 -- ASIN:
So those are all the light novel series making their debut during the month of February! What’s on your must-buy list?