Sakura-Con ’24: Yen Press announces 11 new titles during panel

Yen Press decided to make an appearance at Sakura-Con in Seattle this weekend, and they brought with them a brand new batch of 11 license announcements for their fans and followers including 86 Alter, a new light novel for fan-favorite series, as well as the manhua based on the wildly popular “The Three-Body Problem”. It was an exciting event, so lets get in to all the announcements!

The Three-Body Problem

Original Story by Cixin Liu
Illustrated by XuDong Cai
Adapted by Jim Cai, Twilight Lu, and Silver

First up from Yen Press this weekend is the announcement of The Three-Body Problem manhua adaption of the award winning series by Cixin Liu which has sold three-million copies in North America. The popularity of the series has even led to the well-received Netflix original series, which debuted March 2024. Yen Press describes the series as follows:

“Amid China’s Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, a covert military project establishes
contact with Trisolaris, an alien planet on the brink of destruction. This sets into motion
the Trisolarans’ long and menacing journey to invade Earth. Meanwhile, a secret society
is formed by the world’s elite, broken into factions with differing motivations for aiding
in the Trisolaran invasion—from saving the lives of their descendants to accelerating
the destruction of humanity. Decades later, a group of scientists and a cunning
detective investigate a series of mysterious suicides, leading to the discovery of this
Earth-Trisolaran Organization. Humanity’s battle against its greatest threat has begun…”

86—EIGHTY-SIX Alter

Story by Asato Asato
Illustration by Shirabii

Fans of Asato Asato’s series, 86, are sure to be excited as Yen Press announced the license of a brand new collection of uncollected & unpublished short stories set in the world of 86. 

Shin, Lena, and their friends experience brief moments of peace and happiness while facing certain death, enjoying a short break, plunging into battle once again, and setting foot in
the frigid United Kingdom for the first time—sharing these moments with their comrades, friends, lovers, and family. Glimpse another side of 86—EIGHTY-SIX that will leave you wishing against all odds that more such instances will visit them again tomorrow.

Pink & Habanero

By Mika Satonaka

“When Mai, who has no experience talking to boys and even less with love, meets Kei Kurose when she starts high school, the wrong sort of sparks fly. Kei might be super good-looking—but he treats girls like trash. Mai has no patience for his rude attitude, but when she coincidentally discovers his secret part-time job, she might just have to learn to keep his trust?!”

Tougen Anki: Dark Demon of Paradise

By Yura Urushibara

Shiki Ichinose was born with the blood of an Oni, even though his father’s contains that of Momotarou. Normally, those in the Momotarou bloodline hunt the Oni—but Shiki’s father refused to kill him as an infant. Instead, he adopted Shiki and raised him despite the rebellious attitude and dangerous temper that come with Oni blood. When the Momotarou Agency turns on and kills Shiki’s father, Shiki vows to avenge him. But as he hones his abilities and learns to control his Oni blood, will he be strong enough to survive the dangers
waiting for him…?

When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine

By Kasai Fujii

When the crown prince announces he’s ending his engagement to his fiancée, Akuya, she wastes no time turning her seductive and passionate words to her actual target—Sei, a commoner… and the very girl the prince dumped Akuya for! Sei’s about to get a taste of what a real lover is like in this steamy tale of two girls who traded in their Prince Charming for each other!

Hero Syndrome

Story by Rei Ayatsuki
Illustration by riichu
Character Design by Gekidan Inu Curry (Doroinu)

Heroes bristle with the power that can protect and save everyone, while battling monsters in their dreams, doing their glorious Goddess’ bidding… never realizing that the monsters they are fighting are actually humans all along.

Infested by the mysterious being known simply as the Goddess and transformed into unthinking creatures of havoc and slaughter, these heroes of destruction wage an endless war of blind justice. Only Charon, an elite unit led by a young man known as Azuma, stands a chance against these terrifying enemies. So what might happen when a young scientist named Kaguya who joins their ranks wants to save the heroes rather than defeat them?

Even a Replica Can Fall in Love

Story by Harunadon
Illustration by raemz

“When she doesn’t feel well, when there’s a test, when she doesn’t want to go to school…I take her place. I’m her replica. I’m not meant for anything else. But that changed when I fell in love. I wear my hair up so the boy I fell for knows it’s me. We skip school and promise to meet again tomorrow–and every day after. I’m her replica. Everything about me is borrowed and empty, but my heart is mine.”

Victoria of Many Faces

Story by SYUU
Illustration by Nanna Fujimi

Chloe lives in a land where spies act everywhere behind the scenes. Here she spends her days successfully carrying out even the most difficult missions due to her unparalleled
martial arts skills and ability to blend into any scenario with her many disguises. After the betrayal of her boss, she suddenly disappears—as Chloe plans to redo her life as the ordinary citizen Victoria in the neighboring kingdom of Ashberry. What will happen when Victoria’s new peaceful life is abruptly cut short as she begins to get involved with many people.

In this new land, her experiences and abilities from her days as a spy come in far more useful than she ever expected! On the other hand, the second prince—and others—take an interest in Victoria’s strength, and the shadows close in on the woman with many faces…!

From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman: My Hotshot Disciples Are All
Grown Up Now, and They Won’t Leave Me Alone

Story by Shigeru Sagazaki
Character Design by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima
Art by Kazuki Sato

Beryl Gardinant lives in a remote village in the countryside where he meticulously runs a fencing dojo. One day, he’s visited by his former pupil Allusia, who thanks to Beryl’s training has become the kingdom knights’ commander. Beryl decides to follow her to the royal capital to become a special instructor for the knights. As he’s pulled into reunions with his accomplished and eager apprentices, what does fate have in store for Beryl?

Detroit: Become Human -Tokyo Stories-

By Quantic Dream

Based on the video game series—Detroit: Become Human—by Quantic Dream

“2038, Tokyo. Artificially intelligent androids have started production. Even smarter
and more beautiful than regular people, they steadily replace humans in various
roles. However, unlike in anti-android America, in Japan, the android idol Reina’s
wild popularity seems to herald a bright future for her kind. Though, amid this,
android “deviants” begin to appear, rejecting their duty for free will and real
emotions. With a human girl as a thread, these deviants begin to spin a revolution
in Japan.”

Spring Storm and Monster

By Mitsubachi Miyuki

High school freshman Ranko Haruno’s sole desire in life is to keep her head down and get by with as little human interaction as possible. It’s working well until a random guy is literally hurled into her path (and knocked out when his head hits the wall). The one responsible? A guy she later finds out is her new stepbrother, Kaya Amamine…How exactly is she supposed to live with such a creepy jerk who seemingly has a penchant for violence?!

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And that wraps up our coverage of Yen Press’ announcements from Sakura-Con ’24! What are your thoughts on the titles that got announced? As always you can feel free to leave comments and let us know.

If you want to catch up on past licensing announcements I’ve covered, as well as manga and game reviews, or manga related news, you can click here!