Yen Press has announced audiobook adaptations of four of its current licenses, as well as 14 brand new licenses slated for release this summer.
Audiobooks for Dark Souls: Masque of Vindication, Blade & Bastard, The Holy Grail of Eris, and Whoever Steals This Book will be available in August. The publisher will announce voice casts for each in the months to come. New licenses, also debuting in August, include two novels, one Korean manhwa, and 11 manga.
Here are the details.
Dark Souls: Masque of Vindication
By Michael A. Stackpole
A nameless undead awakens in an ancient crypt, and thus does the journey begin. Drawn mysteriously toward the horizon, he ventures into a land of perils beyond death. A once shining kingdom has been fractured, and mindless Hollows prowl the dark corners. To see it united and restored, the old king must be freed by his get—the youth Balarion.
The undead and his companions, surviving champions of the halcyon era, accompany Balarion on this journey to release his father, battling foes both monstrous and clever. Yet it is not their enemies that give them doubt—it is their quest. Can a world so troubled truly be set right again, or is it fated to vanish into the dark?
Blade & Bastard
By Kumo Kagyu
Deep in the unexplored reaches of the dungeon, a corpse is discovered—one that shouldn’t exist. After Iarumas is resurrected, his memories of life before death are gone, and he spends his days delving into the dungeon to retrieve the bodies of dead adventurers. Can they be revived as well? Or will God reduce them to piles of ash on the altar? Either way, Iarumas collects his finder’s fee. And though his skills earn him some grudging respect, he’s also scorned for this cold, utilitarian attitude.
The living keep their distance—Iarumas consorts primarily with the dead. That is, until he meets Garbage, a feral young swordswoman who’s the sole survivor of a massacred party. With Garbage by his side, Iarumas ventures deeper, scouring the dungeon for clues to his past, avoiding monsters, traps, and the inevitability of a permanent ashen demise.
The Holy Grail of Eris
By Kujira Tokiwa
Never neglect to read the fine print
As a viscount’s daughter, Constance Grail is an ordinary girl whose only notable trait is sincerity, leaving her with no real options when someone steals her fiancé and falsely accuses her of petty theft at a ball. While Connie awaits her undeserved punishment, a ghost appears to offer a bargain. The spirit is none other than Scarlett Castiel, a noblewoman once praised for her beauty, lineage, and undeniable charisma—and executed some ten years earlier for her wicked deeds.
When Connie accepts this proposal, she is possessed by the infamous spirit who instantly turns the tide on her tormenter, thus saving the hapless girl from her miserable fate. It’s never wise striking a deal without knowing exactly what you’ve committed to, though…or you might find yourself bound to a ghost dead set on revenge against her own enemies!
Whoever Steals This Book
By Nowaki Fukamidori
Mifuyu is a high school student living with a large collection of books left by her great-grandfather—the vast library known as Mikura Hall. Although her father is the current caretaker, Mifuyu herself doesn’t share her family’s passion for literature. But when several books are stolen from the library, triggering an ancient curse, the town is transformed according to the various stories—and the only way to put things right is for Mifuyu to catch the thief.
With the help of a mysterious girl named Mashiro, Mifuyu sets out on an adventure through the different story worlds!
Scarlet
By Mamoru Hosoda
Princess Scarlet’s life in the royal palace is turned on its head when her uncle Claudius usurps the throne and executes the king. Forever changed, she vows to take revenge on her father’s enemies—but she fails. When she next opens her eyes, she finds herself in the land of the dead. It is a world of madness where fallen soldiers from across time cause mayhem day in and day out, a wasteland where the injured or weak cease to exist.
In this place where hopelessness seems inevitable, Scarlet crosses paths with a man named Hijiri, a registered nurse from present-day Japan. Together they set out on a journey to ensure that her enemies never find salvation.
My Yandere Girlfriend Hiding in the Dungeon Kills Me Over and Over Again (Light Novel)
By Nikita Kitagawa
Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Kiska is warped to the deepest level of the dungeon, a death sentence for a non-adventurer with no abilities. But just as he’s preparing to die, a mysterious voice grants him the skill “Save & Reset,” allowing him to rewind time. This blessing is only the beginning of a new hell, however. The true powerhouses of this dungeon are a pack of beautiful girls out to destroy him, and unless Kiska can use his infinite tries to charm them, he’ll be stuck in the abyss forever.
What Does the Fox Say? Vol. 1 (Manhwa)
By Team Gaji
Sungji is entering the corporate world, the newest hire of a game development studio. Young and beautiful, Sungji quickly draws the attention of her coworkers…but she only has eyes for her aloof team leader, Sumin. Unfortunately, the older woman is tied up by her ex, the company president, Seju, who has one thing Sungji severely lacks—experience in love and lust. And so a love triangle ensues, following Sungji’s present pursuit of Sumin and Seju’s tumultuous relationship with her in the past…
Clevatess: The King of Dark Beasts, the Baby, and the Undead Hero, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Yuji Iwahara
The hero was slain, the king was felled, and the child of fate was seized. Clevatess, a lord of dark beasts blessed with both peerless strength and superhuman intellect, raged at the thirteen heroes who felled him and vowed to wipe humanity out…Instead, he has found himself saddled with a terrible burden: a newborn human baby. Is this an omen of the end times or the birth of a new era?!
Elden Ring: Distant Dales Between, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Haruichi
Original story by FromSoftware, Inc.
These are the tales of the other inhabitants of the Lands Between. What if Roderika were to befriend the rest of the Roundtable Hold…? What if the Blackguard went in search of a new delicacy other than prawns…?
What if one were to catch a glimpse of Rya’s youth…?
The lives of those in the Lands Between, and the many possibilities and the differing worlds that unfolded for them in the distant past, are written here.
The Demon Bride: “I Love You” Are Frightening Words, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Toshiko Machida
Original story by Risako Natade
“You killed Chikage!”—is the last thing university student Ako expected to hear at her childhood friend’s funeral. She’s told that by sharing the accursed legend from her village about the “Demon,” she has brought about a curse. That must be a lie…but then why is Chikage’s corpse all unnaturally mangled? And when one tragedy after another occurs, each more supernatural than the last, Ako is physically and mentally pushed to the brink.
Is this truly an unfortunate series of events, or is there something else at play…?
Hand in Hand with Mu-Chan: Lessons from My Autistic Daughter (Manga)
By Rin Minato
When a couple full of excitement learns their daughter might be autistic, some of their feelings start to change. Even if they know all this means is that she’ll develop differently than other children, it’s not easy to watch the future and family they’d envisioned crumble. But in this story based on the author’s real-life experiences raising an autistic child, family love can overcome anything!
Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By BanzaiKotobukiDaienkai
Original story by Yushi Ukai
Art by necometal
Player Name: Yuki. Age: 17. Occupation: Death games. She has entered a genuine life-or-death show business where all the participants have to be female and where one must put their life at stake to strike it rich. Show no mercy, strut your stuff, and break the line between life and death! Aim for an unprecedented 99-win streak—for fun and for keeps!
Girls’ Last Tour Collector’s Edition (Manga)
By Tsukumizu
Civilization is dead, but not Chito and Yuuri. Time to hop aboard their beloved Kettenkrad motorbike and wander what’s left of the world! Sharing a can of soup or scouting for spare parts might not be the experience they were hoping for, but all in all, life isn’t too bad…The hit comfy/existential post-apocalypse manga is now being released in a deluxe omnibus edition!
The Blood-Crawling Princess of a Ruined Country, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Yuki Azuma
Princess Evita lives a modest and happy life in a small country. But when the neighboring country attacks, the kingdom’s land is taken, her family is mercilessly killed, and Evita is forced into prostitution. Going by the name “Priscilla,” she prostrates herself one day before the feudal lord’s third son, when the knell of rebellion sounds out…
Then Shall I Kill in Your Stead? Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Yukiaki Kurando
Art by Sousou Sakakibara
High school student Yuuma Fujikura resides in a living hell, courtesy of the vicious bullies who treat tormenting him as a game. That is, until he meets Ryou Amezato, a mysterious classmate who’ll risk everything to protect Yuuma. Ryou is bold, cunning, and loyal, just about everything Yuuma could’ve asked for. But is he a guardian angel? Or a demon who’ll drag Yuuma into an even deeper, bloodier hell…?
Don’t Confuse Me, Yamori-kun, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Shina Inoguchi
Over summer break, Mori has decided to change his look along with Yamori, the guy who sits behind him in class. Their seasonal debut is a success…but why is Yamori now in girl’s clothing? And suddenly he’s acting strangely and making suggestive comments…?!
Deep-Sea Aquarium Magmell, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Kiyomi Sugishita
The deep sea is home to some of the most fantastic creatures the world has ever seen. And 200 meters below Tokyo Bay at the Magmell Deep Sea Aquarium, they’re on display for all to see—Kotaro’s idea of heaven. He’s a shy boy, but Kotaro loves sea creatures and just landed a part-time job cleaning the aquarium. Follow Kotaro, his new boss, and all their deep-sea friends as a heartwarming coming-of-age story unfolds.
Golden Man, Vol. 1 (Manga)
By Koji Megumi
Original story by Petos
Golden Man, the great hero who protected Neo York, has suddenly vanished from the city of freedom! At the scene of his disappearance, an abnormally strong young man with amnesia has collapsed. In their hero’s absence, Golden Man’s support team sends the young man out in his place to confront the villains that menace the city. However, this man has a secret, and it might just threaten the peace of Neo York…!!
Source: Yen Press
