J-Novel Club has released the first titles under its JNC Knight imprint, marking the official launch of its Boys’ Love (BL) label announced in October 2024. The imprint, introduced at MCM Comic Con in London, was created to publish both BL manga and light novels, with early 2025 set as the original release window.
Romance Revived: An NPC Was the Final Boss’s Love by Haru Sakura and The Despicable Duke Settles His Affairs by Miori Kayamoto are the first two JNC Knight titles, and they are both one-shot light novels, now available in parts on the J-Novel Club platform.
Romance Revived: An NPC Was the Final Boss’s Love
By Haru Sakura | Illustrations by Mitsuya
死に戻ったモブはラスボスの最愛でした
Synopsis:
Kreis, the son of a powerful marquess, is actually a modern-day Japanese man who’s been reincarnated into the world of a BL novel… that he wrote! Unfortunately, his memories don’t return until after he’s been branded a villain, executed as a lackey of the final boss, and sent back in time to try his luck again.
Now that he has a second chance at life, Kreis swears revenge on the family that mistreated him and to take vengeance for the story’s stunningly beautiful final boss: King Siegfried. For some reason, Kreis is overwhelmed with a desire to protect him, no matter the cost. Kreis knows that all the main characters of the story, including his younger brother—the story’s original protagonist—will soon gather for his birthday party. With Siegfried’s support, will Kreis finally break free from the story’s predetermined path?
Parts 1 and 2 available now on J-Novel Club.
The Despicable Duke Settles His Affairs
By Miori Kayamoto | Illustrations by Karatsuyu
悪逆貴族の身辺整理
Synopsis:
After careful consideration and meticulous planning, Kashimiya Tsukasa makes the devastating decision to end his life to save his family. However, instead of the afterlife, his eyes snap open to scenes of torture and pain… all inflicted by his own hands?! When his head clears, he realizes that he’s been reincarnated into the world of his favorite novel—not as a hero, but as the sadistic Duke Heinreid von Rodvelia.
Haunted by the memories of the duke’s vile deeds, he vows to atone for the actions he himself didn’t take. But soon, his shift in personality arouses the suspicions of Craig Bauer, Heinreid’s personal knight and the one who he knows kills him in the original novel. Craig’s attention slips into obsession, and as his fate intertwines with Heinreid’s doomed destiny, the story of the novel begins to warp around them. Will Heinreid end up skewered down to the hilt of Craig’s sword, betrayed? Or can even the most despicable duke find a reason to keep living beyond the final page, newly reborn as someone kind and noble?
Parts 1 and 2 available now on J-Novel Club.
These releases are available to J-Novel Club subscribers, with early access to translated parts for premium members. eBooks will also be available for purchase on major platforms.
J-Novel Club, operated by M12 Media LLC (a Kadokawa group company) specializes in the English-language production of Japanese light novels and manga. Known for titles like Ascendance of a Bookworm and Slayers, the publisher offers digital-first releases closely aligned with Japanese publication schedules, including weekly chapter releases, eBooks, rentals, and audiobooks.
Source: Press Release
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