Yen Press has announced four new acquisitions ahead of its Industry Panel at Anime NYC 2026, expanding both its Yen Audio and Yen Press imprints with fantasy, manga, and romance titles. The newly revealed additions include an audiobook adaptation of Mamoru Hosoda’s The Boy and the Beast, alongside Rise of the Lowborn: Ascending the Ranks by Crushing Incompetent Nobles, The Goblin Samurai, and My Crush’s Crush.
The announcements were shared on August 21 as a preview of the publisher’s Anime NYC presence. Yen Press will reveal more details during its Industry Panel on Saturday, August 22. The four acquisitions offer a varied mix of stories, ranging from a beloved fantasy tale and military isekai to a wandering swordsman adventure and a romantic comedy built around an increasingly complicated chain of crushes.
The Boy and the Beast Joins Yen Audio
The biggest announcement for longtime anime fans is the audiobook adaptation of The Boy and the Beast by Mamoru Hosoda, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Wolf Children, Belle, and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
The story follows Ren, a grieving boy who slips into Jutengai, a parallel world inhabited by beasts. There, he takes the name Kyuta and becomes the apprentice of Kumatetsu, a powerful but troubled bear warrior. Their unlikely relationship gradually develops as both mentor and student learn from one another while a threat begins to place both worlds in danger.
The new Yen Audio adaptation will give readers another way to experience the story behind Hosoda’s celebrated film. The original movie was written and directed by Hosoda and produced by Studio Chizu, making the new adaptation a notable addition to Yen Audio’s growing collection of Japanese literature and related works.
Fantasy and Manga Join the Yen Press Lineup
Yen Audio will also release Rise of the Lowborn: Ascending the Ranks by Crushing Incompetent Nobles by Kosaka Hanane, with illustrations by Kurogiri. The fantasy story centers on Hazen Heim, an imperial military officer born without the advantages of wealth or family influence.
Rather than receiving an easy position, Hazen is sent to the front lines, where he must deal with corrupt superiors and incompetent leaders. Fortunately, he carries the experience of his previous life as a legendary mage and is ready to use his knowledge against those who abuse their power.
Meanwhile, Yen Press will publish The Goblin Samurai by kikurage. The manga follows a mysterious goblin swordsman who lacks magical ability and comes from a low-ranking tribe but possesses extraordinary swordsmanship.
The final acquisition is My Crush’s Crush by Sekina Aoi and Ryo Tsuzura. The romantic comedy begins after Sora Akizuki confesses his feelings to Miya Fuwa, only to learn that she likes Asahi Suzukaze. However, Sora soon discovers that Asahi also has feelings for someone else, creating an increasingly complicated web of unrequited love.
With more announcements expected at Anime NYC, Yen Press is using the event to highlight another expansion across its manga, novel, and audiobook catalog.
