Sol Press
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing, Localization |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Michael Valdez |
| Defunct | October 2021 |
| Headquarters | Orange County, California , United States |
| Products | Japanese visual novels, light novels, manga |
Sol Press was a U.S.-based publisher focused on the localization of Japanese visual novels, light novels, and manga. Established in 2017 by Michael Valdez and headquartered in Orange County, California, the company discontinued its activities in October 2021 following issues related to unpaid taxes.
The company secured licenses for ten visual novels, nine light novels, and six manga series, distributing them primarily through Steam and Kadokawa's BookWalker platform.
History
Michael Valdez founded Sol Press in February 2017 with the objective of enhancing both the speed and quality of localization services beyond what existing firms offered. Valdez emphasized providing free adult content patches rather than imposing additional charges on customers, addressing frequent criticisms within the industry. Although Steam versions were subject to censorship, free patches restoring the original adult content were made available externally.
In September 2017, Sol Press initiated a Kickstarter campaign to fund the localization of Haikuo Soft’s Sakura Sakura, successfully reaching its goal within a month. The game was subsequently released on Steam in November 2018. Another visual novel from Haikuo Soft, Yotsunoha, launched through Sol Press’ own storefront in July 2019 after being rejected by Steam.
Collaborating with MiKandi Japan, Sol Press ran a Kickstarter in December 2017 for the visual novel Newton and the Apple Tree, achieving its $31,200 funding target in just three days. The title was released in August 2018. Later that year, Sol Press also localized and published DareSora: Tears for an Unknown Sky.
In April 2018, the company expanded into light novel publishing by licensing works such as Strongest Gamer – Let's Play in Another World and Battle Divas – The Incorruptible Battle Blossom Princess, both released digitally that same month. At Kumoricon 2018, Sol Press unveiled Project Hyourin, a digital distribution platform for their licensed content, and announced a partnership with Japanese publisher Entergram to bring visual novels to North American gaming consoles.
By May 2019, Sol Press had formed a collaboration with Kadokawa Corporation to distribute light novels and manga via BookWalker Global.
Due to non-compliance with tax obligations, Sol Press was forfeited by the California Franchise Tax Board in October 2021. Following this, BookWalker removed all titles licensed by Sol Press in February 2022 at the request of the original Japanese rights holders.
Visual novels
| Title | Developer | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Newton and the Apple Tree | Laplacian | August 15, 2018 |
| DareSora: Tears for an Unknown Sky | Anagram | August 31, 2018 |
| Sakura Sakura | Haikuo Soft | November 19, 2018 |
| Under One Wing | Harmorise | February 28, 2019 |
| Yotsunoha | Haikuo Soft | July 13, 2019 |
| Onii-Kiss: Onii-Chan Where Is My Kiss? | Tinkle Position | September 24, 2019 |
| My Fair Princess | PeasSoft | November 8, 2019 |
| Choose Your Mistress | PeasSoft | N/A |
| Love Among the Sunflowers | More | N/A |
| Irotoridori no Sekai | Favorite | N/A |
Light novels
| Title | Author | Illustrator | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Divas Vol. 1: The Incorruptible Battle Blossom Princess | Kouka Kishine | Nekonabeao | April 30, 2018 |
| Strongest Gamer: Let's Play in Another World Vol. 1 | Yuki Shinobu | Itsuwa Katou | April 30, 2018 |
| Battle Divas Vol. 2: The Unshakable Winter Blossom Princess | Kouka Kishine | Nekonabeao | April 12, 2019 |
| Strongest Gamer: Let’s Play in Another World Vol. 2 | Yuki Shinobu | Itsuwa Katou | April 12, 2019 |
| Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol. 1 | Hayaken | Hika Akita | April 26, 2019 |
| Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 1 | FUNA | Touzai | April 26, 2019 |
| Battle Divas Vol. 3: The Unyielding Twin Blossom Princess | Kouka Kishine | Nekonabeao | May 17, 2019 |
| Why Shouldn't a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 1 | Nekomata Nuko | Teffish | September 20, 2019 |
| Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 1 | Riku Misora | Won | November 16, 2019 |
| 'Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 2' | Riku Misora | Won | November 16, 2019 |
| 'Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 3' | Riku Misora | Won | November 16, 2019 |
| 'Why Shouldn’t a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 2' | Nekomata Nuko | Teffish | May 1, 2020 |
| 'Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol.2' | Hayaken | Hika Akita | June15,2020 |
| 'Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol.4' | Riku Misora | Won | July6,2020 |
| 'Why Shouldn’t a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol.3' | Nekomata Nuko | Teffish | July20,2020 |
| 'Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol.3' | Hayaken | Hika Akita | August17,2020 |
| 'Saving80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol.2' | FUNA | Touzai | December14,2020 |
| 'Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol.5' | Riku Misora | Won | December28,2020 |
| 'I Surrendered My Sword for a New Life Vol.1' | Shin Kouduki | Necömi | December28,2020 |
| ' Let This Grieving Soul Retire! Woe is the Weakling Who Leads the Strongest Party Vol.1' | Tsukikage | Chyko | December28,2020 |
| 'The Game Master has Logged In to Another World Vol.1' | Akatsuki | Merontomari/Yuui | December28,2020 |
Manga
| Title | Author | Manga Illustrator | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harem Royale ~When the Game Ends~ Vol. 1 | Ryukishi07 | Yukari Higa | January 7, 2019 |
| Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 1 | FUNA | Keisuke Motoe | January 7, 2019 |
| How to Treat a Lady Knight Right Vol. 1 | Kengo Matsumoto | Not applicable | July 6, 2019 |
| The Ride-On King Vol. 1 | Yasushi Baba | Not applicable | July 6, 2019 |
| Harem Royale ~When the Game Ends~ Vol. 2 | Ryukishi07 | Yukari Higa | December 16, 2020 |
| Is the Order a Rabbit? Vol. 1 | Koi | Not applicable | December 16, 2020 |
| Blend S Vol. 1 | Miyuki Nakayama | Not applicable | December 23, 2020 |
