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Yen Press

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Yen Press
Company typeJoint venture
IndustryPublishing
Founded2006; 20 years ago (2006)
FounderKurt Hassler, Rich Johnson
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsManga, graphic novels, light novels
OwnerKadokawa Corporation (51%), Hachette Book Group (49%)
Websiteyenpress.com

Yen Press is a manga, graphic novel, and light novel publisher based in the United States, jointly owned by Kadokawa Corporation (holding 51%) and Hachette Book Group (with 49%). From 2008 until 2013, it issued the monthly comic anthology Yen Plus. In addition to translating existing works, Yen Press also develops original series such as Svetlana Chmakova's Nightschool and a manga version of James Patterson's Maximum Ride.

History

Established in 2006 by Kurt Hassler, formerly a buyer at Borders, alongside Rich Johnson, then Vice President at DC Comics, Yen Press expanded its catalog in 2007 by acquiring Korean publisher ICEkunion. This acquisition integrated ICEkunion’s manhwa titles into Yen Press’s lineup, enhancing its presence in the market.

The debut issue of Yen Plus was released on July 29, 2008. The publication shifted to an online-only format in 2010 before discontinuing entirely in 2013. In 2009, Yen Press obtained licenses for acclaimed series such as Kiyohiko Azuma's Yotsuba&! and Azumanga Daioh, reissuing them with refreshed translations to improve their offerings.

On April 11, 2016, Yen Press transitioned into a joint venture with Kadokawa taking a majority ownership of 51%, partnering with Hachette Book Group to enhance its global reach and leadership within the manga publishing sector.

In 2017, the company introduced the JY imprint aimed at middle-grade audiences, expanding its portfolio to include children’s graphic novels. Further broadening its influence, Yen Press launched Ize Press in April 2022 to focus on Korean webtoons and novels through collaborations with REDICE Studio and RIVERSE. This imprint includes titles associated with prominent entertainment entities like HYBE and BTS, featuring works such as 7Fates: Chakho, Dark Moon, and The Star Seekers, thereby strengthening its position in digital content markets.

At Anime NYC 2022, Yen Press formed a partnership with J-Novel Club to print their publications, extending its subsidiaries and distribution capabilities. In June 2023, the publisher began licensing novels from Kadokawa's Tsukasa Bunko imprint for its JY line, further fueling growth via strategic licensing agreements.

Titles

* - Released under the JY imprint + - Serialized within Yen Plus † - Digital rights only; paperback rights for Square Enix titles are held by Viz Media. 

- Published under the Ize Press imprint

Original series

Manga

[1]

Yen Press's manga lineup features titles such as The 13th Footprint and The 31st Consort. Their collection also includes 86 along with its spin-off, as well as ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. and its P.S. edition. Other notable series are Accel World, Adachi and Shimamura, and Adult's Picture Book. The catalog further contains After We Gazed at the Starry Sky, After-School Bitchcraft, and After-school Hanako-kun. Popular works like Akame ga Kill! and its prequel Zero are also part of the offerings.

Additional titles include Ako and Bambi, The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life, and Aldnoah.Zero Season One. The selection boasts Alice in Murderland, Alice in the Country of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit, All or Nothing, and Almark. Among their diverse range is also Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian.

The extensive catalog further encompasses numerous acclaimed series such as Angels of Death, Anne Happy, Another (novel), Aphorism, Appare-Ranman!, among others.

Yen Press’s comprehensive manga portfolio includes fan-favorites like Black Butler, Bamboo Blade, Banished from the Hero's Party, Battle Royale, Baccano!, Bungo Stray Dogs, Captivated, by You, Chaika - The Coffin Princess, Chained Soldier, Chio's School Road, Corpse Party, Darker than Black, Days with My Stepsister, Dead Mount Death Play, Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody, Delicious in Dungeon, Demon Lord 2099, Dimension W, Dive!!, Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?, Durarara!!, Erased (manga), Fruits Basket, and the renowned Fullmetal Alchemist†. Other significant titles include Goblin Slayer, Golden Kamuy, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, Higurashi When They Cry+, Horimiya, Isekai Samurai, K-On!+, Kemono Friends, and Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler among many others.


Manhwa

[2]

Ize Press, Yen’s imprint for manhwa, highlights key series such as 7Fates: Chakho. Their portfolio includes popular works like 11th Cat, 13th Boy, and The Abandoned Empress. Critically praised titles encompass award-winning series such as Beware the Villainess! and the highly regarded The Boxer.

Other prominent manhwa within their offerings are A Business Proposal, Finding Camellia, and the hit series Itaewon Class. Ongoing successes include Solo Leveling alongside recent popular releases like The Remarried Empress.

Further selections feature titles such as Overgeared, See You in My 19th Life, ‘‘Tomb Raider King’’, ‘‘Unholy Blood’’, plus beloved romance stories including ‘‘What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?’’ and ‘‘Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion’’. This varied assortment significantly enhances Yen Press’s position in the worldwide manhwa market.


Manhua

Among their Chinese-language offerings are notable titles including:

  • ‘’An Ideal World’’
  • ‘’The History of The West Wing’’
  • ‘’Step’’
  • ‘’The Three-Body Problem’’

These manhua series contribute to expanding Yen Press’s presence in Asian markets while complementing their extensive global reach.

Novels and Light Novels

[3]

European Publications

A selection of region-specific titles includes:

  • Dystopia (Germany)
  • Goldilocks and the Seven Squat Bears (France)
  • Never Open It: The Taboo Trilogy (Spain)
  • Toxic Planet (France)
  • W.I.T.C.H. (Italy)

These translated versions contribute to strengthening Yen Press’s presence and appeal within European markets.

External links

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