“Isekai Rebuilding Project” fantasy novel by the Hokkaido-based writer Yukika Minamino, is now available to English-reading audiences through a website run by an American digital publisher of Japanese novels aimed at teenagers and young adults.
The addition of Minamino’s work, released on November 17, and four other fantasy novels to J-Novel Club’s offering is in response to the growing popularity of anime and light novels— illustrated novels targeting young readers — among American youths.
In the US, increasing attention is being paid to the term “isekai” — meaning “another world” — amid the growing popularity of the manga and light novel genre, which involves the main character being transported to another world.
J-Novel Club was launched in Texas in 2016 by Samuel Pinansky, an expert on Japanese subculture, who wanted to translate the latest Japanese light novels into English.
The novels are published on the website as a series of chapters, and the first few chapters can be viewed free of charge.
After releasing the rest of the chapters to regular subscribers, the publisher sells the publications via digital bookstores.
So far, the company has published about 70 light novels, but decided to reach out to adult fantasy novel enthusiasts as well.
In November, J-Novel Club acquired licenses for the Legend Novels series released by Japan’s major publishing house Kodansha Ltd.
Under the agreement, Pinansky’s company plans to publish five works, including Minamino’s work, out of more than 50 books published under the label.
Source: Japan Times
