On Friday afternoon of Anime Expo, J-Novel Membership introduced the winners of its first JNC Unique Mild Novel Competitors. First introduced at Anime Expo 2023, the competitors aimed to offer English-language writers an opportunity to compete by submitting their unique gentle novels and the most effective ones that made it might be thought-about for future publication.
One Grand Prize, three First Prizes, 4 runner-up prizes, and one BOOK☆WALKER Prize profitable works have been chosen from over 450 novels submitted.
All prizes embrace financial awards, in addition to future publication by J-Novel Membership. Moreover, the BOOK☆WALKER Prize profitable work will get particular promotion and an unique gross sales window on BOOK☆WALKER. The Grand Prize work is not going to solely be printed by J-Novel Membership, but in addition translated into Japanese and printed by KADOKAWA, paving the best way for a doable manga adaptation sooner or later.
J-Novel Membership has additionally introduced that it’s going to holding one other competitors this 12 months, with particulars on submission being revealed within the close to future. Free previews of all 20 finalists can even be out there to learn totally free on J-Novel Membership’s web site. The slate of profitable titles and authors is featured under.
Grand Prize Winner:
ATLAS: Her, the Combatant, and Him, the Hero
By John W. Rohman
Story Abstract:
When “Hero” is simply one other job, who fights for many who can’t pay up? For these of the Substrata, born beneath the discover of the well-to-do, there’s just one place that’s all the time hiring. Welcome to Secret Society ATLAS, Combatants. Strive to not die.
JNC Choose’s Remark:
ATLAS is a superb instance of a piece that each stunned and wowed all of us at JNC.
Eschewing the widespread fantasy, overpowered setting for an actual sci-fi feeling mega-corporation far future, with superior mecha (exo-suit) battles in opposition to sentai-esque “heros”, all wrapped up in a relatable story about combating prejudice and simply making an attempt to make ends meet, gave us a recent feeling whereas nonetheless undoubtedly a “gentle novel” by means of and thru. Any entry with a Guts-sized greatsword… ahem, chainsaw sword, goes to the highest of the pile and this one stayed there your complete competitors.
First Prize Winners:
Lovely Daydream
By Quadrilian
Story Abstract:
I’m me. I like ladies.Possibly that’s a bizarre technique to begin issues off, but it surely’s core to my id. It’s who I’m. There’s no higher place to start out when you’re speaking about my story. A narrative about tales. A narrative a few single step.
JNC Choose’s Remark:
This story holds its playing cards near its vest, and what a hand it’s. This can be a harem romantic comedy gentle novel. This can be a bishoujo recreation fashion gentle novel. This can be a psychological treatise on self love. That is an essay on writing idea because it pertains to Japanese novels. This can be a scream into the darkness, and a burst of sunshine from the heavens. It demanded to be learn once more as quickly as we completed it.
An Unruly Summon
By Cathfach
Story Abstract:
An embattled king summons an otherworldly hero to defend his ravenous kingdom from a demonic invasion. Alas for him, the summoned hero appears relatively decided to disregard his fastidiously ready script, spoiling the plans of people and demons alike.
JNC Choose’s Remark:
Hey look, it’s an isekai! And there’s a hero that’s summoned from… effectively, not Japan anyway. In all probability Canada or one thing, I dunno it’s not that clear. Oh and did I point out there’s like a Demon Military to destroy and a kingdom to save lots of? Yeah, it’s that story once more. Or wait, no, it’s… not. It’s one thing new! One thing acquainted, however with a recent perspective. That is precisely the kind of work we hoped would get written: the kind of “Japanese-style gentle novel” that takes the tropes of what’s so well-liked and rearranges these bones into one thing extremely entertaining.
Clockwork Clues: When Dying Comes Ticking
By Laura M. Drake
Story Abstract:
Kyra can Slip by means of time however can’t escape her controlling father and organized marriage. After discovering a homicide, she defies her upbringing and makes use of her energy to unravel the thriller alongside a dashing detective and a socially inept server bot.
JNC Choose’s Remark:
Steampunk! Homicide thriller! Romance! However don’t assume that every one you want for an incredible novel is a few prime quality components, the chef (creator) have to be expert to combine them up right into a tasty dish and that is some good clocking meals! (Did I point out we beloved the world-building-through-language-usage on this guide?) With a robust, but susceptible essential feminine lead who really drives the story by means of her actions and convictions, you’ll be rooting for her from the very first web page to the final.
BOOK☆WALKER Prize Winner:
The Lovable Dungeon Grasp
By Starvation
Story Abstract:
Lucia Morales is 22 years previous. At some point a turf warfare between rival gangs brings tragedy, however that’s solely the start. Lucia is reborn in one other world as a personality she created in a recreation, and he or she’s tremendous cute!
BOOK☆WALKER’s Remark:
The Lovable Dungeon Grasp was the whole lot we didn’t know we would have liked. The opening moved a few of us to tears, and as soon as the story began, we have been sucked in. We have been in a position to visualize Lilac’s world with ease, and we will’t wait for everybody to learn the remaining as soon as the total story is printed! We beloved each single one in all Lilac’s interactions with the inhabitants of the dungeon, and we completely beloved her character. She’s simply so likable! (To not point out, her inside dialogue was hilarious.) We’d like to see extra of Workforce Apple!
Runner-Up Prize Winners:
Promised to a Dragon By Selena Pigoni
Story Abstract:
Princess Rhiannon flees her new fiancé after her father breaks her earlier engagement to a dragon. Alongside the best way, she meets a bard who reveals her a world of magic. He wins her coronary heart, however can he save her from the dragon’s wrath and the jealous fiancé?
JNC Choose’s Remark:
Are you within the temper for an ungainly and candy love story between a runaway princess and a shy, reclusive dragon-man who simply desires to sing? I imply, who isn’t? That is the proper type of guide for our J-Novel Coronary heart label, showcasing sensible and constant worldbuilding (witches, fairies, dragons, magic!) with candy, progressive romance that feels earned and makes you need to hold studying to see what occurs to those two sweethearts, rooting for all of them the best way.
The Younger Girl is the Substitute Harvest Goddess
By Gabihime
Story Abstract:
Demeter Serraffield is dreading her apprenticeship to a lecherous nobleman. One
night time, she is summoned by a harvest goddess from one other world… however to not
turn into a farmer, or perhaps a hero. She needs to be a harvest goddess too!
JNC Choose’s Remark:
This entry was possibly essentially the most divisive winner of this 12 months’s competitors. To name it “stardew valley fanfiction” can be an injustice. To say it took visitor decide Frog’s recommendation to “embrace your fetishes” a bit too near coronary heart ( you attractive previous man), can be ignoring the large world-building-power-leveling. To say it goals at a lowest widespread denominator of our reader base who solely desires completely satisfied tales the place nothing dangerous occurs and the bogs are powered by MAGIC would paper over the highest-level prose we obtained in your complete competitors. I worry for what this creator would possibly create if she have been to make use of her powers for evil. However fortunately, she is utilizing them to create this as a substitute. Phew.
It’s Robust Being a Necromancer
By Jan Olexa
Story Abstract:
Edgar is an apprentice necromancer whose life is about to show the other way up. Be part of him as he faces horrors from this world and past – from bargaining with the useless to fleeing from the Church – all to meet his grasp’s ever so unreasonable calls for.
JNC Choose’s Remark:
One decide in contrast the texture of this guide to Slayers. One other in contrast it to Konosuba. I feel that sums up simply how effectively constructed this comedy about undead ladies and the inept necromancer who retains stumbling into them fairly effectively. You’ve obtained a ghost, a vampire lady, a ghoul… All of them are hilarious, full fledged folks(?) who’ve a enjoyable dynamic that reminds us of the most effective comedy ensembles, and the massive motion set-pieces that get them working collectively are amazingly effectively constructed and all tie in to one another completely.
The Dragon and the Blade Saint: This Isn’t The place We Finish
By garry
Story Abstract:
Kill the Blade Saint, save her clan. That is the one thought in Mitaelshuroxa’s thoughts as she travels again in time to stop the slaughter of the elder dragons at his hand. Nonetheless, she’ll shortly discover that nothing is ever so simple as it appears.
JNC Choose’s Remark:
This entry has been described as “the finalist which was most like the sunshine novels that are well-liked lately”. And it’s true! The world constructing is complicated, however effectively utilized, the characters are loopy overpowered but in addition held again, the comedy is 100% manga-style, and the setting is principally anime hogwarts. The motion is constantly cool, and will get simply severe sufficient to allow you to really feel how massive the stakes of the whole lot will turn into. It will scratch that itch. No, not that one, the opposite one. Yeah, proper there.
Oooh.
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