Gran & Gourmet: The Slow Life on the Frontier Started by a Multi Talented but Mediocre Reincarnated Hero
グラン＆グルメ ～器用貧乏な転生勇者が始める辺境スローライフ～

Light Novel
Publisher: Kadokawa
Year: 2023
Genre: Slice of Life, Isekei/Tensei, Fantasy
Volumes: 2

Manga
Publisher: Kadokawa
Year: 2024
Genre: Slice of Life, Isekei/Tensei, Fantasy
Volumes: 4

Synopsis: Gran has been reincarnated as a "hero" with his memories of his previous life intact. Although he has all the skills of exploring, gathering, cooking, etc., he is only slightly above average in combat, making him what is known as a jack of all trades, master of none. In the first place, this world is so peaceful that there is no need for a hero. So Gran takes the plunge and takes the first step towards a carefree life. It is a slow life to enjoy alone in the frontier! However, perhaps lured by the smell of the delicious food Gran cooks, his companions keep coming over...

Publisher site (LN): https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322203002045/
Publisher site (Manga): https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322407000057/

Yes this is a food series and from what I've seen the manga is very much what you'd expect from a decently capable protag running around enjoying his isekai slow country life adventure while everyone else is left scrambling for damage control.

The LN seems to be stalled since there's only 2 volumes out, but the author is still updating their syosetu and has over a thousand chapters. Vol 4 of the manga just came out and it seems serialization is continuing, albeit with a sort of inconsistent schedule it looks like.

Alt titles: Himan reijō wa hosoku nari,-go wa keikoku no bijo (butsuri) to shite ikiru nomi, 肥満令嬢は細くなり、後は傾国の美女（物理）として生きるのみ

Author: Kitaka Hachibari
Artist: Tsukasa Kiryuu (Zilbagias, Kumo Desu Ga)
Publisher: TO Books
Volumes: 5 (most recent volume releases Sep 2026)

Synopsis:

In a turbulent era where the empire sought to expand its territory, a woman of unparalleled beauty stood alone against a vast army. Golden, lustrous hair. A slender waist. Her name was Rosemay Darksant.

Her true identity was that of the "Ugly General," once renowned for her plump appearance and unparalleled bravery in the kingdom. Despite losing her life at the hands of her fiancé, she was resurrected by a whim of the gods—a legendary female warrior! Driven only by her pride, she had lost everything. "Did you think that dying once would change my way of life, protecting the weak?" Her resolve struck even the hearts of ruffians and enemy generals, and some even volunteered to join her ranks. She beat down dragons attacking young girls and annihilated nobles who oppressed the people.

Soon, rumors spread, and she caught the attention of the empire, the enemy of her homeland—? With no intention of relying on her beauty, the exhilarating heroic tale of a beautiful woman who takes down a country head-on begins!

Comments: This was discussed on the discord and people were surprised it wasn’t in license suggestion yet, so here we are.

Obviously, Tsukasa Kiryu is a great pull - her art on Zilbagias is great, also she did that spider series I guess. The plot does seem to focus on her weight a bit too much, but people like revenge stories so it’s worth a shot.

Links: Amazon.jp

Synopsis: Harusho Ootsuki lost his parents when he was young, and his grandmother took him in and taught him housework and cooking. Harusho uses his skills to start a part-time job as a housekeeper during the summer vacation of his second year in high school. The story begins when his first client turns out to be the home of the most beautiful girl in school, Ayaka Tojo.

From making home-cooked meals that delight Ayaka, to going grocery shopping together like a newlywed couple, and even going on shy movie dates like young lovers, they begin to grow closer by spending these special moments outside of school. This charming and awkward housekeeping rom-com featuring the most innocent and beautiful girl in school and a secretly high-spec guy begins!

Why:
This is a up and coming LN series that's becoming quite popular. It's a really wonderful read that would be great in the J-Novel Heart series

Title: Always a Catch! / Nigashita Sakana wa Ookikatta ga Tsuriageta Sakana ga Ookisugita Ken

Author: Mayo Momoyo

Publisher: Square Enix

Label: SQEX Novel

Volumes: 7 (still ongoing)

Synopsis:
From a very young age, people noticed that Maria, the youngest daughter of a duke, was filled with potential. She was raised as the heiress of her house, until the birth of her baby brother relieves her of her duties. She scrambles to find a husband, but all the eligible bachelors in her duchy are taken! At this rate, she's doomed to the life of a spinster!

Maria decides to study abroad in Rubini in hopes of finding a husband, with the help of her distant relative, Aida. But in a twist of fate, the Crown Prince breaks off his engagement with Maria, even though they've never met before!

"Huh?! I don't remember getting engaged!?"

Enjoy this fluffy romcom with a late-blooming villainess!

Alt titles: Osananajimi Dousoukai, 幼馴染同窓廻

Author: Yoshino Oinari (stand-up comedian)
Artist: Tadano Yukiko (At Home with a Girl in Her Cute Pajamas)
Publisher: Pash Books
Volumes: First releases August 2026

Synopsis:
A girl he was close to back then. Had they stayed close, perhaps they could have become childhood sweethearts.
Saino Nyuza harbors an intense longing for that kind of childhood-friend bond—yet he has no such person in his own life and lives a degenerate existence.
One day, he loses his life saving a young boy and girl from an oncoming truck... only to wake up back in the past as an elementary schooler!
Determined to secure his ideal childhood-friend relationship, he sets out to redo his life. With the help of "Osanana"—the god who granted him this power—he proceeds to drag his childhood friend and those around him into his orbit, saving them all with his own unique brand of creepiness... Just what is the ultimate childhood-friend dynamic he desires?
A supreme time-leap tale dedicated to indulging every selfish desire!!

Comments: I’m gonna be honest, I saw the premise on the JNC forum - a guy who really wants a female childhood friend and then gets time leaped so he could make a childhood friend - and I thought “hey that’s kinda funny”. I know JNC may not get it just due to it being a romcom with potentially only one volume which hasn’t even released yet, but I’m pretty sure Yen Press and Seven Seas scout these forums too (given how so many of my suggestions have been taken by them) so… whoever wants it, I guess.

AUTHOR
Rojiura no Neko
路地裏乃猫

Illustrator
Shiratani Yuu
白谷 ゆう

PUBLISHER
Kadokawa B's Log Bunko

ASIN
B0DHZXHCWM

SYNOPSIS
Princess Mira married into an enemy nation in hopes of peace and endured every hardship imaginable. But her prayers went unanswered; her homeland was destroyed, and she was served with divorce papers. The moment she tried to throw her wedding ring back at the husband who never loved her—Prince Klaus—she somehow leaped back in time to their wedding day! As she searches for a way to save her country and restarts her married life, sides of Klaus she never knew before begin to surface one after another…?!

Why to license
An addictive story that keeps you turning the pages, even as it repeatedly tests your patience. The web of misunderstandings, political schemes, malice, and human shortcomings creates no shortage of frustration, but that's precisely what makes it so compelling. Mira's journey is especially engaging, as you find yourself constantly looking forward to seeing how she navigates each new challenge. Watching her deal with a husband who is inexperienced, naïve, and often emotionally oblivious adds both tension and intrigue, making every small step of progress feel hard earned and immensely satisfying.

AUTHOR
石田 リンネ
Rinne Ishida

PUBLISHER
Kadokawa B's Log Bunko

ASIN
B0DHV587RP

SYNOPSIS
Following the death of her fiancé, the first princess, Lucia, returns to her home country. Upon her return, she finds herself subjected to daily harassment by her younger sisters, who are vying for the throne. However, with the support of Felix, the son of a duke, her "royal qualities" begin to blossom...!?

Why to license
A very enjoyable kingdom building fantasy with a capable and charismatic heroine at its center. One of the story's biggest strengths is watching Lucia steadily rebuild her position and strengthen the kingdom through practical reforms, diplomacy, and leadership rather than relying on force alone. The political maneuvering and nation building elements are engaging without becoming overly complex, making her achievements feel both believable and rewarding. Combined with a charming romance and a cast of supportive allies, it makes for a satisfying read that balances kingdom management, court intrigue, and personal growth.

Alt titles: 不死を求める者、これを道士と呼ぶ, Fushi o motomeru mono, kore o dōshi to yobu

Author: Gen Tsukita
Artist: Hotaru Takeda
Publisher: Kadokawa (Dragon Books)
Volumes: 3 (most recent June 2026)

Synopsis:
In a remote village on the continent of Ziying lived a boy named Kou. At the age of nine, he regained memories of his past life and learned that this was a world similar to China during the Tang Dynasty, inhabited by immortals and demons...
Thus, he became a servant to the son of his employer, but for some reason, he was made to accompany the entrance exam for the Xu Li Cave sect, which aims to produce divine immortals, and he passed. And Kou, using his secret "instantaneous memory ability" from his past life, memorizes the secret manuals and rises through the ranks as a Taoist priest—on the path to immortality!

Comments: That’s right, baby - xianxia isekai. It had to happen eventually. Need I say more?

Alt title: 乙女ゲー戦記, Otome Game Senki

Author: Ukari Ichibe
Artist: Hana Amano (I’m Not The Hero, I’m Quitting Heroing)
Publisher: Kadokawa (Dragon Novels)
Volumes: 2 (most recent June 2026)

Synopsis:

Eleanor, a solitary female knight who was reincarnated into what appears to be a medieval world, arrives at the royal capital's academy, following the customs of the nobility.

Unbeknownst to her, this is the setting for a certain otome game, and her fellow student, the reincarnated villainess, is in the midst of altering the original story!

Unaware of this, Eleanor settles things with her fists with men and approaches girls' gatherings with rationalism, unintentionally deviating from the original plot.

While the villainess wonders, "What's with this girl, is she a pay-to-win character?", Eleanor's actions, ignoring the established world, stir up trouble—!?

Comments: Happy Pride Month! To celebrate, here’s something I learned about in the JNC discord - a series about a guy who knows nothing about otome games who is reincarnated as a girl and decides to just brute-force it. We already have tons of villainess stories, but one where a character just steamrolls the entire conventions of the genre is one that sounds funny.

AUTHOR
鈴音さや
Suzune Saya

PUBLISHER
Kadokawa Media Works Bunko

ISBN
9784049162783
9784049165685

STATUS
Complete at 2 volumes

SYNOPSIS
“Goodbye to people who are only family by blood.” Rosalinde, the eldest daughter of a ducal family, has spent her life giving up happiness to live up to expectations. One day, her fiancé suddenly breaks off their engagement—and even her father abandons her. In her despair, she recalls her previous life, where she was also exploited simply for being the “eldest daughter.” Determined not to suffer the same fate again, she decides: “This time, I’ll escape.” With regained memories and mysterious power, she runs away— and soon encounters a foreign crown prince hiding his identity… A story about reclaiming one’s life and choosing to live freely.

Why to license
Read the web novel as well as the manga. What stood out most to me was that the story isn't just about getting back at the people who wronged the FMC.

Instead, it's about her slowly finding her own worth, building a better life, and learning to be happy for herself. The early chapters can be quite frustrating because of how unfairly she's treated, but that only makes her growth and eventual happiness feel even more rewarding. I also liked that her past life memories were used to support her development rather than turning her into an overpowered character, and we get closure to her past life too.

The family relationships are written well, and it's easy to sympathize with what she goes through. Overall, it's a heartwarming story about moving forward, healing from the past, and finding people who truly appreciate you.

alt text

Name: The Princess Groom
ベル・プペーのスパダリ婚約　～「好みじゃない」と言われた人形姫、我慢をやめたら皇子がデレデレになった。実に愛い！～
Author: Asagiri Asaki
Artist: Saiki Kei
Genre: Fantasy, Josei, Romance
Publisher: Square Enix
Jahr: 2024
Volumes: 1 (Ongoing)
Description: Nicknamed “Belle Poupée”—the Beautiful Doll—duke’s daughter Lady Leticia is admired for her elegance and delicate beauty. But behind her porcelain mask lies her true self: a bold and compassionate soul, more knight than damsel. She ends up engaged to the infamous second prince, Gilbert, whose cursed crimson eyes and icy demeanor have made him the subject of troubling rumors. Fate binds together an infallible Princess Charming and a lonely, awkward prince as they search for their happily ever after in this ultimate role-reversal love story.

My Opinion: A very refreshing story where the female lead is the hero for once and the male lead the damsel in distress. And they are such a cute couple~! It’s also very interesting that Leticia has a secret identity and leads a double life as a powerful and attractive, male!!! adventurer.
The artist in charge of the illustrations is also the same as for the manga (which gets published on English this year too).

Title Japanese : ときときチャンネル　宇宙飲んでみた

Title Japanese Romaji : Toki Toki Chan'neru　Uchuu Nonde Mita

Author : 宮澤伊織 / Iori Miyazawa

Label : 創元SF文庫 / Sogen SF Bunko

Publisher : Tokyo Sogensha

Synopsis

Sakura Toki decides to use her streaming channel, "Tokitoki Channel," to showcase the inventions of her roommate, mad scientist Mikki Tada, and monetize the content to supplement her living expenses. Drinking the universe from a mug, keeping time crystals as pets, and getting lost in a house that expands infinitely? We’ll deliver all the fun—troubles and all—as we aim for 1,000 subscribers! A new kind of sci-fi experience, told entirely through the tone of a live stream and viewer comments.

(Source : Publisher's Product Page / Translated with DeepL)

Product Page : https://www.tsogen.co.jp/np/isbn/9784488021016

Alt titles: Yaebuki Kikan: Senmanjō Tō Tōha Roku, ヤエブキ機関　千万丈塔踏破録
Author: Asato Asato (86: Eighty-Six)
Artist: necömi (I Surrendered My Sword for a New Life as a Mage, Looks Are All You Need)
Publisher: Kadokawa (Dengeki Bunko)
Volumes: 1 (premieres June 2026)

Synopsis: The "spiritual techniques x near future action" story takes place in a world where the inhabitants must perform the major ritual of conquering an enormously tall tower in order to save the world from its fated ruin. Members of the Yaeyamabuki (Yaebuki Kikan for short), a secret agency overseen by the imperial household, challenge the tower that manifests every evening, interwoven with spiritual techniques and gears.

Twin sorcerers Akane and Aohi team up with the imperial guardswoman Matsurika to defend against a heretical organization bent on terrorism. Opposing the three are an evil dragon named Nanada and its followers who obstruct the conquest of the tower, citizens who resent the highly controlled society, and a princess of ruin who is pulling all the strings. (Source: ANN)

Comments: Look, it doesn't even have a cover yet, but look at that creative team. Look at that concept. I know it's likely YP will snatch it up, but might as well try anyway.

Written by Itsuki Togami
Illustrated by Yuri Kisaragi
Published by Kodansha
Imprint Kodansha Ranobe Books
Original run September 2, 2021 – present
Volumes 9

Premise: Betrayed by his childhood friends and cast out of the hero party, Orhun Dura - once their loyal enchanter is branded by his former comrades as "jack-of-all-trades, master of none". Alone, he sets out to forge a new path as a solo adventurer. Though he soon becomes recruited by the formidable clan "The Night Sky Silver Rabbits" igniting a spark for him to develop connections with others and cementing a childhood oath of protecting everyone he cares about.

This is my first series suggestion post so I hope I do it right! Be gentle if not lol.

I think this would be a pretty good choice for licensing in English. As far as I've seen there is no official English translation. I believe Kodansha has the licensing rights in Japan but Could be mistaken. With the anime adaptations pretty good reception I think this would be a good way to bring in some new customers or at least a new thing for existing customers to look forward to.

Name: The Vampire and the Chocolatier ~ A Genius Alchemist‘s Sweet Obsession
吸血鬼とショコラティエ　〜天才錬金術師の甘美な探究〜
Author: Masanobu Serizawa
Artist: Kitazawa Kyou
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Shounen Ai
Publisher: TO Books
Jahr: 2026
Volumes: 1 (Ongoing)
Description: Luvilia, a mysterious city where the supernatural gather.
Poor alchemist Alfred is risking his life to challenge is—
Making the "ultimate chocolate" to offer to the vampire, Shin!?
The key to breaking the forced master-servant contract is a "blissful sense of being alive."
That is his only weakness.
Will Alfred kill him first with a single, supremely sweet morsel, or will he become his servant first...?
Where will this sweet, melting battle lead?
"Even your murderous face is enticing, isn't it?" "Drop dead already, you shitty vampire!"
An absolute master-servant Gothic sweets fantasy!

My Opinion: It sounds pretty interesting and the art is pretty too, moreover the novel already got licensed by Hanashi Media. I can‘t say much, because I haven‘t really read it yet, but from the first impression it‘s something I would very much like to read. And it‘s also about making chocolate, there are some scenes where I really get hungry~. Honestly, I love a good manga with cooking and/or making sweets!

No entry so far in either MAL or ANN for this series.

Volume 1 cover