As the electric buzz of Anime Expo 2025 filled the air in Los Angeles, industry giant Yen Press wasted no time grabbing headlines with a quartet of new title acquisitions, announced in style on day one of the event. Their new licenses span a rich tapestry of genres—from cyberpunk epics and surreal investigations to heartstring-tugging romantic narratives and an elegant art book showcasing one of today’s most beloved light novel heroines.
Yen Press has long been known for its keen eye in bringing over unique, impactful, and fan-favorite stories from Japan to North American audiences. With this latest drop, the publisher proves once again that it’s not afraid to embrace variety and innovation in its acquisitions. Each of the four titles announced is set to debut this December, giving manga lovers just enough time to clear their reading queues—or make room on their holiday wishlists.
Let’s take a deep dive into each of these upcoming releases.
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Momoco’s Art Book
By Sunsunsun | Art by Momoco
One of the crown jewels of the announcement is an art book that’s sure to delight light novel fans and art aficionados alike. Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Momoco’s Art Book is a visual celebration of the beloved series that took romcom enthusiasts by storm.
At the center is Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, or “Alya” to her classmates—a stunning half-Russian, half-Japanese high school girl whose tsundere exterior often gives way to sweet Russian phrases when her guard is down. And now, thanks to the masterful artistry of Momoco, fans can experience Alya’s many expressions, moods, and moments across a beautiful collection of full-color illustrations.
What makes this art book even more special is its inclusion of artwork spanning Volumes 1 through 8 of the light novels. That’s not just cover pieces—this includes promotional visuals, adorable chibi renditions, and original artwork that previously only appeared in limited releases or Japanese-exclusive merchandise. Even more enticing is the exclusive short story penned by Sunsunsun, which makes this not just an artbook, but a must-have expansion of the Alya universe.
In a market saturated with visual collections, Momoco’s distinctive, delicate linework and vibrant color palettes set this volume apart. It’s a love letter to fans who have followed Alya and Masachika’s emotionally layered will-they-won’t-they for years—and it’s likely to be a highlight of the winter release season.
Demon Lord 2099 (3-in-1 Omnibus)
Story by Kureta | Written by Yutaka Sakurai | Art by Daigo Murasaki
For those looking for something a little grittier—and a lot more apocalyptic—Demon Lord 2099 might just be the cyberpunk fantasy fusion we didn’t know we needed.
Set in the year 2099 of the “Fused Era,” the series imagines a world five centuries after the defeat of the infamous Demon Lord Veltol. Once the terror of his time, Veltol finds himself suddenly resurrected in a drastically changed world—one that’s swapped medieval castles for neon-lit skyscrapers and enchanted tomes for AI-integrated grimoires.
Welcome to Shinjuku, a cyberpunk metropolis where magic and technology now co-exist in a delicate balance, and the mythic past is little more than a footnote in digital history archives. But while the world has moved on, Veltol hasn’t—and he’s determined to reclaim his dominion in this brave new era.
This omnibus edition will collect the first three volumes of the manga, offering readers a dense, action-packed introduction to the setting, characters, and the series’ unique take on genre-melding. Yutaka Sakurai’s narrative voice captures both the archaic flair of a demon lord and the confusion of someone completely out of time. Paired with Daigo Murasaki’s sharp, cyber-infused artwork, the result is a gritty yet stylish series full of political intrigue, magic-tech warfare, and philosophical questions about power in a world that barely remembers gods and monsters.
Fans of Overlord, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and The Misfit of Demon King Academy will find a lot to love here—especially in omnibus format.
Divine Incursions, Vol. 1
Story by Oumi Kifuru | Manga by Kouya Ashitaka
Shifting gears into the realm of cosmic horror and existential mystery, Divine Incursions is perhaps the boldest and most unsettling of Yen Press’s new acquisitions. And that’s a compliment.
The series opens with the grotesque and the uncanny—titanic divine body parts literally falling from the sky onto ordinary towns. But instead of triggering mass panic or spiritual revelation, the corpses are found disturbingly… empty. Guts, flesh, and organs are missing. The mysteries multiply, as do the implications for humanity’s search for immortality, youth, and transcendence.
Enter Katagishi, a quietly intense agent of the Divine Incursions Special Investigations Department. His role? To unravel the truth behind these divine disasters—events that seem to herald a deeper unraveling of reality itself. But the more he investigates, the more the lines between god and man, dream and waking, begin to blur.
Kouya Ashitaka’s visuals evoke a deep sense of dread, channeling the visual language of Junji Ito while maintaining the sleek, serialized style of seinen detective manga. The philosophical backbone of Oumi Kifuru’s writing keeps the story grounded in real human emotion, even as it ventures into the metaphysical and grotesque.
Divine Incursions is the kind of series that quietly slips into your brain and refuses to leave—perfect for fans of Paranoia Agent, The Promised Neverland, and Monogatari.
Even a Replica Can Fall in Love, Vol. 1
Story by Harunadon | Manga by Momose Hanada | Art by raemz
Closing out the announcement with a quiet emotional bang is Even a Replica Can Fall in Love—a tender, futuristic romance that explores identity, autonomy, and love in a world where even your doppelgänger has a heart.
The premise is simple, yet loaded with meaning: a girl (our narrator) was created as a perfect replica of another. Her existence is utilitarian—she’s there to go to school, fill in for public appearances, and handle the obligations the real girl can’t or won’t do. But when a boy enters the picture, the replica discovers something dangerous: a sense of self.
She wears her hair up now, hoping that he’ll recognize her—not her creator. She starts to crave moments, emotions, and experiences that aren’t programmed or assigned. She wants to be seen. She wants to be loved.
Written by Harunadon and illustrated by the talented raemz, this series carries quiet weight behind its words. It’s soft, contemplative, and brimming with unspoken yearning. It speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like a background character in someone else’s story and dares to imagine a reality where even a replica’s heart can beat with authentic emotion.
This is one to watch for readers of Orange, A Silent Voice, or Plastic Memories. Bring tissues.
What’s Next for Yen Press?
Yen Press made it clear that this is just the beginning of their Anime Expo announcements. The publisher is scheduled to unveil even more titles during their official Industry Panel later this evening—an event fans won’t want to miss, especially if today’s reveals are any indication of what’s to come.
The December 2025 releases—Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Momoco’s Art Book, Demon Lord 2099, Divine Incursions, and Even a Replica Can Fall in Love—represent four very different sides of the manga spectrum. Each series is poised to connect with a unique segment of readers, whether they’re after explosive action, haunting mystery, heartwarming romance, or simply an aesthetic feast for the eyes.
Yen Press continues to prove that curation matters. In a market overflowing with titles, it’s their commitment to meaningful storytelling, high-quality localization, and reader experience that sets them apart.
So whether you’re filling up your digital shelf, stacking your physical TBR pile, or just browsing for something new and exciting—December is shaping up to be a very good month.
Wow, what a lineup Yen Press has dropped on us at Anime Expo 2025! It’s like they’ve cracked open the vault and let loose some of the most exciting, genre-spanning titles we could have hoped for. Whether it’s the breathtaking beauty of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Momoco’s Art Book, the adrenaline rush of Demon Lord 2099, the mind-bending mystery of Divine Incursions, or the heartfelt charm of Even a Replica Can Fall in Love, this batch of releases feels like a perfect blend of artistry, storytelling, and pure creative ambition. I can already tell my December reading list (and my wallet) is going to be very busy.
But beyond these four incredible titles, what really excites me is what this means for Yen Press’s future. Their ability to scout such a diverse range of genres—from sci-fi cyberpunk to intimate romance, from cosmic horror to slice-of-life emotion—shows that they’re not just following trends; they’re setting them. You can feel the passion behind each project, and it makes me so eager to see what other surprises they’re hiding up their sleeve for the rest of the year. The fact that there are still more announcements coming just adds to the thrill. I’ll be refreshing their feed like a maniac tonight.
I can’t wait to experience what the future holds with Yen Press at the helm. Every year, they keep leveling up, bringing unforgettable stories and world-class art to our bookshelves and hearts. Here’s to more daring licenses, more stunning releases, and more moments where we all collectively gasp and go, “They really did that!” The journey ahead looks incredible—and I’m strapped in for the ride.
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