New year, new light novels! Here’s a list of new light novels due for release in 2025 to watch out for.

The Only Thing I’d Do in a No-Boys-Allowed Game World

This series by Ryo Hazakura, which will be released in February, is a highly anticipated pick-up from Kadokawa. With six volumes currently in Japan, it fits neatly within the Otome sub-genre of isekai light novels.

While novels in this sub-genre are a dime a dozen, what makes this series one of my standouts to watch for in 2025 is its setting. Rather unusually, the world of this story is based on a Yuri Otome Game, a setting often reserved strictly for the Yuri genre. Moreover, the main character’s aspirations within the series also deviate from the standard isekai. Hiiro isn’t interested in a romance of his own but rather in shipping relationships between characters from the original game.

Virgin Knight: I Became the Frontier Lord in a World Ruled by Women

Aiming for a late 2025 release, the second title on this list to watch out for is another title that seeks to break genre conventions.

Another isekai, this one seeks to set itself apart by challenging gender roles. In this fantasy world, women are considered the dominant sex, while men are subjected to similar lured and sexist behaviour that women often encounter in our world. Following Faust, a rare male knight, it’ll see his conventions challenged as he’s forced to reckon with his upbringing in Japan and the new ideals thrust upon him in his new world filled with role reversal.

Love and Magic Academy: Who Cares About the Heroine and the Villainess? I Want to be the Strongest in this Otome Game World

The final title to make the list, Love and Magic Academy, earns its place partly due to its potential and partly because of my own enjoyment of the Otome game sub-genre.

As mentioned in the No-Boys-Allowed Game World segment, novels within the Otome game sub-genre are as common as stars in the night sky. What makes this series worthy of a highlight is the limitless potential set forth by the prospect of the protagonist forgoing the predetermined events of the game. It adds a certain unpredictability and opens the door for the story to take many different directions, both good and bad.

Bonus Special Mention

Rich Girl Caretaker/Miss Perfect’s Personal Assistant

It may or may not have escaped your attention that this series has made this list before. Due to several issues, this series has still yet to see a release date and, as such, graces this list once more.

The only new rom-com announced for release; it’s the comedic undertone of the series that makes it worth a place on this list. With a slightly absurdist angle, those who enjoyed series such as Yuri Tama and Too Many Losing Heroines should keep a close eye on its progress.