Light Novels, Isekai and Web Novel Sites — 2026-09-09
Major light novel franchise *Black Bullet* has officially announced a 12-year revival with new volumes starting November 2026. Meanwhile, Kakuyomu has concluded its summer writing contests and opened voting for the Kadokawa Bunko Character Novel Prize, signaling a shift in how new web novel talent is scouted for print publication. <!-- /headline --> <!-- headline -->Black Bullet Returns After 12-Year Hiatus With New Anime Tie-In Volumes<!-- /headline -->
Light Novels, Isekai and Web Novel Sites — 2026-09-09
Major light novel franchise Black Bullet has officially announced a 12-year revival with new volumes starting November 2026. Meanwhile, Kakuyomu has concluded its summer writing contests and opened voting for the Kadokawa Bunko Character Novel Prize, signaling a shift in how new web novel talent is scouted for print publication.
<!-- /headline -->Top developments
Black Bullet Franchise Revived After 12 Years
The long-dormant light novel series Black Bullet is returning to shelves after a hiatus of over a decade. The new series, titled Black Bullet: New World Order, will launch in November 2026 with two volumes released simultaneously, followed by four consecutive monthly releases. This revival comes with a special promotional video featuring voice actors Yuki Kaji and Rina Hidaka, suggesting strong potential for renewed anime adaptation interest or media mix expansion. The announcement generated significant buzz on Japanese social media platforms like Togetter.
Kakuyomu Concludes Summer Contests, Opens Reader Voting
Kakuyomu, the major web novel platform operated by Kadokawa, announced on September 8 that submission periods for all seven contests within its "Natsugatari '26" (Summer Story '26) campaign have closed. Specifically, the "Kakuyomu Tokimeki Novel Grand Prix" received 2,702 submissions, with final selection results expected around January 2027. Additionally, on September 9, Kakuyomu opened reader voting for the 12th Kadokawa Bunko Character Novel Prize "WEB Reader Award," allowing users to directly influence which web novels receive print publication consideration.
Mercedes and the Waning Moon Anime Confirms Premiere Date
The isekai light novel adaptation Mercedes and the Waning Moon has confirmed a January 2027 anime premiere. Directed by Kunihisa Sugishima and produced by Studio Teddy, the series follows Mercedes Grunewald, a dispossessed noble child who dungeon-crawls to support her family. The premise is notable for its focus on "sanguivore biology and labor economics," offering a more grounded take on vampire-themed fantasy compared to typical isekai tropes.
Local view
Japanese web novel platform Kakuyomu is actively engaging its community through interactive awards like the "WEB Reader Award," which allows readers to vote directly on entries for the Kadokawa Bunko Character Novel Prize. This move reflects a trend where platforms are not just hosting content but actively curating it through community feedback before print publication. The closure of the "Natsugatari '26" contests with over 2,700 submissions for a single prize highlights the sustained high volume of amateur submissions seeking professional debut opportunities.
Context & numbers
- Submission Volume: The "Kakuyomu Tokimeki Novel Grand Prix" alone received 2,702 works during the "Natsugatari '26" period, demonstrating the high throughput of web novel platforms feeding into the light novel industry pipeline.
- Hiatus Duration: Black Bullet's return marks the end of a 12-year gap since the last volume, a rare event in the light novel industry that often signals strong underlying IP value or renewed publisher confidence.
On the radar
- January 2027: Watch for the premiere of Mercedes and the Waning Moon anime, which may drive sales for the source light novel series.
- November 2026: Black Bullet: New World Order volumes 1 & 2 release simultaneously, followed by monthly releases. Monitor early sales charts for this legacy IP's performance.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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