Sol Press was an American publishing company that focused on localizing Japanese visual novels, light novels, and manga. Located in Orange County, California, it was formed in 2017. In October 2021, it was prohibited from doing business in the state of California for non-payment of taxes.
The company had licensed ten visual novels, nine light novels, and six manga for release on the Steam and Kadokawa's BookWalker platforms.
History Sol Press was founded in February 2017 by Michael Valdez, who was unhappy with the slow translation processes and products of other video game localization companies. For the company's titles, Valdez emphasized the importance of not charging players for patches as he believed it was unnecessary and an unpopular business tactic. Although Sol Press-licensed visual novels are censored when released on Steam, free patches to receive adult content in the original games are downloadable on external websites.
In September 2017, Sol Press created a Kickstarter fundraiser to support the localization of the Haikuo Soft visual novel/eroge Sakura Sakura. Despite Sakura Sakura age and obscurity, Sol Press elected to pick up the game following positive feedback from the staff. Funding for the Kickstarter was completed a month later. It was released on Steam on November 19, 2018. A second Haikuo Soft visual novel, Yotsunoha, saw a Western release on July 13, 2019, on Sol Press' website after it was denied publishing by Steam.
Joined by MiKandi Japan, another campaign was launched on December 1, 2017, to fund the Laplacian VN Newton and the Apple Tree. After just three days, it had already reached its goal of $31,200. It was released on August 15. Later in the year, DareSora: Tears for an Unknown Sky was localized and released on September 14.
In April 2018, it began expansion into licensing light novels with the books Strongest Gamer – Let's Play in Another World and Battle Divas – The Incorruptible Battle Blossom Princess. The two were digitally released on April 30. At Kumoricon 2018 in Oregon, Sol Press announced the creation of Project Hyourin, a digital distribution client for works licensed by the company. It also formed an alliance with Japanese game publisher Entergram to release visual novels on consoles in North America.
On May 24, 2019, Sol Press announced a partnership with Kadokawa Corporation to release light novels and manga on Kadokawa's BookWalker platform.
The company was forfeited by the California FTB for failure to pay taxes in late October 2021. Citing requests from the original Japanese publishers, BookWalker removed series licensed by Sol Press on February 21, 2022.
Licensed works Visual novels Title Developer Release date Ref Newton and the Apple Tree Laplacian August 15, 2018 DareSora: Tears for an Unknown Sky Anagram August 31, 2018 Sakura Sakura November 19, 2018 Under One Wing Harmorise February 28, 2019 Yotsunoha Haikuo Soft July 13, 2019 Onii-Kiss: Onii-Chan Where Is My Kiss? Tinkle Position September 24, 2019 My Fair Princess November 8, 2019Choose Your Mistress PeasSoftN/ALove Among the SunflowersMoreN/AIrotoridori no SekaiFavoriteN/A
Light novels Title AuthorIllustrator Release date Ref Battle Divas Vol. 1: The Incorruptible Battle Blossom Princess Kouka KishineNekonabeao April 30, 2018 Strongest Gamer: Let's Play in Another World Vol. 1 Yuki ShinobuItsuwa Katou April 30, 2018 Battle Divas Vol. 2: The Unshakable Winter Blossom PrincessKouka KishineNekonabeaoApril 12, 2019Strongest Gamer: Let’s Play in Another World Vol. 2Yuki ShinobuItsuwa KatouApril 12, 2019 Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol. 1 HayakenHika Akita April 26, 2019 Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 1 FUNATouzai April 26, 2019 Battle Divas Vol. 3: The Unyielding Twin Blossom PrincessKouka KishineNekonabeaoMay 17, 2019 Why Shouldn't a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 1 Nekomata NukoTeffish September 20, 2019 Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 1 Riku MisoraWon November 16, 2019 Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 2Riku MisoraWonNovember 16, 2019Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 3Riku MisoraWonNovember 16, 2019Why Shouldn’t a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 2Nekomata NukoTeffishMay 1, 2020Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol. 2HayakenHika AkitaJune 15, 2020Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 4Riku MisoraWonJuly 6, 2020Why Shouldn’t a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?! Vol. 3Nekomata NukoTeffishJuly 20, 2020Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy Vol. 3HayakenHika AkitaAugust 17, 2020Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 2FUNATouzaiDecember 14, 2020Chivalry of a Failed Knight Vol. 5Riku MisoraWonDecember 28, 2020 I Surrendered My Sword for a New Life Vol. 1 Shin KoudukiNecömi December 28, 2020 Let This Grieving Soul Retire! Woe is the Weakling Who Leads the Strongest Party Vol. 1 TsukikageChyko December 28, 2020 The Game Master has Logged In to Another World Vol. 1 AkatsukiMerontomari/Yuui December 28, 2020
Manga Title Author Manga adaptation Release date Ref Harem Royale ~When the Game Ends~ Vol. 1 Ryukishi07Yukari Higa January 7, 2019 Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement Vol. 1 FUNAKeisuke Motoe January 7, 2019 How to Treat a Lady Knight Right Vol. 1 Kengo MatsumotoN/A July 6, 2019 The Ride-On King Vol. 1 Yasushi BabaN/A July 6, 2019 Harem Royale ~When the Game Ends~ Vol. 2Ryukishi07Yukari HigaDecember 16, 2020 Is the Order a Rabbit? Vol. 1 KoiN/A December 16, 2020 Blend S Vol. 1 Miyuki NakayamaN/A December 23, 2020
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