The Twelve Kingdoms, Fuyumi Ono's fantasy series with more than 14 million copies in print, is finally coming to e-book platforms. Shinchosha will roll out the digital editions in stages starting September 17, 2026 (Thursday), with the first wave covering seven existing titles including 『魔性の子』(The Twelve Kingdoms). The same day also brings the release of 『幽冥の岸』, the series' first new volume in seven years.
E-book editions of the existing Twelve Kingdoms titles will roll out in stages as follows:
- Pre-orders (all titles): Rolling out from 12:00 AM on August 17, 2026 (Monday)
- Retailers: Available through major e-book stores
First Wave: E-book Release
Release date: Rolling out from 12:00 AM on September 17, 2026 (Thursday)
First wave titles:
○『魔性の子』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067141/
○『月の影 影の海（上）』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067151/
○『月の影 影の海（下）』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067161/
○『風の海 迷宮の岸』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067171/
○『東の海神 西の滄海』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067181/
○『風の万里 黎明の空（上）』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067191/
○『風の万里 黎明の空（下）』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067201/
Second Wave: E-book Release
Release date: Rolling out from 12:00 AM on October 15, 2026 (Thursday)
Second wave titles:
○『丕緒の鳥』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067211
○『図南の翼』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067221/
○『華胥の幽夢』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067231/
○『黄昏の岸 暁の天』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067241/
Third Wave: E-book Release
Release date: Rolling out from 12:00 AM on December 11, 2026 (Friday)
Third wave titles:
○『白銀の墟 玄の月 第一巻』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067251/
○『白銀の墟 玄の月 第二巻』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067261/
○『白銀の墟 玄の月 第三巻』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067271/
○『白銀の墟 玄の月 第四巻』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067281/
○『幽冥の岸』(The Twelve Kingdoms): https://ebook.shinchosha.co.jp/book/E067611/
First New Volume in Seven Years, 『幽冥の岸』, Goes on Sale Nationwide September 17
Over 14 Million Copies Sold: Four Stories on the Meaning of Life in the First New Volume in Seven Years
"To live"—only one knows that truth. Rōsan is a young woman living in the 黄海. A man who has come from the kingdom of Tai comes to know the resilience of a people whose trade is hunting demonic beasts. For Rōsan, the kingdoms and the politics he speaks of become a guiding light—a tale of fateful encounter titled 「異邦の客」. The kirin, a divine beast, must never be stained by the impurity of blood. Yet can Taiki, who killed a man even in the name of justice, ever be forgiven a path back to life? This question sits at the heart of the title story, 「幽冥の岸」, one of four tales in this collection that confront life and ask what it truly means to live.
This will be a simultaneous nationwide release (excluding some areas).
Please note that this differs from Shincho Bunko's usual new-release date.
Details on the first new volume in seven years, 『幽冥の岸』
The Twelve Kingdoms special site
What Is The Twelve Kingdoms?
Fuyumi Ono's Defining Work, Read Since 1991 — The Epic Story That Shook Japan's Fantasy World
An epic fantasy that unfolds across two stages: the world we live in, and a parallel world that does not exist on Earth. The two worlds are separated by a vast sea called 虚海, connected only through a phenomenon known as 蝕. In the other world, twelve kingdoms—慶, 奏, 範, 柳, 雁, 恭, 才, 巧, 戴, 舜, 芳, and 漣—encircle the 黄海, home to the Five Mountains where the gods dwell, forming a geometric pattern. In each kingdom, a divine beast called a "kirin," who receives the will of heaven, discovers a king and enthrones them through the 誓約, a solemn oath. As long as their heavenly mandate holds, the king is granted eternal life and rules the kingdom, while the kirin serves at their side as chief minister. The profound human dramas that unfold across these kingdoms form a sweeping saga that asks readers about "the meaning of life" and "the strength to believe." The series also drew wide attention through its NHK anime adaptation (2002–2003).
In December 2025, the musical 『十二国記 -月の影 影の海-』, starring 柚香光, drew a strong response and brought renewed attention to the series.
The Twelve Kingdoms: series introduction
Getting to Know The Twelve Kingdoms
How to Start Reading The Twelve Kingdoms
Fuyumi Ono's The Twelve Kingdoms series features a wide array of kingdoms and characters. With time and space intricately intertwined, the profound and sweeping human drama unfolds across a total of 10 titles and 15 volumes in the Shincho Bunko edition. Many readers wonder where to start. For those readers, book critic 朝宮運河 shares tips for enjoying the complete edition of The Twelve Kingdoms.
How to start reading The Twelve Kingdoms
Recommended: The Twelve Kingdoms from Shincho Bunko
Published in 1991, 『魔性の子』 is the true starting point of The Twelve Kingdoms. The series that follows, along with its long-awaited new installments, has been coming together as a single "complete edition" published in stages by Shincho Bunko since 2012. Every volume also features newly drawn cover art and illustrations by artist 山田章博, with the back and spine covers finished in the complete edition's special design. See the link below for details.
The Twelve Kingdoms from Shincho Bunko
About the Author: Fuyumi Ono
Born in Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture. While a student at Otani University, she was a member of Kyoto University's Mystery Fiction Research Society. She made her debut as a novelist in 1988. Beginning with 『魔性の子』, published in 1991, and continuing with 『月の影 影の海』, her Twelve Kingdoms series made a major impact on the fantasy fiction world and became her defining work. In 1993, 『東亰異聞』 was a finalist for the Japan Fantasy Novel Award and drew attention. In 2013, she won the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize for 『残穢』. In 2020, she received the Yoshikawa Eiji Bunko Award for The Twelve Kingdoms series. Her other books include the "Ghost Hunt" series, along with 『屍鬼』, 『黒祠の島』, 『鬼談百景』, and 『営繕かるかや怪異譚』.
