#1 Novel of the First Half of 2025! "Thou Shalt Love thy Unwise King" Tops New Bookstore Release Rankings! Volume 2 Also in Production

Drecom Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuki Naito) is pleased to announce the latest release from DRE Novels, "Thou Shalt Love thy Unwise King," published on August 6th, achieved the top spot on the new release rankings for first-half of 2025 at both Junkudo Bookstore Ikebukuro Main Store and Shosen Book Tower. It also secured the number one spot in daily sales at numerous bookstores and e-book retailers. Furthermore, in response to this overwhelming reception, we are pleased to announce that production of Volume 2 has been confirmed.
Ranked No. 1 in the 2025 First Half New Releases Chart! Topping the charts immediately upon release!
"Thou Shalt Love thy Unwise King" is the debut work by Kentaro Honjo, based on the wildly popular web novel originally published on the fan fiction site "Shosetuka ni Narou." After publication details were announced, it garnered unprecedented attention as the first volume of DRE Novels' new series, setting a record for the highest pre-orders and securing a reprint even before its release date.
Less than a week after its August 6th release, it has been steadily claiming the top spot on various bookstore rankings! It achieved a double win as the #1 New Novel for the First Half of 2025 at both Junkudo Ikebukuro Main Store and Shosen Book Tower, while also steadily climbing the rankings at various bookstores and e-book stores, securing the #1 title.
Major Light Novel New Release Rankings "#1"
- Junkudo Bookstore Ikebukuro Main Store 2025 First Half Fantasy Novels #1 (3-Day Sales Ranking)
- Junkudo Bookstore Sannomiya Branch Fantasy Novels #1 (as of August 6)
- Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store #1 (as of August 6)
- Shosen Book Tower 2025 First Half Fantasy Novels #1 (3-Day Sales Ranking)
- Shosen Grande #1 (as of August 6)
- Orion Shobo Norte Branch #1 (as of August 6)
- BOOK☆WALKER New Literature Books Daily Ranking #1 (Daily Paid Downloads, as of August 6th)
*Excluding spin-offs, short story collections, side stories, and sequels to existing series
*Based on sales performance of new fantasy novels and new literary works (single-volume editions) released on or after April 1, 2025, during the first half of 2025.
The unstoppable rise of "Thou Shalt Love thy Unwise King." In response to our readers' fervent anticipation, production of Volume 2 has been confirmed. The release date will be announced as soon as it is decided. Stay tuned for the next volume!
《Available Now》
"Thou Shalt Love thy Unwise King"
Author: Kentaro Honjo Illustration: toi8
Price: 1,540 JPY (1,400 JPY + tax) Format: Shirokuban Size
Label: DRE Novels Publisher: Drecom
I shall live as a king. In this luxurious hell.
Fed up with life as a figurehead president, he took his own life and was reborn as the young king of another world. But this kingdom was plagued by massive fiscal deficits and interference from great powers, with the specter of revolution beginning to loom within its borders.
Surrounded by princess candidates whose political influence cannot be ignored and ministers clearly more capable than the king, there is little the powerless out-worlder can do. Yet he must somehow manage things well to survive.
"My name will remain as one of the foolish rulers, forever."
Even so, he remains upon the throne. This time, to fulfill the role he once cast aside.
▼Available for Purchase
https://drecom-media.jp/drenovels/product/140