A recent social media leak has revealed a new danmei license acquisition, as well as possible danmei audio book plans from publisher Seven Seas Entertainment.
A screenshot from author Yang Su’s Weibo: “I have something to share with you all. An English edition of ‘The Governor’s Illness’ has been signed for physical, e-book, and audio release by Seven Seas Entertainment. Let’s look forward to it together!”Yang Su—author of the popular martial arts danmei The Governor’s Illness (督主有病)—revealed on their Weibo today that Seven Seas Entertainment had acquired the work’s English translation license.
跟大家说一哈，《督主有病》签了英语版的纸书、电子书和有声书～在Seven Seas Entertainment。
一起期待！I have something to share with you all. An English edition of ‘The Governor’s Illness’ has been signed for physical, e-book, and audio release by Seven Seas Entertainment. Let’s look forward to it together!
It’s not clear from the message if Seven Seas has acquired global or territory-restricted rights to the series, or when publication will begin. These details will likely be shared soon when Seven Seas makes a formal post about The Governor’s Illness.
This is not the first time an author has leaked a license before its official announcement on the publisher’s channels, but it is the first time we’ve seen that Seven Seas has also acquired an audiobook license for a danmei work. Seven Seas has an audiobook imprint known as “Siren,” which only features Japanese light novel licenses.
The acquisition of one danmei license means more will likely come if sales numbers are good, and perhaps audiobook adaptations of hits like Heaven Official’s Blessing and Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation aren’t too far off.
The Governor’s Illness tells the tale of Xie Jinglan and Xiahou Lian, former childhood friends from very different backgrounds. One has grown into an elegant and scholarly government official, and the other a notorious criminal and deadly assassin. When they meet again as grown men, they must rely on each other to navigate a tangled and deadly web of political intrigue.
The series is complete at 138 chapters, and has been adapted into both a manhua and an audio drama. The image featured above is from the series audio drama which is streaming on MissEvan.
The Governor’s Illness was originally published as a webnovel on the site Chang Pei (also known as gongzicp), highlighting how Seven Seas is branching out and partnering with more Chinese publishers in addition to its relationship with JJWXC. A previously announced manhua series from Seven Seas, I Ship My Rival x Me, was based on a novel published via Chang Pei. However, Seven Seas has made no indication they intend to publish that source material.
Seven Seas Entertainment is a US-based publisher specializing primarily in Japanese manga and light novels. It’s recently branched out into printed webtoons and danmei, and is the current English industry leader for the latter under the imprint Seven Seas Danmei. As of October 2024, Seven Seas Entertainment celebrates its 20 years in business.
UPDATE, 10/23/24: Seven Seas officially announced the release of The Governor’s Illness (now officially titled There’s Something Wrong With the Chief ) in physical and ebook format. They did not mention any plans for an audio book, nor have they addressed the leak through any official channels.
Source: Twitter (skyarise)
