Novels inspired ongoing manga adaptation in 2009

Publisher AlphaPolis revealed on February 20 that Rain and Bōkyaku no Haō Roland light novel author Takumi Yoshino recently passed away.

The publisher noted that Yoshino began serializing novels on his personal website in 2000. Yoshino's Ame no Hi ni Umareta Rain (Rain Born on a Rainy Day) novel became popular online around that time. AlphaPolis began publishing the work under the title Rain in 2005. The novel series' 15 compiled book volumes have more than 1.3 million copies in print. The publisher also described Yoshino as a pioneer of the currently popular method of distributing light novel series online.

In addition, the publisher Mag Garden , which releases Megumi Sumikawa's manga adaptation of the novels, released a similar condolence message on February 20. Both publishers and Sumikawa said they were surprised by the sudden news of Yoshino's death. Sumikawa added in a tribute message that she will continue to draw the manga as a way to thank Yoshino for working together over the past 10 years.

Sumikawa launched the manga adaptation of the novels in 2009, and the 17th compiled book volume shipped on January 10. The manga ran in Mag Garden 's Monthly Comic Blade until the magazine ceased publication in 2014, and then the series moved to Mag Garden 's Mag Comi website. The novels also inspired a drama CD in 2010.

Thanks to iyane agossah for the news tip.

Sources: AlphaPolis, Mag Comi, Oricon