The electronic structures and magnetic properties of MNCN (M = Fe, Co, and Ni) have been investigated by density-functional theory including explicit electronic correlation through an ad hoc Coulomb potential (GGA+U). The results evidence CoNCN and NiNCN as type-II anti-ferromagnetic semiconductors (that is, intralayer ferromagnetic and interlayer anti-ferromagnetic), in accordance with experimental observations. Just like the prototype MnNCN, the MNCN phases, with M = Ni and Co, thus resemble the corresponding MO monoxides with respect to their magnetic and transport properties. By contrast, FeNCN remains (semi)metallic even upon applying a strong Coulomb correlation potential. This, most probably, is in contradiction with its observed optical transparency and expected insulating behavior and points toward a serious density-functional theory problem.