30 Best Light Novels of All Time

Light Novels are becoming more popular as a part of Japanese pop culture, alongside anime and manga. Many popular anime and manga are created these days, based on the best-selling light novels. Light novels are now being translated into multiple languages and read all over the world.

It is difficult to define what a light novel is, but almost all light novels feature anime characters on their front covers and on some pages within the books. Light novel pioneers were published beginning in the 1970s. A list of recommended light novels would be too long, and you might be confused about which one to start with. Today, I’d like to introduce 30 of the best light novels of all time, suitable for both new and experienced readers.

30. Prison Life is Easy for a Villainess

During a royal palace party one evening, Rachel, Duke Ferguson’s eldest daughter, was chastised by Prince Elliot for sins she didn’t remember committing, and their engagement was called off. Rachel informed everyone that she had not committed the crimes they were accusing her of, but she was dragged away from the party and thrown into the palace dungeon.

So Rachel reasoned…

“Hooray for my slow-paced life of doing whatever I want! No more queen’s education, no more obnoxious servants—my long vacation begins today!”

Rachel is going to enjoy her slow prison life to the fullest, between enjoying all of the preparations she had made for this very occasion and constantly harassing the annoying Prince!

Authors: Nabeshima, Tetsuhiro (Art), Yamazaki, Hibiki (Story)

Genre: Comedy ,Slice of Life

29. The Eminence in Shadow

The Eminence in Shadow is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Daisuke Aizawa. In May 2018, it began serialisation on the user-generated novel publishing website Shsetsuka ni Nar. It was later bought out by Enterbrain, which has published four volumes since November 2018.

Shadowbrokers are those who go unnoticed, posing as ordinary people while controlling everything from behind the scenes. Sid aspires to be someone like that above all else, and something as insignificant as mundane reality isn’t going to stand in his way! He trains in secret every night, preparing for his eventual rise to power—only to be thwarted by a routine (yet deadly) traffic accident. But when he wakes up in another world and finds himself at the helm of an actual secret organisation fighting evil in the shadows, he’ll finally be able to act out all of his delusional fantasies!

Authors: Touzai (Art), Aizawa, Daisuke (Story)

Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy

28. Orange

Takemiya Naho, then 16, receives a strange but detailed letter from herself ten years in the future in the spring of her sixteenth year. At first, she thinks the letter is a joke, but then the events described in it occur, including the new transfer student who sits next to her in class, Naruse Kakeru. The letter reads exactly like her diary entries, right down to the characters. Naho doesn’t finish the letter until two weeks later, when Kakeru returns to school…

Authors: Takano, Ichigo (Story & Art), Tokiumi, Yui (Story)

Genres: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi

27. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Saekisan and Hanekoto. SB Creative has released five volumes of the series under their GA Bunko label since June 2019. The series was originally published online on Shsetsuka ni Nar, and SB Creative has released five volumes under their GA Bunko label since June 2019.

Amane Fujimiya caught a cold after giving his only umbrella to a girl sitting in the rain, and he only expects her to return it eventually. However, Mahiru Shiina, Amane’s school’s “Angel” and neighbour, gives him much more than that. Instead of just returning the umbrella, she insists on helping him recover from his cold. She is, however, completely unaware of the battleground that is Amane’s apartment.

The only word Mahiru can think of to describe the chaos is “unsightly.” Despite her unsympathetic description, Mahiru goes on to assist the helpless Amane. Itsunomanika otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Otonari no Tenshi-sama Ningen ni Sareteita, Dame Ken follows Amane as he is cared for by Mahiru, who does everything from cleaning his apartment to cooking dinner. Is there anything the Angel cannot accomplish?

Authors: Kazutake, Hazano (Art), Hanekoto (Art), Saeki-san (Story)

Genres: Comedy, Romance

26. 86—Eighty-Six

Asato Asato’s 86 -Eighty Six– is a Japanese science fiction light novel series written and illustrated by Shirabii. It was released in February 2017 by ASCII Media Works under the Dengeki Bunko imprint. Yen Press is the North American distributor for the series.

The Empire of Giad declared war on all neighbouring countries nine years ago, employing an army of autonomous drones known as the Legion. Faced with the Legion’s soulless killing machines, the Republic of San Magnolia, home to the silver-haired Alba race, evacuated its citizens within 85 districts and developed ostensibly unmanned drones known as Juggernauts to combat the Legion.

Even after years of fighting, the Republic claims to have suffered no casualties. However, the crimson-washed battlefield sings a different tune… The Colorata people, a minority forced to live in the “nonexistent” 86th district, have been dealt a hand of utter contempt and scorn. They are regarded as human filth and are assigned to pilot the Juggernauts as Processors under the command of Republican Handlers.

Vladilena Milizé, a republican soldier with a strong sense of justice, despises her countrymen’s treatment of the 86. When she is assigned to the Spearhead Squadron as their handler, she meets a group of oddballs and grows attached to them, especially their captain, Shinei Nouzen, a boy with a pure sense of purpose and resolve. However, the path they take is fraught with death, and Vladilena’s proximity to an 86 may have set her on a downward spiral.

Authors: Shirabi (Art), Asato, Asato (Story)

Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

25. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

Rascal does not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, also known as Seishun Buta Yar in Japan, is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Hajime Kamoshida and illustrated by Keiji Mizoguchi. Since April 2014, ASCII Media Works has published eleven volumes under the Dengeki Bunko imprint.

Sakuta Azusagawa is studying in the library when he comes across an unexpected sight: a beautiful high school girl dressed as a bunny. Mai Sakurajima, a famous former actress and fellow Minegahara High student, turns out to be her. His surprise at seeing Mai dressed so provocatively in the library pales in comparison to the shocking realisation that he is the only one who can see her!

Sakuta, recalling an incident from his past, offers to assist Mai in determining the cause of her invisibility.

Despite their initially contentious relationship, Mai and Sakuta quickly become close: they learn to appreciate each other, and their friendship blossoms into a budding romance. This strengthens their resolve to solve Mai’s problem.

While the investigation is ongoing, Sakuta attributes Mai’s situation to an urban legend known as Adolescence Syndrome: strange phenomena that occur in youth that are unexplained by science and are frequently dismissed as delusion. With few promising outcomes, Mai’s situation worsens to the point where being unseen is the least of her concerns. Can Sakuta and Mai solve the mystery of her Adolescent Syndrome before she vanishes?

Authors: Kamoshida, Hajime (Story), Mizoguchi, Keiji (Art)

Genres: Comedy, Romance

24. Suzumiya Haruhi Series

Haruhi Suzumiya is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Nagaru Tanigawa. The novel The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was first published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten in 2003, and has since been followed by 11 additional novel volumes.

As the students of Class 1-5 introduce themselves at the start of their high school careers, Kyon, a cynical but otherwise fairly ordinary boy, sits down, having just finished his piece. When the girl sitting behind him stands up to give her speech, the entire class is taken aback by what she says. Haruhi Suzumiya makes an unforgettable debut, declaring that she has no interest in ordinary humans and is in search of the supernatural.

Despite his classmates’ warnings, Kyon lets his curiosity get the best of him and attempts to befriend Haruhi despite his doubts about her sincerity.

Unfortunately, Kyon realises she is dead serious as the eccentric girl gradually opens up to him. Furthermore, a conversation between the two sparks a dangerous thought in Haruhi’s mind: since she is bored with the tedium of the school’s clubs, she should just start her own. The SOS Brigade is formed as a result, and Kyon is quickly dragged into a life of absurdity.

Haruhi quickly enlists three new members into her organisation after taking over the Literary Club’s room: the stoic Yuki Nagato, the timid Mikuru Asahina, and the ostensibly mysterious transfer student Itsuki Koizumi.

Haruhi, having assembled this group of students, drags the squad around on adventures in search of the exciting and supernatural, much to Kyon’s chagrin. However, he soon realises that there is more to the new recruits than meets the eye, and what Haruhi desires may be much closer than she realises…

Authors: Tanigawa, Nagaru (Story), Itou, Noizi (Art)

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Supernatural

23. The Faraway Paladin

The Faraway Paladin is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Kanata Yanagino. In May 2015, it began serialisation on the user-generated novel publishing website Shsetsuka ni Nar. It was later acquired by Overlap, which has published four volumes under the Overlap Bunko imprint since March 2016.

William is the only living person in a city of the dead. Born with vague memories of a past life in contemporary Japan in which he failed to accomplish anything useful, he is determined not to repeat the same mistake and that this time, his life will be lived. But what exactly does that imply? Raised by a horde of the undead, William must learn what brought him to this city and these people, as well as what it means to not just exist, but to live a full life.

Authors: Rin, Kususaga (Art), Yanagino, Kanata (Story)

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy

22. WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us?

WorldEnd, short for What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us?, also known as SukaSuka, is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Akira Kareno.

It’s been over 500 years since the human race was on the verge of extinction at the hands of the dreadful and mysterious “Beasts.” To keep all but the most mobile Beasts at bay, the surviving races have built their homes, towns, and cities on floating islands in the sky. Only a group of young girls known as the Leprechauns are capable of wielding the ancient Dug Weapons required to repel those dangerous creatures’ invasions. An unlikely character enters the people’s unstable and fleeting lives, where a simple call to certain death could come at any moment: a mysterious man who lost everything in his final battle five hundred years ago, and had awakened from a long, icy slumber.

Unable to fight any longer, the man, Willem, becomes the father those children never had, caring for and nurturing them even as he struggles to come to terms with his new life, in which he feels the pain that his ‘Daughter’ once felt for him so long ago, of helplessly waiting for his loved ones to return home from battle. Willem and the leprechauns learn about family and what is truly important in their lives as they work together.

Authors: Kareno, Akira (Story), ue (Art)

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi

21. No Game No Life

No Game No Life is a Japanese light novel series by Yū Kamiya.The internet is home to a plethora of urban legends, the most notable of which is the mysterious gamer known only as “Blank.” Blank is just two shut-in NEET siblings: the manipulative 18-year-old Sora and the 11-year-old detached genius, Shiro, who have broken records in hundreds of games. They are an unbeatable duo with no losses to their credit.

One day, the siblings receive an anonymous email in which they are challenged to a game of chess. After achieving a perfect victory, they are immediately transported to a vibrant alternate world.Tet, a playful boy who introduces himself as the “One True God,” tells them that the world of Disboard has a unique system for resolving disputes—all disagreements are resolved through simple games. Furthermore, of the 16 races that inhabit the realm, humanity is the weakest and least powerful, barely scraping by with a kingdom comprised of a single city.

Sora and Shiro quickly make a name for themselves in a world that hasn’t seen war or bloodshed in centuries as they set their sights on an ambitious goal: to defeat Tet with their gaming wits and conquer this new world.

Authors: Kamiya, Yuu (Story & Art)

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Ecchi

20. Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!

Natsume Akatsuki’s KonoSuba is a Japanese light novel series. Kazuma Satou’s life as a young schoolboy in Japan comes to an abrupt end…or, at least, it was supposed to. When he opens his eyes, he sees a beautiful goddess who offers him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be reborn in a parallel world. The catch is that the world is violent and under threat from a rising evil! Fortunately, he has the option of bringing anything he wants.

So he goes with the goddess Aqua! And so his adventure with his beautiful companion begins—if only he could just get enough money and food to survive, keep his goddess out of trouble, and avoid attracting the attention of the Demon King’s army!

Authors: Mishima, Kurone (Art), Akatsuki, Natsume (Story)

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural

19. Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-

Tappei Nagatsuki’s Re:Zero: Starting Life in Another World is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Shin’ichir tsuka.Subaru Natsuki emerges from the convenience store into a bustling town populated by humans and demi-humans. The town is clearly not the modern-day Japan he is familiar with, as it uses dragons and carriages for transportation. Subaru, on the other hand, believes that because he spends his days immersed in comic books and video games, he is a protagonist in this new fantasy world, possessing supreme magical powers.

That is not the case, much to his dismay, and things quickly go awry when he runs into a gang of thugs. Fortunately, Satella, a silver-haired beauty on the hunt for her stolen insignia, comes to his aid.

Subaru offers to assist with the search in exchange for her kindness, which eventually leads them to a loot shop. Subaru enters the shop, assuming the insignia was traded for money, hoping to bargain with the owner about the stolen item. However, much to his surprise, what awaits them is a brutal assassin who leads the two to their demise rather than the insignia.

Instead of waking up in the afterlife, Subaru is startled to find himself alone in the middle of the day, as if he had never left the town in the first place. As a result, his life in another world begins a second time, mysteriously.

Authors: Nagatsuki, Tappei (Story), Ootsuka, Shinichirou (Art)

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

18. The Saga of Tanya the Evil

The Saga of Tanya the Evil, also known as Youjo Senki in Japan, is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Carlo Zen and illustrated by Shinobu Shinotsuki.A young girl battles army mages in high-stakes aerial duels with bullets, spells, and bayonets high above the blood- and mud-soaked trenches. Tanya Degurechaff is the Devil of the Rhine, and she is one of the greatest soldiers the Empire has ever seen! But inside her head is a ruthless, cunning ex-salaryman who lived a peaceful life in Japan before waking up in a war-torn world. Tanya, a destitute orphaned girl with nothing but memories of a previous life, will do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means hiding behind the barrel of a gun!

Authors: Shinotsuki, Shinobu (Art), Zen, Carlo (Story)

Genre: Action

17. Violet Evergarden

Kana Akatsuki’s Violet Evergarden is a Japanese light novel series illustrated by Akiko Takase. Violet was used as a weapon by the military as a child due to her combat prowess. Major Gilbert, who named the girl, taught her to speak and write, and cared for her, was her only friend and protector. Violet is brought to the Evergarden household to recover after being seriously injured in the war and losing both arms.

There, she trains to be an Auto Memories Doll, which is someone who writes letters for others, deciphering their true feelings and expressing them on paper. Violet travels the world, helping her clients find love and comfort through the letters she writes; more importantly, she gradually learns to understand emotions, allowing her to finally cope with what she’s done and what she’s lost.

Authors: Akatsuki, Kana (Story), Takase, Akiko (Art)

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

16. Three Days of Happiness

Three Days of Happiness is a Japanese novel written by Sugaru Miaki, illustrated by Shichi Taguchi, and first published on December 25, 2013 by ASCII Media Works. Middle-aged Kusonoki, unable to make ends meet in Japan with his part-time job, prepares to sell the last of his possessions. The clerk tells Kusonoki about a place where he can sell his lifespan for actual money after visiting a library to sell books. For your lifespan, everything from how influential someone is in the world to how many people you have influenced is taken into account. He enters the store and meets a mysterious girl named Miyagi after a difficult journey to this fabled location.

After a few hours of evaluation, Kusonoki is informed that his lifespan is only worth $300,000 (approximately $3000), far less than the global average. Recognizing that his future is worthless, he decides to sell it after only three months in order to enjoy the money. The next morning, he is awakened by Miyagi knocking on his door. As per company policy, she was assigned to keep an eye on Kusonoki for the next three months, until his death. What follows is an introspective journey through themes such as potential, true happiness, and the value of time.

Authors: Miaki, Sugaru (Story)

Genre: Drama

15. Classroom of the Elite

Shgo Kinugasa’s Classroom of the Elite is a Japanese light novel series illustrated by Shunsaku Tomose. Students are given remarkable freedom at the prestigious Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, which aims to produce the country’s future leaders. They must, however, contend with a point system that determines one’s position in the school’s hierarchy! Ayanokoji Kiyotaka has landed at the bottom of the despised Class D, where he meets Horikita Suzune, who is determined to work her way back up to Class A, and Kushida Kikyo, who appears to be only interested in making friends. Can they make it through this school where cutthroat competition reigns supreme?

Authors: Tomose, Shunsaku (Art), Kinugasa, Shougo (Story)

Genre: Drama

14. Overlord

Overlord is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Kugane Maruyama.It started serialising online in 2010, before being purchased by Enterbrain. The virtual world of Yggdrasil has been the playground and battlefield for the skeletal lord Momonga and his guild of fellow monsters, Ainz Ooal Gown, for the past twelve years. However, the guild’s glory days are over, and the game is permanently shutting down. Something happens when Momonga logs in one last time just to be there when the servers go dark, and fantasy becomes reality. A rogues’ gallery of devoted NPCs awaits his every command, but the world Momonga now inhabits is not the one he remembers. The game may be over, but Ainz Ooal Gown’s epic storey is just getting started…

Authors: Maruyama, Kugane (Story), so-bin (Art)

Genres: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural

13. My Little Sister Can Read Kanji

The year is 2202, and Japan has been transformed into the land of moe. Gin Imose, an aspiring author, and his younger sister Kuroha are travelling to TOKYO to meet with world-renowned author Gai Odaira. Kuroha is uninterested in his traditional literary style and, astonishingly, can read ancient modern Japanese books written in kanji! This fateful meeting sets in motion a series of events that could alter the course of literary history. Could it be that, once upon a time, books were about more than little sisters flashing their panties and getting into compromising situations with their non-blood-related older brothers? Impossible! It’s difficult to imagine a Japan where everyone could read kanji and the Prime Minister was a three-dimensional human being…

Authors: Minamura, Haruki (Art), Kajii, Takashi (Story)

Genres: Comedy, Romance

12. Monster Girl Doctor

Monster Girl Doctor is a Japanese light novel series written by Yoshino Origuchi and illustrated by Z-Ton.
Dr. Glenn and his lamia assistant, Sapphee, run an excellent medical clinic for monster girls in the town of Lindworm, where monsters and humans coexist. Dr. Glenn does his job with grace and confidence, whether he is receiving a marriage proposal from a wounded centaur, palpating the injury of a mermaid, or suturing the delicate wounds of a flesh golem. But how will the unflappable Dr. Glenn react when an unsavoury character attempts to steal a harpy egg…?

Authors: Z-ton (Art), Yoshino, Origuchi (Story)

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi

11. High Speed!

A prequel to the 2013 Kyoto Animation series Free!

The first novel is about Haruka Nanase, a sixth-grade student who forms a relay team with his childhood friend Makoto Tachibana, a cheerful junior named Nagisa Hazuki, and a newly transferred student named Rin Matsuoka.

The second novel takes place during Haruka and Makoto’s first year of middle school and tells the storey of their experiences on the swim team, as well as the introduction of two new characters, Ikuya Kirishima and Asahi Shiina.

Authors: Nishiya, Futoshi (Art), Ooji, Kouji (Story)

Genres: Drama, Sports

10. Book Girl

Mizuki Nomura’s Book Girl is a collection of Japanese light novels illustrated by Miho Takeoka. The series is divided into 16 volumes, eight of which cover the original series, four of which are short storey collections, and four of which are of a side storey.

Konoha Inoue goes about his daily life as a normal high school student, concealing his dark past as a best-selling author who wrote under the guise of a 14-year-old girl. He is a member of the literature club and writes improv stories for third-year student Tooko Amano, the only other member of the club and a self-described “book girl” who literally eats written words. Konoha is forced to accompany Tooko as she seeks out strange, literary cases to investigate.

Chia Takeda approaches the book club one day, asking for their assistance in writing love letters to her crush Shuuji Kataoka. When Konoha digs deeper into the matter, what appears to be a simple request for love advice quickly turns into something more sinister.

Authors: Nomura, Mizuki (Story), Takeoka, Miho (Art)

Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance

9. The Isolator

The Isolator is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Reki Kawahara. Since June 2014, ASCII Media Works has released five volumes. In August 2019, scientists received extraterrestrial signals warning them of impending disasters on Earth.

Following that, various extraterrestrial life forms make contact with humans. People who are affected by these energies, known as the Third Eye, gain mysterious abilities. Some have the ability to move at the speed of sound, others have a sword capable of cutting steel, and still others have the ability to tear absolutely everything apart with their teeth.

We follow Utsugi Minoru, a quiet 17-year-old who has gained the ability he has always desired, the Solitude (code name lsolator), and Yumiko, a member of an organisation that monitors these new superhumans.

However, Minoru’s prowess as a result of Absolute Solitude results in endless battles…

Authors: Kawahara, Reki (Story), Shimeji (Art)

Genre: Sci-Fi

8. Baccano!

Baccano! is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Ryohgo Narita and Katsumi Enami. A group of alchemists summon a demon aboard the Advenna Avis in 1711 in the hopes of gaining eternal life. The demon bestows upon them an elixir of immortality as well as the method of extinguishing their existence by “devouring” one another. Soon after, one of them starts devouring his companions. Recognizing the dangers of remaining together, they disperse across the globe.

Centuries later, in 1930s America, a federal investigator tries his best to combat the rise of organised crime during Prohibition, send a particularly vexing terrorist to Alcatraz, and apprehend an outrageous thief duo.

Meanwhile, the Flying Pussyfoot, a transcontinental train, begins its bloody journey across the country.

In 2002, a small group of the original Advenna Avis alchemists set out on a quest to find the rest of their fellow immortals. They did not expect to see one of their companions again.

From a sleepy Italian city in the early 1700s to a modern luxury cruise ship crossing the Pacific, seemingly unrelated events reveal themselves to be far more connected than anyone could have imagined…

Authors: Narita, Ryohgo (Story), Enami, Katsumi (Art)

Genres: Action, Fantasy, Mystery

7. Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki

When Hana summoned the courage to approach the mysterious loner in her college class, she had no idea the encounter would blossom into true love—or that he was a wolf disguised as a human. Their relationship was unusual, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her joy is only heightened by the births of Ame and Yuki, who have inherited their father’s extraordinary ability to transform. But life is full of ups and downs, and Hana is left to raise her young wolves on her own. Raising human children is difficult enough… but how will she deal with their wild side?

Authors: Hosoda, Mamoru (Story)

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life

6. your name

Makoto Shinkai wrote the Japanese light novel Your Name. Mitsuha, a high school girl living in a rural town deep in the mountains, has a dream that she is a boy living in Tokyo. Taki, a high school student in Tokyo, fantasises about being a mountain girl. Their encounter sets the cogs of fate in motion as they realise they are changing places.

Authors: Shinkai, Makoto (Story)

Genres: Drama, Romance, Supernatural

5. So I’m a Spider, So What?

Okina Baba’s So I’m a Spider, So What? is a Japanese light novel series illustrated by Tsukasa Kiryu.A high school girl’s last memory is of a strange explosion ripping through her classroom. She is reborn as a lowly spider hatchling, one of thousands in a vast cave, in the aftermath of the tragedy. Furthermore, the world she is reincarnated into has a point-based skill system, which forces her to level up as quickly as possible if she is to survive the perilous environment and persevere in the face of overwhelming odds.

Thus begins the journey of a tiny spider clawing, biting, and plotting her way to the top. She will gradually uncover the truth behind the mysterious fantasy world and the explosion that sent her there as she is forced to confront the powerful beings that reign over the Great Elroe Labyrinth and beyond.

Authors: Kiryuu, Tsukasa (Art), Baba, Okina (Story)

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

4. Spice & Wolf

Spice and Wolf is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Isuna Hasekura. Kraft Lawrence, a young travelling merchant, has grown accustomed to days of wandering and trading with few companions. That is, until one strange day when the trader discovers a young, naked, wolf-like girl asleep in his waggon.

The beautiful girl, Holo, claims to be a local wolf deity revered by the locals as the God of Good Harvest. She ensured a good harvest year after year, but she has grown tired of fulfilling the wishes of the ungrateful locals.

Holo eventually strikes a deal with Kraft: if he assists her in escaping the villagers, she will gladly assist him in his merchant endeavours. They travel from town to town in search of business, and Kraft experiences the ups and downs of travelling with a haughty and astute wolf goddess.

Authors: Hasekura, Isuna (Story), Ayakura, Juu (Art)

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural

3. The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria

The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria (Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria in Japan) is a Japanese light novel series written by Eiji Mikage and illustrated by Tetsuo. Kazuki Hoshino prioritises his daily life above all else. He spends his days at school carefree with his friends, until the transfer of the aloof beauty Aya Otonashi into his class and her cold, dramatic statement to him immediately upon arrival:

“I’ve come to break you. I’ve transferred for the 13,118th time. After so many occasions, I have to say that it’s beginning to grate on me, which is why I’m spicing things up this time with a proper declaration of war.”

And with those perplexing words, Kazuki’s seemingly normal days turn into a cycle of turmoil and fear—sudden Aya’s appearance signals the unravelling of unseen mysteries surrounding Kazuki’s seemingly normal friends, including the discovery of mysterious devices known as “boxes.”

Authors: Mikage, Eiji (Story), Tetsuo (Art)

Genres: Action, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense

2. My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected

My Teen Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected, also known as My Youth Romantic Comedy SNAFU, is a Japanese light novel series written by Wataru Watari and illustrated by Ponkan8.

Hachiman Hikigaya, a Soubu High School student, is a cynical loner as a result of his traumatic past experiences in his social life. As a result, he developed “dead fish eyes” and a twisted personality resembling that of a petty criminal. He submits an essay criticising this exact mentality of youths, believing that the concept of youth is a lie made up by youngsters who face their failures in denial. Irritated by the submission, Shizuka Hiratsuka, his homeroom teacher, forces him to join the Volunteer Service Club—a club that helps students solve their life problems in the hopes that helping others will change his personality.

However, the most beautiful girl in school, Yukino Yukinoshita, is the only member of the club and a loner, albeit colder and smarter than Hikigaya. When Yui Yuigahama joins them after being helped with her plight, their club quickly expands, and they begin to accept more requests.

Hikigaya, as a recluse, tries to solve problems in his own way, but his methods may prove to be a double-edged sword.

Authors: Watari, Wataru (Story), Ponkan⑧ (Art)

Genres: Comedy, Romance

1. Monogatari Series

Monogatari is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Nisio Isin. This is a storey, a “ghostory” of sorts, about scars that bond, monsters that haunt, and deceptions.

Koyomi Araragi’s storey begins with a fateful encounter with the all-powerful, blonde-haired, “hot-blooded, iron-blooded, and cold-blooded” vampire known as Shinobu Oshino.Their tragic meeting ends Araragi’s life as a human and results in his rebirth as a vampire—a monster. This encounter, however, is only the beginning of his forays into the supernatural. Koyomi’s noble personality eventually leads to him becoming more involved in the lives of others who suffer from supernatural afflictions. This is his desperate attempt to live a normal human life in a paranormal world full of tragedy, suffering, and inhumanity.

Authors: NISIO, ISIN (Story), VOFAN (Art)

Genres: Action, Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural