187 articles
Light novel
Light novel (ライトノベル, raito noberu; ranobe): Japanese young-adult prose fiction in A6 bunkobon format with manga-style illustrations, dialogue-heavy, no strict definition, published via imprints like Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko and Dengeki Bunko; distinct from web novels, manga, and Western YA.
List of Monogatari novels
Monogatari Series (〈物語〉シリーズ) list: Nishio Ishin's light novel series from Bakemonogatari (2006, Kodansha BOX) through Torimonogatari (2026), with publication order, season divisions, and anime correspondence.
Log Horizon (ログ・ホライズン)
Log Horizon (ログ・ホライズン) is Mamare Touno's isekai light novel series about 30,000 players trapped in the MMORPG Elder Tale, web-serialized from 2010, printed from 2011 in 11 volumes, adapted into an NHK anime from 2013 by Satelight and Studio Deen.
Lord Marksman and Vanadis (魔弾の王と戦姫)
Lord Marksman and Vanadis (魔弾の王と戦姫) is Tsukasa Kawaguchi's 14-volume MF Bunko J fantasy light novel (from 2011) about archer Tigrevurmud Vorn and the war maiden Elenora Viltaria, adapted into a 2014 Satelight TV anime and revived in seven Dash X Bunko volumes.
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions (Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!, 中二病でも恋がしたい！) is a Japanese light novel series by Torako, adapted by Kyoto Animation into a two-season anime (2012, 2014), the 2013 Rikka Version compilation film, and the 2018 film Take On Me.
Magical Buffs: The Support Caster Is Stronger Than He Realized!
Magical Buffs: The Support Caster Is Stronger Than He Realized! (雑用付与術師が自分の最強に気付くまで) is a Haka Tokura light novel and Shin Arakawa manga from Futabasha about support mage Wim Strauss and the A-rank party Nachtlibelle, licensed in English by Seven Seas, with an anime premiering January 4, 2027.
Magical Girl Raising Project (魔法少女育成計画)
Magical Girl Raising Project (魔法少女育成計画, Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku) is a Japanese light novel series by Asari Endō and Maruino (Takarajimasha, 2012) about sixteen magical girls forced into a survival contest, adapted into a 2016 anime and a 2026 restart anime.
Magical Warfare (魔法戦争)
Magical Warfare (魔法戦争, Mahō Sensō) is a 12-volume Japanese light novel series by Suzuki Hisashi with illustrations by Rulia, published under MF Bunko J from 2011, adapted into a 2014 Madhouse TV anime and a Monthly Comic Gene manga.
Maoyu
Maoyu (Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, まおゆう魔王勇者) is a Japanese macroeconomic fantasy by Mamare Touno, originally posted on 2ch, published as five Enterbrain light novels from 2010, adapted into five manga and a 2013 twelve-episode anime by studio Arms.
Monogatari (series)
Monogatari series (〈物語〉シリーズ), NISIOISIN's Japanese light novel series with VOFAN illustrations published by Kodansha BOX, following Koyomi Araragi and apparitions; adapted by SHAFT under Akiyuki Shinbo from Bakemonogatari (2009) onward.
Monster Girl Doctor
Monster Girl Doctor, known in Japan as Monster Musume no Oisha-san, is a light novel series by Yoshino Origuchi about a human physician treating monster girls.
Mushoku Tensei
Mushoku Tensei (無職転生, Jobless Reincarnation) is Rifujin na Magonote's isekai web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō (2012–2015), a 26-volume MF Books light novel about Rudeus Greyrat, with manga and a two-season Studio Bind anime and 14.85 million copies in circulation.
My Happy Marriage
My Happy Marriage (わたしの幸せな結婚) is a Japanese light novel series by Akumi Agitogi on KADOKAWA's Fujimi L Bunko since 2019, over 10 million copies sold, adapted into a Rito Kohsaka manga, a 2023 live-action film grossing over 2.8 billion yen, and a Netflix anime premiering July 5, 2023.
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (乙女ゲームの破滅フラグしかない悪役令嬢に転生してしまった…)
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (HameFura, 乙女ゲームの破滅フラグしかない悪役令嬢に転生してしまった…) is a Japanese light novel series by Satoru Yamaguchi and Nami Hidaka about Katarina Claes, reincarnated as an otome game villainess, adapted into manga, anime, a 2023 film, and a Switch game.
Myriad Colors Phantom World
Myriad Colors Phantom World (無彩限のファントム・ワールド, Musaigen no Phantom World) is a Sōichirō Hatano light novel (KA Esuma Bunko, 2013) and 2016 Kyoto Animation TV anime about students at Hosea Academy sealing phantoms after an event altered human perception.
Nisio Isin (西尾維新)
Nisio Isin (西尾維新, NISIOISIN), born 1981, is a Japanese novelist and Mephisto Prize winner known for the Zaregoto and Monogatari series, Katanagatari, dense wordplay, and a palindromic pen name.
No Game No Life
No Game No Life (ノーゲーム・ノーライフ) is Yuu Kamiya's light novel series (MF Bunko J, 2012–ongoing, 13 volumes, over 7 million copies) about gamer siblings Sora and Shiro in Disboard, where games settle all disputes; adapted as a 2014 Madhouse anime and the 2017 film Zero.
No. 6
No. 6 (NO.6〔ナンバーシックス〕) is a nine-volume dystopian science fiction novel series by Atsuko Asano, published by Kodansha 2003–2011, about elite boy Shion and fugitive Nezumi in the ideal city No. 6; adapted as a Hinoki Kino manga and a 2011 Bones anime, with the sequel NO.6 Reunion from 2025.
Noucome
Noucome (のうコメ), full title Ore no Nounai Sentakushi ga, Gakuen Rabu Kome o Zenryoku de Jama Shiteiru, is a Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko light novel series by Takeru Kasukabe and Yukiwo about a boy cursed with absurd "Absolute Choices"; it ran 12 volumes (2012–2016) and a 10-episode Diomedéa anime aired from October 2013.
Nyaruko: Crawling with Love
Nyaruko: Crawling with Love (Haiyore! Nyaruko-san) is a GA Bunko light novel series by Manta Aisora and Koin, begun in 2009, reimagining Cthulhu Mythos deities as aliens; adapted into TV anime seasons in 2012 and 2013.
Once Upon a Witch's Death
Once Upon a Witch's Death (Aru Majo ga Shinu Made) is a Japanese light novel series by Saka and Chorefuji, adapted into a 2025 anime.
OniAi
OniAi (お兄ちゃんだけど愛さえあれば関係ないよねっ) is a 12-volume harem romantic-comedy light novel by Daisuke Suzuki, adapted into a 2012 SILVER LINK. anime about twins Akito and Akiko Himenokōji living together.
Oreimo
Oreimo (俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない) is a Japanese light novel series by Tsukasa Fushimi, Dengeki Bunko, 2008-2021, about siblings Kyousuke and Kirino Kousaka; over 5 million copies, two anime seasons (2010, 2013), manga, games, and Kuroneko spinoffs.
Oreshura
Oreshura (俺の彼女と幼なじみが修羅場すぎる) is a GA Bunko light novel series by Yuji Yuji and Ruroo, 2011–2022, over 2 million copies, with a 2013 twelve-episode anime and a GanGan Joker manga.
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World, known as KimiSen, is a Japanese fantasy romance light novel series by Kei Sazane, adapted into anime.
Overlord (novel series)
Overlord (オーバーロード) is Kugane Maruyama's dark fantasy light novel series illustrated by so-bin, begun as a 2010 web novel and printed by Enterbrain from 2012; Yen Press publishes it in English, and it ends at volume 18.
Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table
Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table is a Japanese light novel series by Yūshi Ukai. It follows Yuuki, who competes in deadly games for a living.
Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They? (問題児たちが異世界から来るそうですよ?)
Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sō Desu yo? (Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?) is a Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko light novel series (2011–2015) by Tarō Tatsunoko and Yū Amano about three gifted youths in Little Garden's Gift Games, with a 2013 ten-episode Diomedéa anime and a sequel, Last Embryo, on hiatus.
Rascal Does Not Dream
Rascal Does Not Dream (Seishun Buta Yaro, Aobuta) is a Japanese light novel series by Hajime Kamoshida and Keiji Mizoguchi (Dengeki Bunko, 2014–2024, 15 volumes) about Sakuta Azusagawa and Puberty Syndrome, adapted by CloverWorks into a 2018 anime, films, and a 2025 University Arc season.
Re:Zero
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World (Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活) is Tappei Nagatsuki's ongoing isekai light novel series, begun as a 2012 web novel, published by MF Bunko J since 2014, centered on Subaru Natsuki's Return by Death time-loop ability.