187 articles
Reception of light novels in the English-speaking world
The reception of light novels in the English-speaking world is how critics, readers, and retailers outside Japan have responded to light novels, a niche that reached BookScan bestseller lists by 2019.
Record of Grancrest War (グランクレスト戦記)
Record of Grancrest War (グランクレスト戦記, Grancrest Senki) is a Japanese fantasy war light novel series by Ryo Mizuno, published from 2013 to 2018 and adapted into a 24-episode anime in 2018.
Record of Lodoss War (ロードス島戦記)
Record of Lodoss War (ロードス島戦記) is Ryo Mizuno's Japanese fantasy franchise set on the cursed island of Lodoss. It began as a 1986 Comptiq D&D replay, became a million-selling 1988 novel series, and spawned anime, games, TRPGs, and a webtoon spinoff.
Redo of Healer (回復術士のやり直し)
Redo of Healer (回復術士のやり直し) is a dark revenge fantasy light novel by Tsukiyo Rui, Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko, 2017; healing hero Keyaru rewinds time for revenge; 2021 TV anime by TNK; manga by Souken Haga ongoing.
Reincarnated as a Neglected Noble
Reincarnated as a Neglected Noble (Shiro Buta Kizoku desu ga Zense no Kioku ga Haeta node Hiyoko na Otōto Sodatemasu) is a Japanese light novel series written by Yashiro and illustrated by keepout since 2018.
Reincarnated as a Sword (転生したら剣でした)
Reincarnated as a Sword (転生したら剣でした) is a Japanese isekai light novel by Yuu Tanaka and Llo about a man reborn as a sentient sword partnered with the cat-eared slave girl Fran; it began as a 2015 web novel, won the 4th Net Novel Grand Prize, and has manga and a C2C anime.
Reki Kawahara (川原礫)
Reki Kawahara (川原礫, born 1974, Gunma) is the Japanese light novel author of Sword Art Online and Accel World. He wrote SAO as the web novelist Kunori Fumio from 2001 before debuting with the 15th Dengeki Novel Prize grand prize in 2009; SAO-related series exceed 30 million copies.
Restaurant to Another World (異世界食堂)
Restaurant to Another World (Isekai Shokudō) is a Japanese fantasy food series by Junpei Inuzuka about a Tokyo restaurant whose door opens to a fantasy world.
Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers (六花の勇者)
Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers (六花の勇者, Rokka no Yūsha) is an unfinished six-volume Japanese light novel series by Ishio Yamagata (Shueisha Dash-X Bunko, from 2011) and a 2015 12-episode anime: six chosen braves gather, seven appear, so one is a fake.
Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles (精霊幻想記)
Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles (精霊幻想記) is a Japanese isekai fantasy series by Yuri Kitayama, begun as a web novel in 2014, about an orphan who gains a Japanese student's memories, adapted into manga and anime.
Seven Seas Entertainment
Seven Seas Entertainment, LLC: American publisher of manga, light novels, danmei, and webtoons, founded by Jason DeAngelis in 2004; Airship, Ghost Ship, Siren imprints; distributed by PRHPS since 2021; acquired 100% by Media Do International in 2026.
Shakugan no Shana (灼眼のシャナ)
Shakugan no Shana (灼眼のシャナ) is a Japanese school battle fantasy light novel series by Yashichiro Takahashi and Noizi Ito, Dengeki Bunko, first volume 10 November 2002, concluded 2012, adapted into three TV anime seasons, a film, and OVAs from 2005 to 2011 by J.C.STAFF.
Shomin Sample
Shomin Sample (俺がお嬢様学校に「庶民サンプル」として拉致られた件) is a Japanese light novel series by Takafumi Nanatsuki, 11 volumes 2011–2015, adapted into manga, a 2015 anime by SILVER LINK., and a live-action film.
Shōsetsuka ni Narō (小説家になろう)
Shōsetsuka ni Narō (小説家になろう, Narō) is Japan's largest web novel posting site, launched April 2004 and run by HinaProject Inc., with about 1.34 million works, 2.98 million users, 9,000+ published books, and over 200 anime adaptations by 2026.
Skeleton Knight in Another World
Skeleton Knight in Another World (骸骨騎士様、只今異世界へお出掛け中) is a Japanese isekai fantasy by Ennki Hakari about gamer Arc, trapped in his skeleton-knight MMO avatar, with manga, and a 2022/2026 two-season anime.
Sky Wizards Academy (空戦魔導士候補生の教官)
Sky Wizards Academy (空戦魔導士候補生の教官) is a 14-volume Japanese light novel series by Yū Moroboshi and Mikihiro Amami (Fantasia Bunko, 2013–2017), adapted into a 12-episode 2015 Diomedéa anime about instructor Kanata Age training the failing E601 platoon.
So I'm a Spider, So What? (蜘蛛ですが、なにか？)
So I'm a Spider, So What? (蜘蛛ですが、なにか？, Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?) is a Japanese light novel by Okina Baba, illustrated by Tsukasa Kiryu, published by KADOKAWA since December 10, 2015, about a high school girl reincarnated as a weak spider monster surviving a monster-filled dungeon; adapted into manga, a 24-episode anime, and a 2024 browser game.
So, I Can't Play H!
So, I Can't Play H! (だから僕は、Hができない。) is a Japanese ecchi-comedy light novel series by Pan Tachibana, 11 volumes in Fujimi Fantasia Bunko (2010–2013), with a 5-volume manga by Sho Okagiri and a 12-episode 2012 anime by feel.
Spice and Wolf (狼と香辛料)
Spice and Wolf (狼と香辛料), by Isuna Hasekura, is an economic fantasy light novel about merchant Kraft Lawrence traveling with the wolf deity Holo; debut 2006 Dengeki Bunko, 2024 anime remake, 2027 second season.
Strawberry Panic! (ストロベリー・パニック!)
Strawberry Panic! (ストロベリー・パニック!) is a yuri media franchise from a 2003–2005 Dengeki G's reader project, spanning Kono Sakura's 3 light novels, a 2-volume manga, a 2006 Madhouse anime, and a 2006 PS2 game, set at an all-female Catholic school with an Etoile system; the anime, manga, and novels tell substantially different stories.
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town (Tatoeba Last Dungeon Mae no Mura no Shounen...) is a Japanese fantasy comedy light novel by Toshio Satou and Nao Watanuki about oblivious strong boy Lloyd Belladonna, adapted into manga and a 2021 Liden Films anime.
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン)
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン, SAO) is a Japanese light novel series by Reki Kawahara, illustrated by abec, about players trapped in a lethal VRMMORPG; began Dengeki Bunko April 2009, over 30 million copies, major anime and game franchise.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (転生したらスライムだった件, TenSura) is Fuse's Narō-origin isekai light novel series about salaryman Satoru Mikami reborn as slime Rimuru Tempest, with manga, anime, films, and over 62 million copies sold.
The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me? (八男って、それはないでしょう！)
The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me? (Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai deshou!) is a Y.A isekai novel series about Shingo, reincarnated as Wendelin, eighth son of a poor knight family, with 6.2 million copies, manga, and a 2020 anime.
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (Otonari no Tenshi-sama) is a Japanese romance light novel by Saekisan, illustrated by Hanekoto, GA Bunko 2019; web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō since December 2018; anime by project No.9, seasons 2023 and 2026; Yen Press English; Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi 2024 five-crown winner.
The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと)
The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) is Hyuganatsu's Japanese mystery light novel series about apothecary Maomao solving rear palace mysteries in the fictional China-inspired empire Ryū; adapted into two manga and an anime.
The Asterisk War (学戦都市アスタリスク)
The Asterisk War (学戦都市アスタリスク, Gakusen Toshi Asterisk) is a Yuu Miyazaki light novel series, illustrated by Okiura, about Genestella students battling in the Rokka academy city's Seibusai tournament; 17 volumes, a 2015-2016 two-season anime, and a five-volume manga.
The Daily Life of the Immortal King (仙王的日常生活)
The Daily Life of the Immortal King (仙王的日常生活) is Ku Xuan's 2017 Qidian comedy web novel about overpowered student Wang Ling, adapted by Bilibili and Haoliners into a five-season donghua marked by a Saiki K. plagiarism controversy.
The Detective Is Already Dead (探偵はもう、死んでいる。)
The Detective Is Already Dead (探偵はもう、死んでいる。, Tantei wa Mō, Shinde Iru.) is a Japanese light novel series by Nigozyu, illustrated by Umibouzu, MF Bunko J, 2019; Grand Prize, 15th MF Bunko J Rookie Award; anime 2021, Season 2 October 2026.
The Devil Is a Part-Timer!
The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (はたらく魔王さま!, Hataraku Maou-sama!) is a reverse-isekai light novel by Satoshi Wagahara and 029 (Dengeki Bunko, 2011–2020, 21 volumes, 3.5 million copies) in which Demon Lord Satan works at MgRonald's in Tokyo; adapted into manga by Akio Hiiragi and two anime seasons.