If you are looking for a suitable novel for young adults, we have created a list of the best light novels to help you. A light novel, or Ranobe, is a style of Japanese novel that is no more than 50,000 words. These novels are published in Bunkobon size (A6-105 x 148mm) and usually contain manga or anime-style illustrations. Like novellas, these novels come in various themes and stories, making it difficult to choose the right one. So, take a look at our listed novels to find one that suits your requirements.

20 Best Light Novels

1. Best Fantasy Novel:Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Vol.1

Arifureta is the story of a 17-year-old Hajime Nagumo. He and his classmates are summoned into a fantasy world where they are tasked with saving humankind from extinction. Hajime represents the dark hero in this story. He thinks this is heaven, and it quickly becomes his biggest nightmare. This is one of Japan’s best light novels published in paper books in 2015. You can check this video out if you need to know more about the product.

2. Best Parallel World:Konosuba: God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World! Vol. 1: Oh! My Useless Goddess!

Kazuma Sato is a young boy living in Japan. One day, when he opens his eyes, he witnesses a gorgeous goddess who gives him a chance to be reborn in another world. When he is reborn in a world full of violence and evil, his happy life comes to an end. This is one of the most famous light novels that illustrate Kazuma Sato’s travel in parallel worlds. To find out more about this product, check this video review out.

3. Best Dark Novel:Overlord: The Men Of The Kingdom Part I, Vol. 5

This story takes place in the Kingdom of Re-Estize, where an evil organization named “Eight Fingers” controls the world of criminals. This dark novel is set in an ancient city and narrates how three men named Sebas, Climb, and Brian pose a threat to the corrupt “Eight Fingers” destroying the kingdom.

4. Best Illustrations:The Saga Of Tanya The Evil, Vol. 1: Deus lo Vult

Tanya Degurechaff is an orphan, the Devil of the Rhine. She is one of the most outstanding and powerful soldiers in the empire’s life. But she witnesses memories of her previous life, where she was a former salaried worker and lived peacefully in Japan before the war broke out. The story is about Tanya’s struggle to survive in this present world. If you are an absolute beginner, this video review might be useful.

5. Best Adventure:Goblin Slayer, Vol. 4

In an adventure story, Goblin Slayer and his companions take up a quest from Sword Maiden. Spearman, Goblin Slayer, and Heavy Warrior join hands to create their team, but only time will tell whether they are enough to fight the demons and win in their adventure.

6. Best Fun-To-Read:So, I’m A Spider, So What? Vol. 10

‘ So, I’m A Spider, So What?, is a Japanese light novel about a girl and her struggle to survive in this world. She has been reborn as a dungeon spider and is exploring her powers and learning new skills. It is one of the best light novels to read, with anime TV series and manga adaptations.

7. Best Mystery:Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai

The light novel is about Sakuta Azusagawa and how she experiences unexpected twists and turns when she meets Mai Sakurajima, an actress dressed as a bunny girl, who wanders in the library unnoticed. The story revolves around “Adolescence Syndrome,” a mystery that Sakuta decides to resolve.

8. Best Imaginative:So I’m a Spider, So What? Vol. 8

Shiraori and company continue their journey to the Demon Kingdom but get trapped in Renxandt Empire, south of the Mystic Mountains range, when an ogre causes destruction, forcing the Renxandt military to intervene. The light novel was released in 2018, and the English version of the novel was released in 2020.

9. Best Sea Adventures:Reincarnated As A Sword Vol. 7

When Teacher and Fran board the ship bound for Beatsman Nation, they carry the Beast King’s revelations. Little do they know that they would go through a series of adventures when they enter the sea. This is one of the most impressive light novels on Kindle that makes a worthy pick.

10. Best Alien Invasion:Death March To The Parallel World Rhapsody, Vol.8

There are celebrations in the elves of Bolenan Forest as Mia returns safe and sound. Satao and crew enjoy the best hospitality, including luxurious feasts and music, and enter into the world of advanced technology they don’t understand. But their joy is short-lived by the threat of an invading species.

11. Banished From The Hero’s Party, I Have Decided To Live A Quiet Life In The Countryside, Vol. 1

Red was a former member of the Hero Party, a powerful group that aims to save the world from the evil designs of Taraxon, the Raging Demon Lord. Red is banished from the Hero Party, and he decided to start a simple life by opening an apothecary. The story takes a new turn when Rit arrives.

12. Log Horizon: The Beginning OF Another World, Vol. 1

One day, 30,000 Japanese gamers wake up to discover the incredible fantasy world of Elder Tales. There is complete chaos when they experience a life where they witness food with flavors, monsters, and their inability to accept death. Then appear the heroes who take charge to change this world.

13. Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Vol. 15

Bell and his companions Hestia, Lilly, Welf, Eina, and Lyu overcome the countless dangers of the Dungeon. After overcoming the risks, they grow wiser and stronger. Bell’s thoughts return to the day when everything started, while Hestia remembers the trials after leaving heaven.

14. 86—Eighty-Six, Vol. 1

It has been a long time since the Giadian Empire’s army attacked the Republic of Saint Magnolia. After years of research, the Republic finally proposed its unmanned drone, which turned a unilateral offensive into a proper war. It is claimed to be a war without casualties, but the truth is something else.

15. Re: Zero- Starting Life In Another World, Vol. 14

Emilia rechallenges her past and recalls her childhood events. She finds out that her struggles had just begun. She lives in a dream world full of memories, but now is the time for her to overcome her past life’s pain and regrets.

16. The Eminence In Shadow, Vol. 1

Even in his previous life, Cid’s dream was not to become a protagonist. He maintains a low profile until it is time to reveal to the world that he is a mastermind. Now that he has been reborn in another world, he is ready to set perfect conditions to realize his dream to the greatest extent. With an overly active imagination, he starts recruiting people to his organization and fabricates a story about an evil cult that might turn out to be real in the end.

17. High School DxD, Vol. 1

Issei begins to believe that all his fantasies become a reality when a lovely girl proposes to him, but this girl stabs him on the first date. He is saved by Rias Gremonry, the most beautiful girl in school. Issei becomes a demon and makes her his servant.

18. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, Vol. 10

After Tempest Founders Festival’s great success, Advanced Dungeon has become a popular tourist attraction in Tempest. Rimuru’s next goal is to join the Western Council, but an influential person works in the background and does not want someone as strong as Rimuru.

19. Failure Frame: I Became The Strongest And Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells: Vol. 1

The world’s resident goddess has summoned Mimori Touka and his classmates to serve as heroes. Except for Mimori, most of the students showcase some exciting skills as they arrive. The goddess then sends Mimori to a dungeon where there is no coming back if one goes. The rest of the story is about Mimori trying to survive.

20. Suppose A Kid From The Last Dungeon Boonies Moved To A Started Town, Vol. 1

Lloyd has always dreamt of serving the country by becoming a soldier in the royal capital, but everyone thinks of him as the weakest lad. To their surprise, everyone in their town is blessed with some powers, and so is Lloyd. The story talks about the incredible powers possessed by Lloyd that make him an exceptional person. Light novels are a popular choice of fiction in Japan. Through the best light novels listed here, you can now explore a world full of magical characters with incredible powers. Pick one or more to get a taste of this genre of writing. If you like one, we’re sure you will like all of them.

How To Choose The Right Light Novels For Young Adults?

Consider the following features when choosing the right light novel for young adults.

Why Trust MomJunction?

For this list of the best Japanese light novels, our in-house writer and editor, Wedetso Chirhah, has ensured to deliver well-researched content that meets the reader’s demands. He has scoured hundreds of websites and customer reviews to bring you this interesting list. The novels have intriguing stories that paint a creative illustration in your mind when you read them. Furthermore, Wedetso studied the summary of each book before including them in the list.

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