No, not a novel composed entirely of beams of light, although that would be awesome.
While related to Manga and Anime, light novels are actually prose, written in short paragraphs for fast reading. Light novels are very popular in Japan, chiefly among teenagers and young adults. Back in the 2000s and early 2010s, very few of them had made their way to English-language markets, but this changed around 2013 when Yen Press created a successful strategy of marketing them to the people who read novels and not just anime/manga fans. There are also a relatively large number of translated yaoi light novels. Due to the nature of the illustrators, many Light Novels out at the moment are Ecchi to capitalize on their talents.
The term light novel is a misnomer. While many people believe that the word "light" in the name means the novel is short (and they usually don't last much longer than 200 pages) or that it uses manga-style illustrations, the truth is that this actually refers to the text inside. Modern light novels use simpler, easier-to-read everyday kanji as opposed to "hard" novels, which generally contain much older words which, even for Japanese readers, may necessitate keeping a dictionary on hand to understand. The closest parallel in the Western world is probably the distinction between "Modern English", "Middle English" and "Old English".
Light Novels commonly get adapted to Manga and Anime, and more often than not are promptly displaced by said adaptations outside Japan for the reasons stated above. This is so common that some light novels are mistakenly believed to be anime or manga even if they don't have such an adaptation, or, oddly, that every Japanese-derived book adapted into anime/manga is a light novel regardless of text simplicity. Sometimes it may be the other way around, and a manga or anime project may get a Tie-In Novel or Novelization in the form of a light novel. Either way, due to the close-knit relationship between the media and their habit of sharing illustrators, light novels have come to be seen as manga and anime's text-based cousin.
Chinese-language literature has a somewhat similar phenomenon, particularly in Taiwan, though there is also a growing online force on Mainland China. Although the term "light novel" is not typically used in China for such works,note for convenience they will be listed here, though expect them to be listed under the Literature namespace (because most, if not all of them are Web Serial Novels).
The rough Western equivalent would be Young Adult Literature, which is typically aimed at teenaged and up readers (with the upper age, depending on the authority, ranging from 25 to 34), or Pulp Magazine due to its escapist plots and Beige Prose style. However, publishers are making efforts to market light novels to adult readers, while there are several Young Adult and even Children's books that aren't "light" by any stretch of the imagination (the later Harry Potter books come to mind).
See also Stock Light-Novel Everyman and Stock Light-Novel Hero.
Light novel series with pages on this wiki:
(Series marked with a * have a North American release at least in part.)
- 86 *
- The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?
- Absolute Duo
- Accel World *
- Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter *
- Adachi And Shimamura *
- The Advent of Death's Daughter
- Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero
- Ai no Kusabi *
- Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor *
- Akuyaku Reijo ni Koi wo Shite
- Akikan!
- The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life *
- Allison
- All You Need is Kill *
- Altina the Sword Princess *
- A Lullaby Sinister *
- Amagi Brilliant Park *
- The Ambition of Oda Nobuna
- The Apothecary Diaries
- An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride *
- And You Thought There is Never a Girl Online?
- Angel Beats!
- Ankoku Kishi Monogatari
- Another Note *
- Another World Reincarnation
- Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon
- Apocalypse Alice
- Aria the Scarlet Ammo *
- Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest *
- Ascendance of a Bookworm *
- Assassins Pride
- The Asterisk War *
- Asuka of the Scarlet Sky
- Asura Cryin'
- Avesta of Black and White
- Baby Princess
- Baccano! *
- Baka and Test: Summon the Beasts
- Bakemonogatari *
- Balancing My Support Magic And Summoning Magic In A Different World
- Ballad Of A Shinigami *
- Banished from the Heroes' Party *
- Battery
- Being Able to Edit Skills in Another World, I Gained OP Waifus
- Beatless
- Ben-To
- Berserk: The Flame Dragon Knight
- Beyond the Boundary
- Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian
- Black Bullet *
- Black Clover: The Book of the Black Bulls
- Black Clover: Order of Knights Book
- Black Lagoon
- Black Summoner *
- Bladedance of Elementalers
- Blaz Blue Phase Shift
- Bleach: The Death Save the Strawberry
- Bleach: We Do Knot Always Love You
- Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan
- Bodacious Space Pirates
- BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense
- Boogiepop Series *
- Book Girl *
- Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki *
- The Boy Who Swore Revenge On The World
- A Brave Heart of Red Rose
- Brothers Conflict
- Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill *
- Campione!
- The Case Files of Jeweler Richard
- Cat Planet Cuties
- Cave King
- A Certain Magical Index *
- Chivalry of a Failed Knight
- Chrome Shelled Regios
- Chuuko demo Koi ga Shitai!
- The Circumstances Leading to Waltraute's Marriage
- Clash of Hexennacht*
- Class Teni De Ore Dake Haburaretara*
- Clockwork Planet *
- Coffin Princess Chaika
- Cold Series *
- The Combat Baker and Automaton Waitress
- Cooking With Wild Game *
- Cop Craft
- Corsair
- Crusher Joe
- Cube×Cursed×Curious
- Cursed Sword Master
- Dad Is a Hero, Mom Is a Spirit, I'm a Reincarnator
- Dances with the Dragons
- Danganronpa Zero
- Danjon No Maou Wa Saijaku
- Date A Live
- The Deathbound Dukes Daughter And The Seven Nobles*
- The Death Mage Who Doesn't Want a Fourth Time
- Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody *
- Demonbane (three prequel novels)
- Demon Lord, Retry! *
- Demon King Daimao *
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Shiwase no Hana
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Katahane no Cho
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Kaze no Michishirube
- Denpa Teki na Kanojo
- The Devil Is a Part-Timer! *
- Devil May Cry * (two that are prequels out of a total of four)
- DDD (aka Decoration Disorder Disconnection)
- Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?*
- Did You Know That A Playboy Can Change His Job To A Sage
- Digimon Adventure
- Dirty Pair *
- Disgaea Novels
- Dog & Scissors
- Dokkoida?!
- Don't Worry Mama
- Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? *
- Dragon Crisis!
- Dragonar Academy
- Dungeon master wants to sleep now and forever...
- Durarara!! *
- Earl and Fairy
- Eien no Filena
- Elegant Yokai Apartment Life
- The Eminence in Shadow
- The Empire of Corpses
- The Empty Box and the Zeroth Maria *
- Eromanga Sensei
- S, AKA Esu *
- Etsusa Bridge
- Even Though I'm a Former Noble and Single Mother
- Evil Dragon Reincarnation
- Evillious Chronicles
- Cloture Of Yellow
- Evil Food Eater Conchita
- Fifth Pierrot
- Gift From The Princess Who Brought Sleep
- The Lunacy Of Duke Venomania
- Praeludium Of Red
- Praefacio Of Blue
- Wiegenlied Of Green
- The Tailor Of Enbizaka
- Judgment Of Corruption
- The Muzzle Of Nemesis
- master of the heavenly yard#
- Original Sin Story Crime
- The Extraordinary, the Ordinary, and SOAP! *
- The Familiar of Zero
- The Faraway Paladin *
- Fate/Apocrypha
- Fate/Requiem
- Fate/Zero
- Fire Girl
- Fixed Damage
- A Fox's Tale
- From the New World
- Full Metal Panic! *
- Fullmetal Alchemist *
- Gad Guard
- Gakuen Kino
- Gamers!
- Garbage Brave
- Gargoyle of the Yoshinagas
- Gate - Thus the JSDF Fought There
- Gekkou
- The Genius Prince's Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt (Hey, How About Treason?) *
- Genkai Level One Kara No Nariagari
- Ginban Kaleidoscope
- GJ-bu
- Goblin Slayer *
- Gokudo
- Golden Time
- Gonna Be the Twin-Tail!!
- The Good Witch of the West *
- Goshuushou-sama Ninomiya-kun
- Gosick *
- The Greatest Magicmaster's Retirement Plan *
- Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash *
- Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl
- Guin Saga *
- Gunota ga Mahou Sekai ni Tensei Shitara *
- .hack//AI Buster *
- Haganai
- Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens
- Hariyama-san
- Haruhi Suzumiya *
- Heaven's Memo Pad
- Heavy Object
- Hensuki: Are You Willing to Fall in Love with a Pervert, as Long as She's a Cutie?
- Henneko: The Hentai Prince and the Stony Cat
- Here Comes the Three Angels
- The Hero And His Elf Bride Open A Pizza Parlor In Another World
- The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious *
- Hero Of God Eye
- The Hero Who Returned Remains The Strongest In The Modern World
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Could Enter*
- High School D×D*
- High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World*
- High★Speed!
- Higurashi: When They Cry (originally a visual novel)
- Hiraheishi Wa Kako O Yumemiru
- Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere
- How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom *
- How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord *
- How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend *
- Humanity Has Declined
- Hundred
- Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls
- Hybrid × Heart Magias Academy Ataraxia *
- Hyouketsu Kyoukai no Eden
- I am Behemoth of the S-Rank, But I am Mistaken as a Cat and I Live as a Pet of Elf Girl
- I am the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire
- I am the Sorcerer King (Korean)
- I Became the Demon Lord so I Created a Dungeon and Spend Heartwarming Time There with Non-Human Girls
- Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells
- I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job
- I Got A Cheat Ability In A Different World, And Become Extraordinary Even In The Real World
- The Ideal Sponger Life
- Idol Defense Force Hummingbird
- If Her Flag Breaks
- If Its for My Daughter, Id Even Defeat a Demon Lord *
- Immoral Darkness *
- Imouto ni Fianse wo Yuzure to Iwaremashita
- In Another World I Am Called The Black Healer
- In Another World with My Smartphone *
- Infinite Dendrogram *
- Infinite Stratos *
- Instant Death *
- Inukami!
- INVADERS of the ROKUJYOUMA!? *
- Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu
- The Irregular at Magic High School *
- Irresponsible Captain Tylor
- I Saved Too Many Girls and Caused the Apocalypse *
- Isekai Apocalypse Mynoghra
- Isekai Cheat Magician
- Isekai Omotenashi Gohan
- Isekai Onsen Ni Tensai Shita Ore No Kounou Ga Tondemosugiru
- Isekai Yakkyoku
- Is It Tough Being A Friend
- Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? *
- Is This a Zombie?
- The Isolator *
- Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi
- I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level *
- I Was A Sword When I Reincarnated
- I Woke Up Piloting The Strongest Starship
- Izure Shinwa No Ragnarok
- Jigoku no Gouka de Yaka re Tsuzuketa Shonen
- Jishou Akuyaku Reijou na Konyakusha no Kansatsu Kiroku
- JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World *
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 4th Another Day
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Over Heaven
- Jorge Joestar
- Judgment Of Corruption
- Jujutsushi Wa Yuusha Ni Narenai
- Juni Taisen: Zodiac War *
- Kabukibu!
- Kage Kara Mamoru!
- Kagerou Daze *
- Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits
- Kamikaze Girls *
- Kämpfer
- Kanokon
- Kara no Kyoukai
- Karin *
- Katanagatari
- Kaze no Stigma
- Kieli *
- Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai
- Kino's Journey *
- Knight's & Magic
- Kokoro Connect *
- KonoSuba *
- Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imouto ga Iru!
- Kou 1 Desu Ga Isekai Joushu Hajimemashita
- Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear *
- Kure-nai
- Kyo Kara Maoh!
- Kyouran Kazoku Nikki
- Ladies Versus Butlers!
- Last and First Idol
- L: change the WorLd
- Legend of Galactic Heroes
- The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor
- The Legend of the Legendary Heroes
- Level One Strongest Sage
- Level Up Just By Eating
- Library War
- Lillia & Treize
- A Lily Blooms In Another World
- Listen to me, girls. I am your father!
- Little Witch Academia * (adaptation)
- Lodgeworld
- Log Horizon *
- Loner Life In Another World *
- Lord El-Melloi II Case Files
- Lord Marksman and Vanadis
- Lost Universe
- Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions
- Maburaho
- Märchen Mädchen
- The Mage Will Master Magic Efficiently in His Second Life
- The Magic in This Other World Is Too Far Behind! *
- Magical Explorer
- Magician's Academy
- Magical Girl Raising Project *
- Magical Warfare
- Magic User's Club (Mahou Tsukai Tai!)
- Magika Swordsman And Summoner
- Mai-HiME Destiny (Alternate Continuity to the anime series)
- The Man Picked Up By The Gods
- Manuke FPS Player Ga Isekai E Ochita Baai
- Maou Na Ore To Fushihime No Yubiwa
- Maou no Hajimekata
- Maoyu
- Maria Watches Over Us
- The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar*
- Mayo Chiki!
- Mayoi Neko Overrun!
- Mikagura School Suite
- Mirage of Blaze
- The Misfit of Demon King Academy
- MM!
- Mnemosyne
- Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight AXIS
- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
- Modern Magic Made Simple
- Momo Kyun Sword
- Monster Girl Doctor
- Moon Led Journey Across Another World
- Mushi-Uta
- Muv-Luv
- Mushoku Tensei *
- The Muzzle Of Nemesis
- My Entire Class Was Summoned To Another World Except For Me
- My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!*
- My Repair Skill Became An Almighty Cheat
- Myriad Colors Phantom World
- My Room Is A Dungeon Rest Stop
- My Sister, My Writer
- My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's
- My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, as I Expected
- Nanana's Buried Treasure
- Nanatsuiro Drops
- Nyaruko: Crawling With Love!
- Naruto Hiden
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA
- Nidome no Yuusha
- No. 6
- Ninja Slayer
- Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
- No Game No Life *
- No-Rin
- Occultic;Nine *
- Ōkami-san
- Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne!
- Only Sense Online
- Only the Ring Finger Knows
- Oreimo
- Ore no Nounai Sentakushi ga, Gakuen Love Come o Zenryoku de Jama Shiteiru
- Oreshura
- Ore wo Suki Nano wa Omae Dake Ka Yo
- Otherside Picnic *
- Our Home's Fox Deity
- Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World
- Outbreak Company *
- Outburst Dreamer Boys
- Over Lord 2012 *
- Persona x Detective NAOTO
- The Pet Girl of Sakurasou
- Pita-Ten *
- Please Teacher!
- Pocket Monsters: The Animation
- Prince of Stride
- Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica (adaptation)
- Purple Haze Feedback
- R15
- Rail Wars!
- Rakuin No Monshou (Emblem of the Branded)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
- Read or Die
- Rebuild World
- Record of Grancrest War
- Record of Lodoss War
- Redo of Healer
- Reijou Wa Mattari Wo Goshomou
- Re:Monster
- Restaurant to Another World
- Re:Zero *
- Rental Magica
- The Rising of the Shield Hero *
- The Reunion With Twelve Fascinating Goddesses
- Rising × Rydeen
- Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers *
- Roll Over and Die*
- Rose Princess Hellrage
- Rune Soldier Louie
- The Ryuo's Work Is Never Done!
- The Sacred Blacksmith
- The Saga of Tanya the Evil *
- Sagrada Reset
- Saiunkoku Monogatari
- Sasami-san@Ganbaranai
- Satou Kashi no Dangan wa Uchinukenai
- Scrapped Princess *
- SD Gundam The Last World
- Seiken Tsukai No World Break
- Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles *
- Seitokai no Ichizon
- Seraph of the End *
- Seven Senses of the Re'Union
- Sexiled: My Sexist Party Leader Kicked Me Out So I Teamed Up With A Mythical Sorceress!
- Shakugan no Shana *
- Shangri-La
- She Retaliated Because Her Entire Family Was Wrongfully Executed
- Shimoneta
- Shingan no Yuusha
- Shinigami Ni Sodaterareta Shoujo Wa Shikkoku No Ken Wo Mune Ni Idaku
- Shinka No Mi
- Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson
- Shin Sakura Taisen the Novel: Hizakura no Koro
- Shomin Sample
- Shōnen Onmyōji
- Shounen Hollywood
- Side-By-Side Dreamers
- A Simple Survey
- A Sister's All You Need
- Sister Princess
- Skeleton Knight In Another World
- Sky Wizards Academy
- Slave Harem in the Labyrinth of the Other World
- Slayers *
- So, I Can't Play H!
- So I'm a Spider, So What?*
- The Son of the Hero
- Sorcerer Stabber Orphen (Two series; the original "Haguretabi" and the comedic "Mubouhen")
- Spice and Wolf *
- Spirit Migration
- SSS-Suicide Hunter
- Starship Operators
- Strawberry Panic! *
- Strike the Blood *
- Sukisho
- Sunday Without God
- Suterareta Yuusha No Eiyuutan
- Sword Art Online *
- Taisho Baseball Girls
- The Tales Of Marielle Clarac *
- Tales of Reincarnation in Maydare
- Tatakau Shisho
- Tearmoon Empire *
- Telepathy Shoujo Ran
- The Pilot's Love Song
- The Princess and the Pilot
- The Testament of Sister New Devil
- The Triskelion in the Deserted City of Tokyo
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime *
- Thermal Operator
- There Was No Secret Evil Fighting Organization *
- The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye
- Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku
- Tokyo Ravens
- Toradora! *
- Torture Princess: Fremd Torturchen *
- Torture Tower doesn't sleep
- Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs
- Trinity Blood *
- Tsuki Tsuki!
- Tsurune
- Tsuyokute New Saga
- The Twelve Kingdoms *
- Two As One Princesses
- Tytania
- Ultimate Antihero
- Unbreakable Machine Doll
- Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle
- The Undetectable Strongest Job
- The Unexplored Summon://Blood-Sign
- The Unique Cheat of the Man Dragged in by the Four Heroes
- Unlimited Fafnir
- Unlock City
- Ulysses: Jeanne d'Arc and the Alchemist Knights
- Vamp
- Vampire Hunter D *
- Venus to Mamoru!
- Villainess Level 99: I May Be The Hidden Boss But I'm Not The Demon Lord
- The Villainess Reverses The Hourglass
- Violet Evergarden
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina
- Washio Sumi Is A Hero
- Watashitachi No Tamura Kun
- The Weakest Tamer
- The Weakness Of Beatrice The Level Cap Holy Swordswoman
- Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! *
- When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace
- A Wild Last Boss Appeared! *
- The World Is Full Of Monsters Now
- Why Shouldn't a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?
- The Wise Grandson
- Woof Woof Story
- World Customize Creator
- WorldEnd: What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us?
- World Teacher Isekaishiki Kyouiku Agent
- Wortenia Senki*
- The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic
- Yumegari
- Zaregoto *
- The Zashiki Warashi of Intellectual Village
Chinese works equivalent to "light novels":
- Coiling Dragon (盘龙)
- Demon Sword Maiden (妖刀姬)
- Desolate Era (莽荒纪)
- The Distinguished Cute Master
- Douluo Dalu (斗罗大陆)
- Eclipse Hunter (玄日狩)
- ½ Prince (½王子)
- The King's Avatar (全职高手)
- The Legend of Sun Knight (吾命騎士)
- Lord of Mysteries
- Mo Dao Zu Shi (魔道祖师), translatable as Founder of Diabolism or Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.
- Niine Star Hegemon Body Art
- Novoland
- The Record Of Unusual Creatures (异常生物见闻录)
- Release That Witch (放开那个女巫)
- Ren Zha Fan Pai Zi Jiu Xi Tong (人渣反派自救系统), translatable as The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System.
- Sha Po Lang (杀破狼)
- Tian Guan Ci Fu (天官赐福), translatable as Heaven Official's Blessing.
- Way of Choices
- Zhen Hun (镇魂), or more commonly known as Guardian.
Original English Language Light Novels:
Much like Original English Language Manga, there are a small group of authors writing in the style of light novels.
- American Kitsune
- A Most Unlikely Hero
- The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper
- The Beginning After The End
- Daybreak on Hyperion
- My Friend Took Me To A Feline Therapy Place For My Anxiety And Im Starting To Wonder Where The Cats Are?
- God Complex
- Harem Prince
- Living As I Please As A Loli Demon King
- My New Dungeon Life : Rise of the Slave Harem.
- Reaper
- Reincarnated As A Virus
- The Reincarnated Vampire Just Wants To Enjoy Her New Life
- Rolitania
- Tokyo Demons
Companies that publish Light Novels:
- Alphapolis
- Kadokawa
- Dengeki Bunko (ASCII MediaWorks)
- Fujimi Fantasia Bunko (Fujimi Shobo)
- Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko (Kadokawa Shoten)
- MF Bunko J (Media Factory)
- HJ Bunko (Hobby Japan)
- Overlap Bunko
- Type-Moon
- Nitro+ Books (nitro+)
Companies that translate Light Novels:
- Cross Infinite World
- J-Novel Club
- One Peace Books
- Seven Seas Entertainment
- Sol Press
- Tentai Books
- Vertical, Inc.
- Yen Press