Though light novels have always been a part of anime adaptations, it's been only as of the 2010s that they have played an integral part of every anime season. As the number of available manga run low, anime are forced to either embrace light novels or make more original series.
Viewers have seen hit anime series from every genre light novels have to offer, from romantic comedy to giant fantasy universes. Series like Sword Art Online have defined the anime universe for the better part of a decade now, and light novels in general are still making up some of the most hyped shows. But what series are still to come?
10 I Am The Only One Who Knows This World Is A Game
Sagara Souma is a major fan of New Communicate Online, a virtual reality video game that’s become popular because of how riddled with bugs it is. When Sagara is sent to that world, however, he starts using the game’s bugs against it and gains a name for himself as a swordsman.
Created by Usbar and Ichizen, I Am The Only One Who Knows This World Is A Game has been in publication since 2013.
9 Combat Baker & the Automaton Waitress
Lud Langart is an ace pilot who decided to build a bakery and become a cook in the aftermath of a great war in his country. But because he’s literally terrifying all the customers with his looks, he can’t actually keep the bakery running properly.
At least until a robot named Sven pops up, deciding to help Lud continue his life as a baker. Of course, there’s also always a chance that war could pop back up again, leaving Lud dragged back to the battlefield.
8 Amaryllis in the Ice Country
A short series that debuted in 2013, Amaryllis in the Ice Country is about an era where the ice age has caused humanity to seal itself off. Leaving robots to care for them, the robots created an entire society underground to watch over humans.
Amaryllis is one of these robots, helping to take care of the cold sleep facility in the hope of awakening the humans one day. But what happens when one of the robots thinks all humans should be wiped out?
7 My Big Sister Lives In A Fantasy World
Created by Tsuyoshi Fujitaka and An2A, My Big Sister Lives in a Fantasy World is the story of Sakaki Yuuichi. After gaining the ability to see the power of an enemy’s soul over their heads, Sakaki starts to notice his class has a collection of strange people from serial killers to monsters.
Fortunately, he’s got the training he received from his older sister that helps him deal with these unique students. My Big Sister Lives In A Fantasy World is meant to be a parody of fantasy action that blends in a bit of harem absurdity as well.
6 The Magic In This Other World Is Too Far Behind
In a unique twist, this light novel turns the “protagonist is brought to another world where there’s magic” plot on its head. In this light novel, the main character, Suimei, is transported to another world with his friends. But rather than be impressed, Suimei is shocked at how much weaker their magic is than what’s available on his planet.
Still, he’s needed to fight a Demon Lord... it’s just too bad he has no interest, even as his friends are all too excited to play hero.
5 All You Need Is Kill
Keiji Kiriya is a member of the UDF and gets pulled into a battle against monsters known as Mimics. Though Keiji loses his life, he’s revived and finds himself in a time loop, battling the same monsters on the same day over and over again. Each time he gets a little stronger, a little better.
If this story sounds familiar, it’s because it was responsible for the storyline Edge of Tomorrow. First released in 2004, All You Need Is Kill is from Hiroshi Sakurazaka and Yoshitoshi Abe.
4 The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mobs
A parody of otome games, this series follows a former salaryman who was reborn into an otome game. Fortunately for him, he memorized the otome game in question and knows all the tricks. Unfortunately for him, he’s reincarnated as an NPC.
Still, he’s been made to go to a major academy where he meets the protagonist, Olivia. Nonetheless, Leon isn’t daunted and continues to work towards his goal of building a simple life in the country.
3 The Zashiki Warashi of Intellectual Village
In the near future, Japan creates Intellectual Villages — rural villages built in the style of old villages but with modern technology. Because they’re so successful, youkai start to inhabit these villages which strongly resemble pre-Industrial era Japan.
The lead character is Shinobu Jinnai, a student with a harmless youkai living in his house. It’s actually somewhat surprising there isn’t an anime of this series, because it’s created by Kazuma Kamachi, the author who created the A Certain Magical Index series.
2 The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life
The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams Of a Quiet City Life is exactly the series one expects it to be from the title. It follows Mariela, a woman who was an alchemist in the fantasy kingdom of Endalsia. But when she puts herself into suspended animation to survive a war, she awakens centuries later to find the world’s changed massively.
Now, she’s one of the last remaining alchemists, and all she wants is to restore her old life. Created by Usata Nonohara and illustrated by Ox, this story began in 2019.
1 Altina the Sword Princess
Altina the Sword Princess is a fantasy-focused light novel by creator Yukiya Murasaki and himesuz. Running since late 2012, Altina the Sword Princess follows two characters; Regis, a genius tactician who’s a terrible fighter, and Altina, a talented swordswoman who’s been placed in charge of part of her country’s army because she’s one of the Emperor’s illegitimate children.
The two of them work together, with Regis aiming to save as many lives as he can while Altina works to prove herself in combat.
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