But we’re in a different place today than we were in the early 2000s. The market can support those light novel releases. In fact, there’s a hungry audience for them. And because of that, the best light novels are now available for us to read in English.

Classic Light Novels

Light novels are a relatively young format. The category as we know it today emerged during the 1990s. Even the pulp novels that would later become known as proto light novels — like Vampire Hunter D — were published after 1975. By contrast, manga as we know it today took off after World War II. So when I say classic light novels, I mean in the context of the format.

Despite the variety you’ll find in older series, most of the best light novels today are dominated by a single genre: isekai, in which the protagonist is transported to another world. There are some exceptions, but they’re outnumbered.

Modern Classic Light Novels

Newer Light Novels

I hope you found something that piqued your interest from this list of best light novels. 2021 saw the launch of some great ones! If you’re interested in more stories from East Asia, check out this list of best manga and this list of best manhwa.

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