Updated January 11, 2023 by Ernie
Tired of anime? Wanna try something new? Finding a new addiction? Why not give light novels a shot?
Table of Contents
From action to comedy or sci-fi, you are sure to find some underrated gems that will make you travel to a whole new world.
So here is a list of the best light novels around that didn’t get an anime adaption…yet
LIGHT NOVELS WITH NO ANIME ADAPTATION
20. I Am The Only One Who Knows This World Is A Game
| Title | I Am The Only One Who Knows This World Is A Game |
| Author | Usber , Ichizen |
| Genre | Action / Comedy / Fantasy / Harem |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 5 |
| Chapters | 29 |
Harcore gamer is a weak word when we are talking about Sagara Soma. That’s all he ever does, think or even dream about. His greatest fantasy is to one day be able to live inside a game, any game. Well, that fantasy wasn’t so far-fetched after all.
After he broke a promise to his cousin in order to go play some more, life decided to punish him by granting him his ultimate wish.
He was transported into a game called Neko-Mimi-Neko. That universe was famous amongst gamers for having super tricky and sneaky quests, OP enemies that are impossible to defeat and bugs that never ends.
It was a game made to make the players die over and over and over again. Now answer me this, if he dies in the game will he just respawn or will it be game over?
Better not test theories with this one and just avoid getting killed which looks like it’s not gonna be that much of a problem for the only player who knows all the in and outs of the game.
Let’s give Neko-Mimi-Neko a taste of its own medicine!
19. I’m The Evil Lord Of An Intergalactic Empire!
| Title | I’m The Evil Lord Of An Intergalactic Empire! |
| Author | Yomu Mishima , Nadashima Kai |
| Genre | Action / Adventure / Comedy / Fantasy / Harem / Sci-fi / Shounen |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | 15.2 |
Liam Sera Banfield died a miserable death, always trying to please everyone else but himself. Life gave him a second chance and he reincarnated in a world that can only be described as bizarre.
It’s a fantasy world of swords, monsters and magic, but the civilization has advanced so much that they extended their empire till outer space.
Born in a noble family, Liam had a lot of options for a new beginning but he opted for the most selfish one, becoming the ultimate Evil Lord.
All he had to do was be cruel and use his power unfairly but even that he failed at since the people started worshiping him for his unique way of thinking.
Will he ever manage to achieve any goal he set his sight on?
18. Combat Baker & the Automaton Waitress
| Title | Combat Baker & the Automaton Waitress |
| Author | SOW |
| Genre | Adventure / Comedy / Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 9 |
| Chapters | Unknown |
A soldier left his life on the battlefield behind and started anew. He decided to work on fulfilling his dream, to become the best baker on Earth.
He opened his patisserie and let me tell you that the bread he makes is just a work of art, however, there is one problem.
His looks kind of get in the way. I mean he is filled with scar, doesn’t know how to laugh, he has an impressive build, he is just plain scary and ends up driving away all the customers.
He was about to close his shop when a girl whose beauty can’t be described, a beauty that might not even be human, just walked in asking for a waitressing job.
Will she become her boss’s salvation? And who is she anyway? Where did she appear from?
17. Black Summoner
| Title | Black Summoner |
| Author | Mayoi Tofu , Amou Gin |
| Genre | Action / Adventure / Fantasy / Shounen |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 9 |
| Chapters | 106 |
Our MC woke up in a fantasy world with no memories whatsoever. As if it was a given, he just started playing the game, killing monsters and clearing quests while steadily leveling up.
Before he knew it he had obtained unimaginable power, a power that had become a threat for a lot of shady people.
Now with a target on his back, will he manage to survive? Will he ever gain his memories back?
16. Amaryllis in the Ice Country
| Title | Amaryllis in the Ice Country |
| Author | Matsuyama Takeshi, Parsley |
| Genre | Drama / Sci-Fi / Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 9 |
| Chapters | Unknown |
The Earth is now engulfed in ice. In order to survive, the entire human race was put under a cryogenic sleep and are taken care of by robots, which are of their creation.
Time passed, and the human bodies started to slowly deteriorate. While some robots were desperate to save their creators, to see the world brimming with life again, the chief of the robot village however decided that it was time for humanity to end.
15. I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame
| Title | I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame |
| Author | Shinozaki Kaoru, Uyoshi Shou; Uchiuchi Keyaki |
| Genre | Action / Adventure / Drama / Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 7 |
| Chapters | 34 |
Touka was on a field trip with her class when they were all suddenly issekai’ed to another world. Each of them obtained ranks and special abilities, but Touka drew the short straw since she got the weakest rank ever, E-Rank.
Compared to her classmate who now holds immense power, she was nothing more than a failure. And yet she is destined to arrive at unimaginable heights.
14. My Big Sister Lives In A Fantasy World
| Title | My Big Sister Lives In A Fantasy World |
| Author | Tsuyoshi Fujitaka |
| Genre | Action / Comedy / Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 7 |
| Chapters | Unknown |
Yuichi Sakaki was a normal kid until the day he began seeing words above people’s heads. Those words were the representation of their soul, their true self.
He got used to it pretty quickly and his life took back its usual course. But someone decided to barge in and disrupt everything.
That someone was a mesmerizing girl. Cute, kind and polite, nothing weird about her except that the words that represented her was “Serial Killer”.
Since he was the only one who could see her for who she really was, it fell upon Yuichi to stop her killing spree. But no need to worry, his big sis prepared him for this kind of situation!
13. The Girl I Saved On The Train Turned Out To Be My Childhood Friend
| Title | The Girl I Saved On The Train Turned Out To Be My Childhood Friend |
| Author | Yoh Midorikawa |
| Genre | Romance/ Comedy / Drama |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | Unknown |
| Chapters | Unknown |
A girl was being molested right in front of Ryou Takamori. He put on his hero cape and immediately went to her rescue.
He never would’ve thought that he might actually know the victim and for her to be his childhood friend at that was kind of a shock.
They go to the same school, are in the same class and even sit next to each other and yet they haven’t spoken since middle school.
Maybe that act of heroism will open a new chapter for those two.
12. The Magic In This Other World Is Too Far Behind
| Title | The Magic In This Other World Is Too Far Behind |
| Author | Gamei Hitsuji |
| Genre | Romance/ Comedy / Drama / Action / Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | Unknown |
Suimei and two of his closest friends were isekai’ed to another world. Like any novel of the sort, they have to become the heroes who will save this new universe.
While Suimei’s friends were super hyped to play the game he was just not interested. Finding a way to get home was his first priority.
Well, he at least had the appropriate class for that since he turned out to be a magician in the world.
However, reality slapped him real hard when he saw what their so-called magic was actually about.
11. Berserk Of Gluttony
| Title | Berserk Of Gluttony |
| Author | Takino Daisuke |
| Genre | Fantasy / Shounen |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | 51 |
In a world ruled by the strong, there is no place for the useless and weak. Those with extraordinary skills will hunt monsters, gain money and influence while at the same time leveling up while the others will be treated like trash.
In this world, a boy was born with the skill “Gluttony”. A despicable ability that just makes him ALWAYS hungry. It was only when he learned to properly use what he was given that he realized that he was actually in possession of an OP ability.
10. All You Need Is Kill
| Title | All You Need Is Kill |
| Author | Sakurazaka Hiroshi , Takeuchi Ryousuke |
| Genre | Action / Drama / Mystery / Sci-fi / Seinen |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | 17 |
Aliens are invading Earth. They overwhelmed the human race and took over half the planet and they are nowhere near done.
The United Defense Force is the humans last hope and Keiji Kiriya just joined their ranks. On his first day of duty, he had the bad luck of encountering the enemy and he and his team were annihilated.
Or were they? Keiji woke up in his bed the day right before the incident. He joined the UDF once again, got killed another time and the day repeated again. Now that’s what I call humanity’s last hope.
9. The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mobs
| Title | The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mobs |
| Author | Mishima Yomu , Shiosato Jun |
| Genre | Adventure / Comedy / Fantasy / Romance / Shounen |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 6 |
| Chapters | 49 |
Leon was reincarnated in the worst Otome Game ever! A world where females are the dominant ones and men are just here to help them reach higher heights. No way was he gonna accept to live as livestock for girls.
Well, if he ever gets back home, he better thank his big sis like he never did before. She forced him to play the game with her and now that knowledge is his only shot at keeping his dignity.
8. Altina The Sword Princess
| Title | Altina The Sword Princess |
| Author | Murasaki Yukiya , Himesuz |
| Genre | Action / Adventure / Drama / Fantasy / Harem / Romance / Shounen |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Finished |
| Volume | 4 |
| Chapters | 23 |
Regis is a soldier and yet he is no good with bow or a sword, reading books is more his forte. He was sent during the war to the remote region where he met the girl who was going to change his life.
She was the bastard daughter of the Emperor, she was only 14 and yet she was sent to become the commander of the remote region army. In short, they sent her to die.
She is the wielder of the ruler’s sword, she is an incredible warrior with a dream that she wasn’t about to give up.
Well, with the help of her new tactician, Regis, her dream might not be as difficult to achieve as she believed.
7. The Zashiki Warashi of Intellectual Village
| Title | The Zashiki Warashi of Intellectual Village |
| Author | Kazuma Kamachi, Mahaya |
| Genre | Supernatural / Fantasy / Sci-Fi / Comedy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | Unknown |
“Intelli Village” is a cute little town that is located in the countryside. On the outside it seems to be your everyday local village but if you look closer you’ll realize that that’s not the case.
It’s a village on the cutting-edge of technology, a one of a kind environment that is maybe 10 years ahead of its time.
Intelli is a work of art, a perfect balance between the peacefulness of the countryside and the benefits provided by advancements. It became so popular that even Youkai started moving there.
6. Cooking With Wild Game
| Title | Cooking With Wild Game |
| Author | Eda , Kochimo |
| Genre | Adventure / Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | 38 |
Tsurumi Asuta wanted to be a cook just like his father. He became an apprentice in his dad’s restaurant and learned under the tutelage of his role model.
One day, a fire broke out. By instinct, Tsurumi ran in the wall of fire in order to save his fathers precious knives.
Stupid move if you ask me, of course he wasn’t going to make it. He died and reincarnated in a parallel world filled with strange beasts and very tempting strong women.
5. Record Of Wortenia War
| Title | Record Of Wortenia War |
| Author | Unknown |
| Genre | Action / Adventure / Fantasy / Harem / Martial Arts |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | 45 |
A world was at war, to make sure that the Empire was the one who was to get out of it on top, the higher ups decided to summon a hero from another world.
Mikoshiba Ryouma was the chosen one, but when he got there, the only thing he could sense from his summoner was just pure malice. Using his strength, he attempted an escape and zapped some very important people while at it.
He left the palace and started wandering around when he came across a band of thieves kidnaping two twins.
He rescued the girls who turned out to be magicians. To show their reconnaissance to their savior, the siblings swore to serve him.
This encounter was the start of his road to become the Supreme Ruler.
4. The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life
| Title | The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life |
| Author | Mizoguchi Guru , Nonohara Usata |
| Genre | Fantasy / Romance / Slice Of Life |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | 12.5 |
Marielle is an alchemist, a pretty powerful one as well. Her country was in danger, determined to save it, she used an ultimate technique called Living Death to eliminate the demons. It worked, but she made a stupid mistake and ended up in a deep coma.
The girl woke up after two hundred years and her world was not the same anymore. Alchemists are almost non-existent and potions are now so expensive that only the rich can afford them.
She might be in the future now but Marielle wasn’t going to change her way of living. She was going to live a quiet life like she did before while serving the population around her regardless of how weird this might look for them.
3. The Strange Adventure Of A Broke Mercenary
| Title | The Strange Adventure Of A Broke Mercenary |
| Author | Main, Peroshi |
| Genre | Action / Adventure / Fantasy / Romance |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 1 |
| Chapters | 20.2 |
Loren was a mercenary. While he and his group were on a mission, a catastrophe struck them and everyone died except him.
He needed to move on so he changed his line of work to become an adventurer. One problem here, he knows no one in the business, nor does he have any money, he’ll never receive a quest in his life like that.
It was when he was about to give up that a fellow adventurer called out to him.
2. The Ideal Sponger Life
| Title | The Ideal Sponger Life |
| Author | Watanabe Tsunehiko , Ayakura Juu |
| Genre | Adult / Adventure / Comedy / Fantasy / Mature / Romance / Seinen / Slice Of Life |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 12 |
| Chapters | 52 |
Yamai Zenjirou was summoned to another world out of the blue, however, he wasn’t called to be a hero or save a world, he was summoned by a stunning woman and his mission is to make a baby with her!
Will he throw his old life away to please her? Of course he will! I think what happened to him is like every man’s greatest fantasy!
1. The Apothecary Diaries
| Title | The Apothecary Diaries |
| Author | Natsu Hinata , Nekokurage |
| Genre | Historical / Mystery / Slice Of Life |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Volume | 4 |
| Chapters | 58 |
There’s a rumor going around in town. It seems like all the Emperor’s children are mysteriously dying from an unknown disease at a very young age.
While no one dared to investigate the matter, there was a little pharmacist who just couldn’t get over her curiosity. Her name is Maomao.
If a unique virus is running around, she wants to know all about it, if not and something shifty in happening in the palace she’ll bring the evil doers to justice.
Conclusion
This list is only a fragment of the huge pool of Light Novels that we taped into. You have endless options of great stories that you can easily find online for your pleasure. Try not to get too hooked, we want to find a new hobby, not a new addiction after all.
Enjoy your read and come back for some more awesome recommendations with QuoteTheAnime!
