Summary
Light Novel is a popular literary genre in Japan, written in simple language, with a fairly short number of pages, and often with illustrations. Due to their serialized nature, light novels are a popular source for anime adaptations, with notable examples across a variety of genres. Some of the most popular recent anime are based on light novels, such as KonoSuba, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime and Goblin Slayeri, but there are also classics like Slayers and Records of Lodoss Wari.
Although manga is the better known source of anime adaptations, the best animated movies based on light novels shows that these literary works can also provide a great basis for anime adaptations. Although anime based on light novels tends to lean towards science fiction and fantasy, there are also excellent adaptations of other genres. Fans of these anime series should also check out the original novels.
Light Novel is a popular literary genre in Japan, written in simple language, with a fairly short number of pages, and often with illustrations. The distinguishing feature of light novels is that they are designed to be published and read quickly, so many volumes in a series are published in a year and these series tell stories that are serialized continuously. Partly because of this serialized nature, light novels are easily adapted into full-length animated films. Light Novels have been the basis for several famous anime.
10 Dirty Pair is a Pulp Space Opera inspired by professional wrestling
Based on the novel by Haruka Takachiho.
Dirty Pair is a female-led sci-fi anime series following Kei and Yury, the main couple being Freelance Trouble Consultants. Although they both insist that their team will be called the Lovely Angels, residents of the galaxy at large know them better as the Dirty Couple thanks to their tendency to cause havoc too. levels and collateral damage during their missions. Author Haruka Takachiho’s initial inspiration for his novel was Japanese women’s professional wrestling in the 80s, resulting in Kei and Yuri’s distinct visual design and team dynamics. Dirty Pair is overall a fun Space Opera with some really impressive action and the title couple often wins through some frankly brilliant thinking.
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9 Goblin Slayer is a Dark Spin on classic RPG archetypes
Based on the novel by Kumo Kagyu.
Goblin Slayer contains sensitive and graphic content.
Goblin Slayer recently returned for its second anime season, once again establishing itself as the gritty and dark Dark Fantasy version of the standard Fantasy anime world. Like many other Fantasy anime series, Goblin Slayer is set in a world that largely operates on RPG logic, albeit one that is much more realistic than a standard Fantasy world.. Goblin Slayer doesn’t shy away from showing the realistic and often bleak consequences of trying to rush straight into battle and often brutally subverts the standard depiction of fantasy adventure and combat. The dark tone and graphic theme may turn some viewers off, but Goblin Slayer is undeniably an attractively dark approach to the standard Fantasy world, complete with state-of-the-art animation. excellent art.
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8 Toradora! Stands out as a slice-of-life story
Based on the novel by Yuyuko Takemiya.
Most anime based on light novels fall into the Science Fiction or Fantasy genre, so Toradora! notable for being a romantic comedy Slice-of-Life. Toradora’s greatest strength! is a wonderful cast of characters. Even though these characters are based on fairly standard character archetypes for an anime set in a high school setting, the writing is smart enough to play with these archetypes in clever ways that really help push the whole story along. humor and drama of the series. Admittedly, Toradora! went through a bit of an identity crisis, with the second half of the anime focusing more on drama than comedy, a direction that alienated some fans. Still, Toradora! Still an enjoyable and memorable series.
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7 Overlord follows the lives of fantasy villains
Based on the novel by Kugane Maruyama.
Isekai is currently one of the most popular anime genres. However, Overlord’s basic premise of its main character being transported into a video game is a common Isekai plot. Overlord sets itself apart with a story that follows villains rather than heroes. A long-time player is brought into the world of the MMO and takes on the role of the powerful Lich Ainz Ooal Gown, serving as a powerful evil boss character for the world’s heroes to overcome. In his conflicts with the world’s heroes, Ainz is a standard ruthless fantasy villain. However, when interacting with his minions, Ainz is actually very benevolent and caring. It’s a fun way to flip the typical Fantasy world on its head and provide a look at how Fantasy villains spend their time when they’re not fending off heroes.
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6 Class of Excellence is a new approach to high school drama
Based on the novel by Shōgo Kinugasa.
Elite Class is one of many anime set in a high school. The film sets itself apart by taking high school drama to an extremely plausible level. While the series doesn’t introduce any supernatural or even particularly unrealistic elements into its high school setting, Classroom of the Elite does take place in a very exaggerated high school setting. The school where the series takes place is the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School, a school that is divided heavily based on academic ability, with higher ranked students having better prospects. The plot’s drama is driven by protagonist Kiyotaka, a student from the lowest-ranked class, who learns to navigate this setting and achieve his goals by manipulating and overcoming his opponents.
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5 Spice and Wolf explain what life in a fantasy world is really like
Based on the novel by Isuna Hasekura.
Spice and Wolf is a surprisingly educational anime. The series examines many aspects of daily life in the world of Medieval Fantasy, with a primary focus on economics. The series follows the travels of merchant Lawrence and the wolf goddess Holo, a member of a long-forgotten group of deities, replaced by the rise of a new religion. Thanks to Holo having lost contact with humanity for centuries, Lawrence has many opportunities to explain how human society has changed from the world she remembers. Despite the heavy emphasis on exposition, the interplay between text and character is strong enough that it never gets boring, and some of Lawrence’s business dealings end up leading to crazy escapes full of convince from the villains.
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4 Slayers is a great mix of fantasy adventure and comedy
Based on the novel by Hajime Kanzaka.
Slayers is controlled by a fun cast of characters who brilliantly parody classic Fantasy archetypesS. Lina Inverse is a selfish and hot-tempered anti-hero. Gourry is the strongest magic weapon user in this setting, but is a complete idiot. Amelia is a naive and flamboyant ambitious warrior princess. Zelgadis is the straightforward, quiet man that the other characters portray. With the support of a rotating cast of supporting characters, the four main characters find themselves the only ones capable of saving the world from certain destruction. While the plot of Slayers is legitimately high-stakes, it never takes itself entirely seriously, and the main cast creates genuinely funny moments in how their idiosyncratic personalities interact with each other. together.
Watch on Funimation
3 Record of Lodoss War is a high fantasy epic inspired by Dungeons & Dragons
Based on the novel by Ryo Mizuno.
The novel series inspired the anime Record Lodoss War Iinspired by author Ryo Mizuno’s transcript of tabletop gaming sessions with a group of friends. Lodoss War is one of the best retro anime out there. Even though this is a story of Good vs. Evil is pretty standard and a bit obscure, but thanks to how much the Fantasy genre has changed in the three decades since Lodoss War came out, watching it now really makes it a huge change of pace. tempo. It’s a surprisingly simple High Fantasy story presented in the most heartfelt way. On top of that, it has a great art style that is maintained and some really great opening and ending themes.
Ryo Mizuno is also the author of the book that inherits the spirit of Record of Grancrest War from Lodoss War
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2 That Time I Reincarnated as a Slime is about the adventures of an unexpected hero
Based on the novel by Fuse.
Isekai anime in which the main character reincarnates as a low-level monster instead of a powerful hero are becoming increasingly popular. That time I reincarnated into slime is the best example of the premise. This is thanks to the series following that hero’s growth from a small monster to a powerful leader of a large number of companions. Rimuru gradually becomes one of the strongest Isekai heroes. Rimuru’s sense of progression and growth is achieved throughout a journey filled with humor, along with genuine moments of strong emotion and compelling action.
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1 KonoSuba is a triumph of the Isekai genre
Based on the novel by Tsume Akatsuki.
KonoSuba has become one of the most popular Isekai anime. That reputation is well earned. This is a very well written and fun parody of the Fantasy genre. While each main character fits the role of an established RPG class, their skills are actually extremely well suited to those roles. For example, Megumin, she is a master of Explosive Magic, but only Explosive Magic. Her spells are powerful but consume so much energy that she can only use one spell before collapsing from exhaustion. This requires the team to use plans based on lateral thinking that are both highly intelligent and fun to watch. KonoSuba is easily among the best Isekai comedies. The third season of KonoSuba is scheduled to premiere in 2024.
The full Japanese title of KonoSuba is Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku o!, which translates into English as “A Blessing for this Wonderful World”.
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