History of The Light Novel
Japan has always had a rich history of popular literature. But the year 1975 is taken as the birth year of the light novel. Sonorama Bunko was created that year, and that event is seen as the real beginning in the history of this media.
Many of Japanese most popular sci-fi or fantasy authors have started their carries though The Sonorama Bunko. The most notable examples are Hideyuki Kikuchi and Baku Yumemakura
The second big hit series during that time was The Boogiepop Series. It had a lot more horror an mystery elements than Slayers had. It drew in a lot more new fans, both in the light novel and in anime form. Both of these light novels were published by the immensely successful Dengeki Bunko publication.
But by far the most significant step towards mainstream success and popularity happen in the year 2006, with the series Haruki Suzumiya. It followed a school girl with almost godlike powers. The series combined the skills and school days genres perfectly. For years, Haruki Suzumiya was one of the most popular (if not most popular), Japanese series in the world. An Anime soon followed the light novel.
Movies followed quickly after the show as well. It was the crown jewel in t
A Certain Magical Index was one of the most selling series during that period, along with Haruhi Suzumiya
Another big boom in light novel popularity happened during the last five years. There have been many light novels that have been
- Sword Art Online
- No Game No Life
- Konosuba
- Re: Life
- That time I got reincarnated as a slime.
Some of the most popular light novels
- Sword Art Online
The series follows a gamer who has nicknamed himself The Black Swordsman, but his real name is Kirito. He and hundreds more and trapped inside a new, but already massively popular multiplayer online game.
With no way of escaping. They have to figure out how to live in their new, digital environment.
- Fate/Zero
This series follows a war between families that have escalated into epic proportions.
The battle has turned into the war for “The Holy Grail.” Seven Heroic spirits are summoned to fight this fight to The End. There can be only one.
- My Romantic Comedy is Wrong as I Expected (SNAFU)
The series follows a group of high school students as they navigate through their everyday lives.
The three main characters are Hachiman, a genius, but a lazy and disinterested boy in his second year; Yukino Yukinoshita, a beautiful and wealthy girl from another class and Yui, a sweet and talkative girl from Hachiman’s class.
- Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
A group of adventurers finds themselves in a fantasy world with no memories of who they are and why they are here in the first place. It is a serious series, with an excellent treatment of dealing with trauma.
