List of best-selling light novels

Last updated

This page provides a list of light novels which have sold over 10 million copies.

A light novel (ライトノベル, raito noberu) is a style of Japanese young adult fiction primarily targeting high school and middle school students. [1] The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo , or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. [2] or, in English, LN. The average length of a light novel is about 50,000 words.

Over 10 million copies
NameAuthorPublisherNo. of
collected
volumes		Date serializedApproximate sales
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime FuseMicro Magazine222013–2015 (web novel)
2014–present (light novel)		40 million [3] (includes physical and digital sales as well as related books and manga adaptations)
A Certain Magical Index Kazuma Kamachi ASCII Media Works 512004–2010 (first story)
2011–2019 (second story: New testament)
2020–present (third story: Genesis testament)		31 million [4] (including spin-offs and manga adaptations)
The Apothecary Diaries Natsu HyūgaShufunotomo132011–present31 million [5] (includes manga adaptations)
Sword Art Online Reki Kawahara ASCII Media Works 272002–2008 (web novel)
2009–present (light novel)		30 million [6] (including spin-offs)
The Irregular at Magic High School Tsutomu Satō ASCII Media Works 322008–2011 (web novel)
2011–2020 (light novel)
2020–present (sequel light novel)
2021–present (spin-off light novel)		22 million [7] (including manga adaptations)
Haruhi Suzumiya Nagaru Tanigawa Kadokawa Shoten 122003–present20 million [8] (includes manga adaptation)
Slayers Hajime Kanzaka Fujimi Shobo 171998–present20 million [9] (including spin-offs and manga adaptations)
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Fujino Ōmori SB Creative 192013–present17 million [10] (including spin-offs and manga adaptations)
Kagerou Project Shizen no Teki-P Enterbrain 82012–201715 million [11] (includes manga adaptation)
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Yoshinobu Akita Fujimi Shobo 201994–200314 million [12] (including spin-offs and manga adaptations)
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World Tappei Nagatsuki Media Factory 362012–present (web novel)
2014–present (light novel)
2015–present (spin-off light novel)		13 million [13] (includes physical and digital sales as well as related books and manga adaptations)
Mushoku Tensei Rifujin na Magonote Media Factory 262012–2015 (web novel)
2013–2016 (spin-off web novel)
2014–2022 (light novel)
2023–present (spin-off light novel)		13 million [14] (includes physical and digital sales as well as related books and manga adaptations)
The Twelve Kingdoms Fuyumi Ono Kodansha 91992–present12 million [15]
Overlord Kugane Maruyama Enterbrain 162012–present12 million [16] (including spin-offs and manga adaptations)
Full Metal Panic! Shoji Gatoh Fujimi Shobo 231998–201111 million [17] (including manga adaptations)
The Rising of the Shield Hero Aneko Yusagi Media Factory 222013–present11 million [18] (including manga adaptation)
Between 5 and 10 million copies
NameAuthorPublisherNo. of
collected
volumes		Date serializedApproximate sales
My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected Wataru Watari Shogakukan 142011–202110 million [19]
Record of Lodoss War Ryo Mizuno Kadokawa Shoten 71988–199310 million [20]
KonoSuba Natsume Akatsuki Kadokawa Shoten 172012–2013 (web novel)
2013–2020 (light novel)		10 million [21]
Ascendance of a Bookworm Miya KazukiTO Books332013-2017 (web novel)
2015–2023 (light novel)		10 million [22]
Aria the Scarlet Ammo Chūgaku Akamatsu Media Factory 352008–present9 million [23]
Shakugan no Shana Yashichiro Takahashi ASCII Media Works 282002–20128.6 million [24]
Kino's Journey Keiichi Sigsawa ASCII Media Works 222000–present8.2 million [25]
Baka and Test Kenji Inoue Enterbrain 182007–20157.3 million [26]
Classroom of the Elite Shōgo Kinugasa Media Factory 192015–present7.1 million [27]
Biblia Koshodō no Jiken Techō En Minami Kadokawa 72011–20177 million [28]
Goblin Slayer Kumo Kagyu SB Creative 152016–present7 million [29]
Haganai Yomi Hirasaka Media Factory 112009–20157 million [30]
The Familiar of Zero Noboru Yamaguchi Media Factory 222004–20176.8 million [31]
Kyo Kara Maoh! Tomo Takabayashi Kadokawa Shoten 222000–present (on hiatus)6.5 million [32]
The Saga of Tanya the Evil Carlo Zen Enterbrain 122010–2012 (web novel)
2013–present (light novel)		6.5 million [33]
The Story of Saiunkoku Sai Yukino Kadokawa Shoten 222003–20116.5 million [34]
The Strongest Sage with the Weakest Crest Shinkoshoto SB Creative 182017–present6.5 million [35] (including manga adaptation)
Date A Live Kōshi Tachibana Fujimi Shobo 222011–20206 million [36]
Gate Takumi Yanai AlphaPolis 102006–2009 (web novel)
2010–2015 (light novel)		6 million [37]
Student Council's Discretion Aoi Sekina Fujimi Shobo 102008–20126 million [38]
No Game No Life Yū Kamiya Media Factory 102012–present5.8 million [39]
Durarara!! Ryohgo Narita ASCII Media Works 132004–20145.6 million [40]
Shōnen Onmyōji Mitsuru Yūki Kadokawa Shoten 472001–present5.5 million [41]
Oreimo Tsukasa Fushimi ASCII Media Works 162008–20215.2 million [42]
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Ryo ShirakomeOverlap132013–2015 (web novel)
2015–present (web novel sequel)
2013–2022 (light novel)		5 million [43]
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Satoru Yamaguchi Ichijinsha 102015–present5 million [44]
Spice and Wolf Isuna Hasekura ASCII Media Works 222006–present5 million [45]
The Eminence in Shadow Daisuke Aizawa Enterbrain 52018–present (web novel)
2018–present (light novel)		5 million [46]
Toradora! Yuyuko Takemiya ASCII Media Works 102006–20095 million [47]

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References

  1. ↑ 榎本秋 (Aki Enomoto) (October 2008). ライトノベル文学論[Light Novel Criticism] (in Japanese). Japan: NTT Shuppan. ISBN   978-4-7571-4199-5.
  2. ↑ Light Reading, Pop Culture, Trends in Japan, Web Japan.
  3. ↑ "「転生したらスライムだった件」 シリーズ累計発行部数4,000万部突破記念キャンペーン開催！". ten-sura.com (転スラ) (in Japanese). June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  4. ↑ "『とある魔術の禁書目録』より神裂火織、インデックスのコスプレ特集 | アニメイトタイムズ". 『とある魔術の禁書目録』より神裂火織、インデックスのコスプレ特集 | アニメイトタイムズ (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  5. ↑ シリーズ累計3100万部突破！！後宮を舞台に織りなす薬と毒の極上ミステリー『薬屋のひとりごと』. prtimes Web. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  6. ↑ 英士, 本間 (June 23, 2022). "ＳＡＯの世界に没入 アニメ化１０年、来月展覧会". 産経ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  7. ↑ Tsutomu, Sato (December 27, 2020). "『魔法科高校の優等生』2021年テレビアニメ化決定！ 「お兄様、今度は深雪が主役です」".
  8. ↑ "『涼宮ハルヒ シリーズ』が全世界シリーズ累計2000万部を突破". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  9. ↑ "『スレイヤーズ』30周年記念イベントが開催決定！ 集まってくんないと暴れちゃうぞ！ | アニメージュプラス - アニメ・声優・特撮・漫画のニュース発信！". animageplus.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  10. ↑ "ダンまち：テレビアニメ第5期「豊穣の女神篇」今秋放送 累計1700万部突破". MANTANWEB（まんたんウェブ） (in Japanese). March 9, 2024. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  11. ↑ "じん、弾き語りアコースティックライブを4月16日生配信". ぴあ (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  12. ↑ "森久保祥太郎「まだまだオーフェンの旅を続けたい！」『魔術士オーフェンはぐれ旅』プレミアム上映会【レポート】 | 超！アニメディア". September 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  13. ↑ From Famitsu.com
  14. ↑ "MFブックス『無職転生～異世界行ったら本気だす～』CM". YouTube (in Japanese). Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ "新刊254万部、累計1200万部突破の小野不由美「十二国記」シリーズが、「第5回吉川英治文庫賞」受賞！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES. March 2, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  16. ↑ "アニメ『オーバーロードIV』(4期)2022年に放送決定。キービジュアル、第一弾PVを公開 | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com". ファミ通.com (in Japanese). Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  17. ↑ "フルメタル・パニック！：人気ラノベの新作アニメが制作決定". MANTANWEB（まんたんウェブ） (in Japanese). October 24, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  18. ↑ CORPORATION, KADOKAWA. "ついにシリーズ累計1100万部突破！『盾の勇者の成り上がり』コミックス最新２０.巻 本日2月22日発売！ 帯には石川界人による推薦コメントも掲載！ 新宿では２０.巻発売を記念して大型広告も実施中!". KADOKAWAオフィシャルサイト. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  19. ↑ "『やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。』アンソロジー小説全4冊が2020年3月＆4月の2ヶ月連続で発売決定". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  20. ↑ "シリーズ累計1,000万部を突破する『ロードス島戦記』の舞台化が決定 2017年1月に公演へ". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  21. ↑ Komatsu, Mikikazu. "Natsume Akatsuki's KONOSUBA Novel Finally Reaches A Milestone of 10 Million Copies". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ "「本好きの下剋上〜司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません〜」特設サイト". TO BOOKS. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  23. ↑ "『緋弾のアリア』がシリーズ累計900万部を突破". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  24. ↑ "川原礫氏の作家生活＆『SAO』の10周年公式サイトオープン | アニメイトタイムズ". 川原礫氏の作家生活＆『SAO』の10周年公式サイトオープン | アニメイトタイムズ (in Japanese). Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  25. ↑ "「キノの旅」初代キノ役・久川綾、特典ドラマCD"学園編"に特別出演 アドリブに「決して悪意はございません！（笑）」". アニメ！アニメ！ (in Japanese). June 10, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  26. ↑ "「バカとテストと召喚獣」コンプリートBlu-ray BOX発売決定！ -TVアニメ『バカとテストと召喚獣』公式サイト-". www.bakatest.com. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  27. ↑ @comic_alive (June 22, 2021). "✨✨シリーズ累計510万部突破❗✨✨『ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ⑪』漫画：一乃ゆゆ原作：衣笠彰梧キャラクター原案：トモセシュンサク前代未聞の学園黙示録、体育祭編突入の第11巻❗" (Tweet). Retrieved August 14, 2021– via Twitter.
  28. ↑ "『ビブリア古書堂の事件手帖』公式サイト". biblia.jp/. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  29. ↑ "『ゴブリンスレイヤー』がシリーズ累計700万部を突破". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  30. ↑ "『僕は友達が少ない』よりリパッケージ版となる羽瀬川小鳩1／8スケールフィギュアが2019年4月発売". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  31. ↑ "「ゼロの使い魔」、コンプリートBlu-ray BOXの発売日が2018年3月28日に決定". マイナビニュース (in Japanese). December 2, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  32. ↑ "『今日から（マ）王！』Blu-ray BOXが9月27日発売！ | アニメイトタイムズ". 『今日から（マ）王！』Blu-ray BOXが9月27日発売！ | アニメイトタイムズ (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  33. ↑ "『幼女戦記』がシリーズ累計650万部を突破". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  34. ↑ "累計６５０万部突破の国民的ファンタジー 『彩雲国物語』その"真の完結編"が、角川文庫とビーンズ文庫で登場！！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES. January 29, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  35. ↑ "シリーズ累計６５０万部突破!! 超人気異世界「紋章」ファンタジー、第18弾!!". GA文庫. September 15, 2023.
  36. ↑ "『デート・ア・ライブ』が全世界シリーズ累計600万部を突破 新作ゲーム「蓮ディストピア」も今夏発売へ". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  37. ↑ "『ゲート』シリーズが累計600万部を突破 門の向こう側の「特地」を舞台にした異世界×自衛隊ファンタジー". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  38. ↑ "アニメ 生徒会の一存 Lv.2 | アミューズメントメディア総合学院 東京". アミューズメントメディア総合学院 (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  39. ↑ "北電子が新台、シリーズ580万部突破の人気ラノベをパチスロ化 - グリーンべると". web-greenbelt.jp. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  40. ↑ "川原礫氏の作家生活＆『SAO』の10周年公式サイトオープン | アニメイトタイムズ". 川原礫氏の作家生活＆『SAO』の10周年公式サイトオープン | アニメイトタイムズ (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  41. ↑ @beansbunko (September 15, 2017). "まめ‼️「少年陰陽師」特設サイトが更新まめ😳シリーズ15周年＆累計50冊＆550万部突破‼️記念だ！ 祭りだ！ 「少年陰陽師」お祝い企画スタートします!!!↓全員サービスに…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  42. ↑ @oreimo_eromanga (March 6, 2021). "『俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない（16）黒猫if 下』は3/10、もうすぐ発売です✨✨✨見本誌が届いたので、お披露目です🌸試し読みも公開中👇" (Tweet). Retrieved August 14, 2021– via Twitter.
  43. ↑ "「ありふれた放送で世界最強 ～オーバーラップ文庫8周年新情報発表会編～」追加出演キャストほか公開 | アニメイトタイムズ". 「ありふれた放送で世界最強 ～オーバーラップ文庫8周年新情報発表会編～」追加出演キャストほか公開 | アニメイトタイムズ (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  44. ↑ "【はめふら】『乙女ゲームの破滅フラグしかない悪役令嬢に転生してしまった… ～波乱を呼ぶ海賊～』ストーリーやキャラクターを紹介する最新PVが公開！".
  45. ↑ "『狼と香辛料』がシリーズ累計500万部を突破 新作VRアニメ『狼と香辛料VR2』のリリースも予定". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  46. ↑ "／シリーズ累計発行部数500万部突破㊗️＼". X (in Japanese). Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  47. ↑ "『とらドラ！』がシリーズ累計500万部を突破 2年8ヶ月ぶりとなるコミックス最新刊が10月27日に発売". ラノベニュースオンライン. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
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