Isekai light novels that you can catch before they end

Light novels are a unique form of Japanese literature that is usually aimed at young adults and characterized by a shorter length. They usually feature manga-style illustrations and are designed for easy reading, making them accessible for commuting or casual reading. light novels share similarities with Western pulp fiction and often incorporate familiar tropes from anime and manga, such as fantasy elements, humor, and related teenage themes. Many light novels are serialized and adapted into anime or manga; these are some you should try.

7 Log Horizon

This will be a treat for strategy nerds

• Author: Mamare Touno
• Number of volumes: 11
• Publisher: Kawado Future Publishing
• Release date: March 31, 2011

The story follows Shiroe, an experienced gamer who along with 30,000 players gets stuck in the MMORPG Elder Tale after a major update. The series explores themes of strategy, community, and adaptation as Shiroe and his friends navigate their new reality and form the Log Horizon guild to bring order to their chaotic environment. The anime adaptation premiered in 2013 and featured intricate world building and character development with a focus on social dynamics rather than action battles.

6 Endless Journey: The Endless Universe

When used as a slave, he will not allow anyone else to control him

• Author: Einlion
• Number of volumes: 31
• Published by: Webnovel
• Release date: 2019

Endless Path: Infinite Cosmos is a story featuring Vahn, a young man with a rare mutation that allows his blood to act as a universal medicine. Despite being hailed as a hero, he lives in captivity and experiments until he dies at age 14 in a kidnapping attempt. Reincarnated in a new world, Vahn struggles to control his destiny while navigating themes of adventure, action, and harem dynamics. The series has gained attention for its extensive chapter count and complex character interactions that mix elements from various genres, including fantasy and romance.

5 Cooking around a campfire in another world with my absurd skill

An absurd story that has a heartwarming feel

• Author: Ren Eguchi
• Number of volumes: 15
• Publisher: Shosetsuka ni Naro
• Release date: January 5, 2016

This is the story of an ordinary salaried man who enters the realm of fantasy. Unlike the other summoned heroes, Mukouda has the “Online Supermarket” skill, which allows him to order modern Japanese food. As she navigates this new world, she uses her culinary skills to gain allies, including a powerful Fenrir named Fel. The story mixes humor and real-life elements and focuses on Mukouda's cooking adventures rather than traditional battles, making it a unique entry into the isekai genre.

4 Failure framework

He is considered a failure and fights tooth and nail to survive

• Author: Kaoru Shinozaki
• Number of volumes: 11
• Publisher: Shosetsuka ni Naro
• Release date: November 24, 2017

The story follows Touko Mimori who, along with his classmates, is summoned to a fantasy world by a goddess to fight the demon king. Unlike his peers, Mimori is considered a weakling and banished to a deadly dungeon. However, he finds that his E-rank ability, which causes debuffs, has unique advantages. As he seeks revenge on those who underestimated him, the narrative explores darker themes and character development, setting it apart from similar isekai stories such as Arifureta.

3 The world's best assassin is reincarnated in another world as an aristocrat

From an unnamed assassin to an aristocrat

• Author: Rui Tsukiyo
• Number of volumes: 8
• Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten
• Release date: February 2019

The World's Best Assassin Reincarnates in Another World as an Aristocrat follows the story of an unnamed top assassin who is betrayed and killed by his own organization. The goddess offers him a second chance in a fantasy world and tasks him with assassinating a hero destined to bring chaos. Reborn as Lugh Tuatha Dé, heir to a noble family of assassins, he uses the skills of his previous life and new magical abilities. The series combines action, strategy, and character development as Lugh navigates assassination missions while forging relationships with various allies, often exploring themes of morality and power dynamics in a richly constructed world.

2 Death March to Rhapsody Parallel World

From Programmer to Overpowered MC

• Author: Hiro Ainana
• Number of volumes: 30
• Publisher: Fujimi Shobo
• Release date: March 17, 2014

The story follows Suzuki Ichirou, a programmer who finds himself transported to a fantasy world reminiscent of the MMORPG he was developing during an intense work session. In this new realm, he takes on the name Satou and has an astounding power that allows him to navigate through various adventures effortlessly. He meets a variety of characters, including demi-humans and princesses, and deals with his escape and the consequences of his power. The series combines elements of comedy, adventure and harem dynamics.

1 Sword Art Online

The story of the black swordsman

• Author: Reki Kawahara
• Number of volumes: 28
• Publisher: ASCII Media Works
• Release date: April 10, 2009

The story follows Kazuto “Kirita” Kirigaya, an experienced gamer who gets stuck in a virtual reality MMORPG where death in the game leads to death in real life. The series explores themes of survival, friendship and the psychological effects of gaming. The series includes several anime adaptations, films, and spin-offs, starting with the first season that aired in 2012. Subsequent series such as Sword Art Online II and Alicization further develop the story and characters, expanding the complexity of the virtual worlds and human interactions within them.