While isekai anime shows are great in their own right, not many realize that they are not as good as light novels, which describe the events that transpire in the story quite articulately. In a sense, they bring a new approach to fantasy concepts, making the journey of fantasy fanatics memorable.
There are certainly innumerable fantastic isekai light novels, and it is incredibly hard to pick from them. However, given the situation, we’ve had to choose some recommendations for the readers. With that in mind, here are the best isekai light novels you can read right now.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (2014)
Often referred to as the “Godfather of Isekai Stories,” Mushoku Tensei is not only one of the most popular isekai light novels but also one of the best of the bunch. Even though it has a slow start, taking a lot of time to build the main story, it gets substantially better as you progress through the chapters.
The story revolves around a 34-year-old NEET shut-in who faces a miserable death after being chased out of his house by his own family. However, as fate takes mercy upon him, he is reborn in a fantasy world where magic is more than just a myth. With newfound opportunity, he is determined to use this life to become the person he always yearned for but never managed to attain.
Overlord (2010)
Overlord offers the readers a fresh perspective on “Overpowered transmigration” notions, especially with the main character being introduced in an Anti-Hero role. That being said, the novel is more than that, as there are a lot of fantasy and RPG elements included to make it seem more natural, and it is easily one of the top-tier Japanese novels.
In the 21st century, “YGGDRASIL,” a virtual reality game, has taken the world by storm, but when the creators announced that they would shut down the servers, the players stayed until the very end. However, Momonga, a veteran gamer who was the last to log off, gets stuck in the game with no way out. How would he survive in this new reality?
Konosuba (2013)
When you decide to read Konosuba, never make the mistake of comparing it to the likes of Mushoku Tensei or any other isekai light novels in general. The reason is that Konosuba serves as a parody for the genre with its seamless comedic efforts, and they work exceptionally well in entertaining the readers.
Kazuma Satou, a shut-in NEET gamer, meets his demise in the most pathetic way—getting hit by a tractor. However, instead of passing to the afterlife, he’s given a chance to spend his life in a fantasy world, where he’s accompanied by the useless goddess Aqua. How will he lead his new life?
Ascendance of a Bookworm (2013)
Ascendance of a Bookworm is a rare isekai light novel because it provides the experience of the fantasy world from the perspective of a nobody rather than a main character who gets overpowered for no reason. If you don’t mind reading a light novel that doesn’t heavily rely on action but rather on world-building and characterization, this one is for you.
The story revolves around a bookworm who has finally found a job as a librarian at a university but unexpectedly gets killed. Fortunately, she is reborn into a fantasy world as the daughter of an ordinary soldier. How will she thrive in a new life where book access is as hard as finding a diamond?
So I’m a Spider, So What? (2015)
So I’m a Spider, So What? is what you call a fun and not too serious isekai light novel that delivers a clean RPG experience. While it isn’t action-oriented, it has a great fantasy atmosphere and a really intriguing main character to keep you hooked.
A specific classroom on the Earth mysteriously explodes, and everyone present inside is reincarnated into a fantasy world where the war between Hero and Demon King has been brewing. The protagonist, however, is born as a spider in a dangerous dungeon. Now, she must adapt to the sudden changes and survive in the new world.
Common Sense of a Duke’s Daughter (2015)
Although the light novel’s title is a bit tacky, it is exceptionally well-written, with the main character’s development soaring through leaps and bounds with the chapters. It also utilizes almost every character introduced in the story and is arguably one of the most underrated isekai light novels we’ve read.
A young woman who works at a tax bureau is unexpectedly killed in a traffic accident, but she finds herself transported to another world, which bears a striking resemblance to the otome game she played the other night. With her modern-day economic knowledge, she is determined to live her best life in the new world.
The Faraway Paladin (2015)
The Faraway Paladin, otherwise known as Paladin of the End, is one of the best isekai light novels with mature characters and a story that doesn’t feel typical. Furthermore, you’ll see the author’s effort in developing the story while avoiding the obvious cliches.
The novel chronicles the journey of Will, a human child raised in the city of the dead by three undead. As he embarks on a new adventure to unravel the world’s mysteries and unearth the secrets of the undead, he takes his first step in becoming a Paladin.
