Highlights
- Light novels often mix philosophical themes with comedy or romance, making them more accessible to readers who may shy away from deep topics.
- Through light novels like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Kino's Journey, readers can explore different moral beliefs and ponder the existence of universal truths.
- The choices and decisions made by characters in light novels like The Empty Box and the Zeroth Maria have consequences that greatly impact their lives, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility.
Most anime or manga originate from a light novel. Light novels are somewhere between a traditional novel and a manga. They are easier to read, feature illustrations, and cover various genres, like sci-fi, romance, action, thrillers, philosophy, and many more.
15 Best Completed Isekai Light Novels You Should Read
These are some of the best, completed light novels fans of the medium should check out.
It is most likely impossible to read any philosophical work without having to ponder something, either during or after, because it generally dwells on deep topics like morals, life, and existence. It can get intense, and understandably, some readers may tend to shy away from it for their own peace of mind. Due to philosophy being a niche topic, some light novels mix philosophical themes with comedy or romance, making them much lighter for readers.
7 Qualia The Purple
MyAnimeList Score: 7.83
- Japanese Title: Murasakiiro no Qualia.
- Author: Hisamitsu Ueo (Story), Shirou Tsunashima (Art).
- Numbers Of Chapters: 3.
Hatou Gaku and Marii Yukari are friends who have different perspectives on the world. Yukari has beautiful purple eyes that allow her to see humans as robots. Yukari also views people as pawns, as she has the power to decipher and analyze their next moves.
As Yukari’s only friend, Gaku often wonders what is real and what is not, exploring and questioning the nature of the world they live in. Gaku gets between Yukari and her dangerous encounters, and sometimes, she has to bear the consequences.
6 Boogiepop
MyAnimeList Score: 7.07
- Japanese Title: Boogiepop.
- Author: Kouhei Kadono (Story), Kouji Ogata (Art).
- Numbers Of Chapters: Still Publishing.
Boogiepop is deeply philosophical, as it touches on identity, fear, and morality. This light novel series places focus on each of its characters, their perspective on life, and how they are who they are because of past experiences. Boogiepop is a being that exists solely to save people on the brink of mental defeat.
Boogiepop takes place in a high school, and most of the characters in this light novel series are high schoolers. As a spiritual being, Boogiepop has to possess a physical body to carry out its duties in the physical world. Boogiepop takes over Touka Miyashita’s body anytime it needs to work.
5 The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya
MyAnimeList Score: 8.60
- Japanese Title: Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu.
- Author: Nagaru Tanigawa (Story), Noizi Itou (Art).
- Numbers Of Chapters: Still Publishing.
This light novel gave birth to the Haruhi Suzumiya franchise, and this series, written by Naguru Tanigawa, has been around since 2003. This light novel follows the tale of Haruhi and Kyon. Haruhi constantly questions the mundanity of the world and is always looking for something supernatural. Kyon persuades her to start her own club since she cannot find what she wants in her school clubs. Thus, the SOS Bridge Club was born. Haruchi has a god-like ability that allows her to alter reality, and Kyon is her main protector.
10 Best Time-Loop Anime, Ranked
Different anime have their own take on the time-loop trope; however, here are some that executed it in the best ways.
As Haruchi subconsciously changes realities, readers may be unable to avoid thinking about the possibility of changing their own reality to match their desires. So many things happen that humans cannot control or change, and the idea that Haruhi changes reality to fit her desires without even knowing it just puts thoughts about how life would be if readers could also utilize this ability. This light novel might also be trying to convey that the world may not be as ordinary as it seems as Haruhi explores it.
4 Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World
MyAnimeList Score: 8.68
- Japanese Title: Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World.
- Author: Keiichi Sigsawa (Story), Kouhaku Kuroboshi (Art).
- Numbers Of Chapters: Still Publishing.
Traveling is a good and effective way to learn about a country’s culture and people; Kino’s Journey highlights this for readers. This light novel is about Kino and her adventures to different countries, where she learns about their customs and beliefs. This journey is an eye-opener for Kino and the readers, as it shows humans' different natures and moral beliefs. Kino spends three days and two nights in every country she travels to because she believes three days is more than enough to learn about a country, and if Kino spends longer, she fears she might get comfortable.
Through Kino’s journeys, readers are able to learn and ponder morals. What is right in one country is wrong in another, and it might make the reader wonder whether there are truly any universal truths about morals and ethics. No country Kino visits is ever the same as the last, and her travel buddy, Hermes, a talking motorcycle, does not seem to understand the philosophy of life as Kino tries to confide in him — his failure to understand balances this light novel, as his replies are always witty and comedic.
3 The Empty Box And The Zeroth Maria
MyAnimeList Score: 8.71
- Japanese Title: Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria.
- Author: Eiji Mikage (Story), Tetsuo (Art).
- Numbers Of Chapters: 40.
Unlike Haruhi in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, who could not stand the mundane nature of her life and the world, Kazuki Hoshino lives for the simplicity of it. The Empty Box and the Zeroth Maria follows the disruption of Kazuki’s ordinary and carefree life, which he loves so much, by Aya Otonashi, a very mysterious girl.
6 Best Noir Light Novels, Ranked
For fans of mysteries, these light novels fall into the genre, but contain darker twists!
As Kazuki gets involved with Aya, he experiences a whole lot of events that have philosophical elements. Kazuki now sees things he could not see before, bringing up a reality versus illusion discourse. Kazuki’s decisions and choices begin to greatly impact his life, explaining to readers that choices and decisions, whether good or bad, have consequences in one's life.
2 My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected
MyAnimeList Score: 8.77
- Japanese Title: Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru.
- Author: Wataru Watari (Story), Ponkan8 (Art).
- Numbers Of Chapters: 168.
Although Oregairu is more romantic, it has some philosophical touches. This light novel is about Hachiman Hikigaya and his unique perspective on life. Hachiman is a chronic loner. He does everything alone and hates the idea of other people existing or helping him. In addition, he also hates himself. His life and perspective undergo a serious change when he joins his school’s Service Club and meets the beautiful Yukino Yukinoshita.
Yukino is the opposite of Hachiman, and the philosophical nature of this light novel emerges from their friendship. These two have different perspectives on life, and as they get closer, they challenge and question each other’s beliefs. Their friendship has a rocky start, but they build a genuine connection.
1 Monogatari
MyAnimeList Score: 8.93
- Japanese Title: Monogatari.
- Author: Nisio Isin (Story), VOFAN (Art).
- Numbers Of Chapters: 537.
This light novel series is quite complex, but its philosophical nature is deeply rooted in the characters as they develop. Koyomi Araragi is the main character of this series, and he gets involved with so many supernatural beings and problems. Araragi, who is now a half-vampire after surviving a vampire attack, is trying to get back to normalcy, like before he was ever a vampire, but to no avail. Things are not changing for him, especially now that he has helped Hitagi Senjougahara escape a curse that makes her weightless.
Physically, Araragi has changed and has to adapt, and it is philosophical in the sense that humans go through certain things that change them, most times for good. These changes ultimately alter a person’s identity and personality. A lot of characters in this series undergo changes both physically and emotionally. In addition, as Araragi faces supernatural beings and problems with his friends, they start to question reality as the line between reality and illusion begins to blur.