Light Novels with Action? Doesn’t that sound strange? Why? Because, rather than depicting an action scene on screen, how will a light novel describe it? There are a number of light novels that have successfully described the heart-pounding action scenes without relying solely on animation. A successful action light novel is defined by its strong narration and a few images created by talented artists. So, today, we’ll go over some of the best Action Light Novels. Are you guys pumped? Let’s get started!
Best Light Novels That Involve Action
26. The Ambition of Oda Nobuna
| Title | The Ambition of Oda Nobuna |
| Genre | Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | 144 |
| Volumes | 22 |
| Authors | Kasuga, Mikage, Miyama-Zero |
| Published | 2009 |
This anime follows Yoshiharu, a regular high school student who is transported to the past. He finds himself in the Warring States Period. He runs into Nobuna Oda there. All of the famous fighters from the past are females in this strange world. Yoshiharu must now collaborate with Nobuna, who initiates her campaign, in order to return home and set things right in the new world. Yoshiharu was already aware of what was going to happen because he had played the game Nobunagas Ambition. Will he, however, be able to assist Nobuna in achieving her goal while returning to his own timeline?
25. Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling
| Title | Reincaranted as a Dragon Harchling |
| Genre | Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Necoco, Yanagida, Naji |
| Published | 2015 |
The unnamed protagonist of this anime awakens one day in a fantasy world. When a character is reincarnated into a fantasy world in anime, they are usually given special powers and abilities. This is not the case with our protagonist from this light novel. He was reincarnated as a helpless egg trapped in a forest full of hungry monsters and other creatures. But he’s not your average egg. He is actually a dragon egg that is determined to hatch and become a great and powerful dragon one day. His quest to become strong, however, is not as simple as it appears.
24. The Strongest Sage With The Weakest Crest
| Title | The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest |
| Genre | Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Shinkou, Shouto, Kazabana, Huuka |
| Published | 2017 |
This literary work transports us to a world where mages abound. When mages are born in that world, they are given one of the four crests. We were introduced to Gaius, a mage who has reached his full potential. He has evolved into the world’s most powerful sage. However, he is still dissatisfied with his abilities. Gaius decides to be reincarnated in the future in order to have a better fate and become stronger than he is now. Gaius is reborn as a young boy named Mathias after a thousand years. He has been bestowed with the long-desired crest. However, the world’s magic standards are now very low. As a result, he is doomed to fail in the future. Now, Mathias must get things right in this new life because this is his last chance.
23. Re: Monster
| Title | Re: Monster |
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | 10 |
| Authors | Kanekiru, Kogitsune, Yamaada |
| Published | 2012 |
Re: Monster tells the story of Tomokui Kanata, who died at a young age. Instead of dying in vain, he is reincarnated into a completely new fantasy world. This new world is brimming with magic. However, he has been reincarnated as a low-ranking goblin named Rou. He is dissatisfied with himself and wishes to improve his abilities in order to advance in this new world where magic is everything. The only way for him to level up is to consume others. As a result, he is determined to do whatever it takes to advance in rank.
22. Chivalry of a Failed Knight
| Title | Chivalry of a Failed Knight |
| Genre | Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Won, Misura, Riku |
| Published | 2013 |
Chivalry of a Failed Knight transports us to a world where a group of people can manipulate their souls and use them to create powerful weapons. They are known as Blazers, and they attend Hagun Academy to train to become powerful Magic Knights. We were introduced to Ikki Kurogane, the sole F-Rated Blazer. One day, he comes across a princess and an A-ranked Blazer naked, and she challenges him to a duel. The stakes are high because the loser will be the winner’s servant for the rest of their lives. What would the outcome of this fight between an F-Rank Blazer and an A-Rank Blazer be?
21. All You Need is Kill
| Title | All You Need is Kill |
| Genre | Action, Sci-Fi |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | 4 |
| Volumes | 1 |
| Authors | Abe, Yoshitoshi, Sakurazaka, Hiroshi |
| Published | 2004 |
All You Need is Kill introduces us to creatures known as Mimics, which mankind is battling. To combat these ruthless monsters who leave a trail of death and destruction wherever they go, humanity has created a United Defence Force that uses special power suits. Keiji Kiriya is the new commander of the United Defense Force, tasked with reclaiming their territory from Mimics. He’s teamed up with an American soldier known for her red suit and weapons. However, after being injured during the battle, Keiji is trapped in an endless loop in which he is forced to fight the same battle over and over again. He lives and dies every single time, hoping to end this war one day.
20. The Misfit of Demon King Academy
| Title | The Misfit of Demon King Academy |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Shizuma, Yoshinori, Shuu |
| Published | 2018 |
The Demonic Outcast King Academy introduces us to Anos Voldigoad, who is tired of human death and destruction and wishes for peace. The only way he could accomplish this was to be reincarnated. He is reincarnated after two thousand years in a world where magic users have become weaker. He enrols in the Demon King Academy. It is revealed that he is far too powerful for that school and already knows everything they teach the students. He’s been labelled a misfit there. What will his peers think of him?
19. Full Metal Panic
| Title | Full Metal Panic |
| Genre | Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | 72 |
| Volumes | 12 |
| Authors | Gatou, Shoji, Shiki, Douji |
| Published | 1998 |
Full Metal Panic introduces us to Mithril, a terrorist-fighting organisation. Melissa Mao is a superior officer who assigns sergeants Sosuke Sagara and Kurz Weber to protect Chidori, a teenage girl with knowledge of vital scientific research. The Whispered is her name. Other organisations are also pursuing her, which is why she requires protection. Sergeant Sosuke is the one who needs to enrol in Chidoris school in order to constantly monitor her. Kurz and Melissa are supposed to help him from a distance. Will someone like Sosuke be able to adjust to high school life?
18. Heroes of the Six Flowers
| Title | Heroes of the Six Flowers |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | 46 |
| Volumes | 6 |
| Authors | Yamagato, Ishio, Terui |
| Published | 2011 |
Heroes of the Six Flowers, also known as Rokka no Yuusha, transports us to a world in peril. The fate of the world is in the hands of six heroes, who will be chosen by the Goddess of Fate. We were introduced to Adlet Meyer, the self-proclaimed strongest man in the world who aspires to be one of the six heroes. He is eventually chosen as one of the six heroes. However, when all of the heroes are gathered, there are seven heroes, not six. Who is the phony?
17. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
| Title | Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash |
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Jyomunji, Ao, Shirai, Eiri |
| Published | 2013 |
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash tells the story of Haruhiro, who finds himself in a game world filled with lethal monsters and creatures. Grimgar is the name of this brand-new fantasy game world. Haruhiro has no abilities or weapons to defend himself against these deadly monsters. He joins an adventure party and faces survival challenges. Furthermore, he is not even paid that much. What happens to Haruhiro in this new world?
16. Durarara!!
| Title | Durarara!! |
| Genre | Action, Drama |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | 89 |
| Volumes | 13 |
| Authors | Narita, Ryohga, Yasuda, Suzuhito |
| Published | 2004 |
Durarara transports us to Ikebukuro, where strange things continue to occur. Mikado is our country boy who decides to relocate and attend the same school as his best friend. He was ecstatic about his new life there. Strange things began to happen around him as well. Is this the kind of life he desired in the fast-paced city of Ikebukuro?
15. The Saga of Tanya the Evil
| Title | The Saga of Tanya the Evil |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Shinotsuki, Shinobu, Zen, Carlo |
| Published | 2013 |
The Saga of Tanya the Evil tells the story of a regular Japanese salaryman who was reincarnated into a fantasy world after challenging the Being x. He found himself in the body of Tanya, a young girl. He is now forced to live his life as a child soldier. This child soldier is not your typical soldier. Tanya will kill as many people as she needs to in order to advance in the military. There is no one who can stop her now.
14. The Irregular at Magic High School
| Title | The Irregular at Magic High School |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | 32 |
| Authors | Sato, Tsutomu, Ishida, Kana |
| Published | 2011 |
This anime takes place in the year 2095, when magic is widely used. We were introduced to two siblings, Tatsuya and Miyuki, who had enrolled at Japan’s First Magic High School. However, it has been revealed that Miyuki will enrol in Course 1 and Tatsuya will enrol in Course 2. That’s when things get dicey.
13. Goblin Slayer
| Title | Goblin Slayer |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Kannatsuki, Noboru, Kagyuu, Kumo |
| Published | 2016 |
Goblin Slayer tells the story of a priestess who is ecstatic to be joining her first party and embarking on her first quest. Her party ends up in a goblin-infested dungeon. The goblins immediately begin torturing and killing her party members. It is now her turn, but luckily, a man named Goblin Slayer appears and saves her, killing all the goblins in sight. The priestess joins him and a group of other adventurers in forming a party. They are all prepared for their adventure.
12. Arifureta
| Title | Arifureta |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Takayaki, Shirakome, Ryou |
| Published | 2015 |
An entire class is transported to a fantasy world and given various skills and attributes to help them fight the monsters there. However, Hajime Nagumo is the only one who is given synergist powers. Hajime is separated from his group as they try to adjust to this new world, and he finds himself in a dungeon full of deadly monsters. Will he be able to awaken the hidden powers within him, or will he succumb?
11. Reincarnated as a Sword
| Title | Reincarnated as a Sword |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | LLO, Tanaka, Yuu |
| Published | 2016 |
After dying, our protagonist in this anime is reincarnated as a sword in a fantasy world. He gradually learns how to raise his stats by fighting dangerous monsters and acquiring their skills. He comes across a beast girl named Fran who is being taken away by her masters one day. Her masters mistreated her, and it is revealed that Frans’ kind was despised in that world. He decides to join Fran after saving her from a monster. They complete many quests together by going on adventures. Fran is also determined to show everyone that her kind is deserving of praise and should not be mistreated.
10. The Eminence in Shadow
| Title | The eminence in Shadow |
| Genre | Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Touzai, Aizawa, Daisuke |
| Published | 2018 |
Cid, the protagonist of The Eminence of Shadow, has always wanted to be someone who works in the shadows. When he dies and is reincarnated into a fantasy world, he is given the opportunity to realise his dream. He becomes the leader of a clandestine organisation that no one knows about. He has a slew of gorgeous subordinates at his disposal at all times. Now he’ll be able to realise all of his dreams.
9. Baccano!
| Title | Baccano! |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | 22 |
| Authors | Arita, Ryohga, Enami, Katsumi |
| Published | 2003 |
Baccano transports us to 1927 New York, where criminals roam the streets freely. They have no one to stop them. Firo Prochainezo is a criminal who comes from a small Martillo family. He is determined to succeed because he comes from a small family. Will he be able to complete his mission? Not to mention, his isn’t the only story in this series, which is told from multiple perspectives.
8. 86
| Title | 86 |
| Genre | Adventure, Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Shirabi, Asato |
| Published | 2017 |
The story of the war between the Republic of San Magnolia and the Giadian Empire is told in Chapter 86. The Giadian Empire employs drones known as Legions. The Empire has its own drones, which it claims can operate on their own. They are, however, run by 86 young men and women who have been deprived of their basic human rights. Vladilena Milize, a woman from the Republic, is adamant about ending the war and giving the 86 their due rights. However, this will not be an easy journey for her.
7. The Rising of the Shield Hero
| Title | The Rising of the Shield Hero |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Aneko, Yusagi, Minami, Seira |
| Published | 2013 |
The Empire’s King summons Naofumi Iwatani and three other boys to a fantasy world as heroes. While the other three are given useful weapons such as a bow, sword, and spear, Naofumi is given a shield and thus is known as the Shield Hero. One day, he is wrongfully accused of harassing the King’s daughter and is expelled from the Kingdom. With nothing left, Naofumi flees the Empire and begins again. Raphtalia and Filo, his two companions, accompany him. This is the story of Naofumi’s vengeance on all those who wronged him.
6. Bungou Stray Dogs
| Title | Bungou Stray Dogs |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Asagiri, Kafka, Harukawa35, Ganji, Iwahata, Hiro |
| Published | 2014 |
Bungou Stray Dogs introduces us to Atsushi Nakajima, an orphan who was kicked out of his orphanage. He’s homeless and starving when he meets two strange men. One of them is Osamu Dazai, a suicidal man who attempted to drown himself in broad daylight. Kunikida Doppo is the other. They are both revealed to be members of the Armed Detective Agency, which takes on cases that the police and military are unable to solve. Atsushi joins them on one of their missions, in which they must fight a man-eating tiger. Atsushi’s life is about to change drastically.
5. Fullmetal Alchemist
| Title | Fullmetal Alchemist |
| Genre | Adventure, Action |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | 35 |
| Volumes | 7 |
| Authors | Arakawa, Hiromu, Inoue, Makoto |
| Published | 2003 |
This is the story of Edward and Alphonse, two brothers who spent their days practising alchemy. They decided to resurrect their dead mother by breaking alchemy’s rules one day. This caused Edward to lose his leg and Alphonse to lose his entire being. Edward gave up his arm to keep Alphonse’s soul in a metal armour suit. Both brothers will now look for ways to regain their limbs.
4. The Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime
| Title | Reincarnated as a Slime |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Mitz Vah, Fuse |
| Published | 2014 |
Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old corporate slave, was stabbed while out with a coworker and his girlfriend. Fortunately, he was reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world. He gradually grew accustomed to his new goopy body. Just then, he came across Veldora Tempest, a dragon who had been imprisoned. Satoru promised to unseal him out of compassion. Veldora was pleased and bestowed upon Satoru divine protection as well as the name Rimuru Tempest. That is when Rimurus’s thrilling adventure begins.
3. Fate/Zero
| Title | Fate/Zero |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | 18 |
| Volumes | 4 |
| Authors | Takeuchi, Takashi, Urobuchi, Gen |
| Published | 2006 |
Fate/Zero takes place ten years before the meeting of Shiro Emiya and Sabers. The fourth Holy Grail war is about to begin in Japan, and seven masters are vying for the Holy Grail. Kiritsugu Emiya, a Mage Killer, was introduced to us. He needs the Holy Grail to make the world a better place, and his partner Saber is there to help him. Will he be able to win the war or will he succumb before realising his dream?
2. Overlord
| Title | Overlord |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Maruyama, Kugane, so-bin |
| Published | 2012 |
Overlord tells the story of Momonga, who finds himself as his favourite character Ainz Ooal Gown inside his favourite game, Yggdrasil. He is extremely overpowered and quickly becomes bored with the game because he has played it so many times. He then decides to conquer the entire planet. He’s slowly turning into the antagonist of his own story.
1. Mushoku Tensei
| Title | Mushoku Tensei |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | Light Novel |
| Chapters | Unknown |
| Volumes | Unknown |
| Authors | Rifujin na Magonote, Sirotaka |
| Published | 2014 |
Mushoku Tensei is the story of a shut-in net who is reincarnated into a fantasy world after saving two students from a truck. Instead, he took a hit for them and died instantly. As Rudeus Greyrat to a loving family, he opened his eyes to the new world. As he grew older, his father mentored him. He arranged for him to be taught magic by a magician named Roxy. When Rudeus goes to teach his cousin Eris, his life will change forever.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of our list of the Best Action Light Novels. Which of our Light Novels do you want to read? Please let us know in the comments section below. So please return with more blog recommendations. I hope to see you at the next one!