Top 10 Action Light Novels [Best Recommendations]

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What’s great about anime movies or television programs is that if a series is action-orientated, it can be easily conveyed on screen. Two warriors going at it on a battlefield or a tense war-like scene can be shown to the audience for just the right impact. However, in the world of literature, describing an action scene is a bit rougher. Authors need to rely on a good flow of narration to form a picture for the reader-all while this can be helped by a good artist showing an image during a page break. That’s why we here at Honey’s Anime wanted to find the best action light novels because we feel only so many authors can accomplish this task. Welcome everyone to our Top 10 Action Light Novels list.

First what do we deem as a good action light novel? For us and for fans around the world the action genre needs to really make your blood pump and give you that excited feeling. The narration has to propel into your mind that something epic is occurring and that is a daunting task indeed. What we here at Honey’s Anime did was ready tons of light novels and found what we consider the best of them all. Some stories have wars against alien races and other tales have people who seem to not die. With our lists we always assure that while you may not want to read every single title on here there will definitely be something you like in our list. Now then, let’s begin this battle and see what shows have gained our respect to be put on this top ten action light novels list.


10. Chronicle Legion

  • Authors: BUNBUN- Taketsuki, Jou
  • Genre: Action, Fantasy
  • Volumes: 5
  • Published Date: Nov, 2014- Present

Caesar has been resurrected in the late 20th century! Gaining a strange power called Legion, Caesar has begun taking over the Roman Empire. Japan has only one choice: to rely on Princess Fujinomiya Shiori. The Princess begins forming a team and takes ordinary high schooler Tachibana Masatsugu. However, like Caesar, Tachibana is actually also a resurrected warrior from the past.

Chronicle Legion takes some liberties with history but that doesn’t mean this light novel isn’t a fun ride. The whole concept of a modern day version of Caesar fighting in our society just screams action packed and cool. What also blows us away is the art from BUNBUN who really has a beautiful style. Alongside author Taketsuki Jou, Chronicle Legion is a really wonderful action story that boasts some unique ideals. We felt there was no better start to our action light novel list than Chronicle Legion.


9. Magika no Kenshi to Basileus

  • Authors: CHuN- Mihara, Mitsuki
  • Genre: Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, School, Harem, Supernatural
  • Volumes: 13
  • Published Date: Mar, 2015- Present

The world, at one point, discovered something incredible. Humanity discovered another dimension and in that dimension, lay beings with great power that could be summoned into our world. The human race learned how to use these mythical beings and created summoners allowing them to use their god-like powers. With the summoners’ conception, schools were made to train summoners. Kazuki Hayashizaki just so happens to be a summoner despite being a male—a rare concept as most summoners are female. Now Kazuki must prove to his female peers he can handle this power.

An all-girls school and one boy—that just happens to sound like a typical harem plot. Luckily for Magika no Kenshi to Basileus, this comedic harem boasts a fair amount of action within its narrative. When Kazuki goes to battle, you can feel the battle he’s in and we love every second of it. The comedy, romance and harem elements do a great job of mixing things up so readers don’t feel overwhelmed with too much action. Seriously, check out Magika no Kenshi to Basileus if you’re looking for action and comedy in good measure.


8. Owari no Seraph: Ichinose Guren, 16-sai no Catastrophe (Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose- Catastrophe at Sixteen)

  • Authors: Yamamoto, Yamato- Kagami, Takaya
  • Genre: Action, Drama, Vampire, Supernatural
  • Volumes: 4
  • Published Date: Jan, 2013- Present

Owari no Seraph: Ichinose Guren, 16-Sai no Catastrophe takes place before the story we know from the anime series. Following Guren, we learn of his struggle to be accepted at a school filled with elite families. Despite Guren’s insane power, he allows the students to believe he’s weak, feeling it would cause more issues if they knew of his true power. However, one day Guren is reintroduced to a girl he fall in love with—Now, Guren’s tale truly begins. Guren thinks his world is hard now but soon he will learn that humanity as a whole faces a truly devastating event that looms ever so close…

We honestly love Owari no Seraph as a series. The vampire action and drama that were embedded in each episode was such a thrill to behold. Owari no Seraph: Ichinose Guren, 16-Sai no Catastrophe captures that same essence the anime had but in a light novel form. This could only be accomplished by a great writer such as Kagami Takaya who makes sure every detail of the anime’s plot lines up perfectly within this 4 volume series. If you were a huge fan of Owari no Seraph than chances are Owari no Seraph: Ichinose Guren, 16-Sai no Catastrophe will be a true blessing if you wanted insight into where it all started.


7. Knight & Magic

  • Authors: Kurogin- Amazake-no, Hisago
  • Genre: Action, Fantasy, Mecha, School
  • Volumes: 6
  • Published Date: 2010- Present

If you were given a second chance at life-would you want to be a Mecha pilot? Well for an Otaku that answer most likely is a resounding Yes! Ernesti Echevalier, known simply as Eru, just so happened to once be an otaku from another world. Now, Eru strives to be a pilot of large mech like weapons called Silhouette Knights. However, if Eru wants to be a Knight Runner and be granted the ability to use a Silhouette Knight, he will have to truly earn his place among the others who strive for the same goal.

Mecha action is what this light novel list was missing and now with Knight & Magic we have made sure that problem was solved. Thanks to the team up from Kurogin and Amazake-no Hisago, Knight & Magic is a fun story filled with some interesting fantasy elements. While the whole other world concept has been done in numerous light novels, we still have a few more to mention. Knight & Magic explores mecha concepts in lieu of the typical sword or magic themes. Why it hasn’t been completed yet, we’re sure that Knight & Magic will continue to be an excellent series as these 6 current volumes have shown. Fans of the mecha and action genre will want to read Knight & Magic and then let us know your thoughts down below.


6. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar 6. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash)

  • Authors: Jyumonji, Ao- Shirai, Eiri
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
  • Volumes: 9
  • Published Date: Jun, 2013- Present

“What is this place?” That is what Haruhiro and several others ask themselves when they wake up in complete darkness. With only their names, Haruhiro and the others find that this world is very foreign to them and is filled with things they don’t understand. What’s worse is they are told by a representative for this town named Grimgar that they must earn their keep and fight dangerous beasts to gain a chance at a living. Forced into this almost game like world, these young souls must now endure a harsh world that seems to yield to none.

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar makes us ask a lot of questions in this action, adventure and fantasy light novel series. Where is Grimgar? Is it a video game world or something along the lines of an alternate world? While we are asking these hard questions, Hai to Gensou no Grimgar gives plenty of actions alongside the constant questions and we’re very grateful for that. In comparison to most fantasy, action tales- Hai to Gensou no Grimgar makes the characters feel weak as they try to learn the skills necessary to keep them alive. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar might be a popular anime but the light novel series may just be even better.



5. No. 6

  • Authors: Asano, Atsuko
  • Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
  • Volumes: 9
  • Published Date: Oct, 2003- Jun, 2011

What happens when your perfect world is shattered in an instant? In the year 2013 Shion lives in city number 6 where he is treated as an elite. His life has been literally nothing but perfection. However, on his twelfth birthday, a young boy knocks on his window and reveals himself as Nezumi. This young boy claims that Shion’s world is fake and Shion will learn that Nezumi’s words aren’t false. The world Shion has grown up believing to be perfect is anything but…

Author Asano Atsuko has truly captured what an alternative future of the world would be like in No.6. Shion’s future becomes one of survival as he must fight and struggle in a world that is plagued with war and famine. Each volume from the very first to the last depicts an action tale that never falters or gets dull. When we read No.6 we knew it had to be included on our list of the Top 10 Action Light Novels. Shion’s survival story begins once you dive into his reality in No.6.


4. Yuusha-sama no Oshishou-sama

  • Authors: Pichi & Meru- Sanoka, Nada
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, School Life, Shounen
  • Volumes: 6
  • Published Date: 2013

Wynn Byrd strongly desires to become a knight. Wynn’s parents have been long deceased and this is the only thing he can still hold onto. However, Wynn’s dream seems to be impossible as his magical power is extremely low and thus, causes him to fail the exam necessary to become a knight. Then when a female hero defeats the dreaded Demon King, she makes an odd declaration. She wishes to return to her teacher’s side and that just so happens to be Wynn?

Yuusha-sama no Oshishou-sama is an odd fantasy action tale but we love the originality behind it. From the gate the author’s tireless use of strong narration and description hit the readers causing you to be hooked. This also helps when Wynn or his companions get into a battle and you can almost see the literal sword swings and magic attacks being used. Action light novels need to be immersive to feel amazing and Yuusha-sama no Oshishou-sama does exactly that.


3. Baccano!

  • Authors: Narita, Ryohgo- Enami, Katsumi
  • Genre: Action, Mystery, Fantasy
  • Volumes: 22
  • Published Date: Feb, 2003- Present

In 1711, a group of alchemists decide to do something truly amazing. Using their combined power they summon a powerful demon who gives them all the power they seek—immortality. The demon also attaches only one method for to kill any of them; that they must be devoured by a fellow immortal. When one of them does just that, the rest of the remaining immortal beings spread across the world. Baccano’s true story, however, takes place in 1930 aboard the train called The Flying Pussyfoot where several souls are about to run across each other…

Don’t you ever wonder in a story with multiple characters what some of the characters are going through in a specific scene? Well in Baccano, author Narita Ryohgo does just that in this impressive action, mystery and fantasy light novel series. Each character in Baccano has a voice and purpose, allowing them all to feel important and luckily Narita gives them all equal time to speak in this story. Having run since 2004, Baccano has much fame as not only a successful light novel series but also as an anime that released in 2007, so it’s no surprise why we consider it one of the best action light novels around.


2. All You Need Is Kill

  • Authors: Abe, Yoshitoshi- Sakurazaka, Hiroshi
  • Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Military
  • Volumes: 1
  • Published Date: Dec, 2004

Humanity is facing their darkest hour when the alien creatures known as Mimics invade. The world has created the United Defense Force to fight back and Keiji Kiriya just so happens to be joining in for his first battle. Unfortunately, Keiji dies during his first skirmish but instead of staying dead- Keiji learns that upon death, he loops to the day prior to his battle. While this may seem like a curse for Keiji, thanks to this odd power, he now holds the ability to possibly end the alien war once and for all. Humanity’s final stand starts now in All You Need Is Kill.

Spawning a manga and a movie series by a different name, All You Need Is Kill stands as a true action success story. The sci-fi and military aspect gives this light novel a truly fresh story which we here at Honey’s Anime love about it. Thanks to seeing the world through Keiji’s eyes, Author Sakurazaka Hiroshi really allows a true immersion in All You Need Is Kill, making every battle feel even more epic. While it may be a short story the plot doesn’t feel rushed and you’ll find it truly is an impressive piece of literature. Now then, it’s time to reveal the number one action light novel of our top 10 list.


1. Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon

  • Authors: Kawakami, Minoru- Satoyasu
  • Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, School, Sci-Fi
  • Volumes: 21
  • Published Date: Sept, 2008- Present

Humanity’s advancements and mistreatment of the Earth has finally lead to a catastrophe. The world has become uninhabitable and forces the human race to seek respite in the upper world known as Tenjo. Unfortunately, humans once again begin to wage war and internal strife upon one another causing Tenjo’s fall and humans to once more go back to the wasted Earth where only one area is safe to live called Sekai. With so many humans and so little space, the idea to create a parallel world named Juso Sekai comes underway. Though as we all know, humans who don’t learn from their past are doomed to repeat it and now both worlds face a possible apocalypse.

Our Top 10 Action Light Novels list ends on Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon and it’s a very fitting end title. The myriad of action that fills each page and every volume is something we can’t measure here at Honey’s Anime. Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon written by Kawakami Minoru and illustrated by Satoyasu is such an amazing read thanks to the various elements it captures so well. We know for a fact you’ll love Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon if you like your action stories filled with some sci-fi themes and plenty of fantasy ideals. If you also like some school comedy in your action read Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon has you covered there as well. The anime for Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon is great but we feel the light novels are a step above in almost every sense.


Final Thoughts

Whether fists fly or swords clash, the action genre is incredible. Light novels in general are made to teleport people to other worlds within in their mind to allow escape from their current lives. The ability to enter the mindset of a warrior or soldier in a fictional setting is a testament to the ability authors have with their words. That’s why we’re proud to say our list of action light novels really are the best and deserve their spots on this list. As always folks, we here at Honey’s Anime love hearing from you wonderful folks out there. Leave some comments down below in and as always stick around for even more light novel recommendation lists just like this one.

hai-to-gensou-no-grimgar-Wallpaper-1 Top 10 Action Light Novels [Best Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Aaron

Hey everyone I’m Aaron Curbelo or Blade as I’m called by my YouTube Subscribers. I’ve been an anime/manga fan since I was a young kid. In terms of anime I have watched nearly a thousand shows and have read hundreds of manga series. I love writing and honestly was so happy to join Honey’s Anime to get a shot to write articles for such a wonderful site. I’m a firm believer in respect in the anime community being the most important embodiment we should all have. We all love anime and we have varying opinions of series but we should respect one another for those differences! Life is too precious to spend it making needless arguments in a community that should be the shining example of loving an amazing medium. I hope as a writer for Honey’s Anime I can bring you folks some amazing articles to read and enjoy!

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