Japanese Light Novel Book Club discussion

Light novels are often the sources for anime and I often find and read the LNs when I like an anime series. Also, I am delighted when a favorite LN is made into an anime, animated film or a live action.

I will try to document a few from the current season as examples. Let me know if this is of interest and I can expand the topic from notes that I keep on each season.

Probably the most famous source for Winter 2025 is for the 2nd season of The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 1 by Natsu Hyuuga. The LN is in our "suggested" bookshelf. I highly recommend the LN.

"Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn't long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a "curse" afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the beautiful Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and...solving mysteries?!"

Unfortunately for other shows, the light novels have not been officially translated into English as of yet. An example is: Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World (マジック・メイカー　～異世界魔法の作り方～, Majikku Meikā: Isekai Mahō no Tsukurikata, "How to Perform Alternate World Magic"). This is a Japanese light novel series written by Kazuki Kaburagi and illustrated by Kururi.

Another is: Even Given the Worthless "Appraiser" Class, I'm Actually the Strongest. The LN source is not officially translated although a number of the manga are.

I will check more shows to see what is LN based and what is translated for the shows I like this season.

Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! (Japanese: 日本へようこそエルフさん。, Hepburn: Nihon e Yōkoso Erufu-san) is a Japanese light novel series written by Makishima Suzuki and illustrated by Yappen. It began serialization online in 2017 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was acquired by Hobby Japan, who published the first light novel volume in August 2018 under their HJ Novels imprint. Nine volumes have been released as of October 2023. 9 volumes of the LN are available in English.
A manga adaptation with art by Shimo Aono has been serialized online via Hobby Japan's Comic Fire website since December 2018. Both the light novel and manga have been licensed in North America by J-Novel Club. An anime television series adaptation produced by Zero-G premiered January 2025.

"Ever since Kazuhiro Kitase was a child, whenever he slept, he would dream of a fantasy world. One day, he explores the fantasy world with his elf friend, Marie, but they get killed by a dragon. They abruptly wake up in his home in Japan and they eventually work out that whenever he falls asleep or dies in the fantasy world, he and anyone he is touching are sent back to Japan, then they can return to the fantasy world by falling asleep. They regularly go back and forth, with him helping Marie adjust to life in modern Japan and then going on quests in the fantasy world and eventually bringing others back to Japan."

I May Be a Guild Receptionist, But I'll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time (ギルドの受付嬢ですが、残業は嫌なのでボスをソロ討伐しようと思います, Guild no Uketsukejō desu ga, Zangyō wa Iya nanode Boss wo Solo Tōbatsu Shiyō to Omoimasu) is a Japanese light novel series written by Mato Kousaka and illustrated by Gaou.
5 volumes have been translated into English so far.
An anime television series adaptation produced by CloverWorks premiered January 2025.

I really relate to the MC in this.
"Alina Clover became an adventurer guild receptionist because she thought it would be an easy and secure job, but unfortunately for her she has the vexing job dealing with meatheads and egotists, having to remind them of regulations; plus her coworkers constantly dump their unfinished share of the work on her, giving her unpaid overtime. It doesn't help that Dungeon bosses are unbeatable for long periods of time, which leads to more paperwork. Secretly, Alina has moments when she snaps and uses her divine skill to summon a powerful hammer to go after the bosses herself; venting all her frustrations on the monster."

My Happy Marriage (Japanese: わたしの幸せな結婚, Hepburn: Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon) is a Japanese light novel series written by Akumi Agitogi [ja] and illustrated by Tsukiho Tsukioka. Initially published online via the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō, it was later acquired by Fujimi Shobo, who has released the series since January 2019 under their Fujimi L Bunko imprint.

8 volumes of the LN have been translated into English so far.

An anime television series produced by Kinema Citrus aired from July to September 2023. A second season premiered in January 2025.

"In an alternative version of the Taishō era in which spirits and magic are real, but in decline, Miyo Saimori, born without supernatural talent, is forced into an existence of servitude by her abusive stepmother. When Miyo finally comes of marriageable age, though, her hopes of being whisked away to a better life crumble after she discovers her fiancé's identity: Kiyoka Kudou, a commander apparently so cold and cruel that his previous would-be brides all fled within three days of their engagements. With no home to return to, Miyo resigns herself to her fate—and soon finds that her pale and handsome husband-to-be is anything but the monster she expected. As they slowly open their hearts to each other, both realize the other may be their chance at finding true love and happiness."

I wish the LNs for Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time were officially translated. I really like the storyline and the MCs.

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time (いずれ最強の錬金術師？, Izure Saikyō no Renkinjutsu-shi?, lit. "Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?") is a Japanese light novel series written by Kogitsunemaru and illustrated by Hitogome. Originally published online since August 2017, AlphaPolis have published _seventeen_ volumes of the series since February 2018. A manga _adaptation_ illustrated by Tarō Sasakama began serialization online via AlphaPolis' manga website in August 2018 and has been collected in eight tankōbon volumes. The manga is published digitally in English through Alpha Manga. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Comet premiered in January 2025.

"Takumi Iruma is accidentally caught up in a summoning spell to gather heroes in the fantasy world of Mildgard. Since he cannot be returned to Earth, the goddess Nolyn compensates him with the power of alchemy. Takumi prefers to live a peaceful life, but his incredible powers start attracting attention."

Maybe a successful anime season will gather interest in an official English translation.

I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic: Volume 1 by Nazuna Miki aka (没落予定の貴族だけど、暇だったから魔法を極めてみた, Botsuraku Yotei no Kizoku dakedo, Hima datta kara Mahō wo Kiwamete Mita). This is a Japanese light novel series written by Nazuna Miki and illustrated by Kabocha. It began serialization online in September 2019 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by TO Books, who have published ten volumes since February 2020. Five of these are currently translated to English. The sixth will be released 24 April, 2025. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Deen and Marvy Jack premiered from January to March 2025.

I have enjoyed the LN version of this series and the anime in the Winter 2025 season is entertaining.

"While enjoying an evening drink, a man woke up to find he had become Liam Hamilton; fifth son of a nobleman in another world. Due to noble law saying a family loses status of the third generation can't accomplish anything, Liam prepares to study magic; backup plans for staying alive help.

While determined to be an adventurer, Liam becomes involved with secrets of the land lost to time; slowly rising in fame to status he never hopes to achieve and becomes the land’s king. In time, nearby kingdoms desire to seize control of his land for their own means."