Introduction
This article is for those who are curious about light novels and how they are formatted. I will try to cover as much of the nuances of light novels as possible, hopefully, I don’t miss too many key points, but let’s get started. Light novels are a type of Japanese novel that are typically targeted toward young adults and teenagers. They are known for their relatively short length and often incorporate illustrations or manga-style artwork. There have been several notable examples of light novels being adapted into manga and anime. The first ones that always come to my mind would be SOA (Sword Art Online), and probably the other is Re: Zero. These are just a couple of examples though, there are tons of them out there now.
The Format
To me, the defining characteristic of light novels is their format. Unlike traditional novels like Lord of the Rings where the books are massive, light novels are often structured in a way that emphasizes brevity and readability. They are typically shorter than traditional novels, often ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 words in length. This shorter length allows for a faster pace and more action-packed storytelling. They were initially intended to be read on a daily commute to and from work. Back when the LOTR movies came out, I wasn’t going to work on the train but I can’t imagine lugging those books around these days.
The Illustrations
Another feature of the light novel format is that they often incorporate illustrations. The artist-drawn illustrations are placed throughout the novel, and I want to say it’s quite similar to the Manga art style. The illustrations feature characters in dramatic poses and emotive expressions, really adding to the visual depth of the novels. If you are a millennial like me, you probably remember the Great Illustrated Classics from your local bookstore. These books had a picture for every page, Light Novels on the other hand don’t have nearly as many images. The art is more strategically placed to enhance the reading experience and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story.
The Structure
Next up we got the structure. The structure of a light novel tends to be more episodic than a traditional novel, more along the lines of an episode of Naruto but in word format. Generally light novels are written in a serial format, with each volume featuring a self-contained story that builds on the events of the previous volume. This episodic structure is ideal for serialization, and commercialization especially with sales numbers being in the millions for quite a few of them. To me this format allows readers to pick up the story at any point and easily catch up on what has happened before. “Last time on Dragon Ball Z” anyone?.
Other Elements
Light novels often incorporate elements of other media like anime and manga. This can include anything from character designs to world-building or a combination of both. It’s not just limited to those two though, you can also see other elements as well. For example, as we mentioned before many light novels are adapted into anime. The characters and settings from the anime will often be included in the light novel. This creates a very cool sense of synergy between the different media and allows us the fans to immerse ourselves in the world of the story across multiple platforms. Almost like when we “go to bed” we turn off the computer, but 99% of the time we pull out our phones.
Traditional Novel Similarities
I would say despite their differences in format, light novels are similar to traditional novels in quite a few ways. They feature complex characters, usually the MC and the FMC are the most prominent, followed by their friends. Both formats almost always have intricate plots, otherwise, there is no way they would be selling millions of copies. There are also almost always strong emotional themes, making us attached to the characters, and vest in the story. Despite these similarities, the unique structure and style of light novels allow them to stand out in the crowded market of Japanese literature. Who doesn’t love action-packed set pieces in novel form?
Conclusion
In conclusion, light novels are a unique type of Japanese novel that are characterized by their short length, episodic structure, and incorporation of illustrations. They are ideal for serialization and often incorporate elements of other media such as anime and video games. Despite their differences in format, light novels still feature complex characters, intricate plots, and emotional themes. The light novel format has become a beloved staple of Japanese literature and has gained numerous fans worldwide including me. I have no doubt they will continue to inspire and entertain readers for years to come.
