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A light novel (Japanese: ライトノベル, Hepburn: raito noberu) is a type of popular literature novel native to Japan, usually classified as young adult fiction targeting teens to twenties. The definition is very vague, and wide-ranging.[1][2]
The abbreviation of "raito noberu" is ranobe (ラノベ)[3] or, in English, LN.
The average length of a light novel is about 50,000 words,[4] and is published in the bunkobon format (A6, 10.5 cm × 14.8 cm [4.1 in × 5.8 in]). Light novels are subject to dense publishing schedules, with new installments being published in 3–9-month intervals.
Light novels are commonly illustrated in a manga art style and are often adapted into manga and anime. While most light novels are published only as books, some have their chapters first serialized monthly in anthology magazines before being collected and compiled into book format, similar to how manga is published.
- ^ Enomoto, Aki (榎本秋) (October 2008). Raitonoberu bungaku-ron ライトノベル文学論 [Light Novel Criticism] (in Japanese). Japan: NTT Shuppan (NTT出版). ISBN 978-4-7571-4199-5.
- ^ "Kadokawa: Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Kadokawa Group Holdings, Inc. 2012. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ "Light Reading". Arts & Entertainment. Web Japan. Trends in Japan. Japan Echo Inc. 28 February 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ Reeves, Matt (3 September 2009). "How 'Not' To Write A Light Novel". The Ranobe Cafe. Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2017.