ライトノベルraito noberu
Quick definition:A light novel is a short Japanese novel, usually aimed at teenagers and young adults, with simple prose and frequent illustrations, and many are later adapted into anime or manga.
Meaning
Light novels are brief, fast-moving books written in an easy-to-read style, with illustrations scattered through the pages. They are usually published as small paperbacks and divided into short chapters. Stories include fantasy adventures, school comedies, mystery and romance, and a single series may run for many volumes.
Light novels are important to anime because many popular series start as one. Publishers release a book, and if it sells well an anime or manga version may follow. Many readers also enjoy the cover art and illustrations, and the books often carry long, descriptive titles that explain the story's premise.
Fans often shorten the term to LN. Many are first released online as web novels, where authors post chapters for free, and popular ones are picked up by publishers and turned into books.
Origin:Light novel is an English term formed from the Japanese raito noberu, a phrase written in katakana, meaning a novel that is light to read. The label took hold in Japan in the 1990s, though similar books existed earlier, and it spread overseas as translated series arrived. Fans in Japan also use the shortened form ranobe.
Example:The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya began as a series of light novels before becoming a well-known anime. Another example is Sword Art Online, which started as a web novel, was published as a light novel and then grew into an anime and a long line of spin-offs.
Did you know?Light novels are usually printed in a small paperback size called bunko, and publishers group them into dedicated labels such as Dengeki Bunko, which is known for series aimed at teenagers. A cover illustration and several colour pages often open each volume.
