Light novel
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A light novel (
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.
Details
Light novels developed from
Often light novels are chosen to be adapted into
Light novels have a reputation as being "mass-produced and disposable," an extreme example being Kazuma Kamachi who wrote one novel a month for two years straight, and the author turnover rate is very high.[5] As such, publishing companies are constantly searching for new talent with annual contests, many of which earn the winner a cash prize and publication of their novel. The Dengeki Novel Prize is the largest, with over 6,500 submissions (2013) annually.[6] They are all clearly labeled as "light novels" and are published as low-priced paperbacks. For example, the price for The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya in Japan is ¥540 (including 5% tax), similar to the normal price for trade paperbacks—light novels and general literature—sold in Japan. In 2007 it was estimated (according to a website funded by the Japanese government) that the market for light novels was about ¥20 billion (US$170 million at the exchange rate at the time) and that about 30 million copies were published annually.[3] Kadokawa Corporation's publishing subsidiary, which owns major labels like Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko and Dengeki Bunko, has a 70% to 80% share of the market. In 2009, light novels made ¥30.1 billion in sales, or about 20% of all sales of bunkobon format paperback books in Japan.[7]
There are currently many licensed English translations of Japanese light novels available. These have generally been published in the physical dimensions of standard mass market
History
Popular literature has a long tradition in Japan. Even though cheap, pulp novels resembling light novels were present in Japan for years prior, the creation of Sonorama Bunko in 1975 is considered by some to be a symbolic beginning. Science fiction and horror writers like
The 1990s saw the smash-hit
Dengeki Bunko writers continued to slowly gain attention until the small light novel world experienced a boom around 2006. After the huge success of the Haruhi Suzumiya series, the number of publishers and readers interested in light novels suddenly skyrocketed.
Light novels became an important part of the Japanese 2D culture in the late 2000s, with series such as A Certain Magical Index selling large amounts of copies with each volume release. The number of light novels series put out every year increases, usually illustrated by the most celebrated artists from pixiv and the most successful works are adapted into manga, anime, games and live-action movies.
Since the mid-2000s, it has become increasing popular for publishers to contact authors of web fiction on their blog or website to publish their work in print form. The material is often heavily edited and may even feature an altered story, which might compel someone who had already read it online to buy the print release as well.[5] The free novel publication website Shōsetsuka ni Narō is a popular source for such material. Popular works like Sword Art Online, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Overlord, Re:Zero and KonoSuba were originally popular web novels that got contacted by a publisher to distribute and publish those stories in print format.
In recent times, there has been a venture to publish more light novels in the United States. The leader of this, publisher
One popular genre in the light novel category is
Outside Japan
Taiwan and Hong Kong
The Kadokawa Group's local subsidiary, Kadokawa Taiwan (Chinese: 台灣角川; pinyin: Táiwān Jiǎochuān), translated and sold Chinese versions of their own light novels in Taiwan and Hong Kong,[13] after being established as the first overseas branch in 1999 by Kadokawa Japan.[14] In 2007, Chingwin and Shueisha signed an exclusive contract to publish Super Dash Bunko and Cobalt Bunko[15] under the name Elite Novels. Subsequently, GA Bunko and HJ Bunko, which were slowly starting to gain popularity in Japan, also signed exclusive contracts with local publishers. As time went on, the original exclusive contracts were gradually opened to other publishers.
Mainland China
Translated versions of Kadokawa works are published by Kadokawa's Chinese subsidiary, Guangzhou Tenmon Kadokawa Doman Co. Ltd. In addition to Japanese light novels, there are works by Chinese as well as Taiwanese authors. There is also a magazine called Tenman Light Novels [zh], which established a Newcomer's Award and says that the awards for the best full-length works may even be presented in Japan. Additionally, translated versions of other works such as Nisio Isin's Katanagatari have also been published in China.
South Korea
In South Korea, Daewon C.I., Haksan Publishing and Seoul Cultural Publishers, Inc [ja] are known to translate many popular Japanese titles, and they are easily available at larger bookstores. The publication pace is quite fast, and it can be said that Korea is one of the countries outside of Japan that accepts Japanese light novels the most. Like in other countries, there are awards as well.
U.S. and Europe
In the United States, hundreds of different light novels have been translated into English, the two largest publishers being Yen Press and Seven Seas Entertainment.[16][17] The success of anime adapted from light novels, such as Sword Art Online, along with the surge in popularity of the isekai genre has helped to make light novels more mainstream.[17] Furthermore, online book stores, particularly Amazon Kindle, have a tendency to overly recommend light novel titles after a customer has purchased one which, along with Ebooks being more accessible than physical books, has boosted their sales.[18]
In Europe, TOKYOPOP mainly translated and publishes works by the Kadokawa Group and Cobalt Bunko in Germany, for which publishing is done by Carlsen Verlag.
See also
- List of light novels
- List of best-selling light novels
- List of light novel labels
- Cell phone novel
- Illustrated fiction
- Novel
- Visual novel
- Young adult fiction
- Web fiction
- LitRPG
References
- 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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b c Morrissy, Kim (19 October 2016). "What's A Light Novel?". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ "Dengeki Novel Prize". ASCII Media Works (in Japanese). Kadokawa Group Holdings, Inc. n.d. Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ Takatsu, Yusuke; Miyamoto, Shigeyori (30 November 2011). "Publishing heavyweights see light in growing 'light novel' market". The Asahi Shimbun AJW. The Asahi Shimbun Company. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- Los Angeles, CA: Seven Seas Entertainment, LLC. 13 September 2006. Archivedfrom the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
- ^ Horibuchi, Seiji (9 November 2011). "Horibuchi on Manga". ICv2 (Interview). Madison, Wisconsin: GCO, LLC. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
- OCLC 907893641.
- ^ a b c d Aoki, Deb (3 July 2019). "Mixing Prose with Manga, Light Novels Attract North American Fans". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz, LLC. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ "::: 台灣角川 KADOKAWA :::". 19 November 2007. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "eCloudvalley". eCloudvalley. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "- 樂多日誌". 14 February 2008. Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "List of Light Novels (Alphabetical)". English Light Novels. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ a b Balkovec, Joel (5 November 2023). "What Are Light Novels & What's the Best Way to Read Them?". ScreenRant. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Morrissy, Kim (16 May 2022). "The Algorithmic Rise of Isekai Light Novels". Anime News Network. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
External links
- Media related to Light novels at Wikimedia Commons