Some of the most beloved anime of the past two decades began on the written pages of light novels. Yet even with interest spreading worldwide in recent years, it can be difficult to figure out the most convenient and affordable ways to access volumes of one's favorite series. Still, many publishing houses and translators are working hard to spread the written word further than ever before. Thanks to their efforts, such works may soon become just as widespread as their anime and manga counterparts.
Light novels as they are known today have been around for a decent amount of time. While similar pulp fiction writing existed long before this current trend, the style of anime and manga-like stories rose to prominence in the '80s and '90s. The term "light novel" itself would be coined in the '90s, branding the literary categorization as something all its own.
Though the medium inspired several popular anime early on, it wasn't until the latter half of the 2000s that these works began to gain international recognition. This was in large part due to hit anime adaptations of series such as The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, OreImo and the Monogatari franchise grabbing fans' attention. Still, while some light novels made their way overseas, the vast majority remained Japan exclusives. Luckily, the current market has made them much more accessible in the West.
Since the anime industry has seen an increase in shows based on light novels, publishers have realized western audiences' demand for the original source material as well. Coinciding with the rise of sci-fi and isekai series like Sword Art Online, Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World and The Rising of the Shield Hero, traditional print published versions of their novels became increasingly available. This is still the most straightforward way to purchase them today. Many bookstore storefronts like Barnes & Noble, Kinokuniya and BookOff either integrate light novels into their manga sections or place them nearby to cater to the fans.
Of course, since light novels only gained popularity abroad after the advent of the digital age, the internet quickly became another way to find them. Consumers can now easily purchase physical copies online through sites like Amazon, Books A Million and RightStufAnime, with most publishers providing guides on where to purchase almost any work they are translating. That said, digital e-books are often a more cost-effective means of purchasing these multi-volume series. While they are generally available on platforms like Kindle and Google Books, Japanese publisher Kadokawa also launched an international version of its digital book service BookWalker, where readers can earn points while buying them directly.
One company has attempted to bridge the gap between book publishing and the subscription-based catalogues of services like Netflix. Based mainly in digital publishing -- but dealing in physical copies as well -- J-Novel Club offers memberships that allow its customers to access a different selection of entire series each month without owning them. Additionally, subscribers can read the most recent volume of any title that is currently being translated to ensure that they can stay up to date with official releases of their favorite series.
J-Novel Club has amassed an impressive lineup of series that have been turned into popular anime, including Ascendance of a Bookworm, My Next Life as a Villainess and Kokoro Connect. Alongside these, it also has a massive catalogue of light novels that have yet to receive an anime or manga adaptation, each of which are well worth the read. Similar to services like Audible, J-Novel Club's higher tier of subscription also grants a monthly credit for a free book and a discount on other purchases, ensuring readers can more easily buy their most treasured series to keep forever.
Though light novels have definitely become more widespread among the anime fandom, it is clear that publishers and distributors are still testing the waters to find the best way to sell them. With most of the options listed above, audiences can now easily search the original versions of cherished anime and discover new favorites along the way. Just like J-Novel Club, the industry is still wide open for new and innovative means of providing light novels as entertainment. As companies tinker with their ideas on how to do so, the best way to support them is to pick up a book from them and enjoy it.
