Also, the media adaptations like the anime have contributed to its popularity. The anime brings the story to life in a visual and engaging way, which in turn draws more people to the original web novel. It has created a whole franchise with a big fan base that continues to grow.
The popularity can be seen from the number of translations it has. It has been translated into multiple languages, reaching a wide international audience. This shows that it has managed to capture the interest of people from different cultures.
Another unique aspect is the character development. Starting as a slime, the main character gradually evolves, not just in power but also in personality. It shows how the new form and the experiences in this new world shape the character, which is different from typical human - centered character arcs in other novels.
One popular type of character is the super - intelligent baby protagonist. They are able to outwit adults and older children with their prior knowledge and quick thinking. Another could be the kind - hearted nanny or caretaker who discovers the baby's specialness early on and helps protect them. There might also be the rival characters, like other children who are jealous of the protagonist's abilities and popularity.
Some well - known reincarnated web novels include 'Overlord'. In this story, a powerful player gets trapped in the game world after the game's shutdown, essentially a form of reincarnation. 'Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken' is about a man who is reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world and gradually builds his own kingdom. There's also 'Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!', where the characters are reincarnated or summoned to a magical world and their comical adventures begin.
It's quite an exciting and unique journey. The protagonist faces all kinds of challenges and adventures in the new form.
One popular character type is the overpowered protagonist. For example, Subaru from 'Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World'. He has the ability to return by death, which makes him very unique. Another is Rimuru Tempest from 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime'. He starts as a slime but quickly becomes very powerful and builds his own kingdom.
At first, the dungeon core has to figure out how to survive. It learns about the resources available in its environment and how to use them effectively. Then, as it grows stronger, it has to deal with more powerful adventurers who are after its treasures. This creates a cycle of growth, conflict, and further growth in the story.
I'm not sure if it's extremely popular. It's a rather unique and strange concept for a light novel, and it might not have the mainstream appeal that more common themes like fantasy adventures or romances have.
One of the main themes is self - discovery. The protagonist, who is reincarnated as a sword, has to figure out his new existence and abilities. Another theme is power growth. As the story progresses, the sword gets stronger and evolves. There's also the theme of companionship. The sword forms bonds with various characters it meets on its journey.
In 'Reincarnated as a Slime Web Novel', Rimuru Tempest is the central figure. He's a slime with human memories. Then there are characters like Benimaru, a kijin. Benimaru is a strong warrior who respects Rimuru. Also, Milim Nava, a dragonoid, plays a significant role in the story. She has a child - like personality but is extremely powerful.
One unique feature is the protagonist's transformation. He starts as a slime, which is quite different from the typical human or elf protagonists in many novels. Another aspect is the world - building. It has a rich and diverse world with different races and magic systems.