For beginners, 'Sword Art Online' is a great choice. It has a straightforward plot that's easy to follow. The action scenes are exciting and it quickly draws you into the virtual world. Another option could be 'Konosuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World!'. It's really funny and the humor makes it very accessible. The characters are also very likable. Also, 'The Rising of the Shield Hero' is not too complex. It has a clear goal for the main character and the world - building is easy to understand at first.
If you're new to Japanese fantasy light novels, 'Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World' is a good start. The concept of the main character being able to return by death is interesting but not overly complicated. It also has a good amount of character growth and the fantasy world is well - presented. 'No Game No Life' is also a fun one for beginners. The idea of a world ruled by games is simple enough to grasp and the two main characters are very charming. And 'Overlord' can be a good pick too. It has a powerful main character which makes it easy to get into the story as he dominates the game - turned - world.
One great Japanese fantasy light novel is 'Sword Art Online'. It's set in a virtual reality MMORPG world where players are trapped and must fight to survive. The story has great character development and exciting action scenes. Another is 'Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World'. It follows Subaru as he is transported to a fantasy world and has the unique ability to return by death, which makes for a very engaging plot. And 'Overlord' is also popular. It tells the story of a powerful wizard who gets trapped in a game world as his character and rules over his territory.
For beginners, 'Overlord' is a good choice. It has a simple yet interesting premise where a player gets stuck in a medieval - like game world. The main character is overpowered, which can be appealing for those new to the genre. It also has elements of politics, strategy, and humor.
A good one for beginners is 'KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!'. It has a light - hearted and comical tone. The story follows Kazuma, a NEET who is reincarnated in a fantasy world. The humor and simple yet interesting plot make it easy to get into.
For beginners, 'Sword Art Online' is a great start. It's very popular and easy to get into. The story is straightforward with a clear hero's journey in a virtual medieval world. Another good one is 'Konosuba'. Its humor makes it very approachable and it still has all the elements of a medieval fantasy like magic, quests, and different races. 'Overlord' is also beginner - friendly. It has a strong main character which makes it easy to follow as he dominates the medieval world he finds himself in.
For beginners, 'Katawa Shoujo' can be a great choice. It has a relatively straightforward story with a focus on character relationships. The art is appealing and it gives a good introduction to the visual novel format. Another option is 'Narcissu', which is a short and poignant visual novel that can be easily digested by new players. It tells a simple yet moving story.
Another good one is 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne Jones (which was also made into a very popular anime by Hayao Miyazaki). Although the author is not Japanese, the anime adaptation has a strong Japanese influence. The story of Sophie, a young girl who is turned into an old woman and ends up in Howl's magical moving castle, is full of charm and magic, and can be a good starting point for those new to Japanese - influenced fantasy.
For beginners, 'Kiki's Delivery Service' is a great choice. It has a simple and charming story, and the translation is easy to understand. Another good one is 'My Neighbor Totoro'. These are often recommended as they are family - friendly and the translations are accessible. 'The Cat Returns' is also a nice option. The translated light novel has a whimsical story that is easy to follow for those new to Japanese light novels.
Another option for beginners could be 'Another' by Yukito Ayatsuji. The high - school setting might be familiar to many, and the supernatural elements mixed with the thriller aspect are not overly complicated. It builds up the suspense gradually, which is great for those new to Japanese thriller novels.
For beginners, 'Ghost in the Shell' is a great start. It's relatively easy to understand and has a lot of cool concepts about the future of technology and humanity. It also has an iconic anime adaptation that can help you visualize the world better. Another good option is 'All You Need Is Kill'. The time - loop concept is easy to follow and the action scenes are exciting. It was also made into a movie, so you can see a different interpretation of the story.
How about 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime'? It's a great fantasy light novel for beginners. The main character, Rimuru, is reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world. The world - building is really interesting, with different kingdoms, magic systems, and species. The language is relatively simple and it's an easy read. There are also many comical and heartwarming moments in the story that make it enjoyable.