Most Japanese novels use a combination of hiragana, kanji, and sometimes katakana. Kanji is commonly used for key nouns and verbs, hiragana for grammar and function words, and katakana for foreign words or onomatopoeia.
Well, typically, Japanese novels incorporate all three - hiragana, kanji, and katakana. Hiragana is for grammar and function words, kanji for nouns and important concepts, and katakana for foreign words or names. But the balance varies depending on the style and genre of the novel.
They can make it easier to remember. For example, if you know the origin of '人' (person) as a simple drawing of a person standing, it sticks in your mind better.
Well, kanji is vital. In light novels, it can enhance the aesthetic appeal. Readers who are familiar with kanji can quickly grasp the intended meaning. Moreover, kanji is often used for names of characters, places, and important items in the story. Without kanji, it would be difficult to create unique and memorable names, and the overall feel of the light novel would be less distinct.
There are several. Kanji for directions like 東 (higashi, 'east'), 西 (nishi, 'west'), 南 (minami,'south') and 北 (kita, 'north') can be used when describing a place or a journey. Kanji for numbers are also common. For example, 一 (ichi, 'one'), 二 (ni, 'two') etc. Also, kanji for colors such as 赤 (aka,'red') and 青 (ao, 'blue') are often found in light novels to describe characters' appearances or the scenery.
Most manga incorporate a mix of kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Hiragana is used for certain parts like particles and inflections, but it's not the sole script. Kanji conveys meaning precisely, and katakana is for foreign words or onomatopoeia.