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.
For beginners, 'The Little Prince of the Tower' by Yoko Ogawa could be a good start. It has a simple yet engaging story. 'The Guest Cat' by Takashi Hiraide is also suitable. It's a gentle and heartwarming story about a cat. Another option is 'Confessions' by Kanae Minato. It has a relatively straightforward plot that can draw readers in easily.
For beginners, 'KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!' is a great choice. It has a light - hearted and comical tone. The story follows Kazuma, a shut - in who dies and is reincarnated in a fantasy world. The interactions between the characters are really funny.
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.
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.
For beginners, 'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto is a great choice. It has a simple yet engaging writing style. The story revolves around a young woman dealing with loss and finding comfort in the kitchen, which is a very relatable theme.
The 'Katawa Shoujo' is also a popular choice. It focuses on the story of a young man in a school for disabled students. It has deep character development and various storylines that are easy to follow for those new to Japanese visual novels. It also has beautiful art and music.
One easy to read Japanese novel is 'Kokoro' by Natsume Soseki. It has relatively simple language and explores deep themes of human nature. Another is 'The Little Prince' in its Japanese translation. Since the original story is well - known and the Japanese version is adapted for a wide range of readers. Also, 'Yotsuba&!', which is a manga - like novel with simple language and a fun story about a little girl named Yotsuba.
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.