Top 10 Light Novels To Start Your Yuri Obsession
For someone new to the fanbase, it can be a daunting task to figure out where to start. In the last few years, there has been a wide variety of manga titles released in English but for Light Novels, the expansion has been slow. The term “Light Novel” is lesser known to western audiences.
“In Japan, a light novel is a novella-type story printed in conjunction with illustrations. The novels are mostly geared towards young adult readers of both sexes though females gravitate towards the medium most often. As the name suggests, a light novel is just that; The story itself is rarely more than 50,000 words and is divided up by a slew of stunning illustrations.”
Luckily, English publishers have caught on to the demand and have begun to expand their catalogs. From the typical “slice of life” school setting to fantasy and adventure romances, there is something for everyone. Check out our list of “Top 10 Light Novels To Start Your Yuri Obsession” below:
10. Strawberry Panic: The Complete Novel Collection
Story By: Sakurako Kimino
Art By: Takuminamuchi
Synopsis: For new transfer student Aoi Nagisa, St. Miator Girls’ Academy offers her the chance at a fresh start and a way to redefine herself. But these noble intentions go out the window when she catches her first glimpse of honor student Hanazono Shizuma, whose porcelain white skin and goddess-like beauty leave Nagisa speechless.
It’s puppy love at first sight, but naive Nagisa is unaware that Shizuma is a serial heartbreaker who has set her sights on Nagisa herself. Will Nagisa end up as another notch on Shizuma’s belt, or does fate have other plans in store for the new couple?
Volumes: There are 2 volumes currently published in English. “Strawberry Panic: The Complete Novel Collection” includes all volumes.
Where To Read: Seven Seas Entertainment released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: Seven Seas Entertainment released volumes 1 and 2 of the manga and then released “Strawberry Panic: The Complete Manga Collection”, which includes all volumes.
Anime Version: The series is available to purchase on blu-ray in subtitles.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
9. The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady (Volume 1)
Written By: Piero Karasu
Illustrated By: Yuri Kisaragi
Synopsis: Despite her supposed ineptitude with regular magic, Princess Anisphia defies the aristocracy’s expectations by developing “magicology,” a unique magical theory based on memories from her past life. One day, she witnesses the brilliant noblewoman Euphyllia unjustly stripped of her title as the kingdom’s next monarch. That’s when Anisphia concocts a plan to help Euphyllia regain her good name-which somehow involves them living together and researching magic! Little do these two ladies know, however, that their chance encounter will alter not only their own futures, but those of the kingdom...and the entire world!
Volumes: There is 1 volume currently published in English. Volume 2 is set to be released on July 19, 2022.
Where To Read: Yen Press released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: Yen Press is set to release Volume 1 on May 17, 2022.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
8. Lily Clairet (Volume 1)
Written By: Kaye Ng
Illustrated By: Rumikuu
Synopsis: A young girl is arguing with a cherry tree. That’s a new one for Lily, who’s managed to reach the end of her first year at high school without too much weirdness. Unfortunately for her, it’s not long after solving this odd mystery that her untroubled life begins to unravel. Discovering an abandoned room at the end of the music department corridor, she finds that aside from it being utterly run-down, it’s also devoid of its sole occupant: Sonata Sonoda, the missing journalism club president.
Volumes: There are 7 volumes currently published in English.
Where To Read: Atsuko Press released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: None as of yet.
Anime Version: None as of yet.
For more information, check out the book series website.
7. A Lily Blooms in Another World
Written By: Ameko Kaeruda
Illustrated By: Shio Sakura
Synopsis: Miyako Florence isn’t sad when her fiancé breaks off their engagement after two years. It’s all according to plan! Whisked to the world of her favorite otome game, Miyako frees herself from a dull noble to pursue her true soulmate: the game’s villainess Fuuka Hamilton. Proud Fuuka only has eyes for their mutual ex-fiancé! Miyako confesses her love to Fuuka and proposes that they run away together. Fuuka agrees on one condition: Miyako must make her say “I’m happy” in 14 days. With conniving nobles, strange diseases, and magical rituals pulling them apart, can Miyako win the villainess’s heart? A tentative bud blossoms in this twisting romance from the author of Sexiled!
Volumes: Stand-alone story.
Where To Read: J-Novel Club released the light novel in digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more. The print version was released on November 2, 2021.
Manga Version: None as of yet.
Anime Version: None as of yet.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
6. The Executioner and Her Way of Life (Volume 1)
Written By: Mato Sato
Illustrated By: Nilitsu
Synopsis: The Lost Ones are wanderers who come here from a distant world known as "Japan." No one knows how or why they leave their homes. The only thing that is certain is that they bring disaster and calamity. The duty of exterminating them without remorse falls to Menou, a young Executioner. When she meets Akari, it seems like just another job...until she discovers it's impossible to kill this girl! And when Menou begins to search for a way to defeat this immortality, Akari is more than happy to tag along! So begins a journey that will change Menou forever... (Shokei Shōjo no Virgin Road)
Volumes: There are 3 volumes currently published in English. Volume 4 is set for release on April 19, 2022.
Where To Read: Yen Press released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: The manga version has yet to be released in English.
Anime Version: Warner Bros. Japan recently announced an anime adaptation.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
5. Bloom Into You: Regarding Saeki Sayaka (Volume 1)
Written By: Hitoma Iruma
Illustrated By: Nakatani Nio
Synopsis: Saeki Sayaka has always been an old soul—serious and reserved, preferring to focus on her studies rather than make friends. Until, that is, a romantic confession from another girl in middle school turns her carefully ordered world upside down. Though none of her classes have prepared her for this, Saeki must now come to terms with her sexuality in this gentle, coming-of-age novel about grappling with first love, growing up, and relating to other people.
Volumes: There are 3 volumes currently published in English.
Where To Read: Seven Seas Entertainment released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: This is a spin-off from the manga series “Bloom Into You” published by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Anime Version: HIDIVE is currently streaming “Bloom Into You” in subtitles and English dubbing.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
4. Otherside Picnic (Volume 1)
Written By: Iori Miyazawa
Illustrated By: Shirakaba
Synopsis: Her first encounter with Toriko Nishina was on the Otherside after seeing "that thing" and nearly dying. Ever since that day, exhausted university student Sorawo Kamikoshi's life changed. In this Otherworld, full of mystery, which exists alongside our own, dangerous beings like the Kunekune and Hasshaku-sama that are spoken of in real ghost stories appear. For research, for profit, and to find an important person, Toriko and Sorawo set foot into the abnormal. A tale of two girls' bizarre exploration and survival, brought to you by an up-and-coming Sci-fi author!
Volumes: There are 6 volumes currently published in English. Volume 7 is set to be released on June 7, 2022.
Where To Read: J-Novel Club released the light novel in digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more. J-Novel Club also released “Otherside Picnic: Omnibus 1” in print, which includes volumes 1 and 2. “Otherside Picnic: Omnibus 2”, which will include volumes 3 and 4, was released on August 4, 2021.
Manga Version: Square Enix Manga released volume 1 of the manga on August 24, 2021. Volume 2 is set to be released on August 23, 2022.
Anime Version: Funimation is currently streaming the series in subtitles.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
3. Adachi and Shimamura (Volume 1)
Written By: Hitoma Iruma
Illustrated By: Non
Synopsis: Adachi is skipping class when she first meets fellow truant Shimamura in the gym loft, and just like that, a friendship is born. Except now Adachi’s having dreams about kissing her, and she doesn’t know what that means, but she’s pretty sure it’s not something you do with a friend. What are these strange feelings she has when she thinks of Shimamura? And is it possible Shimamura feels the same way?
Volumes: There are 8 volumes currently published in English. Volume 9 is set for release on June 14, 2022.
Where To Read: Seven Seas Entertainment released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: Yen Press has released 2 volumes of the manga in English. Volume 3 is set to be released on May 17, 2022.
Anime Version: Funimation is currently streaming the series in subtitles and English dubbing.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
2. ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! (Volume 1)
Story By: Kiki
Illustrated By: Kinta
Synopsis: Flum Apricot was never meant to be a hero. Despite zero stats across the board and a power she can’t even use, she somehow finds herself included in a party of heroes. But Flum’s life hits rock bottom when the party’s renowned sage, Jean Inteige, decides that the useless girl is dead weight, and arranges to have her sold into slavery.
Tossed to monsters to be feasted upon for her master’s entertainment, Flum makes the desperate choice to reach for a cursed weapon…and something new awakens within her. A grimdark tale about one woman’s blood-soaked quest to reclaim her life!
Volumes: There are 4 volumes currently published in English.
Where To Read: Seven Seas Entertainment released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: There are 2 volumes currently published in English by Seven Seas.
Anime Version: None as of yet.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
1. I’m in Love with the Villainess (Volume 1)
Written By: Inori
Illustrated By: Hanagata
Synopsis: Ordinary office worker Oohashi Rei wakes up in the body of the protagonist of her favorite otome game, Revolution. To her delight, the first person to greet her is also her favorite character, Claire Francois—the main antagonist of the story! Now, Rei is determined to romance Claire instead of the game’s male leads. But how will her villainous ladylove react to this new courtship?!
Volumes: There are 3 volumes currently published in English. Volume 4 is set for release on February 22, 2022.
Where To Read: Seven Seas Entertainment released the light novel in print and digital format and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.
Manga Version: There are 2 volumes currently published in English by Seven Seas.
Anime Version: None as of yet.
For more information, check out the publisher website.
Sources: Seven Seas Entertainment website. Yen Press website. J-Novel Club website. Square Enix Manga website. Funimation website. HIDIVE website. Top photo credit: “Otherside Picnic”.
Have recommendations on what Yuri Light Novel to read? Tell us what you think below in the comments section!
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