Sports-themed light novels have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are an excellent source of inspiration for people who love sports and enjoy the themes of teamwork, perseverance, and hard work. Here are the top 20 sports light novels that are worth reading.
“Kuroko no Basket” by Tadatoshi Fujimaki
“Kuroko no Basket” follows the journey of a high school basketball team and their pursuit to become the best in Japan. The main character, Kuroko, has a unique playing style that makes him almost invisible on the court, but he uses it to his advantage to become a great player. The story is filled with intense basketball matches and interesting character dynamics.
“Haikyuu!!” by Haruichi Furudate
“Haikyuu!!” is a light novel that follows the journey of a high school volleyball team as they work together to become the best in Japan. The main character, Hinata, is a small but determined player who dreams of becoming a great volleyball player. The story is filled with exciting volleyball matches and strong character development.
“Yowamushi Pedal” by Wataru Watanabe
“Yowamushi Pedal” is a light novel that focuses on the world of competitive cycling. The story follows the journey of Sakamichi Onoda, a high school otaku who discovers his passion for cycling. The story is filled with intense cycling races and the development of strong friendships among the team members.
“Prince of Tennis” by Takeshi Konomi
“Prince of Tennis” is a classic sports light novel that follows the story of a high school tennis team and their pursuit of becoming the best in Japan. The main character, Ryoma Echizen, is a young tennis prodigy who aims to defeat his opponents with his unique playing style. The story is filled with intense tennis matches and character development.
” Hajime no Ippo ” by George Morikawa
![Hajime no Ippo] Drawing George Morikawa did for encouraging us during pandemic : r/manga](https://i.redd.it/nm092im7lst41.jpg)
“Hajime no Ippo” is a light novel that follows the story of a young man named Ippo Makunouchi, who discovers his passion for boxing. The story is filled with intense boxing matches and the development of strong friendships among the characters.
“Major” by Takuya Mitsuda
“Major” follows the story of Goro Honda, a young boy who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player like his father. The story spans several years, following Goro’s journey from childhood to adulthood as he works towards achieving his dream. The story is filled with intense baseball matches and strong character development.
“Free!” by Koji Oji
“Free!” is a light novel that focuses on the world of competitive swimming. The story follows the journey of a high school swim team and their pursuit of becoming the best in Japan. The story is filled with intense swimming races and the development of strong friendships among the team members.
“Ace of Diamond” by Yuji Terajima
“Ace of Diamond” is a light novel that follows the story of a high school baseball team and their pursuit of becoming the best in Japan. The main character, Eijun Sawamura, is a young pitcher who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. The story is filled with intense baseball matches and strong character development.
“Eyeshield 21” by Riichiro Inagaki
“Eyeshield 21” is a light novel that focuses on the world of American football. The story follows the journey of a high school football team and their pursuit of becoming the best in Japan. The main character, Sena Kobayakawa, is a young boy who discovers his football talent and becomes the team’s star.
“Days” by Tsuyoshi Yasuda
“Days” is a light novel that follows the story of Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a high school student who is not particularly good at anything. One day, he is recruited by the school’s soccer team and discovers his passion for the sport. The story is filled with intense soccer matches and the development of strong friendships among the team members.
“All Out!!” by Shiori Amase
“All Out!!” is a light novel that focuses on the world of rugby. The story follows the journey of a high school rugby team and their pursuit of becoming the best in Japan. The main character, Kenji Gion, is a small but determined player who dreams of becoming a great rugby player. The story is filled with intense rugby matches and strong character development.
“Chihayafuru” by Yuki Suetsugu
“Chihayafuru” is a light novel that focuses on the world of competitive karuta, a traditional Japanese card game. The story follows the journey of Chihaya Ayase, a high school student who dreams of becoming the best karuta player in Japan. The story is filled with intense karuta matches and strong character development.
“Giant Killing” by Masaya Tsunamoto
“Giant Killing” is a light novel that focuses on the world of soccer. The story follows the journey of a struggling professional soccer team and their new coach, Takeshi Tatsumi, who has an unconventional coaching style. The story is filled with intense soccer matches and the development of strong relationships between the players and the coach.
“Welcome to the Ballroom” by Tomo Takeuchi
“Welcome to the Ballroom” is a light novel that focuses on the world of competitive ballroom dancing. The story follows the journey of Tatara Fujita, a young boy who discovers his passion for dancing and begins training with a professional dancer. The story is filled with intense ballroom dancing competitions and the development of strong friendships among the characters.
“Girls und Panzer” by Tsutomu Mizushima
“Girls und Panzer” is a light novel that focuses on the world of tank warfare. The story follows the journey of Miho Nishizumi, a high school student who joins her school’s tanker club and discovers her passion for tank warfare. The story is filled with intense tank battles and the development of strong friendships among the characters.
“Keijo!!!!!!” by Daichi Sorayomi
“Keijo!!!!!!” is a light novel that focuses on the world of competitive “Keijo,” a fictional sport where players fight using only their breasts and buttocks. The story follows the journey of Nozomi Kaminashi, a young girl who dreams of becoming a professional Keijo player. The story is filled with intense Keijo matches and the development of strong friendships among the players.
“Aoharu x Kikanjuu” by Naoe
“Aoharu x Kikanjuu” is a light novel that focuses on the world of airsoft, a competitive shooting sport using replica firearms. The story follows the journey of Hotaru Tachibana, a high school student who becomes involved in the world of airsoft after accidentally joining a team. The story is filled with intense airsoft matches and the development of strong friendships among the team members.
“Bamboo Blade” by Masahiro Totsuka
“Bamboo Blade” is a light novel that focuses on the world of kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art using bamboo swords. The story follows the journey of a high school kendo club and their pursuit of becoming the best in Japan. The story is filled with intense kendo matches and the development of strong friendships among the characters.
In conclusion, sports light novels offer readers an exciting and immersive reading experience filled with intense matches, strong character development, and the thrill of competition. Whether you are a fan of traditional sports like basketball, soccer, and baseball, or you prefer more unconventional sports like Keijo or airsoft, there is a sports light novel out there for everyone. These top 18 sports light novels are a great place to start for anyone looking to dive into the world of sports fiction.
Great list but these are manga not light novels..also start from bottom and then go to top
great list