Novel difficulty list
This is a list of novels, both light novels and traditional novels, ranked by their difficulty, on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is very easy and 10 is very hard. You can use it to find the most appropriate novel to read based on how good your Japanese is.
If you already have a novel in mind which is around your level you can also search for it, and then click on "Show details..." to see other novels of similar difficulty.
The difficulty ratings were generated automatically by a machine learning model. If you're interested in how we calculated them take a look here. We do not distribute any copyrighted materials from any of these works; we only provide aggregate statistics.
We also have other difficulty lists if you're interested:
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Showing 1..50 from 1475 entries
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Fruits Matsuri
| Length (in words) | 7399 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1351 |
| Unique words (used once) | 665 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 185 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 44 |
| Unique kanji readings | 253 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 13.1 |
| Characters | 18755 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Aki to Fuyu
| Length (in words) | 6799 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1417 |
| Unique words (used once) | 695 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 186 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 34 |
| Unique kanji readings | 252 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.0 |
| Characters | 18031 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Mori no Restaurant
| Length (in words) | 7848 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1412 |
| Unique words (used once) | 682 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 191 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 37 |
| Unique kanji readings | 266 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 13.0 |
| Characters | 19616 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Haru to Natsu
| Length (in words) | 7055 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1380 |
| Unique words (used once) | 669 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 195 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 48 |
| Unique kanji readings | 251 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.3 |
| Characters | 18674 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Birthday Party
| Length (in words) | 7072 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1318 |
| Unique words (used once) | 671 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 207 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 46 |
| Unique kanji readings | 292 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 11.9 |
| Characters | 17449 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Hajimete no Umi to Camp
| Length (in words) | 6400 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1313 |
| Unique words (used once) | 666 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 239 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 56 |
| Unique kanji readings | 316 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 11.6 |
| Characters | 15787 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Kasou Party
| Length (in words) | 6205 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1350 |
| Unique words (used once) | 661 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 253 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 62 |
| Unique kanji readings | 337 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 11.0 |
| Characters | 15885 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kuuku no Mori no Gakkou: Tomodachi tte, Naani?
| Length (in words) | 8183 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1397 |
| Unique words (used once) | 666 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 257 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 77 |
| Unique kanji readings | 354 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 13.3 |
| Characters | 21071 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Christmas no Otomarikai
| Length (in words) | 6890 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1365 |
| Unique words (used once) | 681 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 259 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 66 |
| Unique kanji readings | 358 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.4 |
| Characters | 17454 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Sora no Picnic
| Length (in words) | 7102 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1402 |
| Unique words (used once) | 708 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 261 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 79 |
| Unique kanji readings | 371 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 11.9 |
| Characters | 17793 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Sensei Kerai ni Nare
| Length (in words) | 24543 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3658 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1876 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 527 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 170 |
| Unique kanji readings | 828 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.6 |
| Characters | 63038 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Totsugeki!? Jigoku Channel: Koi no Yokanwa Kikenna Kaori!
| Length (in words) | 5499 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1623 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1001 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 61% |
| Unique kanji | 594 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 205 |
| Unique kanji readings | 825 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.6 |
| Characters | 13479 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Obake ga Shitsuji no Natsuyasumi
| Length (in words) | 24263 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3107 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1475 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 610 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 154 |
| Unique kanji readings | 890 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.5 |
| Characters | 60625 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Obake ga Shitsuji no Nanafushigi
| Length (in words) | 20535 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2807 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1345 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 612 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 175 |
| Unique kanji readings | 910 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.1 |
| Characters | 51369 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hoshi no Kirby: Nazo to Jiken no Pupupu Train!?
| Length (in words) | 16566 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2598 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1278 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 671 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 178 |
| Unique kanji readings | 947 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.7 |
| Characters | 44202 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Uchira Tokken☆ Tenkou Travelers!!
| Length (in words) | 17831 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2571 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1253 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 718 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 175 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1040 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 14.4 |
| Characters | 44338 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Sakka ni Naritai
| Length (in words) | 14494 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2646 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1452 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 54% |
| Unique kanji | 721 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 197 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1040 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.2 |
| Characters | 36530 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kindaichi-kun no Bouken
| Length (in words) | 20469 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3014 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1427 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 731 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 195 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1067 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.2 |
| Characters | 49527 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hoshi no Kirby: Kurayami Mori de Dai Sawagi!
| Length (in words) | 19430 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2998 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1488 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 756 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 201 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1120 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.3 |
| Characters | 50736 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Saigo wa Usu ga Warau
| Length (in words) | 4172 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1540 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1112 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 72% |
| Unique kanji | 778 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 357 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1056 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.8 |
| Characters | 9426 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hoshi no Kirby: Abunai Gourmet Yashiki!?
| Length (in words) | 18730 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3127 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1578 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 784 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 193 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1160 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.2 |
| Characters | 50599 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Aoi Tori
| Length (in words) | 30925 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3642 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1690 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 46% |
| Unique kanji | 788 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 208 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1180 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.4 |
| Characters | 77167 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Nansou Satomi Hakkenden
| Length (in words) | 28499 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3735 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1696 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 799 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 154 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1277 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.1 |
| Characters | 64627 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Himitsu no Kaen
| Length (in words) | 31283 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3450 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1523 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 44% |
| Unique kanji | 802 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 192 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1183 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.6 |
| Characters | 74832 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Anata
| Length (in words) | 11033 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2147 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1179 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 54% |
| Unique kanji | 817 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 250 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1187 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.7 |
| Characters | 25914 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Moshimo, Kono Machi de
| Length (in words) | 22709 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3296 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1625 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 818 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 187 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1225 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.4 |
| Characters | 56033 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Monster Hunter Rise Hyaku Ryuu Yakou wo Kuitomero!
| Length (in words) | 16629 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2568 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1271 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 842 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 235 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1219 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.0 |
| Characters | 41945 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Nichijou no Natsuyasumi
| Length (in words) | 33637 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3699 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1508 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 40% |
| Unique kanji | 860 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 219 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1177 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.4 |
| Characters | 72889 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Gift
| Length (in words) | 9778 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2360 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1344 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 56% |
| Unique kanji | 865 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 271 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1212 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.8 |
| Characters | 23307 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Umi ni Namida wa Iranai
| Length (in words) | 35919 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4452 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2245 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 883 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 230 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1368 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.5 |
| Characters | 88676 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Aoi Natsu, Watashi wa Tsutanai Koi wo Shita
| Length (in words) | 9501 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2163 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1260 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 58% |
| Unique kanji | 884 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 313 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1193 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.2 |
| Characters | 22471 |
| Volumes | 2 |
Novel
Koi wa Buryure, Kimi wa Doruche
| Length (in words) | 11795 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2273 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1263 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 55% |
| Unique kanji | 898 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 290 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1276 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.1 |
| Characters | 28461 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
"Mizube no Gakkou" no Tokoro-kun
| Length (in words) | 23973 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3682 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1705 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 46% |
| Unique kanji | 902 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 199 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1396 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.4 |
| Characters | 54269 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Oshare Kaitou Crystal: Miwaku no Muffler
| Length (in words) | 29592 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4136 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2027 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 904 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 225 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1382 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.8 |
| Characters | 76823 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Mugendai Girl
| Length (in words) | 7639 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2317 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1543 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 66% |
| Unique kanji | 905 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 347 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1267 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.6 |
| Characters | 18195 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Soshite Beruna wa Hoshi ni Natta
| Length (in words) | 20106 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2897 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1397 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 916 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 236 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1362 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.4 |
| Characters | 49186 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Haikyo ni Ikou!
| Length (in words) | 8453 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2066 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1201 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 58% |
| Unique kanji | 918 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 330 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1277 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.0 |
| Characters | 19620 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Meitantei Holmes Akage Kumiai
| Length (in words) | 33083 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4837 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2393 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 921 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 215 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1417 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 27.5 |
| Characters | 81318 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Sekaiisshuu Tondemo Gourmet Harapeko Shoujo, Shishou ni Deau
| Length (in words) | 18615 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3176 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1612 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 921 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 268 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1329 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.0 |
| Characters | 47633 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
| Length (in words) | 20200 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3184 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1638 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 925 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 244 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1355 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.4 |
| Characters | 47803 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Beruna no Shippo
| Length (in words) | 28809 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3476 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1552 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 44% |
| Unique kanji | 928 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 190 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1388 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.6 |
| Characters | 71040 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Elf to Raven no Fushigi na Bouken
| Length (in words) | 87526 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5847 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2309 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 39% |
| Unique kanji | 935 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 148 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1539 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.8 |
| Characters | 221103 |
| Volumes | 6 |
Novel
Sono Hanashi wo Kikasete wa Ikenai
| Length (in words) | 13648 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2483 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1224 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 937 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 256 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1323 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.6 |
| Characters | 31319 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Umi no Monogatari
| Length (in words) | 25745 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3602 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1832 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 944 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 251 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1409 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.5 |
| Characters | 62333 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Fushigi Dagashiya Zeni Tendou
| Length (in words) | 33868 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4716 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2322 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 947 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 248 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1418 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.4 |
| Characters | 85628 |
| Volumes | 2 |
Novel
Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendou
| Length (in words) | 33868 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4716 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2322 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 947 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 248 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1418 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.4 |
| Characters | 85628 |
| Volumes | 2 |
Novel
Gaarando no Namida
| Length (in words) | 26980 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3232 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1500 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 46% |
| Unique kanji | 948 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 226 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1401 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.9 |
| Characters | 68475 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Yume Juuya
| Length (in words) | 7203 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1779 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1040 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 58% |
| Unique kanji | 948 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 339 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1303 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.6 |
| Characters | 14642 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kitan Room
| Length (in words) | 29746 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3282 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1490 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 956 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 216 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1418 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.6 |
| Characters | 71485 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Aoitori Bunko ga Dekiru Made
| Length (in words) | 28873 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3769 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1828 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 962 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 251 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1438 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.0 |
| Characters | 68720 |
| Volumes | 1 |