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 51..100 from 1475 entries
Novel
My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute
| Length (in words) | 657064 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 22035 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7222 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2441 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 243 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4819 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.9 |
| Characters | 1600363 |
| Volumes | 16 |
Novel
Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
| Length (in words) | 693336 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20456 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6414 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 31% |
| Unique kanji | 2361 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 172 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4783 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.4 |
| Characters | 1597659 |
| Volumes | 17 |
Novel
Zero no Tsukaima
| Length (in words) | 669151 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21723 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6964 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2549 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 251 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4995 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.0 |
| Characters | 1585749 |
| Volumes | 18 |
Novel
Goshujinsama wa Yamaneko-hime
| Length (in words) | 711950 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 23598 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7740 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2665 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 254 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5442 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.5 |
| Characters | 1578285 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Rakuin no Monshou
| Length (in words) | 671768 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21738 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6085 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 27% |
| Unique kanji | 2580 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 221 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5108 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 26.7 |
| Characters | 1578074 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Sora no Kane no Hibiku Hoshi de
| Length (in words) | 665650 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 19628 |
| Unique words (used once) | 5869 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 29% |
| Unique kanji | 2457 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 183 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4877 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.5 |
| Characters | 1561275 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Ro-Kyu-Bu!
| Length (in words) | 638979 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 24236 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7762 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2531 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 225 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5105 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.2 |
| Characters | 1558207 |
| Volumes | 15 |
Novel
Danshou no Grimm
| Length (in words) | 669229 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20593 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6676 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2623 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 236 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5167 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 27.4 |
| Characters | 1533376 |
| Volumes | 17 |
Novel
Ore wo Suki Nano wa Omae Dake ka yo
| Length (in words) | 635634 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 17069 |
| Unique words (used once) | 5487 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2194 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 202 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4283 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.2 |
| Characters | 1501890 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Durarara!!
| Length (in words) | 655753 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 22130 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7822 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 35% |
| Unique kanji | 2556 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 247 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5083 |
| Difficulty | 9/10 |
| Average sentence length | 26.5 |
| Characters | 1497646 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Moribito
| Length (in words) | 634878 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 18588 |
| Unique words (used once) | 5716 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 30% |
| Unique kanji | 2210 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 239 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4236 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 26.3 |
| Characters | 1491819 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Boukyaku Tantei Series
| Length (in words) | 595400 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 23374 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7801 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 33% |
| Unique kanji | 2503 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 248 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4893 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 38.8 |
| Characters | 1470390 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuku wo!
| Length (in words) | 579396 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 17267 |
| Unique words (used once) | 5666 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2175 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 191 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4144 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.3 |
| Characters | 1467014 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Nareru! SE
| Length (in words) | 593362 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 26200 |
| Unique words (used once) | 9199 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 35% |
| Unique kanji | 2570 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 258 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5192 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.3 |
| Characters | 1451530 |
| Volumes | 16 |
Novel
Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai
| Length (in words) | 605784 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 24196 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7837 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2463 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 200 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4934 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.8 |
| Characters | 1429969 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
| Length (in words) | 638960 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21445 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6700 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 31% |
| Unique kanji | 2751 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 230 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5504 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.9 |
| Characters | 1427910 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou
| Length (in words) | 622884 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21205 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6417 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 30% |
| Unique kanji | 2550 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 192 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5187 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.5 |
| Characters | 1425741 |
| Volumes | 8 |
Novel
Ore ga Heroine wo Tasukesugite Sekai ga Little Apocalypse!
| Length (in words) | 601237 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21360 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7274 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2446 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 229 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4906 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.9 |
| Characters | 1377777 |
| Volumes | 16 |
Novel
Otome Game no Hametsu Flag Shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei Shiteshimatta...
| Length (in words) | 587689 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 15048 |
| Unique words (used once) | 4599 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 30% |
| Unique kanji | 2047 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 179 |
| Unique kanji readings | 3799 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.5 |
| Characters | 1369150 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi
| Length (in words) | 563826 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20160 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6910 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2281 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 215 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4408 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.3 |
| Characters | 1357048 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Kokoro Connect
| Length (in words) | 571279 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 19538 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6634 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 33% |
| Unique kanji | 2261 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 208 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4411 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.4 |
| Characters | 1355861 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Majuu Senshi Luna Varga
| Length (in words) | 590663 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21262 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6925 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2546 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 225 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5114 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 28.2 |
| Characters | 1347571 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Itai no wa Iya na no de Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu.
| Length (in words) | 584159 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 14100 |
| Unique words (used once) | 4168 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 29% |
| Unique kanji | 2088 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 198 |
| Unique kanji readings | 3860 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.0 |
| Characters | 1342813 |
| Volumes | 15 |
Novel
Akuma no Mikata
| Length (in words) | 569065 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20874 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7439 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 35% |
| Unique kanji | 2441 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 246 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4809 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.3 |
| Characters | 1328233 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Houkago Hyaku Monogatari
| Length (in words) | 567819 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20503 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7141 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2422 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 251 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4801 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.9 |
| Characters | 1314140 |
| Volumes | 10 |
Novel
Koujo Denka no Kateikyoushi
| Length (in words) | 598557 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 19144 |
| Unique words (used once) | 5747 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 30% |
| Unique kanji | 2560 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 190 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5122 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.4 |
| Characters | 1313289 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Ladies Versus Butlers!
| Length (in words) | 555386 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 22115 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7904 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 35% |
| Unique kanji | 2563 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 283 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5171 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 26.8 |
| Characters | 1303860 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Seishun Buta Yarou Series
| Length (in words) | 552145 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 17429 |
| Unique words (used once) | 5700 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2206 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 216 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4217 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.0 |
| Characters | 1300761 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
| Length (in words) | 555814 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 27700 |
| Unique words (used once) | 10574 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 38% |
| Unique kanji | 2638 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 298 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5372 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.3 |
| Characters | 1297857 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Sword Art Online Progressive
| Length (in words) | 557878 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21782 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7432 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2501 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 264 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4884 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 30.1 |
| Characters | 1294712 |
| Volumes | 8 |
Novel
Princess Hearts
| Length (in words) | 543259 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21880 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7057 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 32% |
| Unique kanji | 2602 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 257 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5121 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.0 |
| Characters | 1285843 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Kyo Kara Maoh!
| Length (in words) | 553802 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 28186 |
| Unique words (used once) | 10221 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 2886 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 301 |
| Unique kanji readings | 6011 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.7 |
| Characters | 1282345 |
| Volumes | 16 |
Novel
Gamers!
| Length (in words) | 541009 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 19547 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6677 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2358 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 219 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4583 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.4 |
| Characters | 1267471 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Goju Kishidan Monogatari
| Length (in words) | 574692 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 19170 |
| Unique words (used once) | 5808 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 30% |
| Unique kanji | 2334 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 183 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4556 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.6 |
| Characters | 1265461 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Ryouma ga Yuku
| Length (in words) | 577864 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 28341 |
| Unique words (used once) | 10289 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 3157 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 399 |
| Unique kanji readings | 6710 |
| Difficulty | 9/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.1 |
| Characters | 1249940 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Full Metal Panic!
| Length (in words) | 529430 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 24650 |
| Unique words (used once) | 8607 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2491 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 240 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4887 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.8 |
| Characters | 1243538 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
Usotsuki Mii-kun to Kowareta Maa-chan
| Length (in words) | 548672 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 26244 |
| Unique words (used once) | 9079 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2661 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 221 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5524 |
| Difficulty | 9/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.3 |
| Characters | 1241950 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Scrapped Princess
| Length (in words) | 547130 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21915 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7303 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 33% |
| Unique kanji | 2586 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 197 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5211 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.5 |
| Characters | 1241100 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Kamisama no Memochou
| Length (in words) | 532691 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 22167 |
| Unique words (used once) | 8176 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 2522 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 299 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4994 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.9 |
| Characters | 1238858 |
| Volumes | 9 |
Novel
Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica
| Length (in words) | 535416 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 17888 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6078 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 33% |
| Unique kanji | 2388 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 225 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4613 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.6 |
| Characters | 1229545 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Chuuko Demo Koi ga Shitai!
| Length (in words) | 528908 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20640 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7524 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 2464 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 220 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4960 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.0 |
| Characters | 1228584 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Orabatora Senki
| Length (in words) | 511226 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20814 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7507 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 2619 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 297 |
| Unique kanji readings | 5112 |
| Difficulty | 8/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.4 |
| Characters | 1223092 |
| Volumes | 11 |
Novel
Kyu Kyu Cute!
| Length (in words) | 499073 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 19111 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6484 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 33% |
| Unique kanji | 2281 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 227 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4512 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.8 |
| Characters | 1216072 |
| Volumes | 14 |
Novel
Slayers
| Length (in words) | 512423 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 17705 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6035 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2103 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 244 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4068 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.4 |
| Characters | 1212834 |
| Volumes | 17 |
Novel
Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko.
| Length (in words) | 508625 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 25624 |
| Unique words (used once) | 9340 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 2430 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 255 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4827 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.9 |
| Characters | 1208298 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Teito Monogatari
| Length (in words) | 537823 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 28181 |
| Unique words (used once) | 9971 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 35% |
| Unique kanji | 2995 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 303 |
| Unique kanji readings | 6455 |
| Difficulty | 10/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.4 |
| Characters | 1206333 |
| Volumes | 6 |
Novel
Bokutachi no Remake
| Length (in words) | 499602 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 19678 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7275 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 2206 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 252 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4243 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.6 |
| Characters | 1196758 |
| Volumes | 12 |
Novel
S&M Series
| Length (in words) | 502700 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 17348 |
| Unique words (used once) | 6141 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 35% |
| Unique kanji | 2285 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 217 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4335 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.2 |
| Characters | 1194299 |
| Volumes | 6 |
Novel
Seitokai no Shuunen
| Length (in words) | 503554 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 20812 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7592 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 36% |
| Unique kanji | 2415 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 259 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4728 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.7 |
| Characters | 1193724 |
| Volumes | 13 |
Novel
Order wa Tantei ni
| Length (in words) | 508074 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 21562 |
| Unique words (used once) | 7359 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 34% |
| Unique kanji | 2455 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 227 |
| Unique kanji readings | 4799 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.0 |
| Characters | 1193683 |
| Volumes | 11 |