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 344 entries
Novel
Sono Hanashi wo Kikasete wa Ikenai
| Length (in words) | 13647 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2499 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1231 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 935 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 255 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.2 |
| Characters | 31169 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
| Length (in words) | 20116 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3190 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1644 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 908 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 240 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.7 |
| Characters | 47652 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Futago Ouji no Miwakekata
| Length (in words) | 28199 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3443 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1670 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 1167 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 270 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.5 |
| Characters | 65366 |
| Volumes | 4 |
Novel
Konbini Ningen
| Length (in words) | 26062 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3763 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1874 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 1253 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 289 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.4 |
| Characters | 60188 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Mata, Onaji Yume wo Miteita
| Length (in words) | 53608 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3793 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1687 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 44% |
| Unique kanji | 1124 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 220 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.8 |
| Characters | 123587 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Nichijou no Natsuyasumi
| Length (in words) | 33512 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3700 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1534 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 41% |
| Unique kanji | 840 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 214 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.1 |
| Characters | 72484 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Natsu to Hanabi to Watashi no Shitai
| Length (in words) | 33761 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4081 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1922 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 1303 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 274 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 24.3 |
| Characters | 76426 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Satsujin Shussan
| Length (in words) | 30156 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4429 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2240 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 1403 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 292 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.1 |
| Characters | 67669 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kara no Kyoukai Mirai Fukuin
| Length (in words) | 21930 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4453 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2495 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 56% |
| Unique kanji | 1395 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 345 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.6 |
| Characters | 49296 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kitchen
| Length (in words) | 32486 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4512 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2367 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 52% |
| Unique kanji | 1092 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 224 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.4 |
| Characters | 73449 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Oshi, Moyu
| Length (in words) | 20611 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4511 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2589 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 57% |
| Unique kanji | 1371 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 349 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 31.3 |
| Characters | 47590 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Yoichi
| Length (in words) | 32049 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4545 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2328 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 1435 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 343 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.2 |
| Characters | 70006 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Watashi, Nibanme no Kanojo de Ii kara
| Length (in words) | 43544 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4570 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2133 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 46% |
| Unique kanji | 1219 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 256 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.3 |
| Characters | 102543 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Doctor Alpha no Tea Time
| Length (in words) | 28719 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4579 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2418 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 52% |
| Unique kanji | 1381 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 337 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.8 |
| Characters | 67956 |
| Volumes | 6 |
Novel
Torinoko City
| Length (in words) | 48942 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4633 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2024 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 43% |
| Unique kanji | 1274 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 234 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.5 |
| Characters | 117728 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Ano Natsu, Yume no Owari de Koi wo Shita
| Length (in words) | 40525 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4748 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2237 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 1440 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 311 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.3 |
| Characters | 92608 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Fushidara na Yatsura
| Length (in words) | 27085 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4582 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2375 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 1321 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 315 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.6 |
| Characters | 68193 |
| Volumes | 4 |
Novel
Yomei Ichinen to Senkoku Sareta Boku ga Yomei Hantoshi no Kimi to Deatta Hanashi
| Length (in words) | 50177 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4791 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2052 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 42% |
| Unique kanji | 1360 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 264 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.6 |
| Characters | 117687 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Vtuber Dakedo, Yuri Eigyou Shitara Dohamari Shita Ken
| Length (in words) | 31314 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4730 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2549 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 53% |
| Unique kanji | 1295 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 336 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.4 |
| Characters | 77612 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Jitsu wa Onaji Shokuba ni Anata wo Suki na Hito ga Imasu Tenkin Saki wa Bijo Dake no Eigyousho!?
| Length (in words) | 47677 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4748 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2098 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 44% |
| Unique kanji | 1277 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 274 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.5 |
| Characters | 115590 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Yuki Guni
| Length (in words) | 31572 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4804 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2446 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 1578 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 406 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.1 |
| Characters | 67153 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Wagamama de Gomenasobase
| Length (in words) | 43105 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4794 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2193 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1373 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 292 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.4 |
| Characters | 101143 |
| Volumes | 6 |
Novel
Ningen Shikkaku
| Length (in words) | 27902 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4880 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2589 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 53% |
| Unique kanji | 1541 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 366 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 34.4 |
| Characters | 63397 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Murasaki Iro no Qualia
| Length (in words) | 49063 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4909 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2243 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1223 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 272 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.1 |
| Characters | 115470 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Tou no Ue no Princess
| Length (in words) | 39374 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 4903 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2122 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 43% |
| Unique kanji | 1515 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 294 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.3 |
| Characters | 88210 |
| Volumes | 3 |
Novel
Isshun wo Ikiru Kimi wo, Boku wa Eien ni Wasurenai
| Length (in words) | 45680 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5133 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2446 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 1476 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 318 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.2 |
| Characters | 103556 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kaidan to Odorou, Soshite Anata wa Kaidan de Odoru
| Length (in words) | 45238 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5069 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2430 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 1395 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 298 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.8 |
| Characters | 103858 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Wakatsuki Hikaru's Teens' Love Short Stories
| Length (in words) | 41927 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5018 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2195 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 43% |
| Unique kanji | 1353 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 271 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.3 |
| Characters | 101901 |
| Volumes | 9 |
Novel
Boogiepop Overdrive: The King of Distortion
| Length (in words) | 39060 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5077 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2637 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 1354 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 316 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.0 |
| Characters | 93539 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Boogiepop in the Mirror: "Pandora"
| Length (in words) | 36090 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5069 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2640 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 52% |
| Unique kanji | 1356 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 345 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.9 |
| Characters | 85217 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Another: Episode S
| Length (in words) | 46134 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5174 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2330 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1392 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 285 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.9 |
| Characters | 103677 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Baccano! 1931 (Winter) The Time of the Oasis
| Length (in words) | 35948 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5156 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2461 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 1533 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 313 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.4 |
| Characters | 80581 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Ima kara Anata wo Uttaemasu!
| Length (in words) | 31011 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5175 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2745 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 53% |
| Unique kanji | 1411 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 324 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.1 |
| Characters | 75765 |
| Volumes | 4 |
Novel
Shimekirimae ni wa Yuri ga Hakadoru
| Length (in words) | 33228 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5264 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2645 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 1478 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 337 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.0 |
| Characters | 78593 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hitsuji to Hagane no Mori
| Length (in words) | 45720 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5288 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2569 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 1469 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 327 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.8 |
| Characters | 107821 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Konya, Sekai Kara Kono Koi ga Kietemo
| Length (in words) | 55338 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5409 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2410 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 44% |
| Unique kanji | 1517 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 283 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.1 |
| Characters | 127972 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kaijin no Calchel
| Length (in words) | 42614 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5424 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2431 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 44% |
| Unique kanji | 1656 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 285 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.4 |
| Characters | 94314 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Soukou Akki Muramasa: Youkou Hibun Hagane
| Length (in words) | 34431 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5398 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2675 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 1773 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 408 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.2 |
| Characters | 72240 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Saijo no Osewa
| Length (in words) | 46613 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5466 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2475 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1571 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 293 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.1 |
| Characters | 108248 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Boogiepop and Others
| Length (in words) | 37989 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5319 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2803 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 52% |
| Unique kanji | 1403 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 322 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.7 |
| Characters | 89098 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Aki no Rougoku
| Length (in words) | 34571 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5479 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2844 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 1646 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 376 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.6 |
| Characters | 76892 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Santa Claus wo Koroshita. Soshite, Kisu wo Shita
| Length (in words) | 52245 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5469 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2541 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 46% |
| Unique kanji | 1469 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 288 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.1 |
| Characters | 119077 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kimi no Na wa
| Length (in words) | 35169 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5489 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2853 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 1488 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 315 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.0 |
| Characters | 77916 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Baccano! 1931 Another Junk Railroad
| Length (in words) | 40664 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5554 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2758 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 1561 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 308 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.6 |
| Characters | 91516 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Sekaiichi Kawaii Ore no Osananajimi ga, Kyou mo Kawaii
| Length (in words) | 39345 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5585 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2773 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 1536 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 339 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.9 |
| Characters | 91459 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Shokuzai
| Length (in words) | 54484 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5685 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2666 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 46% |
| Unique kanji | 1404 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 261 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 32.1 |
| Characters | 133154 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Jyunyuu
| Length (in words) | 42412 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5463 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2594 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 1450 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 274 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 27.2 |
| Characters | 98147 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Chaos;Child -Children’s Revive-
| Length (in words) | 48158 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5682 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2639 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 46% |
| Unique kanji | 1415 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 236 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.9 |
| Characters | 113208 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Baccano! 1932 (Summer) Man in the Killer
| Length (in words) | 45547 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5636 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2753 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 1569 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 315 |
| Difficulty | 7/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.2 |
| Characters | 102814 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kokkyou no Minami, Taiyou no Nishi
| Length (in words) | 69721 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 5663 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2550 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1492 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 292 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.7 |
| Characters | 156062 |
| Volumes | 1 |