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 1156 entries
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Hajimete no Umi to Camp
| Length (in words) | 6219 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1311 |
| Unique words (used once) | 667 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 239 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 56 |
| Unique kanji readings | 317 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.1 |
| Characters | 15411 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Birthday Party
| Length (in words) | 6872 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1316 |
| 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 | 12.3 |
| Characters | 16999 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Kasou Party
| Length (in words) | 6061 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1347 |
| Unique words (used once) | 662 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 253 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 62 |
| Unique kanji readings | 336 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 11.3 |
| Characters | 15573 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Fruits Matsuri
| Length (in words) | 7225 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1352 |
| Unique words (used once) | 668 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 185 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 44 |
| Unique kanji readings | 255 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 13.4 |
| Characters | 18362 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Christmas no Otomarikai
| Length (in words) | 6758 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1361 |
| Unique words (used once) | 679 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 259 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 66 |
| Unique kanji readings | 352 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.7 |
| Characters | 16999 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Haru to Natsu
| Length (in words) | 7055 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1377 |
| Unique words (used once) | 668 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 195 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 48 |
| Unique kanji readings | 246 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.5 |
| Characters | 18231 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kuuku no Mori no Gakkou: Tomodachi tte, Naani?
| Length (in words) | 7953 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1396 |
| Unique words (used once) | 668 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 257 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 77 |
| Unique kanji readings | 352 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 13.8 |
| Characters | 20638 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Mori no Restaurant
| Length (in words) | 7677 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1412 |
| Unique words (used once) | 682 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 191 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 37 |
| Unique kanji readings | 264 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 14.1 |
| Characters | 19264 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Aki to Fuyu
| Length (in words) | 6799 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1418 |
| Unique words (used once) | 697 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 186 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 34 |
| Unique kanji readings | 253 |
| Difficulty | 1/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.4 |
| Characters | 17610 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koguma no Kuuku Monogatari: Sora no Picnic
| Length (in words) | 6974 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1401 |
| Unique words (used once) | 708 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 261 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 79 |
| Unique kanji readings | 372 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 12.4 |
| Characters | 17494 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Totsugeki!? Jigoku Channel: Koi no Yokanwa Kikenna Kaori!
| Length (in words) | 5465 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 1621 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1000 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 61% |
| Unique kanji | 588 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 206 |
| Unique kanji readings | 815 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.0 |
| Characters | 13299 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Haikyo ni Ikou!
| Length (in words) | 8451 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2070 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1204 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 58% |
| Unique kanji | 918 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 330 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1273 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 14.7 |
| Characters | 19515 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Anata
| Length (in words) | 11025 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2153 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1184 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 54% |
| Unique kanji | 817 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 250 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1182 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 14.3 |
| Characters | 25861 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Aoi Natsu, Watashi wa Tsutanai Koi wo Shita
| Length (in words) | 9488 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2162 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1258 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 58% |
| Unique kanji | 884 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 313 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1191 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.3 |
| Characters | 22280 |
| Volumes | 2 |
Novel
Koi wa Buryure, Kimi wa Doruche
| Length (in words) | 11773 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2274 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1265 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 55% |
| Unique kanji | 898 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 290 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1271 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.0 |
| Characters | 28355 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Sono Hanashi wo Kikasete wa Ikenai
| Length (in words) | 13642 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2487 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1226 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 937 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 256 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1318 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 25.2 |
| Characters | 31169 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hogwarts: Fukanzen & Hikakujitsu Kaisetsusho
| Length (in words) | 10450 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2627 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1585 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 60% |
| Unique kanji | 1066 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 334 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1531 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 44.9 |
| Characters | 25408 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hoshi no Kirby: Nazo to Jiken no Pupupu Train!?
| Length (in words) | 16534 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2599 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1279 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 671 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 178 |
| Unique kanji readings | 948 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.3 |
| Characters | 43429 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Sakka ni Naritai
| Length (in words) | 14316 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2637 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1454 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 55% |
| Unique kanji | 716 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 197 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1034 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.5 |
| Characters | 36259 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Uchira Tokken☆ Tenkou Travelers!!
| Length (in words) | 17825 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2579 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1260 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 718 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 175 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1034 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 14.0 |
| Characters | 43970 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Essay Shuu Hogwarts Kenryoku to Seiji to Itazurazuki no Poltergeist
| Length (in words) | 9735 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2700 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1706 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 63% |
| Unique kanji | 1060 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 289 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1570 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Average sentence length | 40.6 |
| Characters | 24988 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Essay Shuu Hogwarts Yuuki to Kunan to Kiken na Douraku
| Length (in words) | 11790 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2799 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1687 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 60% |
| Unique kanji | 1098 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 336 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1593 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 41.6 |
| Characters | 29376 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Koi wo Hiku
| Length (in words) | 15669 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2819 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1575 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 55% |
| Unique kanji | 1058 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 318 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1558 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.9 |
| Characters | 36126 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kindaichi-kun no Bouken
| Length (in words) | 20231 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3000 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1429 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 724 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 197 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1063 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.7 |
| Characters | 49319 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Obake ga Shitsuji no Nanafushigi
| Length (in words) | 20506 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 2804 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1348 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 609 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 176 |
| Unique kanji readings | 901 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 14.9 |
| Characters | 50891 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hoshi no Kirby: Kurayami Mori de Dai Sawagi!
| Length (in words) | 19416 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3008 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1489 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 756 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 201 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1123 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.8 |
| Characters | 49724 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Tondemonai Otoko ni Koi Shite Shimatta You Desu!
| Length (in words) | 20633 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3101 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1636 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 52% |
| Unique kanji | 1125 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 309 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1657 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.6 |
| Characters | 48969 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kono Koi, Eiga Yorimo Amame Desu!
| Length (in words) | 19207 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3075 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1538 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 1045 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 254 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1548 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.2 |
| Characters | 46419 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Toiki ga Ai wo Oshiete Kuremashita
| Length (in words) | 21477 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3125 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1582 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 1043 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 274 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1561 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 23.8 |
| Characters | 50890 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Futte Waita Omiai Aite wa Hatsukoi wo Kojiraseta Osananajimi no Onzoushi!
| Length (in words) | 15897 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3134 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1754 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 55% |
| Unique kanji | 1142 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 357 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1658 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 19.1 |
| Characters | 38884 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Ai ni Chikau Oukoku
| Length (in words) | 20436 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3154 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1514 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 1258 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 309 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1880 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.2 |
| Characters | 48357 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Tsun 100% Joshi no Sunao ni Narenai Renai Jijou
| Length (in words) | 25746 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3190 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1451 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1104 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 268 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1627 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.7 |
| Characters | 60544 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Sekaiisshuu Tondemo Gourmet Harapeko Shoujo, Shishou ni Deau
| Length (in words) | 18574 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3187 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1617 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 923 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 270 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1336 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.4 |
| Characters | 47373 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hoshi no Kirby: Abunai Gourmet Yashiki!?
| Length (in words) | 18721 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3130 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1577 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 784 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 193 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1161 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 15.4 |
| Characters | 49309 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kaze Tachinu
| Length (in words) | 23045 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3137 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1524 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 1116 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 336 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1663 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 27.9 |
| Characters | 50492 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Fushigi Koshoten
| Length (in words) | 24126 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3186 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1570 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 707 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 199 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1044 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.7 |
| Characters | 60825 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
| Length (in words) | 20180 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3189 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1639 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 925 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 244 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1355 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.7 |
| Characters | 47652 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kitan Room
| Length (in words) | 29722 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3288 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1495 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 956 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 216 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1414 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.8 |
| Characters | 70311 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Moshimo, Kono Machi de
| Length (in words) | 22418 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3287 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1622 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 49% |
| Unique kanji | 812 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 186 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1223 |
| Difficulty | 2/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.0 |
| Characters | 55588 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Tsundere Joushi no Dekiai Sengen
| Length (in words) | 26465 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3349 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1529 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1094 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 267 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1623 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.3 |
| Characters | 62076 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Rokkashou
| Length (in words) | 27803 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3307 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1577 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 1196 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 314 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1774 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 17.4 |
| Characters | 62852 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Obake ga Shitsuji no Natsuyasumi
| Length (in words) | 24257 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3113 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1476 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 47% |
| Unique kanji | 609 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 152 |
| Unique kanji readings | 891 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 16.7 |
| Characters | 60318 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kaeru no Gakuen
| Length (in words) | 39163 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3345 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1529 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 45% |
| Unique kanji | 1119 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 279 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1674 |
| Difficulty | 5/10 |
| Average sentence length | 22.8 |
| Characters | 96646 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Futago Ouji no Miwakekata
| Length (in words) | 28358 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3434 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1665 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 48% |
| Unique kanji | 1167 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 270 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1751 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.5 |
| Characters | 65366 |
| Volumes | 4 |
Novel
Kuudere Ojousama wa Nanka Chigau: Tatanai Ore to Do S na Kanojo
| Length (in words) | 14777 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3493 |
| Unique words (used once) | 2082 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 59% |
| Unique kanji | 1209 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 360 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1789 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 20.7 |
| Characters | 36079 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Kono Fune, Jigoku Yuki
| Length (in words) | 20915 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3432 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1750 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 50% |
| Unique kanji | 1017 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 257 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1495 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.0 |
| Characters | 51447 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
"Kanchigai Shinaide yo ne! Anta no Koto Nanka Daisuki Nandakara!" Noroi de Honne Shika Ienakunatta Tsundere Ojousama
| Length (in words) | 37264 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3472 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1522 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 43% |
| Unique kanji | 1154 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 244 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1720 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 13.7 |
| Characters | 92288 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Himitsu no Kaen
| Length (in words) | 31235 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3459 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1529 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 44% |
| Unique kanji | 802 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 192 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1190 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.9 |
| Characters | 74529 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Hen na Ie
| Length (in words) | 25210 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3584 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1833 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 51% |
| Unique kanji | 1229 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 276 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1905 |
| Difficulty | 4/10 |
| Average sentence length | 21.2 |
| Characters | 59531 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Novel
Rabukome Manga ni Haitte Shitamatta no de, Oshi no Make Heroine wo Zenryoku de Shiawase ni Suru
| Length (in words) | 46212 |
|---|---|
| Unique words | 3567 |
| Unique words (used once) | 1506 |
| Unique words (used once %) | 42% |
| Unique kanji | 1129 |
| Unique kanji (used once) | 259 |
| Unique kanji readings | 1716 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 |
| Average sentence length | 18.7 |
| Characters | 106960 |
| Volumes | 1 |