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:
Sort by Advanced search... Showing 1..50 from 1475 entries
Novel
Guin Saga Length (in words) 6741167 Unique words 47668 Unique words (used once) 9845 Unique words (used once %) 20% Unique kanji 3158 Unique kanji (used once) 186 Unique kanji readings 6767 Difficulty 9/10 Average sentence length 30.6 Characters 16345778 Volumes 130
Novel
Ascendance of a Bookworm Length (in words) 2567571 Unique words 27107 Unique words (used once) 6591 Unique words (used once %) 24% Unique kanji 2650 Unique kanji (used once) 204 Unique kanji readings 5525 Difficulty 5/10 Average sentence length 28.9 Characters 6288162 Volumes 32
Novel
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World Length (in words) 2023115 Unique words 32456 Unique words (used once) 7519 Unique words (used once %) 23% Unique kanji 2859 Unique kanji (used once) 148 Unique kanji readings 6048 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 23.2 Characters 4617247 Volumes 33
Novel
Monogatari Series Length (in words) 1905440 Unique words 38809 Unique words (used once) 10977 Unique words (used once %) 28% Unique kanji 3102 Unique kanji (used once) 287 Unique kanji readings 6637 Difficulty 9/10 Average sentence length 29.4 Characters 4571464 Volumes 28
Novel
Sword Art Online Length (in words) 1503804 Unique words 34669 Unique words (used once) 10056 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2928 Unique kanji (used once) 218 Unique kanji readings 6175 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 28.0 Characters 3462907 Volumes 25
Novel
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Length (in words) 1321555 Unique words 29463 Unique words (used once) 8563 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2758 Unique kanji (used once) 213 Unique kanji readings 5712 Difficulty 4/10 Average sentence length 21.9 Characters 3097769 Volumes 26
Novel
A Certain Magical Index Length (in words) 1262230 Unique words 30935 Unique words (used once) 9010 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2713 Unique kanji (used once) 259 Unique kanji readings 5673 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 25.7 Characters 2907379 Volumes 23
Novel
The Rising of the Shield Hero Length (in words) 1194258 Unique words 23923 Unique words (used once) 6919 Unique words (used once %) 28% Unique kanji 2566 Unique kanji (used once) 175 Unique kanji readings 5261 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 19.2 Characters 2767048 Volumes 22
Novel
Strike the Blood Length (in words) 1182989 Unique words 28390 Unique words (used once) 8372 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2794 Unique kanji (used once) 204 Unique kanji readings 5715 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 22.5 Characters 2705471 Volumes 21
Novel
Saredo Tsumibito wa Ryuu to Odoru: Dances with the Dragons Length (in words) 1169151 Unique words 26617 Unique words (used once) 8012 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2697 Unique kanji (used once) 215 Unique kanji readings 5352 Difficulty 10/10 Average sentence length 18.1 Characters 2537966 Volumes 10
Novel
Densetsu Series Length (in words) 1151726 Unique words 27461 Unique words (used once) 8316 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2648 Unique kanji (used once) 249 Unique kanji readings 5351 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 36.5 Characters 2772509 Volumes 10
Novel
Overlord Length (in words) 1145357 Unique words 25886 Unique words (used once) 8010 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2763 Unique kanji (used once) 216 Unique kanji readings 5648 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 23.3 Characters 2660953 Volumes 14
Novel
Maria-sama ga Miteru Length (in words) 1084722 Unique words 27767 Unique words (used once) 8500 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2524 Unique kanji (used once) 192 Unique kanji readings 5262 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 22.2 Characters 2630604 Volumes 36
Novel
Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. Length (in words) 1084676 Unique words 30665 Unique words (used once) 8847 Unique words (used once %) 28% Unique kanji 2801 Unique kanji (used once) 188 Unique kanji readings 5882 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 22.8 Characters 2705049 Volumes 22
Novel
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Length (in words) 1079134 Unique words 26403 Unique words (used once) 6663 Unique words (used once %) 25% Unique kanji 2839 Unique kanji (used once) 166 Unique kanji readings 5895 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 22.7 Characters 2445326 Volumes 17
Novel
Slime Taoshite 300-nen, Shiranai Uchi ni Level Max ni Nattemashita Length (in words) 1057148 Unique words 26564 Unique words (used once) 8555 Unique words (used once %) 32% Unique kanji 2468 Unique kanji (used once) 225 Unique kanji readings 4912 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 21.2 Characters 2545826 Volumes 22
Novel
Seirei Gensouki Length (in words) 1006960 Unique words 22504 Unique words (used once) 6198 Unique words (used once %) 27% Unique kanji 2515 Unique kanji (used once) 180 Unique kanji readings 5085 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 22.7 Characters 2366561 Volumes 20
Novel
Wizard's Brain Length (in words) 1006018 Unique words 23482 Unique words (used once) 6697 Unique words (used once %) 28% Unique kanji 2415 Unique kanji (used once) 202 Unique kanji readings 4784 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 27.0 Characters 2272095 Volumes 17
Novel
Spice and Wolf Length (in words) 993062 Unique words 24144 Unique words (used once) 6748 Unique words (used once %) 27% Unique kanji 2685 Unique kanji (used once) 200 Unique kanji readings 5424 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 26.6 Characters 2263439 Volumes 19
Novel
Youjo Senki Length (in words) 986415 Unique words 28955 Unique words (used once) 8714 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2841 Unique kanji (used once) 231 Unique kanji readings 5718 Difficulty 9/10 Average sentence length 24.1 Characters 2287641 Volumes 12
Novel
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru Length (in words) 951526 Unique words 29586 Unique words (used once) 10111 Unique words (used once %) 34% Unique kanji 2765 Unique kanji (used once) 303 Unique kanji readings 5633 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 22.0 Characters 2220826 Volumes 17
Novel
Shakugan no Shana Length (in words) 941371 Unique words 28912 Unique words (used once) 8677 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2954 Unique kanji (used once) 239 Unique kanji readings 6225 Difficulty 9/10 Average sentence length 24.8 Characters 2128265 Volumes 22
Novel
Tokyo Ravens Length (in words) 937698 Unique words 27008 Unique words (used once) 7876 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2861 Unique kanji (used once) 218 Unique kanji readings 5955 Difficulty 9/10 Average sentence length 20.1 Characters 2170993 Volumes 16
Novel
Kumo Desu ga, Nanika? Length (in words) 937679 Unique words 25102 Unique words (used once) 7326 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2626 Unique kanji (used once) 225 Unique kanji readings 5316 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 22.9 Characters 2171324 Volumes 16
Novel
Ben-to Length (in words) 937090 Unique words 25807 Unique words (used once) 8214 Unique words (used once %) 31% Unique kanji 2635 Unique kanji (used once) 201 Unique kanji readings 5363 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 23.4 Characters 2097392 Volumes 12
Novel
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Length (in words) 935893 Unique words 14907 Unique words (used once) 4684 Unique words (used once %) 31% Unique kanji 2103 Unique kanji (used once) 166 Unique kanji readings 3896 Difficulty 3/10 Average sentence length 19.6 Characters 2185716 Volumes 19
Novel
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Length (in words) 933227 Unique words 24380 Unique words (used once) 7127 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2652 Unique kanji (used once) 188 Unique kanji readings 5468 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 21.8 Characters 2134830 Volumes 11
Novel
Mushiuta Length (in words) 897330 Unique words 22555 Unique words (used once) 6745 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2447 Unique kanji (used once) 177 Unique kanji readings 4865 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 20.5 Characters 2066445 Volumes 15
Novel
Circlet Girl Length (in words) 895478 Unique words 27977 Unique words (used once) 9021 Unique words (used once %) 32% Unique kanji 2673 Unique kanji (used once) 226 Unique kanji readings 5429 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 26.4 Characters 2020442 Volumes 13
Novel
Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyou no Alderamin Length (in words) 878898 Unique words 28055 Unique words (used once) 8028 Unique words (used once %) 28% Unique kanji 2786 Unique kanji (used once) 205 Unique kanji readings 5756 Difficulty 9/10 Average sentence length 24.5 Characters 1992300 Volumes 14
Novel
Goblin Slayer Length (in words) 840663 Unique words 24381 Unique words (used once) 7076 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2892 Unique kanji (used once) 212 Unique kanji readings 6052 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 20.0 Characters 1851561 Volumes 16
Novel
Sanzensekai no Karasu wo Koroshi Length (in words) 838061 Unique words 28666 Unique words (used once) 8771 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2553 Unique kanji (used once) 224 Unique kanji readings 5052 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 29.1 Characters 1956820 Volumes 20
Novel
Majo no Tabitabi Length (in words) 826000 Unique words 20983 Unique words (used once) 5764 Unique words (used once %) 27% Unique kanji 2394 Unique kanji (used once) 140 Unique kanji readings 4804 Difficulty 5/10 Average sentence length 23.3 Characters 1955674 Volumes 17
Novel
Ryuuou no Oshigoto! Length (in words) 800132 Unique words 24345 Unique words (used once) 8185 Unique words (used once %) 33% Unique kanji 2644 Unique kanji (used once) 271 Unique kanji readings 5391 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 19.0 Characters 1832678 Volumes 17
Novel
Bungaku Shoujo Length (in words) 786294 Unique words 23391 Unique words (used once) 7832 Unique words (used once %) 33% Unique kanji 2603 Unique kanji (used once) 244 Unique kanji readings 5138 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 22.1 Characters 1877200 Volumes 16
Novel
Kokou no Mesu Length (in words) 766254 Unique words 28094 Unique words (used once) 8865 Unique words (used once %) 31% Unique kanji 2819 Unique kanji (used once) 227 Unique kanji readings 5946 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 27.2 Characters 1768719 Volumes 13
Novel
Date a Live Length (in words) 762696 Unique words 22539 Unique words (used once) 7535 Unique words (used once %) 33% Unique kanji 2592 Unique kanji (used once) 201 Unique kanji readings 5164 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 22.1 Characters 1783544 Volumes 17
Novel
The Irregular at Magic High School Length (in words) 762097 Unique words 28486 Unique words (used once) 9139 Unique words (used once %) 32% Unique kanji 2733 Unique kanji (used once) 234 Unique kanji readings 5758 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 28.2 Characters 1771066 Volumes 13
Novel
Classroom of the Elite Length (in words) 749776 Unique words 19931 Unique words (used once) 6178 Unique words (used once %) 30% Unique kanji 2282 Unique kanji (used once) 216 Unique kanji readings 4526 Difficulty 5/10 Average sentence length 20.4 Characters 1757593 Volumes 14
Novel
Rebuild World Length (in words) 745776 Unique words 15286 Unique words (used once) 4228 Unique words (used once %) 27% Unique kanji 2136 Unique kanji (used once) 186 Unique kanji readings 4059 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 23.3 Characters 1695323 Volumes 8
Novel
Shiritsu! Sanjuusangen Dougakuin Length (in words) 723478 Unique words 24866 Unique words (used once) 8217 Unique words (used once %) 33% Unique kanji 2622 Unique kanji (used once) 255 Unique kanji readings 5385 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 24.7 Characters 1684465 Volumes 13
Novel
Zaregoto Series Length (in words) 723229 Unique words 24863 Unique words (used once) 8812 Unique words (used once %) 35% Unique kanji 2727 Unique kanji (used once) 282 Unique kanji readings 5477 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 20.6 Characters 1695822 Volumes 10
Novel
9S (Nine S) Length (in words) 715114 Unique words 24361 Unique words (used once) 7663 Unique words (used once %) 31% Unique kanji 2482 Unique kanji (used once) 199 Unique kanji readings 4936 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 19.9 Characters 1666136 Volumes 13
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
Bodacious Space Pirates Length (in words) 706615 Unique words 21434 Unique words (used once) 7167 Unique words (used once %) 33% Unique kanji 2323 Unique kanji (used once) 240 Unique kanji readings 4395 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 30.2 Characters 1734200 Volumes 12
Novel
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Length (in words) 703664 Unique words 25460 Unique words (used once) 8084 Unique words (used once %) 31% Unique kanji 2679 Unique kanji (used once) 251 Unique kanji readings 4997 Difficulty 10/10 Average sentence length 33.8 Characters 1674141 Volumes 10
Novel
Asura Cryin' Length (in words) 703236 Unique words 23453 Unique words (used once) 8015 Unique words (used once %) 34% Unique kanji 2562 Unique kanji (used once) 243 Unique kanji readings 5149 Difficulty 6/10 Average sentence length 21.2 Characters 1639707 Volumes 14
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Accel World Length (in words) 701347 Unique words 24504 Unique words (used once) 8021 Unique words (used once %) 32% Unique kanji 2614 Unique kanji (used once) 228 Unique kanji readings 5225 Difficulty 8/10 Average sentence length 27.4 Characters 1684020 Volumes 12
Novel
Seireitsukai no Blade Dance Length (in words) 695333 Unique words 19684 Unique words (used once) 5835 Unique words (used once %) 29% Unique kanji 2612 Unique kanji (used once) 208 Unique kanji readings 5081 Difficulty 7/10 Average sentence length 21.6 Characters 1612576 Volumes 20
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