Summary
One of the more popular light novels around isThe Misfit of Demon King Academy. Created by Shu and Yoshinori Shizuma for theShōsetsuka Ni Narōself-publishing website in 2017, it later got republished inDengeki Bunkoin 2018, turned into a manga forSquare Enixby Kayaharuka, and then into an anime by Studio Link in 2020. Needless to say, it rose to fame pretty quickly.
RELATED:The Misfit of Demon King Academy: Anos Voldigoad’s Strongest Abilities, Ranked
It was about the demon king Anos Voldigoad, who’s resurrected 2,000 years after he sacrificed himself to bring peace to the world. In an ironic twist, he now lives as a demon hybrid in a world that only values his pureblood descendants. The new Anos, now a delinquent student at a magic academy, has to work hard to reclaim his old title. But he’s not the only magical misfit, as fans ofThe Misfit of Demon King Academymay also love these light novels.
7Classroom For Heroes
Shin Araki and Haruyuki Morikawa’s fantasy light novel series made its debut inDash X Bunkobefore getting a manga spinoff inUltra Jump, a full adaptation inMonthly ShōnenGangan, and an anime that’s currently running onCrunchyrollas of this writing. The original light novel predatesMisfit of Demon King Academyby two years, though their premises are similar. The difference is that it has two leads instead of one.
After saving humanity from the demon lord, a heroset up Rosewood Academyto create the next generation of heroes. Its top student is Arnest Flaming, whose skills earned her the nickname “Empress of Flames.” But then she has to play guide to Blade, whose carefree attitude is almost as annoying to her as his inexplicable ability to be her match as a warrior. But they have to work together if they want to become true heroes.
6King’s Proposal
King’s Proposalis one of the newer light novels. Written by Kōshi Tachibana and illustrated by Tsunako, it began running inFujimi Fantasia Bunkoin 2021, with an official English translation available through Yen Press. There’s also a manga adaptation that only just began back on February 2023 onGangan Online.
In it, the world is under threat of being destroyed every 300 hours. Saika, its most powerful mage, is able to stop it every time. But after she’s mortally wounded, she has no choice but to bequeath her powers to Kuga Mushiki, an ordinary boy. Now he has todisguise himself as Saikaand attend an academy to learn more about her magic just to give the world a fighting chance.
5Magician’s Academy
Better known asMacademi Wasshoi, Ichirō Sakaki and Blade originally created their light novel forFamitsu Bunkoin 2003 before ending it in 2007. Then it gota short-lived mangaforMonthly Comic Alivein 2008, and an anime in the same year. All of these adaptations take the magic academy setting, but tweak it with a harem premise as its fate depends on the hero’s love life.
RELATED:Best Completed Harem Light Novels You Should Read
Magician’s Academy’s world consists of Heaven, Earth, and the Demon Realm, with the former and the latter keeping the peace because they find humanity entertaining. But then magic student Takuto accidentally summons Tanarotte, a being strong enough to destroy whole towns, but professes undying loyalty to her “creator.” So, Takuto has to keep her happy, despite having other suitors, or all hell could literally break loose.
4The Second Life Cheat Reincarnation Mage
Shikiso Utsuzawa and Rīchu’s work is a little trickier to track down as it hasn’t received an official English translation yet. But it may be worth getting a head start on it as it resemblesMisfit of Demon King Academya lot. Their leads also opt to resurrect themselves centuries into the future, onlySecond Life’s Kurt is a mage, and he did it because he was bored.
Having become the strongest magic user in the world, a certain mage got bored and decided to switch things up by reincarnating himself 1,000 years later. As Kurt, his new form, he’s noticed the power of magic has declined, and his “Gold Magic” is now considered “defective.” To find out why this came to pass, he enrolls at the Royal Capital’s Magic Academy to rise back to the top of the magic world.
3From Overshadowed To Overpowered: Second Reincarnation Of A Talentless Sage
Fans might prefer this work by Arata Shiraishi and Uodenim, as it’s kind of like a reverse-order version ofSecond Life Cheat Reincarnation Mage. Originally, Ephthal reincarnated into a fantasy world in typical isekai fashion and spent all of his new life studying magic. Unfortunately, he struggled to exceed his limits and died before he could achieve his dream of being the best mage in the world.
But then he finds himself resurrected in the same world 400 years later under the same name with all his magic skills intact. Since the use of magic has declined over the past few centuries, he’s now one of the strongest mages around by default! But will his new OP status last? The original light novel is harder to find in English, but the manga adaptation by Kentarō can be found in English on Comikey.
2Tales Of Reincarnation In Maydare: This World’s Worst Witch
Aside fromClassroom for Heroes’ Arnest, there haven’t been a lot of women protagonists mentioned. Originally a web novel written forShōsetsuka Ni Narō, writer Midori Yūma reworked its premise intoTales of Reincarnation in Maydarewith illustrations by Esora Amaichi. LikeOS to OP, the manga version by Nana Natsunishi is easier to find than the light novel, as it’s available in English on Kobo and Penguin Random House.
RELATED:Strongest Evil Witches in Anime, Ranked
In the magical land of Maydare, Makia resolved to reconnect with her sweetheart Thor by studying magic at Maydare’s most prominent school. This became a cause for concern as she’s a descendant of the Scarlet Witch (not that one), the world’s wickedest witch. Yet she also has memories of living a different life in another world, a sign she may be Maydare’s “savior girl.” Depending on her choices, she could be the land’s greatest hero or its worst witch.
1The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn As A Typical Nobody
Last but not least, Myōjin Katō’s work with Sao Mizuno caught on as quickly asMisfit of Demon King Academy.It also went from being a web novel onShōsetsuka Ni Narōto an anime by Silver Link. However, its premise is close toSecond Life Cheat Reincarnation Mage, which it predates by a year. It’s also easier to find in English officially as it’s been licensed by Yen Press.
Varvatos, having reached the pinnacle of human potential, became revered and feared asthe “Demon Lord.”But this fearsome reputation left him feeling isolated from humanity. So, he decided to reincarnate himself 3,000 years later to live a new life. As Ard Meteor, he’s still strong enough to scare people, but he has no social skills, nor the noble status to take the easy route in life. His quest to reconnect with humanity may be harder than he thought.
