'Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!' 2020 Rankings Revealed

by Sakana-san
Nov 24, 2019 9:44 AM | 56 Comments

The "Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!" (This Light Novel is Amazing!) guidebook has revealed its annual light novel rankings for 2020. The list includes the most popular light novels, characters, and illustrators as polled by readers.

Light Novels
*1. Nanatsu no Maken ga Shihai suru
*2. Ryuuou no Oshigoto
*3. Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun
*4. Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e
*5. Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy
*6. Seishun Buta Yarou Series
*7. Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano Datta
*8. Kimi no Wasure Kata wo Oshiete
*9. Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi
10. Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken

Books
*1. Unnamed Memory
*2. Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen

*3. Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!
*4. Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu
*5. Rebuild World
*6. Majo no Tabitabi
*7. Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken
*8. Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai Desu
*9. Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?
10. Tsundere Akuyaku Reijou Liselotte to Jikkyou no Endo-kun to Kaisetsu no Kobayashi-san

Series of the Decade
*1. Sword Art Online
*2. Toaru Majutsu no Index
*3. Ryuuou no Oshigoto
*4. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka
*5. Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyou no Alderamin

*6. No Game No Life
*7. Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen
*8. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
*9. Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun
10. Monogatari Series

Female Characters
*1. Kei Karuizawa (Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e)
*2. Ginko Sora (Ryuuou no Oshigoto!)
*3. Mikoto Misaka (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
*4. Sakurajima Mai (Seishun Buta Yarou Series)
*5. Minami Nanami (Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun)
*6. Elaina (Majo no Tabitabi)
*7. Honami Ichinose (Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e)
*8. Mahiru Shiina (Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsu no Aida ni ka Dame Ningen ni Sareteiru ken)

*9. Shouko Makinohara (Seishun Buta Yarou Series)
10. Vladilen Mirizé (86)

Male Characters
*1. Kiyotaka Ayanokouji (Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e)
*2. Sakuta Azusagawa (Seishun Buta Yarou Series)
*3. Touma Kamijou (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
*4. Hachiman Hikigaya (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru.)
*5. Kazuto Kirigaya (Sword Art Online)
*6. Kazuma Satou (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!)
*7. Accelerator (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
*8. Bell Cranel (Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka)
*9. Shinei Nouzen (86)
10. Fumiya Tomozaki (Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun)

Illustrators
*1 Shirabi (Ryuuou no Oshigoto!)
*2 Fly (Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun)
*3 Shunsaku Tomose (Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e)
*4 Keiji Mizoguchi (Seishun Buta Yarou Series)
*5 Kurone Mishima (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!)
*6 Kiyotaka Haimura (Toaru Majutsu no Index)
*7 Kantoku (Imouto sae Ireba Ii.)
*8 Azure (Majo no Tabitabi)
*9 abec (Sword Art Online)
10 Saki Ukai (Black Bullet)

Source: Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! 2020

← Previous Year

KonoSugoi Yearly Rankings

20 of 56 Comments Recent Comments

Kawahara-sensei managed to write a masterpice of a lore with SAO/😗/Accel World. Asuna, Eugeo, Kuroyukihime, Kirito, Yuuki and Alice. I love them all but Asuna Yuuki is surelly the character of the century. Badass, Christian, traditionally submisive and very well-craft. The Lord of thr Rings + ASOIF of the (Ra)Nobes.

Alderamin took lots of effort to do and I'm glad that the public liked it so much. Ikta and Yatorishiro were very hard to write and my love for them is undying. The same goes for Re:0 and Emilia-tan. She's a juggernaut of resilience and power. SubaEmi = OTp. And fuck NGNL, Monogatari and Loli shogi that garbage needs to be taken outta earth (KoyoHita and SoraSteph are great parings tho.)

I love Light Novels to death and I just with they were more appreciated like Spice & Wolf, The Tatami Galaxy and Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu.

Love, peace and kindness - KCS.

Mar 21, 2023 6:36 AM by Kazu-chan-san

I feel extremely old not seeing Misaka on the Top 10 Female characters.

Nov 27, 2021 9:42 PM by Jelsonic

MarvinPY said:

You say that, but in your profile is the Goddess Karuizawa my friend

This was before I read the light novel. I'm now on volume 11.5 and if you look at my favorites you can see I hold it in high regard. And yes, Kei is a goddess.

Sorry, now I saw your full profile. I am in volume 13 (everything has not been translated yet), I also love Cote and Kana Hanazawa. Cool my friend

Jul 20, 2020 7:23 AM by MarvinPY

MarvinPY said:

SomeGuyWithHair said:
Glad to see Index is still in the top three for best series of the decade, male and female characters.

I heard that Ryuuou no Oshigoto's writer is a genius at writing. Will that transfer to an English translation though.

Classroom of the Elite is doing well, I might check that out someday.

You say that, but in your profile is the Goddess Karuizawa my friend

This was before I read the light novel. I'm now on volume 11.5 and if you look at my favorites you can see I hold it in high regard. And yes, Kei is a goddess.

Jul 20, 2020 3:27 AM by SomeGuyWithHair

You say that, but in your profile is the Goddess Karuizawa my friend

Jul 20, 2020 3:11 AM by MarvinPY

Glad to see Index is still in the top three for best series of the decade, male and female characters.

I heard that Ryuuou no Oshigoto's writer is a genius at writing. Will that transfer to an English translation though.

Classroom of the Elite is doing well, I might check that out someday.

May 13, 2020 10:59 AM by SomeGuyWithHair

Good to see elaina on number 6 x)

Feb 6, 2020 5:22 AM by White_Hollow

How did I miss out on this news?
Anyways SAO, No Game No Life and the Monogatari Series in the top 10 LNs of the decade? Defenitely a good decade.

Feb 6, 2020 5:19 AM by Biswa_29

Zefyris said:

DeepFriedBento said:
Why isnt oregairu in the top 10 series of the decade??

Oregairu was enshrined in the hall of fame a few years ago and therefore no longer appears in the rankings. Consider Oregairu to be at position "0" in the ranking.

I see thank you for answering!

Dec 28, 2019 5:04 PM by DeepFriedMopy

DeepFriedBento said:
Why isnt oregairu in the top 10 series of the decade??

Oregairu was enshrined in the hall of fame a few years ago and therefore no longer appears in the rankings. Consider Oregairu to be at position "0" in the ranking.

Dec 21, 2019 1:10 AM by Zefyris

Why isnt oregairu in the top 10 series of the decade??

Dec 20, 2019 8:01 PM by DeepFriedMopy

Sword Art Online, along with FMA, made me the person who I am today. The complexity of the characters, the depth of the plot and the meaningful messages every arc carries. From the basic lessons such as work hard to the most beautiful quote that I heard in my entire life "Life isn't just about doing about yourself" as you can see by my sig. Asuna is the perfect girl. She's strong, beautiful, and hardworking. Eugeo is kind, cute and helpful. Kirito is a deep, complex and iconic character.

Drama, fantasy, romance and, tragedy. The best romance ever put on paper. Kirisuna made me regain my faith in romantic love. Yuki Kajiura made an astronomical soundtrack for a equally astronomical series. God bless you for this. Reki Kawahara fixed the hole Hideaki Anno made in anime. NGE/Shinji = Mop, whine, lose, give up on life and be done with it. SAO/Kirito = Fight, save, rescue, tease, take care, protect, forgive, live and let live. Truth be told, the world is a better place for me with such masterwork available for me to read.

Mother's Rosario, Progressive and Alicization are three of the finest pieces of fiction ever made in Japan, if not the in the whole world. Asuna, the emotinal crux of all of these stories, is the main reason why they're all awesome. Warrior and wife. She's perfect yet she's not. Waifu material, awesome mother and the greatest friend ever. Lots of personality to spare, complex and layered personality/characterization and the most beautiful coming-of-age ever written. Seeing her regain her self-confidence and maturing to a strong-willed woman ready to conquer the whole world was something so touching to see.

Phew. Done for, FMA and SAO are the crème de la crème of Japanese media. Thank God I was born in this day and era so I could consume then while being young. Yuuki, Alice, Leafa, Sinon, Eiji, and Yuna. All are also awesome and great characters. Yoshitsugu-kun, Sawashiro-san, Tomatsu-san and Kayano-san. Aoi Eir, LiSA, Luna Haruna. Thank you all for gracing the world with all of your talents. Arigatou gozaimasu!

Dec 9, 2019 5:09 PM by removed-user

Pedram said:

Playcool said:

Pedram said:

Zaphkiel_El_Rem said:
Overlord ain't even in the top 10 series of decade, how is that possible?

Since you asked, I might give you the full list here, along with the amount of "points" each series earned for the ranking.

Overlord is at 19th. but honestly, from Rank 5 to Rank 25 ! the difference in each novel's point is pretty small.

the difference between SAO and Index at Rank 1 and 2, is equal to the difference between Rank 5 to Rank 25 !

Ofcourse that's just coz SAO is so fking popular and well liked in all ranking and votes. but it show how close the competition is for others.

1 Sword Art Online 1728.95
2 Toaru Majutsu no Index 1503.41
3 Ryuuou no Oshigoto! 1452.75
4 Danmachi 816.67
5 Alderamin 718.67
6 No Game No Life 702.9
7 Honzuki no Gekokujou 690.14
8 Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei 682.83
9 Jaku Chara Tomozaki-kun 674.01
10 Monogatari Series 660.69
11 Haganai 618.85
12 Saekano 611.56
13 Baka to Test 589.44
14 Ben-To 574.9
15 Kino no Tabi 560.64
16 86 546.78
17 Seishun Buta Yarou 542.71
18 Accel World 541.38
19 Overlord 529.06
20 Durarara!! 523.61
21 OreImo 500.93
22 Re:Zero 499.45
23 Youkoso 488.85
24 Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka? 488.7
25 ImoSae 460.87
26 Rokka no Yuusha 429.96
27 Konosuba 429.95
28 Mushoku Tensei 416.28
29 Horizion (Genesis) 389.74
30 Gamers 388.76
31 Tensei Slime 387.31
32 Toaru Hikuushi e no Tsuioku 380.49
33 Sabikui Bisco 377.92
34 Tokyo Ravens 353.12
35 Kokoro Connect series 352.4
36 Hai to Gensou no Grimgar 349.14
37 Kono Koi to, sono Mirai 344.02
38 Hidan no Aria 340.99
39 Escape Speed 323.59
40 Moon & Laika 318.4
41 Bokutachi no Remake 308.59
42 Enkan Shoujo 300.98
43 Majo no Tabitabi 297.23
44 Hataraku Maou-sama! 295.27
45 Nanatsu no Maken 289.53
46 No-Rin 287.56
47 Youjo Senki 287.4
48 Seitokai no Ichizon 277.37
49 Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records 276.12
50 Goblin Slayer 275.67

btw, is there any author with more than 1 of his novels in this ranking?

Wasn't expecting Danmachi to be that popular... guess that is why it got an S2 and will get an S3 next year, all these years later.

yeh Danmachi is doing pretty good.

IIRC, this listing includes both Danmachi and it's spin-off, which was quite popular as well. so the score is not only for the danmachi you saw in the anime, but a spin-off revolving around that blonde girl as the MC i think. I read danmachi but didn't read the spin-off tho, so I'm not sure.

I have been reading danmachi since October, what you said makes sense, counting both entries, otherwise, I just don't think the series has excelled that much thus far with what I read, to prompt such numbers.

Dec 2, 2019 2:31 PM by Playcool

Playcool said:

Pedram said:

Wasn't expecting Danmachi to be that popular... guess that is why it got an S2 and will get an S3 next year, all these years later.

yeh Danmachi is doing pretty good.

IIRC, this listing include both Danmachi and it's spin-off, which was quite popular as well. so the score is not only for the danmachi you saw in the anime, but an spin-off revolving around that blonde girl as the MC i think. I read danmachi but didn't read the spin-off tho, so I'm not sure.

Nov 29, 2019 6:32 AM by Pedram

Pedram said:

Zaphkiel_El_Rem said:
Overlord ain't even in the top 10 series of decade, how is that possible?

Wasn't expecting Danmachi to be that popular... guess that is why it got an S2 and will get an S3 next year, all these years later.

Nov 29, 2019 4:36 AM by Playcool

Skittles said:
I'm surprised Alderamin is that popular. I mean, I quite enjoyed the anime, but I don't remember much publicity around the series after the anime ended.

It sold more than decently for a LN, ranking easily in Orichon's chart during each of its releases IIRC, but it is not 'that' popular. Those rankings are a mix of popular vote and votes from peoples of the industry, and just like Alderamin's new work who just ranked first this time (nanatsu no maken gashihai suru), Alderamin mostly received votes from peoples of the industry.

Nov 27, 2019 2:02 PM by Zefyris

I'm surprised Alderamin is that popular. I mean, I quite enjoyed the anime, but I don't remember much publicity around the series after the anime ended.

Nov 26, 2019 9:36 PM by Skittles

maybe some people are confused why oregairu is not included in this series of decade award, even though they won Kono Light Novrl ga Sugoi 3 times in a row (the most so far), oregairu won another award, Hall of Fame award I think, they didn't include oregairu to the ranking list

Nov 26, 2019 8:56 PM by ShiroHachi

Pedram said:

or maybe the new series this year are just that good that dominated most of the old ones... who knows.

some of them are good like ( so i'm a spider so what?)

but most of them are mediocre or just perverted that they appeal to japan perverted audience who like incest and things like that

lol one of the LN had straight up pedophile protagonist who is attracted to his minor siblings

Nov 25, 2019 3:35 PM by AquaBlue-sama

MrLegitimacy said:
I bet Nanatsu no Maken will become the most hyped mediocre anime of either 2020 or 2021.

lol just wait for Mushoku Tensei it will be the most perverted trash japan ever done.
it has the potential to be the next boku no pico

Nov 25, 2019 3:24 PM by AquaBlue-sama

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Related Database Entries

Manga:	Nanatsu no Maken ga Shihai suru, Ryuuou no Oshigoto!, Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun, Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e, Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy, Seishun Buta Yarou Series, Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta, Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi, Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken, Unnamed Memory, Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen, Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!, Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu, Rebuild World, Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken, Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu, Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?, Tsundere Akuyaku Reijou Liselotte to Jikkyou no Endou-kun to Kaisetsu no Kobayashi-san, Sword Art Online, Toaru Majutsu no Index, Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka, Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyou no Alderamin, No Game No Life, 86, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru., Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!, Imouto sae Ireba Ii., Black Bullet