Summary

Regarding anime, especially with more recent titles, light novels can be cited as one of the more prominent sources on which each show is based. This is especially the case in the harem genre, a popular genre in which many successful series, such asDate A LiveandIs It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?originated from light novels.

Similarly, reverse harem light novels are also exceedingly popular and have since gone on to spawnsome successful reverse harem anime adaptationsof their own. Defined by the female protagonist having multiple love interests, readers are sure to get a good laugh or cry once they read through these spectacular light novels.

Rosemary, Johan and George as they appear on The Reincarnated Princess Spends Another Day Skipping Story Routes Volume One

7The Reincarnated Princess Spends Another Day Skipping Story Routes

The Reincarnated Princess Spends Another Day Skipping Story Routessubverts a lot of the tropes that may stem from female protagonists beingreincarnated into an otome game. Rather than swooning over the numerous love interests now available, Rosemary Von Velfalt, the main heroine of the novel, decides to avoid most of this novel’s eligible bachelors except for one dashing side character.

In this light novel, Rosemary finds herself reincarnated as the love rival in an otome game that she once played but is aghast to find out that her potential love interests have rotten-to-the-core personalities. As a result, Rosemary decides to fix their deviancies while pursuing her true love: the knight Captain Sir Leonhart.

Mashiro and Sou as they appear on the cover of Obsessions of an Otome Gamer Volume One

6Obsessions Of An Otome Gamer

UnlikeThe Reincarnated Princess Spends Another Day Skipping Story Routes,Obsessions of an Otome Gameris much more jovial in nature, with the heroine of the novel, Mashiro, enjoying the otome game into which she isreincarnated after her death. Although she finds her love interests to be overwhelming, her suitors are nowhere near as demented as those of Rosemary.

InObsessions of an Otome Gamer, Mashiro finds herself in an Otome game strikingly similar to Hear My Heart, the game that she was obsessed with when she was alive. Excited, Mashiro sets off to enjoy the game’s world, but she must deal with the inevitable task of choosing a love interest and the possibility of experiencing the game’s bad ending.

Erika Aurelia and her brother on the cover of Deathbound Duke’s Daughter Volume One

5Deathbound Duke’s Daughter

Deathbound Duke’s Daughterstars Erika Aurelia, an heiress with a bad attitude and an antagonist of the otome gameLiber Monstrorum: The Winter Maiden and the Phantasmic Beasts. After being murdered by a colleague in a previous life, Erika is naturally disturbed when she learns that she is the first in a mysterious set of murders in the game.

Naturally, Erika seeks to avoid any incident that will lead to her deathwith the help of her older brotherEduard and his knack for enchanted items. However, upon venturing into the Seafarer’s Ruins to change her fate, Erika learns that doing so may be easier said than done. Fortunately, she receives help from some handsome boys.

Jeord and Katarina as they appear on the cover of My Next Life as a Villainess Volume One

LikeDeathbound Duke’s Daughter,My Next Life as a Villainessalso has its main protagonist, Katarina Claes, trying to escape her untimely death in an otome game calledFortune Lover. As a result, Katarina must alter certain events to steer her off the course of her death or exile, depending on whether the protagonist of the game makes it to a good ending or not.

Having playedFortune Loverin a previous life, Katarina takes it upon herself to build up her strength and magic to ward off her death flags while also trying to break off her engagement with the sadistic Prince Jeord. Amid her efforts to avoid death, Katarina soon realizes that several men besides Jeord are also eager for her affection.

Leticia as she appears on the cover of The Leftover Princess and the Knights of the Round Table Volume 7

3The Leftover Princess And The Knights Of The Round Table

Unlike the first four entries,The Leftover Princess and the Knights of the Round Tabletakes a departure from the isekai elements and instead focuses on the political drama that is caused by a king’s choice of successor. Thoughthis light novel series never had a true ending, many readers still cite the meticulously designed plot and the characters' substantial development as what they like most about the series.

In this light novel, the main heroine Princess Leticia is chosen by her father to lead their kingdom to prevent Leticia’s two brothers from rebelling against one another. However, due to her lack of political power, Leticia decides to form her own round table of knights to gather support for her claim to the throne.

Meru and two of Reiryuu’s 5 leaders on the cover Reiryuu Academy Student Council Volume One

2Reiryuu Academy Student Council

For fans of light novels with a school setting,Reiryuu Academy Student Councildelivers many elements of the school-life genre in spades. Naturally, the inclusion of a reverse harem also gives way to more opportunities in terms of comedy and drama, making this story more than an ordinary school-life story.

Reiryuu Academy Student Councilstars Meru Kusuhara, a typical high school girl who does not particularly stand out among her classmates. However, Meru soon attractsthe members of the male student council, dubbed Reiryuu’s Five Leaders, when they realize that Meru is far more knowledgeable than she lets on.

Shusei and Rimi on the cover of Culinary Chronicles of the Court Flower Volume One

1Culinary Chronicles Of The Court Flower

Set in a world reminiscent of ancient China,Culinary Chronicles of the Court Flowerprovides beautiful artwork alongside a story with many twists and turns. In particular, the main heroine Rimi finds herself aspart of an emperor’s haremwhen she is suddenly sent to the empire of Konkoku as a gift.

Fortunately, Rimi is able to survive life at Konkoku with the help of Shusei, a chef whose cooking helps Rimi remember her homeland. This makes a lasting impression on Rimi, who hopes to see him again someday. With her cooking expertise, Rimi manages to properly navigate through her new environment, but she also ends up attracting the attention of none other than Emperor Shohi himself.