Light novels have become a major part of the anime and manga landscape over the last few years, as anime based on light novels (particularly those of the isekai genre) have rocketed in popularity. More light novels have come to the west as a result, and the medium is more popular than it has ever been.
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While light novels based on isekai adventures have been the major trend in recent years, not all light novels concern themselves with fantasy stories. The romance genre is big in the light novel space, and some popular stories manage to make themselves stand out among the rest. Here are some romance light novels that haven’t received an anime adaptation yet.
Updated on July 05, 2025, by Danny Guan:With the turn of the new year, many new anime adaptations of popular manga and light novels have been announced for 2023 and later. Despite that, there are still plenty of romance light novels that have yet to see anime adaptations. The world of light novels is vast, and anime only scratches the surface of the stories this medium has in store. There are a variety of new romance light novels coming out every year, and fans shouldn’t miss out on potential new favorites. Whether it be fantasy isekai, modern slice-of-life, or video-game inspired, here are some more romance light novels that have yet to receive an anime adaptation.
12Welcome To Japan, Ms. Elf!
Whenever Kazuhiro Kitase went to sleep, he would journey to another world and go on adventures in his dreams with a beautiful elf girl. While he doesn’t understand how all this works, he happily takes this chance to enjoy both the lifestyles of an adventurer and a salaryman in Japan. One day, his adventure goes awry, and the two face mortal peril. However, before that happens, Kazuhiro is suddenly sent back to his original world - with his elf friend in tow!
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!is a reverse-isekai slice-of-life series, with a bit of fantasy adventure on the side. There is also a healthy amount of romance between the two leads, making this light novel series a cozy read for those looking for a stress-free read.
11Haibara’s Teenage New Game+
Natsuki Haibara has nothing but regrets about his high school life - so much so that he still dwells on it well into his college years. If only he could go back and redo it all, he’d do things right this time and make sure he has the high school youth of his dreams. That’s why when he suddenly finds himself seven years in the past, one month before his first year in high school, Haibara leaps at the chance to redo his high school years all over again.
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Haibara’s Teenage New Game+is a classic time reversal story where the main character does his best to rewrite his awful high school memories. To be expected of stories like this, there is plenty of romance for fans to enjoy as Haibara does his best to make the most out of his second chance.
10The Princess Of Convenient Plot Devices
Maki Tazawa, an ardent fujoshi, is reincarnated into the world of her favorite Boys' Love novel, The Noble King, as Princess Octavia. With her brother Prince Sirius and his lover Sil forming her favorite pairing, Octavia is able to see all the spicy romance she likes. However, while she is happy to be able to see her favorite couple flirt in person, she can’t help but feel conflicted about her own role in the story: to produce a royal heir to sidestep the problem the crown prince’s relationship presents.
The Princess of Convenient Plot Devicesis an interesting takeon the otome game isekai subgenre, with the main character being somewhat disillusioned with the tropes and conventions brought about by the world she reincarnated in. The way this story deconstructs those tropes and presents them from a different perspective is quite interesting to read.
9The Girl I Saved On The Train Turned Out To Be My Childhood Friend
Ryou Takamori and Hina Fushimi were always close as kids, but they drifted apart as they got older. By chance, Ryou saves a girl from being molested on the train, only for it to turn out to be Hina. The two reconnect after that incident, but what Ryou doesn’t realize is that Hina may think of him as more than a friend…
The Girl I Saved on the Train Turned Out to Be My Childhood Friendis a classic rom-com story with an oblivious protagonist and an adorable female lead. While it’s a little by-the-numbers for a romance story, avid fans of the genre are sure to enjoy this saccharine high school romance.
8Yashiro-kun’s Guide To Going Solo
Shigeaki Yashiro lives the proud life of a loner, being an expert at enjoying himself without the need for friends. Popular Girl Kanon Hanamizawa approaches him with a rather bizarre request: to teach her how to enjoy herself when she’s all on her own.
Yashiro-kun’s Guide to Going Solodoesn’t immediately launch into a romance, with most of the story taken up by the two leads doing various activities together. However, as the story progresses, a few romantic entanglements form among the cast.
7Survival In Another World With My Mistress
Kousuke wakes up in a fantasy world with nothing to his name excepta strange power to use a game-like menu to craft whatever he likes. As he struggles to survive in this new world, he meets the mysterious dark elf Sylphy, who immediately claims him as her own and swears to protect him no matter what.
Survival in Another World with My Mistressis an isekai story with a little extra focus on romance. The relationship between Kousuke and Sylphy is established early on, and it doesn’t take long for them to grow closer.
6Guide To The Perfect Otaku Girlfriend
Kagetora Ichigaya isa hardcore otakudesperate for a girlfriend. While at a meetup for otaku, he bumps into Kokoro Nishina, the most popular girl at school. Nishina is a closet otaku and desperately wants an otaku boyfriend she can share her hobbies with. Kagetora offers an even exchange - he’ll tell her how to become an otaku’s dream girl if they help him out in romance too.
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Guide to the Perfect Otaku Girlfriendis a romantic comedy series based around two characters who team up to achieve their romantic dreams. Their personalities conflict a lot, but seeing them come to an accord and work together can be both heartwarming and hilarious.
5So You Want To Live The Slow Life
Mikura Moriya inherits a large estate and orchard deep in the woods from his great-grandfather. Hoping to have a peaceful and quiet life, Mikura decides to live off the land as a farmer. However, the house turns out to be deep in the Beastly Wilds, a mystical forest that the strange Beastfolk call home.
So You Want to Live the Slow Lifeisa slice-of-life farming serieswith fantasy elements. While the series mostly focuses on the main character’s work and daily life, there are a few moments of sweet romance here and there to spice up the story.
4Reincarnated As The Piggy Duke
A young man wakes up to find himself transformed into the Piggy Duke, the antagonist of his favorite animeShuya Marionette. Fully aware of the character’s grisly end, his only way of saving himself is to become a man worthy of his retainer Charlotte and confess his feelings to her.
Reincarnated as the Piggy Dukeis yet another isekai story, but romance takes center stage as his main goal is to confess his love. While the usual isekai tropes are to be expected, romance fans can still expect to enjoy this light novel series.
3Yuri Tama: From Third Wheel To Trifecta
Yotsuba Hazama is best friends with Yuna Momose and Rinka Aiba, the two idols at her school. Everyone thinks that Yuna and Rinka are perfect for each other, but surprisingly, both of them end up confessing their love to Yotsuba instead! Having accidentally accepted both of their confessions, Yotsuba has to keep her girlfriends happy without letting them know she’s two-timing the both of them.
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Yuri Tama: From Third Wheel to Trifectais a Girls' Love rom-com series that puts a unique spin onthe classic love triangle. Yotsuba’s bizarre situation is a perfect jumping point for all kinds of romantic shenanigans and sticky situations.
