Light novels have been popular reading material for decades. The equivalent of an English novella, their manageable length makes it easy to find time to sit and read, and with many of the light novel series spanning multiple volumes, authors can build a detailed world with well-developed characters and interesting plots.

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In recent years, light novels have become the source material for many popular anime series such as Re:ZeroSword Art Online, and many more. With light novels being published across multiple genres, there is sure to be something that appeals to every fan, and with several volumes of the source material, anime series have multiple seasons worth of material, eliminating the need for filler episodes. These novels follow the point of view of the protagonist, allowing readers to get to know the character in-depth and making many light novel protagonists soar to the top of the popularity list on websites such as MyAnimeList. While other central characters also top the list, such as Asuna of Sword Art Online and Holo of Spice and Wolf, the focus will be on the protagonist whose point of view the reader most often follows.

10 Hachiman Hikigaya Is The Top Protagonist [55 206 Votes]

Hachiman looks observant in My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU.

My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU's protagonist Hachiman Hikigaya's well-spoken and analytical nature has landed him at the top of the light-novel protagonists. Throughout the series, fans get to see Hachiman slowly open up and expand his beliefs, going from someone whose controversial opinions get him into trouble to someone whose unique thoughts and insights people rely on.

Hachiman is very skilled, and while it takes some encouragement, he does use these skills for good. As a result, the other characters get to see past Hachiman's loner tendencies to realize he is actually a kind person.

9 Kazuto 'Kirito' Kirigaya's Personality Elucidates His Popularity [49 040 Votes]

Kirito Smiling In Sword Art Online Anime

Kazuto Kirigaya, or Kirito as he is known online, is the protagonist of the Sword Art Online light novel series, and one of two main characters throughout the light novels. Kirito's strength and intelligence, coupled with his dedication to his in-game wife, Asuna, and their adopted daughter, Yui, has earned him a place in fan's hearts.

As Kirito slowly warms up to accepting help from others in the series, he begins to welcome friends into his life. His battle prowess and positive relationship with Asuna in fights have helped Kirito maintain his status for years.

8 Koyomi Araragi Has Stories To Tell [25 107 Votes]

Koyomi Is Skeptical In Monogatari Anime Series

Koyomi Araragi is the main protagonist of the Monogatari light novel series and a fan-favorite for good reason. While Koyomi portrays himself as an easygoing and asocial person, he is actually very considerate, and it is this characteristic that makes him a great protagonist.

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Koyomi is willing to sacrifice his health, safety, and even his life to help others, which becomes a recurring theme across the novels as he helps characters such as Hitagi, Mayoi, and Tsubasa, among others. Koyomi may suffer a great deal as he tries to help everyone, but it never dissuades him from his mission.

7 Violet Evergarden Holds A Special Place In Fans' Hearts [19 513 Votes]

Violet Looks Sad In Violet Evergarden Anime

Violet Evergarden tells the heartbreaking story of Violet, a woman who is trying to adapt to life as an Auto Memory Doll after being used as a weapon in war. Violet is naive and lacks life experience due to her upbringing. However, she is also kind, considerate, and determined.

No matter what problems she encounters, Violet earnestly works until she has solved them, often unknowingly. It is her very nature that makes her so appealing to fans. Coupled with the light novel's gorgeous artwork, and later adapted into an anime by Kyoto Animation that has been widely praised for its art and storytelling, it is no wonder Violet holds a special place in people's hearts.

6 Kazuma Satou Receives Fans' Blessing [16 862 Votes]

Kazuma Smiling In Konosuba Anime

Kazuma Satou's unique personality has endeared him in the eyes of fans everywhere. The protagonist of Konosuba begins as a hikikomori before dying while trying to save someone, then is summoned into another world after death. Kazuma is sarcastic and rude to his teammates, frequently commenting that Aqua is useless and never sugarcoating his words.

He is often lazy and is not afraid to let his party members do the fighting. However, Kazuma is also kind underneath the layers of cynicism, and while he gives his team a hard time, he does care for them at the end of the day.

5 Sora Strategizes His Way To Popularity [15 589 Votes]

Sora Strategizes In No Game No Life Anime

Sora and his sister Shiro are both very popular characters, and the protagonists of the No Game, No Life light novel series, with Sora barely edging out Shiro in votes. Sora is the older sibling and is a hikikomori before he and his sister are summoned. He is very egotistical and manipulative, and a master of reading people and analyzing situations to turn things in his favor.

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However, Sora has a very obvious weak point in his reliance on his step-sister, Shiro. When separated, Sora loses his confidence and his abilities decline significantly until he can contact Shiro again. His love for his sister and masterful strategies make him a memorable protagonist fans love to cheer for.

4 Natsuki Subaru's Fanbase Will Not Forget Him [14 805 Votes]

Subaru Laughing And Smiling In Re Zero Anime

Natsuki Subaru is the protagonist of the Re:Zero series. He begins as a hikikomori when he is summoned to another world. However, while many characters are summoned with special skills or abilities, Subaru only has one ability: Return By Death, which gets activated when he is killed for the first time.

Subaru's journey involves a lot of death and repeating events as he fights to get a good outcome. Fans love Subaru's dedication to getting the best possible ending, his kindness and sense of humor, and his determination and bravery in the face of horrible circumstances. With everything Subaru goes through in the Re:Zero series, it's no wonder fans are so fond of him.

3 Kiritsugu Emiya Is Fated To Be On Top [14 415 Votes]

Kiritsugu Emiya Assassinating Someone In Fate Zero Anime

Kiritsugu Emiya of Fate/Zero is a great example of a popular protagonist who is morally gray. Kiritsugu acts in the best interest of the many, and will not hesitate to sacrifice the few whenever necessary, though it may pain him to do so. Kiritsugu once wished to be a hero of justice and worked hard for this goal.

However, as he experiences tragedies and lost those close to him time and time again, he became a tragic hero and became disillusioned. Kiritsugu's morally questionable choices, quick decisions, and capability in and out of battle have earned him a strong fanbase.

2 Kiyotaka Ayanokouji Is Climbing The Ranks [13 888 Votes]

Kiyotaka Is Lost In Thought In High School Of The Elite Anime

Kiyotaka of the Classroom Of The Elite light novel series shares many characteristics with other light novel protagonists, being socially awkward yet highly perceptive. Kiyotaka is a kind person and is quick to take a liking to people.

He is also a man of his word, going out of his way to keep promises he makes. Kiyotaka's intelligence and powers of observation are some of his greatest weapons as he and his classmates try to raise their status in the school to become the elite. His mellow personality and kind heart make him a protagonist fans love to root for.

1 Sakuta Azusagawa Does Not Dream Of Popularity [11 602 Votes]

Sakuta Smirking In Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai Anime

Sakuta of Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is a very unique character and quite an endearing one. Sakuta is an interesting mix of calmness and compassion, while also being quite funny. Sakuta deadpans much of what he says, delivering it in a monotone way that makes it all the more humorous for viewers of the anime.

He is a very honest person and will not hesitate to say what is on his mind, and does not feel embarrassment easily, allowing him to perform grandiose gestures that would have other people hiding their faces in shame. Sakuta is also highly compassionate and will go out of his way to help anyone in need, particularly those who suffer from the Adolescence Syndrome that afflicts him and his sister. Sakuta is an all-around good person, so it is no surprise he is so well-liked by fans.

NEXT: 10 Light Novels That Would Make Great Anime