Top 11 Martial Arts Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

By Genre

11 Novels

Martial arts as a genre tag covers wuxia, murim, and combat-focused cultivation novels. The common element is that fighting techniques and physical combat mastery drive the story rather than magic or supernatural abilities alone. Chinese wuxia emphasizes jianghu society and chivalric codes. Korean murim features similar concepts with different cultural framing. Japanese martial arts fiction tends toward more realistic settings or sports contexts.

The line between martial arts and cultivation blurs considerably. Many novels tagged martial arts also involve internal energy cultivation. What distinguishes them from pure xianxia is scale: martial arts protagonists typically operate at human-plus levels rather than world-destroying godhood.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
T*ash of the Count’s Family
4.5
(3.3K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
When I opened my eyes, I was inside a novel. I became a part of that novel as the tr*sh of the Count’s family, the family that oversaw the territory where the first village that Choi Han visits is located.
First Impressions
I finally dove into Tash of the Count’s Family, and I have to say, it's quite the ride. With its high overall rating and a massive list of tags, I was definitely curious to see what all the hype was about. Having read a fair chunk of it, I can see the appeal, but also some of the issues that might turn readers off. Initially, the premise felt familiar: a Korean transmigrator ends up in the body of a trashy noble within a novel he'd read. The MC's goal? To live a peaceful, wealthy life, avoiding all conflict. I was a little worried it would be another generic "lazy MC gets dragged into trouble"...
Read More
Completed
2
RUNNER UP
The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage
4.6
(2.7K ratings)
Genre: fantasy, historical, josei
Shen Miao, the Di daughter of a military family, was pure, quiet, gentle, and gracious. Because of her foolish love for Prince Ding, she forced her way into becoming his wife.
First Impressions
"The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage" is a web novel that I found myself thoroughly engrossed in, despite a few reservations. It's a complex tale of revenge, political intrigue, and slow-burn romance, all set against the backdrop of ancient China. From the start, I was drawn in by the premise. Shen Miao, a former empress reborn into her younger self, is determined to rewrite her tragic past. It's a familiar setup, but the execution felt fresh. I was immediately invested in her journey and eager to see how she would use her knowledge to dismantle her enemies....
Read More
Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Thousand Autumns
4.5
(1.0K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
Yan Wushi had walked a path full of blood and corpses. He did not believe in the good nature of humanity.
First Impressions
"Thousand Autumns" has been quite the ride! Diving into this wuxia world felt like stepping into a meticulously crafted tapestry of ancient China, martial arts, and complex characters. I found myself completely absorbed in Shen Qiao's journey, and even though the romance took a backseat for much of the story, I was invested in the overall narrative. Initially, I was drawn in by the promise of a kind-hearted MC, and Shen Qiao definitely delivered. He's not your typical overpowered protagonist; instead, he's a strong, principled character who faces betrayal and hardship with unwavering resolve. ...
Read More
Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Chronicles of Primordial Wars
4.5
(1.0K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, martial arts
Shao Xuan joins a friend in his expedition to a recently discovered archaeological cave. After he picks up an ordinary looking stone he is teleported to a different world and wakes up in the body of a small orphan child.
First Impressions
"Chronicles of Primordial Wars" is a web novel that took me by surprise. With a solid 4.5/5 rating and a slew of glowing reviews, I had high expectations going in, and for the most part, it delivered. It's a unique blend of action, adventure, and xuanhuan set in a primordial world, and the story's originality is definitely one of its strongest points. Initially, the pacing is slow. The story eases you into this ancient, tribal setting. We follow our protagonist as he adapts to life in the body of a young orphan in this harsh, Stone Age world. It's a far cry from the typical cultivation novel, ...
Read More
Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Sha Po Lang
4.6
(743 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, martial arts
“The first person to dig ziliujin fuel out of the ground could never have predicted that what they dug out was the beginning of a dog-eat-dog age. Our entire life was but an ugly confidence game of greed; this is something everyone knows, but that they could not bring to light.
First Impressions
"Sha Po Lang" is a novel that’s been on my radar for a while, and after diving in, I can see why it garners so much praise, even if it didn't completely blow me away. It's definitely a unique read, blending elements of steampunk, political intrigue, and romance in a way that sets it apart from many web novels in the genre. Initially, I was drawn in by the world-building. The concept of an ancient China powered by "ziliujin" (violetstream gold) is fascinating, and the mecha elements add a layer of excitement. The setup, with a mature-for-his-age young protagonist and his complex relationship wi...
Read More

Novel Translator 2026

Enjoying Martial Arts Stories?

Unlock martial arts novels from any language with professional-quality AI translation.

40+ Languages

Translate to and from major world languages

Custom Made Translation Engine

State-of-the-art translation quality

EPUB and TXT Support

Keep formatting, chapters, and covers

Fast Processing

Translate entire novels in hours

View Pricing

Trusted by 16,000+ readers worldwide in 2026

6
#6 PICK
Otome Game no Heroine de Saikyou Survival (LN)
4.5
(414 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
A girl Alicia lived as an orphan in a world of sword and magic Ciel. One day, she learned that she was an “otome game’s heroine”.
First Impressions
"Otome Game no Heroine de Saikyou Survival" certainly grabbed my attention with its intriguing premise. We're thrown into a world that initially feels like a typical otome game setting, but quickly veers off the beaten path. Alicia, our heroine, isn't interested in romance; her primary focus is survival. I was immediately drawn in by the promise of a protagonist who prioritizes strength and skill over capturing the hearts of potential love interests. What I appreciated most was the subversion of otome game tropes. Instead of the usual focus on romance, we get a hardcore leveling-up story. Alic...
Read More
Completed
7
#7 PICK
Dinghai Fusheng Records
4.5
(308 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Immortal arts, magic weapons, magical powers, and the boundless spiritual qi between heaven and earth vanished into obscurity overnight, and all exorcists turned to mere mortals. Three hundred years later, the Five Hus traversed the pass, it was a prelude to an era of great turmoil in China.
First Impressions
"Dinghai Fusheng Records" has been quite the journey! Blending historical fantasy, action, and a healthy dose of comedy, this novel had me hooked from the start. The world-building is intricate, drawing heavily on ancient Chinese history and mythology, which I found fascinating even if it meant a bit of Googling along the way. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: Chen Xing, a young exorcist destined to die young, embarks on a quest to find his protector and save the world. The setup is intriguing, and the early chapters are filled with humor and lighthearted moments that quickly endeared ...
Read More

Conclusion

Rankings favor novels where martial technique and training actually matter rather than being window dressing for standard power progression. Some cultivation-heavy entries rank lower because the martial arts elements feel superficial despite the tag. If you want specifically wuxia, murim, or realistic martial arts, more focused lists exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings combine reader ratings (40%), popularity metrics (25%), engagement data (20%), and editorial review (15%). We update rankings quarterly to reflect the latest reader sentiments.

The best martial arts novels excel in their genre-specific elements while delivering compelling characters and plots. Reader satisfaction and re-readability are key factors in our selection.

We update our rankings quarterly throughout 2026 to incorporate new releases, changing reader preferences, and updated rating data.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

T*ash of the Count’s Family

First Impressions

The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage

First Impressions

Thousand Autumns

First Impressions

Chronicles of Primordial Wars

First Impressions

Sha Po Lang

First Impressions