Top 15 Japanese Time Travel Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

15 Novels

Time travel in Japanese fiction often focuses on emotional stakes rather than paradox mechanics. Returning to save someone, reliving regretted moments, getting another chance at a crucial decision. The technical aspects of how time travel works matter less than what the protagonist does with the opportunity. This differs from some Western time travel stories that treat the mechanism itself as the puzzle to solve.

The overlap with regression and second chance is significant, but time travel specifically implies some ability to move between time periods rather than just starting over. Some entries feature repeated loops, others allow targeted jumps, and a few involve travel to historical eras. The variety in implementation means checking how a specific story handles time travel before committing.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
About the Reckless Girl Who Kept Challenging a Reborn Man Like Me
4.8
(1.6K ratings)
Genre: drama, fantasy, psychological
“A prodigy at ten, a genius at fifteen, a common man past twenty. ” This is a story of the struggle of an ordinary guy like me who is a “reincarnator” and a reckless and promising girl who is a “genius”.
First Impressions
This web novel, About the Reckless Girl Who Kept Challenging a Reborn Man Like Me, really took me by surprise. With a high rating and a slew of glowing reviews, I went in with pretty high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. It's a deceptively simple story that manages to pack an emotional punch. The premise is intriguing: a reincarnated man, armed with his past life's knowledge, finds himself constantly challenged by a relentlessly competitive childhood friend. The initial setup feels like a classic setup for wish-fulfillment, but the story quickly evolves beyond that. I was immediately d...
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2
RUNNER UP
Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?
4.5
(226 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Now that he enters his high school career, Satomi Koutaro begins his life living alone in an apartment that only costs him 5000 yen per month, an extremely cheap deal even for this small apartment. There’s a catch: the apartment is apparently haunted by a cute ghost that has driven its prior occ...
First Impressions
"Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?" initially struck me as another generic harem comedy, but after diving in, I found myself pleasantly surprised. It's a series that demands patience, rewarding those who stick around past the first few volumes with a surprisingly intricate and engaging story. Admittedly, the premise – a young man trying to hold onto his cheap apartment against a host of otherworldly invaders, all of whom are cute girls – didn't exactly scream "originality." The early volumes felt like a typical introduction to the harem, with each girl vying for Koutarou's attention and the room its...
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Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I Hold Your Voice Alone, Under The Starry Sky
4.7
(207 ratings)
Genre: drama, romance, school life
Shuu is a member of the literary club that can’t write. One day, he gets a mysterious message on his phone from a girl called Eina, and from that impulsive contact, they begin to exchange messages.
First Impressions
"I Hold Your Voice Alone, Under The Starry Sky" is a light novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a quick read, and while it might not be the most groundbreaking story ever told, it delivers a heartwarming and satisfying experience that left me with a pleasant, fuzzy feeling. Initially, I wasn't entirely hooked. Some mentioned a slow start, and I felt that a bit too. But, as I continued, the story's charm began to shine through. The premise, involving a phone call across time or universes, immediately grabbed my attention, and I was eager to see where it would lead....
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Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)
4.3
(154 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
The Demon King led his army of demons to wipe out the human race. The Hero, Kyle, and his allies attack the Demon King’s castle to defeat the Demon King.
First Impressions
"Tsuyokute New Saga" is a fascinating blend of familiar tropes executed with a refreshing level of competence. The premise, while not entirely original – a protagonist reliving his past with future knowledge – feels like a solid foundation for a compelling narrative. I found myself drawn into the world and the characters, even with the understanding that it treads on well-worn ground. Initially, the "been there, done that" feeling was a bit strong. The setup is reminiscent of other time-traveling, second-chance narratives. However, as I delved deeper, I appreciated the author's commitment to b...
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5
EDITORS CHOICE
Chronicles of The Hardships of Komachi in The Sengoku Era
4.6
(138 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, historical
One fateful day, a girl time slipped into the Sengoku Era. It was an abrupt enough event to be dubbed god’s whim, done to sate hellish boredom.
First Impressions
"Chronicles of The Hardships of Komachi in The Sengoku Era" is a novel that definitely surprised me. Jumping in, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I quickly found myself drawn into Shizuko's journey through time. The premise is classic isekai: a modern girl gets transported to Japan's Sengoku era. However, Shizuko isn't your average damsel. Armed with agricultural knowledge and a surprising amount of other useful skills, she makes a splash with Oda Nobunaga and begins to change history. It’s quite a ride....
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Completed
6
#6 PICK
Clearing an Isekai with the Zero-Believers Goddess – The Weakest Mage among the Classmates (WN)
4.2
(1.2K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Makoto Takatsuki is a normal high school student and a hardcore RPG player. However, “normal” goes out the window when his whole class is involved in a bus crash and whisked away to another world!
First Impressions
This title is a mouthful, but after diving in, I found a surprisingly enjoyable isekai story. It's not without its flaws, but overall, it's a refreshing take on a well-trodden genre. Initially, I was wary. Another weak-to-strong isekai? I've read my fair share. However, what immediately grabbed me was the lack of the usual isekai tropes. The MC isn't bullied or abandoned, and his classmates don't suddenly become enemies. Instead, there's a sense of normalcy, which is a welcome change. He's weak, yes, but he's also not a complete idiot, and that already puts it ahead of some others....
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7
#7 PICK
I Got Reincarnated And Mistaken As A Genius?
4.2
(779 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Arakawa Kouki is reincarnated to a Japan with a different history than the Japan he knows with the memories of his previous life still intact. Kouki was discouraged, “Aren’t reincarnation stories supposed to be at some fantasy world filled with swords, magic and elves?!
First Impressions
This web novel boasts a unique premise: a reincarnated protagonist whose ordinary actions are consistently misinterpreted as strokes of genius. The blend of genres – from sci-fi and mecha to fantasy and supernatural – promised a wild ride, and after diving in, I have some thoughts. Initially, I was hooked by the comedic potential. The idea of an MC completely oblivious to the awe and terror he inspires is inherently funny. The early chapters deliver on this, setting up a world where even the most mundane actions are blown wildly out of proportion. I found myself chuckling at the absurd situati...
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8
#8 PICK
The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Married Life in a Former Enemy Country in Her Seventh Loop
4.1
(248 ratings)
Genre: action, fantasy, josei
“Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner! I’m breaking off my engagement with you!
First Impressions
This title is quite the mouthful, but "The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Married Life in a Former Enemy Country in Her Seventh Loop" definitely piqued my interest. I've seen a lot of reincarnation stories, but the Groundhog Day-esque twist of reliving only five years, multiple times, sounded unique. After diving in, here's what I think. Initially, I was hooked by the premise. A protagonist stuck in a time loop, using her accumulated knowledge from past lives to navigate a new one? Sounds like a recipe for clever plotting and character development. The first few chapters did a good job of settin...
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Completed
9
#9 PICK
The Results From When I Time Leaped to My Second Year of High School and Confessed to the Teacher I Liked at the Time (WN)
4.1
(242 ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, romance
I was a corporate worker in my late 20’s, when I woke up and found that I had time leaped to the spring of my second year of high school. At the time, there was a teacher that I had regretted not confessing to, so I confessed to her in the heat of the moment, and now we’re dating!
First Impressions
This title is certainly a mouthful, but the premise is intriguing: a second chance at high school with the added bonus of confessing to your teacher. What follows, however, seems to divide readers quite sharply. Going in, I was expecting a mature protagonist navigating a tricky student-teacher relationship with the wisdom of his older self. The time leap aspect seemed like it would offer an interesting perspective. However, it seems the time travel element is more of a plot device than a central theme, which may disappoint some readers looking for deep exploration of time travel paradoxes....
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Conclusion

Time travel stories live or die on whether the central emotional stakes resonate. The mechanics matter less than whether you care about what the protagonist is trying to change. These rankings favor entries that make the time travel meaningful rather than just a convenient plot device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings consider multiple factors: reader ratings (40%), popularity and reading lists (25%), review quality (20%), and editorial assessment (15%). We update regularly to reflect new releases and changing reader preferences.

We update our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the latest reader ratings and new novel releases.

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

About the Reckless Girl Who Kept Challenging a Reborn Man Like Me

First Impressions

Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?

First Impressions

I Hold Your Voice Alone, Under The Starry Sky

First Impressions

Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)

First Impressions

Chronicles of The Hardships of Komachi in The Sengoku Era

First Impressions

Clearing an Isekai with the Zero-Believers Goddess – The Weakest Mage among the Classmates (WN)

First Impressions

I Got Reincarnated And Mistaken As A Genius?

First Impressions