Top 19 Completed Japanese Martial arts Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

19 Novels

Japanese martial arts novels are less common than Chinese wuxia or Korean murim stories. When they exist, they often blend with isekai or fantasy elements rather than staying in traditional martial arts settings. The approach tends toward personal growth narratives rather than sect politics.

The completed entries here represent a smaller pool than Chinese equivalents. Japanese authors less frequently commit to pure martial arts narratives, so the options reflect hybrid approaches.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (WN)
4.2
(1.5K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
A man is stabbed by a robber on the run after pushing his coworker and his coworker’s new fiance out of the way. As he lays dying, bleeding on the ground, he hears a voice.
First Impressions
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken, or Slime Isekai as it's often called, is a web novel that I dove into with a good deal of anticipation, given its popularity and numerous adaptations. Overall, I found it to be a mixed bag, with some truly enjoyable elements weighed down by some frustrating shortcomings. The initial premise – a salaryman reincarnated as a slime – is undeniably intriguing. The early chapters are engaging, and I was quickly drawn into Rimuru's efforts to build a life and community in this new world. The idea of a slime, of all things, becoming a powerful leader and nation-builder ...
Read More
Completed
2
RUNNER UP
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
4.4
(516 ratings)
Genre: action, martial arts, mystery
Magic. It is a product of neither legends nor fairy tales, but instead has become a technology of reality since a time unknown to people.
First Impressions
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei is a series that has definitely left an impression on me. It’s a blend of sci-fi, magic, and school life that creates a unique world, but it’s not without its quirks. Initially, I was drawn in by the concept of a world where magic is intertwined with technology. The idea of a magic academy with a protagonist who seems like an underdog but is secretly powerful is a classic setup, and I was eager to see how Mahouka would execute it....
Read More
Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?
4.5
(232 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Sakamaki Izayoi, Kudou Asuka, and Kasukabe Yō have tremendous powers and are bored with the regular world. An envelope arrives for each person, and when each opens their envelope, they are stunned to see the scenery around them change to a world they had never encountered before.
First Impressions
"Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?" is a novel that I found myself surprisingly drawn into, despite some reservations. It's a wild ride through a world called Little Garden, where myths, legends, and overpowered teenagers collide in a series of high-stakes games. While it's not perfect, I think it offers a unique blend of action, comedy, and fantasy that's worth checking out. The premise is immediately intriguing: three gifted teenagers, bored with their ordinary lives, are summoned to a fantastical world where they can use their abilities in challenging games against gods, demon...
Read More
Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
The Girl Who Ate a Death God (LN)
4.5
(64 ratings)
Genre: action, fantasy, martial arts
A fantasy war chronicle following a bloodstained girl as she races through the battlefields. The girl who was born in a poor village, Shera, saw a “tasty-looking” Death God behind the Liberation Force soldier who was attacking her.
First Impressions
Okay, so I dove into "The Girl Who Ate a Death God" with a healthy dose of curiosity. The premise alone is wild – a girl, an evil kingdom, and a whole lot of eating. I was immediately intrigued by the promise of a gritty war story with an overpowered female protagonist just looking for her next meal. It’s a unique blend of elements that definitely grabbed my attention. The world-building is a definite highlight. It feels immersive and the narrative doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of war. I found myself appreciating the morally grey characters on both sides of the conflict. It's not ...
Read More
Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
World Teacher – Other World Style Education & Agent (WN)
3.9
(840 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
A man who was once called the world’s strongest agent ended up becoming a teacher after his retirement, to train a new generation of agents. After many years of training his disciples, he was killed at the age of 60 by a secret organization’s ruse and was reincarnated in another world with his m...
First Impressions
I went into "World Teacher" with high hopes, drawn in by the premise of a reincarnated special agent becoming a teacher in a fantasy world. The blend of action, adventure, and school life seemed like a fun mix, but my experience ended up being somewhat mixed. Initially, I was hooked. The early chapters had a certain charm. The idea of Sirius, our protagonist, adapting his skills from his past life as a ruthless agent to a new role as an educator was intriguing. Seeing him develop advanced magic based on his previous world's knowledge was a clever twist....
Read More
Completed
6
#6 PICK
Dragoon
3.9
(443 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Rudel Arses, the first born of one of the ‘Three Lords’ of the Courtois Kingdom, is from a corrupted family, but at 5 years old, he saw a dragon in the sky and his dark future as a villain changed. He was considered an idiot, but was that true?
First Impressions
"Dragoon" is a bit of a mixed bag, but overall, I found it an enjoyable read, even if it wasn't groundbreaking. It's got this certain charm that kept me hooked, despite some obvious flaws. It's a story about Rudel, striving to become a Dragoon in a world that seems determined to make him fail, and his journey to defy fate and expectations. Initially, I was intrigued by the premise. The idea of a character fighting against a pre-determined narrative, where the "script" itself is an antagonist, is quite compelling. Also, the story appears to be a reaction to the influx of transported-to-another-...
Read More
Completed
7
#7 PICK
The Master of the Brave
3.9
(341 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
After losing his parents, he yearns to become a Knight, the poor boy Wynn Byrd diligently trained himself. However, it was hopeless for him to become a Knight, because his magical power was too low, he can’t pass the Knight examination so he was labeled with the unpleasant title of 『Eternal Knig...
First Impressions
"The Master of the Brave" is a web novel that I approached with a mix of excitement and trepidation, given the wide range of opinions surrounding it. While some readers have lauded its interesting premise and engaging characters, others have found it to be bland and frustrating. After considering the various viewpoints, here's my take. The initial setup is definitely intriguing. We have a hardworking orphan, Wynn, striving to become a knight despite lacking magical talent, and a strong, yet lonely, heroine, Leticia. Their childhood friendship, built on mutual respect and shared training, is a ...
Read More
Completed
8
#8 PICK
A Comfortable Different World Life
3.9
(184 ratings)
Genre: fantasy, martial arts, romance
I should have been sleeping in my room, but when I woke up, I was naked and in a place I did not know. Moreover, in the appearance of a two or three years old child… I was found by a man, he was like a cat with a tail and cat’s ears.
First Impressions
"A Comfortable Different World Life" is quite the journey, and I've got some thoughts after diving into what readers are saying about it. This novel definitely has a dedicated fanbase, but it also seems to have elements that might not appeal to everyone. It's a blend of fantasy, slice of life, romance, and even yaoi, so buckle up for a potentially wild ride. Right off the bat, I noticed a strong divergence in opinions. Some readers were immediately captivated by the relationships between characters, while others felt a sense of unease, particularly regarding the age regression aspect and the d...
Read More
Completed
9
#9 PICK
Sougen no Okite ~Shii Yatsu ga Moteru, Ii Buzoku ni Umarekawatta zo~
3.9
(228 ratings)
Genre: action, adult, fantasy
A guy who reached the peak of martial arts died in an airplane accident. He is reborn into a tribe where in addition to the way of the bow and sword, magic rules.
First Impressions
This web novel presents an interesting premise: a martial artist reincarnated into a tribal society reminiscent of the Mongol hordes, complete with magic. It piqued my interest with its blend of action, fantasy, and slice-of-life elements, but the execution seems to be a mixed bag. Initially, I was drawn in by the unique setting and the potential for a compelling story about adapting to a new life and culture. The idea of a protagonist utilizing martial arts skills in a pre-iron age, nomadic society held promise. However, some early plot points involving the MC's previous life and some questio...
Read More

Novel Translator 2026

Love Japanese Martial Arts Novels?

Translate any Japanese novel to your preferred language with Novel Translator's AI-powered technology.

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

Completed
10
#10 PICK
Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan
3.9
(211 ratings)
Genre: action, drama, ecchi
In a time and place where one’s soul can be morphed into a weapon, there are modern-day magicians called Mage-Knights. Although Kurogane Ikki is a student at an institution that trains Mage-Knights, he has no particular talent in magic and is labeled the “Failure Knight” or “Worst One.
First Impressions
"Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan" (Chivalry of a Failed Knight) is a series I dove into with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, and after spending time with it, I've come away with some mixed feelings. It's a blend of classic tropes with a few interesting twists, making for a read that's both familiar and, at times, surprisingly engaging. Initially, the premise felt like well-trodden ground: an underdog MC, a princess, and a battle academy setting. It sounds like a recipe for cliché overload, right? But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author manages to weave these elements together with...
Read More

Conclusion

Martial arts ratings here reflect combat quality and character development payoff. Japanese martial arts novels that delivered on their training arcs and reached conclusions rate well. For Japanese takes on martial arts with guaranteed endings, these offer the available options.

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

Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (WN)

First Impressions

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

First Impressions

Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?

First Impressions

The Girl Who Ate a Death God (LN)

First Impressions

World Teacher – Other World Style Education & Agent (WN)

First Impressions

Dragoon

First Impressions

The Master of the Brave

First Impressions

A Comfortable Different World Life

First Impressions

Sougen no Okite ~Shii Yatsu ga Moteru, Ii Buzoku ni Umarekawatta zo~

First Impressions