Top 19 Japanese Action Adventure Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

19 Novels

Action-adventure combines combat focus with exploration and discovery elements. Japanese entries often incorporate isekai premises, sending protagonists to new worlds they must navigate and understand. The adventure aspect provides pacing variety between action sequences.

Compared to pure action, adventure-tagged novels emphasize journey and growth over constant combat. Character development through travel and discovery balances the fight scenes.

1
TOP PICK
My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending
4.5
(2.0K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
When he came to his senses, Hirasawa Kazuki, a normal university student, found himself in possession of the body of a game’s character. Moreover, it was Harold Stokes, the story’s most hated character who was even given the title 『King of Tr*sh』by the players.
First Impressions
"My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending" has been quite the ride! Jumping into this isekai adventure, I was immediately hooked by the unique premise. It's not every day you see a protagonist reincarnated as a villain, especially one with a rather… unfortunate speech impediment. The initial chapters grabbed me with their blend of humor and intrigue. The protagonist, a university student reborn as Harold Stokes, a hated character from a game he loves, immediately has to navigate a world where his words constantly betray his intentions. It's a clever twist on the usual isekai formula and sets the ...
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?
4.4
(1.9K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
The world where the Hero and the Demon King continue to oppose each other. The grand magic from the Hero and the Demon King cross over worlds and exploded in the classroom of a certain high school.
First Impressions
"Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?" is a web novel that took me on quite the ride. It's a reincarnation story with a twist, throwing our protagonist into the body of a spider monster in a deadly labyrinth. While the initial premise might sound familiar, the execution is anything but typical. Initially, I was hooked by the unique perspective of a spider navigating a dangerous world. The early chapters focus heavily on survival, grinding, and skill acquisition. Some might find this part slow-paced, and even repetitive, but I found it quite entertaining, especially with the main character's internal monolog...
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3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Overlord (LN)
4.5
(1.6K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
In 21st century, world entered a new stage of VR games…and “YGGDRASIL” is considered top of all MMORPG…but, After announcing that all its servers will be off, the internet game ‘Yggdrasil’ shut down…or so was supposed to happen, but for some reason, the player character did not log out some time ...
First Impressions
"Overlord" is a web novel that really grabbed my attention, and I can definitely see why it has such a dedicated following. It's a unique take on the isekai genre, and while it might not be for everyone, it offers a compelling experience that sets it apart from the usual light novel fare. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a player trapped in a game as an all-powerful undead overlord. It's a classic setup, but "Overlord" quickly establishes its own identity. The main character, Ainz (formerly Momonga), isn't your typical hero. He's a complex character, still clinging to his human past w...
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4
EDITORS CHOICE
To Be a Power in the Shadows! (WN)
4.4
(1.6K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Just like how everyone adores heroes in their childhood, a certain boy adored those who hid in the shadows. One day, after living the mediocre life of a side character while undergoing frenzied training by night, he reincarnates in a different world and gains ultimate power.
First Impressions
I dove into "To Be a Power in the Shadows!" with a healthy dose of curiosity, and I've come out the other side with quite a few thoughts. This web novel is definitely... something. It's a wild ride that blends action, comedy, and fantasy in a way that's both incredibly entertaining and, at times, utterly baffling. Initially, I was hooked by the premise. The idea of a protagonist who's convinced he's living out a chuunibyou fantasy, only for it to actually be real, is comedy gold. The early chapters had me laughing out loud. It's a unique twist on the isekai genre, and I appreciated the author'...
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Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Mushoku Tensei (WN)
4.3
(1.3K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
A 34-year-old NEET otaku, chased out from his house by his family, found that his life is reaching a dead end. He then recalled that his life could actually have been much better if he had made better choices in the past.
First Impressions
"Mushoku Tensei" is a web novel that definitely left an impression on me. It’s one of those stories that sparks a lot of discussion, and after diving in, I can see why. It's a story about a man who gets a second chance at life in a fantasy world, and his journey of growing up and trying to live a better life than his first one. Initially, I was intrigued by the premise. A lot of people have praised it as a classic in the reincarnation genre, and I was excited to see what all the hype was about. The early parts of the story did a good job of setting up the world and introducing the main charact...
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6
#6 PICK
I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!
4.3
(1.2K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Liam Sera Banfield is a reincarnator. He had reincarnated into a fantasy world of magic and swords, but at the time the civilization had already been making advancements into outer space.
First Impressions
"I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!" is a web novel that certainly sparks a range of opinions, and after diving in, I can see why. It's a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy, centered around a protagonist who's trying to be evil but hilariously failing at every turn. Whether that sounds appealing or not will likely determine your enjoyment. Initially, I was intrigued by the premise. A reincarnation story where the MC aims to be an evil overlord in a space-faring society? Sign me up! The early chapters set the stage, introducing us to Liam and the circumstances of his new life. Howe...
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7
#7 PICK
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
4.4
(983 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Yuna, a 15 years old girl started playing the world’s first VRMMO. She has earned billions of yen in stocks.
First Impressions
"Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear," or "Bear Bear Bear Bear" as the title hilariously translates to, is a web novel that I approached with cautious optimism. The premise is undeniably cute: a girl transported to another world with a bear suit that grants her immense power. But does the novel deliver beyond its initial charm? My first impression mirrored that of many other readers: it's a lighthearted and easy read. The writing style is simple, and the story doesn't demand much from the reader. It's perfect for when you're looking for something to unwind with, a literary equivalent of comfort food. The conc...
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Completed
8
#8 PICK
Apotheosis of a Demon – A Monster Evolution Story
4.5
(798 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
A back-to-basics(? ) monster evolution novel.
First Impressions
"Apotheosis of a Demon – A Monster Evolution Story" promised a unique take on the isekai genre, and after diving in, I can say it mostly delivers, though not without a few stumbles along the way. The story follows Shedy's journey from abused human to demon goddess, and it's a wild ride. I was immediately drawn in by the premise. A protagonist who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and doesn't bother with "righteous" justifications? Sign me up! The initial chapters are compelling, and I found myself eager to see how Shedy would navigate this new, dangerous world....
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Completed
9
#9 PICK
Evil God Average
4.3
(776 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
When she stands, she’s like a white peony. When she sits, she’s like a tree peony.
First Impressions
"Evil God Average" is definitely an interesting title, and after diving in, I can see why it's garnered so much attention. It’s a story about a high school girl who gets transported to another world and, thanks to a trickster god, ends up with the aura of an "average" evil god. The premise alone had me intrigued, and the execution... well, it's a mixed bag, but ultimately a fun ride. The initial chapters are a whirlwind of isekai tropes turned on their head. I was immediately drawn to the main character, Anri. She's not your typical overpowered protagonist seeking world domination. Instead, sh...
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Completed
10
#10 PICK
Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku o!
4.5
(625 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Kazuma Satou is a shut in who loves games, and his life ended suddenly… appearing before him is a beautiful girl claiming to be a goddess. Kazuma, who was transported into another world, worked hard to earn a living!
First Impressions
"KonoSuba" has been on my radar for a while, and diving into this isekai comedy was quite the experience. It's definitely not your typical power-fantasy, and that's precisely where its charm lies. The novel gleefully subverts tropes, and I found myself chuckling at the sheer absurdity of the situations our protagonist, Kazuma, finds himself in. The premise itself is hilarious: a NEET dies a pathetic death and is offered a second chance in a fantasy world, with the option to bring one item or ability. In a moment of spite, he chooses the goddess Aqua, and that's where the real chaos begins. My ...
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Conclusion

These rankings favor balance between action and adventure elements. Stories that combined combat with meaningful exploration rate well. If you want Japanese novels with both fighting and discovery, this list offers solid 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

My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending

First Impressions

Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?

First Impressions

Overlord (LN)

First Impressions

To Be a Power in the Shadows! (WN)

First Impressions

Mushoku Tensei (WN)

First Impressions

I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!

First Impressions

Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

First Impressions

Apotheosis of a Demon – A Monster Evolution Story

First Impressions

Evil God Average

First Impressions