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Anime studios do occasionally dabble in original content, but the vast majority of releases are based on pre-existing sources. This avenue provides companies with an established fanbase that is already enamored with the story, characters, and world.Manystudios turn to manga for inspiration, with properties likeSasaki and Miyano,Requiem of the Rose King,Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, andAharen Is Indecipherableall confirmed to be receiving anime adaptations in 2022. While not as frequent as manga,light novelsare also regularly adapted into anime, and this relationship has proven very successful over the years.There are severalnew anime based on light novels coming out in 2022, and here are all of them.
Winter 2022 Anime Season
The previous season had plenty ofanime based on light novel series. Along with returning shows such asArifuretaandHow a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, a number of new adaptations aired during Winter 2022.
Where to Stream
Funimation
Wein is the Prince Regent of a tiny kingdom, a role he doesn’t particularly enjoy. Although he puts on a brave face to the public, Wein secretly yearns to sell the Kingdom of Natra to free himself of his responsibilities.
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The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debtis written by Toru Toba and debuted in 2018. Largely a comedy, the light novel balances Wein’s dual personalities to amusing effect.How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdomfanswill probably enjoy this series, especially since Wein is a bit more of a dynamic protagonist than Kazuya Souma.
Anisekai animethat throws a gender-bender twist into proceedings,She Professed Herself Pupil Of The Wise Manis a pleasant enough read. The light novel doesn’t reinvent the wheel or take any significant risks, but it avoids many of the subgenre’s pitfalls as well.
RELATED:Best Isekai Anime That Are Not Set In Medieval Fantasy Worlds
Kagami plays a powerful mage in a virtual reality MMO. One day, he buys an item that swaps his gender. The next morning, Kagami wakes up in the game and, naturally, as the female version of his character. The light novel is quite slow-paced and focuses heavily on world-building during its opening few volumes. The anime was not particularly well-received.
Crunchyroll,VRV
Born to a world where proficiency with magic combat is determined by birthmarks, a talented sage decides to have another throw of the dice thousands of years in the future. This gamble pays off as he is reincarnated as Mathias, a child with the necessary mark. However, the world has largely left magic behind, so Mathias' combat skills are not especially rated in this day and age.
The Strongest Sage of Disqualified Crestdoes the power fantasy story well. While Mathias is certainly gifted, the protagonist does have to work for his success, and the secondary characters are generally quite likable. Although the anime had its positive moments, the pacing was off at times, resulting in a rushed experience during the first few episodes.
Leadale no Daichi nite
Anotherisekai anime,In The Land Of Leadalestands out because it doesn’t have much in the way of tension. This doesn’t stem from an overpowered protagonist but due to the light novel adopting a slice of life tone.
During her last moments on Earth, the injured Keina Kagami found solace in a virtual reality MMORPG, the same world she would reincarnate into after her death. As Cayna, Keina gets to experience the beauty and excitement of living in a fantasy world with people she had once created in the game. The anime is a relaxing watch.
Crunchyroll,Funimation,VRV
Shinji Cobkubo’s ongoing light novel doesn’t have much of a presence outside of Japan, where it has already been adapted into a manga that ended its run in 2021. Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan,Rust-Eater Biscois named after Bisco Akaboshi, a criminal who is believed to be spreading mushrooms responsible for turning most of the country into rust. In reality, he is doing the opposite.
RELATED:Underrated Anime Of The Winter 2022 Season You Should Check Out
The light novel was adapted by OZ, a new studio that mostly delivered a fun action fantasy anime. The characters are generally likable, this world is pretty interesting, and the animation is pretty good for the most part.
Spring 2022 Anime Season
Spring 2022 has just gotten underway, and the season includes quite a few light novel adaptations, both in terms ofanime sequelsand new series.
HIDIVE
Technically, this is a slight cheat sinceI’m Quitting Heroingstarted as a novel series, but it was quickly adapted into a light novel. The latter will most likely serve as the main inspiration for the anime, even though there is also a manga adaptation.
I’m Quitting Heroingtells the tale of Leo Demonheart, a hero who is rejected by humans and ends up working for demons, the same ones he previously defeated. The highlight of the light novel is the relationship between Leo and Echidna, the Demon Queen.
Skeleton Knight in Another Worldis an amusing isekai about a gamer who wakes up as his avatar, a powerful skeleton. Before long, Arc, the skeleton, teams up with an elf and the proper adventure gets underway.
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If the decent pilot episode is anything to go by,Skeleton Knight in Another Worldlooks set to be a solid adaptation of the light novel. Arc’s positivity and drive to help others make him an endearing protagonist, sort of like a heroic version ofOverlord’s Ainz. That said, the first episode’s opening scene is quite off-putting.
Anotherfantasy series,The Dawn of the Witchtakes place in the aftermath of a war between Witches and the Church. An amnesiac student at a magic academy, Sable leads a group of powerful comrades into a mission within a region where the conflict is far from resolved.
Tezuka Productions will be handling the adaptation process, and the studio has a few success stories under its belt, notably theBlack Jackseries andThe Quintessential Quintuplets. In terms offantasy anime, Tezuka was a co-producer ofDororoandHow Not to Summon a Demon Lord Ω.
When it comes to isekai stories, light novels are not in short supply. Consequently, it can be difficult to get too excited about an anime adaptation of one of these novels, however,Trapped in a Dating Simis worthy of anticipation.
RELATED:Surprisingly Fun Dating Sims, Ranked By Metacritic
Following his demise, Leon is reincarnated in anotome gamethat he played when he was alive but didn’t particularly enjoy. Taking place in a kingdom ruled by women and where class inequality is rampant, Leon sets out to right a few wrongs. Although overpowered due to his familiarity with the game, Leon is still quite likable as he approaches most scenarios with a grounded attitude.
What if not everyone who is teleported to a new world is destined for greatness or to be a hero?The Executioner and Her Way of Lifetakes place in a realm that has itself an isekai problem since too many Japanese kids with extraordinary power are showing up. Consequently, executioners are hired to assassin these visitors, with Menou being one of the best.
During one mission, Menou comes across Akari, a girl who seems to have the power of immortality. Undeterred by this twist, the executioner heads out to find a counter to this power, and Akari decides to tag along.
Summer 2022 Anime Season
Here are the light novel anime adaptations scheduled for the Summer 2022 season.
My Isekai Life: I Gained A Second Character Class And Became The Strongest Sage In The World!
Japanese Title
Tensei Kenja no Isekai Life: Dai-2 no Shokugyou wo Ete, Sekai Saikyou ni Narimashita
Studio
Revoroot
Another show with an overpowered protagonist,My Isekai Lifefollows Yuji Sano, a guy who is treated terribly as his normal job and then ends up getting summoned to a new world through an email. Over there, he quickly tamessome slimesand becomes a sage.
Also spawning a manga adaptation,My Isekai Lifeis a perfectly fine addition to this subgenre. Yuji is a bit of a blank slate who barely ever struggles to accomplish anything, but there is certainly a place for these types of stories.
Shine Post
Shine Post Nee shitteta? Watashi o Zettai Aidoru ni Suru Tame no, Goku Futsuude Atarimaena, to Bikkiri no Mahou
Studio Kai
Rakuda’sShine Poststarted its light novel run in October 2021, and that is only the beginning. Theidol franchisehas an anime, manga, and game in the works, so the series could very well be inescapable over the next few years.
Idol animeare an acquired taste, soShine Postis certainly not going to be for everyone. However, the genre’s popularity is beyond question, and this series could prove to be the next big hit.
Passione
Ecchi and isekai are known to crossover on occasion, and they also have a habit of creating rather polarizing shows.A Harem in a Fantasy World Labyrinthmight follow suit, permitting the anime does not significantly tone down the content from the source material and its manga adaptation.
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Michio Kaga signs up for a game and, naturally, winds up physically inside its world. Along with being quite powerful, Michio can also pick up girls.
Satelight
With so many isekai and fantasy anime out there that attempt to throw out twists to the formula, sometimes a bit of straightforwardness can be a welcome change of pace.Black Summoneris about a guy who likes to fight, and that’s generally what he devotes all of his time to.
Kelvin, the protagonist, knows what he wants and generally follows through on his goal to achieve them. While this does not make for an especially complex persona, he is a refreshing protagonist.
Tensei shitara Ken deshita
C2C
Now, this is a unique premise foran isekai. Rather than be reborn as an all-powerful wizard, a knight, or even a slime, this light novel’s protagonist wakes up as a sword. Now, Shishou is quite powerful in his own right, but a weapon is only as strong as the person that wields it, which in this case would be Fran, a teenager from a clan that has suffered some serious discrimination.
If this adaptation wants to be a success, it needs to get Fran and Shishou’s relationship right as it is one of the best parts of the light novel.
Fall 2022 Anime Season
The Fall 2022 calendar still has plenty of room to grow over the next few months, but a fewanime based on light novelshave already been announced for the season.
Nexus
Out of all the newlight novels receiving anime in 2022,The Eminence in Shadowis perhaps the most exciting since the source material and its manga adaptation are both great. Cid’s goal is to be the mastermind that lurks from the shadows, pulling society’s strings without anyone being the wiser. On Earth, he failed to pull this off, but he gets a second chance when he is reincarnated into a fantasy world with quite a bit of power at his disposal.
RELATED:Best Isekai Manga That Do Not Have An Anime
The Eminence in Shadow’s brilliance lies in its presentation of Cid’s dual-life. To the public, he appears to be little more than a bit-part player who can easily be pushed around; in secret, Cid is always thinking multiple steps ahead to try and maneuver things from the darkness. He also creates a fake cult that happens to be real.
Maho Film
Similar toMy Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!,I’m The Villainess, So I’m Taming The Final Bosssees a girl reincarnated into an otome game as its main antagonist. As a bad ending awaits, Aileen Lauren sets out to change her fate, although she takes a slightly different approach as she tries to romance the Demon King.
Offering a delightful protagonist and a charming central relationship, the source material could translate into a surprisingly fun anime, especially if the manga is anything to go by.
