The Ultimate Truth Revealed: Are Light Novels in Anime Series Truly Canon?

Highlights

Light novels are considered canon in the world of anime and manga, as they are published by the same companies and approved by the original creators.

Certain light novels, such as Naruto, delve deeper into the main plotlines and are considered part of the official storyline. On the other hand, light novels like Love Hina offer fresh narratives that may not directly impact the overall story.

The quality and significance of light novels can differ, and although they may be considered canon, fans have the liberty to embrace or disregard them according to their personal tastes. Ultimately, the aim is to provide entertainment.

In the realm of anime and manga, various forms of media such as audio dramas, video games, and fan fiction can be found throughout the internet. Differentiating between official products and fan creations is typically straightforward, leaving little room for debate on what is considered canon within the franchise.

However, when it comes to light novels, a significant amount of discussion arises among fans questioning whether these unique books should be deemed canon or not. What fuels these ongoing debates? And how exactly should canon be defined?

What is a Light Novel?

Light novels are a type of written fiction that first emerged in Japan. They are known for their concise length, typically spanning between 40,000 to 50,000 words, and frequently incorporate accompanying illustrations. While light novels primarily cater to young adult and teenage readers, they can also captivate a wider audience.

Length - Light novels are generally shorter than traditional novels, providing a faster and more effortless reading experience.

Illustrations - Numerous light novels incorporate black-and-white illustrations within the text. These illustrations frequently portray characters, scenes, or pivotal moments from the story, similar to how children's books are formatted.

Serialization - Some light novels are first published as serialized content in magazines or online platforms before they are released in book format. This method of serialization enables authors to obtain a fanbase and obtain valuable feedback from readers.

Adaptations - When light novels achieve success, they are frequently adapted into various forms of media, including anime, manga, or video games. These adaptations serve to enhance the popularity and exposure of the original story.

Light novels have become an integral component of modern Japanese literature and entertainment culture, garnering widespread popularity both domestically and globally. The most highly acclaimed light novels typically draw inspiration from anime, manga, and video games. However, the question of whether these novels are considered canon has arisen since their rise to prominence.

What is Canon?

In this sensitive topic, we aim to provide explicit information. "Canon" refers to the recognized and accepted body of work that forms the authentic storyline of a fictional creation. This may encompass various forms of media like book series, film franchises, TV shows, video games, and other narrative platforms. Essentially, it encompasses the established narrative elements, characters, events, and settings that are deemed the official and definitive story in that fictional universe.

Canon refers to the foundational components of a fictional work, encompassing elements such as the primary storyline, character backstories, significant plot developments, and other crucial elements that facilitate comprehension and engagement with the narrative. Typically, it is the original creators or rights holders who are responsible for authoring and preserving this canonical material.

Expanded Universe - In many fictional universes, there exists a distinction between the primary or core canon and additional or supplementary material. The expanded universe content, which includes spin-off books, comics, video games, or TV series, contributes to the overall lore and world-building but may not be deemed as essential as the core canon. It is worth noting that there are debates surrounding this type of canon as well.

Hierarchy - Within certain fictional franchises, a hierarchy can be discerned within the canon. Certain elements hold greater authority or significance to the storyline compared to others. This hierarchy is typically determined by the creators or the official management of the franchise.

Canon Alterations - At times, creators or those with rights of a franchise may alter its canon, be it through retcons or revisions to the established lore. Such alterations usually have a profound influence on how fans interpret the fictional universe.

Supervision of Franchises - A major aspect involves the existence of official channels or entities that oversee and preserve the canon of franchises. These entities can encompass authors, studios, production companies, or other responsible parties ensuring the narrative's coherence. It is not uncommon for debates to arise regarding the authority of certain entities to control the canon, thereby influencing the classification of projects as canon or non-canon.

Canon serves as a framework for understanding the narrative and maintaining consistency within a fictional universe. It is important to note that fan fiction is never considered canon. However, the extent and strictness of canon vary among different franchises, leading to debates among fans about what should be considered canon.

This brings us to the debate surrounding light novels. While many light novels receive approval from the original authors, they often have little lasting impact on the main story. Consequently, some fans view light novels as a waste of time, while others see them as a enjoyable addition to the universe. Ultimately, the question remains: are these light novels truly canon?

Are Light Novels Canon?

The short answer is: Yes, light novels are considered canon. They are published by the same companies that publish the manga, just like filler episodes in anime series are made by the studio. The original creator approves every story idea to ensure it aligns with their vision. In the case of the Naruto light novels, creator Masashi Kishimoto has contributed suggested storylines that were not included in the manga. The official timeline even indicates where the light novels fit into the storyline. Therefore, fans can consider the Naruto light novels to be canon if they choose to read them.

On the flip side, franchises such as Love Hina follow a different approach. Although the light novels themselves do not contribute significantly to the overarching story, they cleverly fill in the gaps left by Ken Akamatsu's series, allowing new stories to be created within those periods. As Akamatsu himself endorsed these storylines, they did not contradict his original work. It's worth mentioning that while light novels can be considered canon for either the manga or the anime, seldom are they compatible with both. In such cases, the publisher often clarifies in the introduction which adaptation the book belongs to.

The ongoing debate surrounding light novels can be attributed, in part, to the fact that many of them are not particularly impressive. While they can be entertaining to some degree, their lack of substantial contributions to the franchise makes it easy to overlook them. For the most part, they can be disregarded without much consequence. Just like how you can ignore Star Trek V: The New Frontier if you wish, light novels can be approached the same way. Ultimately, the aim behind everything is to provide entertainment, so enjoy what appeals to you and disregard what doesn't.