Summary
In the world of anime and manga you will find audio dramas, video games, and fan fiction across the internet. It is easy to figure out which of these are official products and which ones are works from fans. In these cases, there is rarely a debate ofwhat is canon to the franchiseand what is not.
However, when it comes to light novels, there is a lot of debate among fans who question whether or not these strange books can be considered canon or not. Why do these debates rage though? And what is canon anyway?
What is a Light Novel?
A light novel is a style of written fiction that originated in Japan. It is characterized by its relatively short length (usually ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 words), and is often accompanied by illustrations. Light novels are targeted primarily atyoung adult and teenage readers, although they can also appeal to a broader audience.
Here are some key features of light novels:
Light novels have become a significant part of contemporary Japanese literature and entertainment culture, and they continue to be well-received both in Japan and internationally. The most successful light novels are ones that are based on anime, manga, and video games. Since they started catching on though, there have been questions on whether these books are canon or not.
What is Canon?
Alright…this is a touchy subject, so we’re going to try and be as detailed as possible. “Canon” refers to the official body of work or material that is considered part of the authentic and accepted storyline of a fictional work. This can include mediums such as book series, film franchises, TV shows, video games, and other narrative media. In essence, it represents the established and recognized narrative elements, characters, events, and settings that are considered to be the “official” or “real” story within that fictional universe.
Here are some key points related to the concept of canon:
As you may see, canon helps provide a framework for understanding the narrative and maintaining consistency within a fictional universe (for this reason, it should be noted that fan fiction is NEVER considered canon). However, the extent and strictness of canon can vary from one franchise to another, and debates about what should or shouldn’t be considered canon are not uncommon among fans and enthusiasts.
It is here where the debate of light novels have come into the picture. Many light novels are made with the approval of the original authors, yet few of them seem to have any lasting impact on the main story. As a result, some fans believe light novels are a waste of time while others see them as a fun addition to the universe. At the end of the day though, are these truly canon?
Are Light Novels Canon?
Though there is some nuance to this question, the short answer is: Yes, they are canon. To understand why, you must understand that light novels are published by the same companies that publish the manga. Much like the filler episodes in anime series are made by the same directors and producers at the studio, so too are light novels published by the book publishers. What’s more, like filler anime episodes, every story idea is approved by the original creator (assuming he or she is alive to participate).
This is because the light novels can not outright contradict the authors vision. If the author isn’t available, the bible of whatever franchise is being worked on is consulted to make sure all storylines fit within the authors creative vision. In the case of theNarutolight novels, creator Masashi Kishimoto has actually suggested storylines that he never got to tell in the manga, and the official timeline even points out to fans where the light novels take place in the storyline. Thus, theNarutolight novels are absolutely canon (should fans choose to read them).
On the other hand, you have franchises likeLove Hina. In this case, the light novels certainly do nothing to contribute to the overall story, yet Ken Akamatsu’s series leaves enough gaps in the main storyline that light novels can easily create new stories during those time gaps.Akamatsu himselfapproved of all storylines since they didn’t contradict anything he wrote himself. It should be noted that while light novels can be canon for either a manga or anime, it rarely can be compatible with both. In such cases, the publisher sometimes alerts the reader in the introduction which adaptation the book is a part of.
One of the reasons the debate has popped up is that most of these light novels are not very good. They may be enjoyable to an extent, yet since few of them include anything of major importance to the franchise, it seems easy to ignore them. In most cases, theyareeasy to ignore. Yes, they may be canon, but that doesn’t mean (likeStar Trek V: The New Frontier) you can’t easily ignore it if you want to. So enjoy what you want and pass on what you don’t; at the end of the day the idea behind everything is to entertain.
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