Hello, I'm looking for something new to read (manga/novel/web novel...). I'm looking for some fantasy/historical novel where MC feels like "normal" human with complex but "make sense" personality, not just onedimensional something. From my experience it feels like: 99% Japanese MC are way too goody goody idiots 99% Korean MC are way too ruthless 99% Chinese MC makes no sense whatsover What I want is characters like Youko from 12 Kingdoms or Guin from Guin Saga. Other thinks I like/dislike: Long series is plus No romance is big plus Female MC is plus No cultivation systems is big plus No game-like setting is big plus Completed series or very active translation is must School Arc is minus Realistic world is big plus (aka feels like period it is supposed to be in (great examples are 12 Kingdoms, The Witcher, not like most isekai when it feels like our world with technology removed...) Characters actions make sense (aka, their actions fits their personality, history and goals) European Bronze/Iron/Middle-Age like setting is big plus And thats about it, thanks a lot for tips
The black company Greatcoats The painted man The black prism The wheel of Time The Ill made knight The red knight
Rakuin no Monshou Some wuxia/cultivation novels that are more serious , no power trip novels Joy of Life Ze Tian Ji Heaven's Shadow Da Tan Shuang Long Zhuan
Densetsu Yuusha no Densetsu Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon The Faraway Paladin Goblin Slayer Kakei Senki Wo Kakageyo! Vamp! 86 Tenkyou no Alderamin Rakuin no Monshou Altina the Sword Princess Spice & Wolf May Your Soul Rest in Magdala Risou no Himo Seikatsu GATE – Jietai Kare no Chi nite, Kaku Tatakeri AntiMagic Academy “The 35th Test Platoon” Chrome Shelled Regios Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World Ascendance of a Bookworm Demon Girl ~Tale of a Lax Demon~ Light Beyond Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Walking My Second Path in Life Violet Evergarden
im reading now this 'A Step into the Past' its chinese history during warring states. read the synopsis. you may like or not like it.
Wa, so many to check, thank you all for tips Already reading (and love) many of them: Release that Witch Kingdom Vagabond Vinland Saga Seiun wo Kakeru Rakuin no Monshou Akuyaku Reijo Ni Koi Wo Shite Youjo Senki Densetsu Yuusha no Densetsu Risou no Himo Seikatsu May Your Soul Rest in Magdala GATE – Jietai Kare no Chi nite, Kaku Tatakeri Spice & Wolf May Your Soul Rest in Magdala Risou no Himo Seikatsu Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World Ascendance of a Bookworm Demon Girl ~Tale of a Lax Demon~ And I will be sure to slowly check rest
Speaking of Practical Logical Realism with a lot of deep connection and solid foundation, Sevens would be one of the best I can recommend, but it has a lot of elements that you don't want to see so, Spice and Wolf, Risou no Himo Seikatsu, Ascendance of a Bookworm, Rakuin no Monshou are the best pick you can have, The Faraway Paladin is the best so far in all the recommendations I've seen in this thread, it meets your criteria and it's closest to western novels. I'm one of the biggest Hater of Release that Witch due to its illogical story and unrealistic writing, but I guess it's really enjoyable in some areas but not for me. Vinland Saga is my favorite manga of all time, so it's totally recommended if you're looking for redemption story.
Thanks I will check The Faraway Paladin, rest is already on my reading list Regarding Release that Witch I quite like it, it has 4 biiig problems: MC knows way too much... Everything MC does works perfectly (way better than in real world)... Everything he does is unrealisticaly fast... Every person he meets is great in what they do... Rest is above average lighthearted, easy-to-read kingdom builder.... at least for me.
You have to subscribe to J-Novel Club to read The Faraway Paladin. RtW is easy to like, I even went to LMNTL just to read the rest of it, but Sevens slapped me by realism and practicality, RtW - Fight with Guns and Canons, no supply problem, easy issues, easy win Sevens - Fight with Guns and canons, already existed, debated to be used as a main weapon due to money and supply problems, was only used for 300 special elite forces. Only one major fight that it has become relevant as a trump card, had to use the whole budget of the destroyed richest city in the world.
While it is a fantasy setting with game elements, consider trying Dungeon Defense since that one focuses a lot more on politics and psychology than the usual powerleveling stuff.