I'm looking to read some LN/WN that don't suffer from lazy writing and overused tropes. In particular I want: - Deep side characters that don't revolve around the MC. - No OP characters that never struggle, look bad, or get unlucky. - A world that's consistent and makes sense. No guys inventing guns in their basements, using common sense ideas to make untold wealth, getting hit by meteors that give them super powers, or huge plot holes. - No RPG stats that are just made up nonsense, and an attempt by the author to hide the fact he's just making everything up as he goes along without planning anything. An example would be Sevens, which I really enjoy reading.
Ze Tian Ji fits the bill But I have to recommend ISSTH just for good measure. It does have an OP character and he gets lucky a lot, but damn if he didn't earn it all himself. Besides it is the single best story bar none and it would be immoral not to recommend it.
maybe Baccano! or any of ryogo narita's work [durarara!, etsutsa bridge and Vamp!] beware they do not have a main character but by doing so makes the characters seems more defined and real to me like real people this is just my opinion feel free to disagree
Ze Tian Ji, King Shura, World of Cultivation To a lesser extent, Transcending the Nine Heavens and Otherworldly Evil Monarch focus more on comedy but I'd say they have a more fleshed out story than most. The MCs' background/premise may seem OP, but it hardly ever comes into play in the story.
Spice and Wolf and To Be A Virtuous Wife. There are very few LNs/CNs that meet my criteria for "good" writing
Douluo Dalu fits Also, make your reading list public, that way we can see what you're already reading.
I think Savage Divinity from Royalroadl definitely is what you're looking for. Even though author is not a professional writer, it has amazing grammar, amazing side characters, a world that makes sense and you learn more about it as it goes on, rather than simply getting just getting an info-dump. Also, it is narrated amazingly, in a way that it really pulls you into story.
http://www.novelupdates.com/series/hachinan-tte-sore-wa-nai-deshou/ The MC can be considered to be OP at magic but that just causes him problems instead of helping. The setting (namely the various nobles of this world) are what causes the MC headaches, such as gaining an official fiancee after going to the church to be baptized. Also as a child, the MC doesn't know how to handle these types of "noble" problems and is forced to get help from advisors (whom have their own agenda to gain the support of the MC).
Thanks for the recommendations; I'll be sure to check them out. I enjoyed the first part of this story, but it went downhill fast. The MC started sitting around on his ass, and then when the fighting started he just happened to stumble upon a young man that had invented guns in his basement...
Warlock of the Magus World but the MC suffers from being OP because of his gadget and since he's reincarnated. It also suffer from RPG stats. The Magus Era. The writing is good and the world is fleshed out but it suffers from the same cliche for reincarnation novels. If you're tired of the same cliche except for the minimal RPG stats, just read History's Number One Founder. In general, I have yet to read a WN/LN that satisfies your criteria if I'm going to base it on the big picture of a novel and not by arc. (i.e. after an arc, the novel will become inconsistent, or etc.)
Terror Infinity is the one you need to read. It goes for everything except for stats. But its not that inhumane or nonreasonable. You would say he's OP when you see his stats but he's not in fact his life is always still on the limelight. Plus the logic and plot never got any big loopholes where you could exploit the main plot or something. Or maybe its just me? Meeh~ just try reading it and give it a shot. BTW. Like my post if you like it. @ClearMadness
If you wind up liking World of Cultivation, try Five Way Heaven too. Its by the same author and, while it does mostly focus on the MC, it does a good job of fleshing out side characters even when he's not around. Same author also wrote Card Disciple, its a bit too early to say for certain if it meets the criteria though and the translation speed is quite slow. Mother of Learning. If you're not already reading this, you should be. Its one of the best stories currently being written. King's Avatar, maybe. The MC is pretty OP, but its something he worked hard for over the course of several years. There are a few other talented people, but they're all also hard working or incapable of keeping up with those who are. The majority of characters have distinct personalities, regardless of how small their parts are and relationships between characters make sense and feel natural.
After Transformation, Mine and Her Wild Fantasy. Well, 26 chapters translated, so you won't see any of those qualities yet.
Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka? then. Deep side characters that don't revolve around the MC. With all those side chapters from their own perspective, of course Check No OP characters that never struggle, look bad, or get unlucky. Kumo threading on a spider thread from the start, both figuratively and literally. So, Check A world that's consistent and makes sense. Once you got the whole picture, Check No RPG stats that are just made up nonsense, and an attempt by the author to... Well, it'd be a spoiler if I explain it here, so I'll just assure you the RPG thingy is part of the story. Check