I don't like abusive, dog-blood drama, and weak characterization. I don't like Imbalanced Couple where the Seme/Gong is too Overbearing. I don't like weak, femininized, Uninteresting/Lackluster Uke, or bratty/silly Shou whose IQ drop drastically when encountering the Gong.  ... more>>

So these are a few novels with good plots, and mainly consist of interesting MC and good ML I strongly recommend. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NOVELS IN THIS LIST IS RANDOMLY LISTED WITHOUT FIXED RANKING, and also these are only novels that I HAVE READ. 
This list will randomly be updated if I find another worth noting novel. <<less

I'm gonna sort this list from gaeey-est to straight-est/ "brotherhood" level lol (except of course those novels which I haven't read yet, just recommended by many . I will just put them on the bottom, in accordance with their NU ratings) - you may also recommend some below if I ever missed one or anything. This is all for our quest on finding these types of novels anyway lmao.... more>>

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EDIT: On second thought, I won't put the ships anymore cuz some readers may put off reading it because they're spoiled as to who to focus on or that they're already suggested as to which relationships between 'bros' to invest on so yeaahh~~ Just gonna put some of my thoughts and its synopsis instead.  <<less

A list of novels I like so I don't forget. Not in order. I try to not make this similar to FIEND's and other people's list but there aren't that many decent ones with no romance y'know. ... more>>

Some novels : Since The Red Moon Appeared, The Damned, Supreme Grandpa, Is That A Wisp?, Spending My Retirement In A Game.

P.S. I still haven't differentiated quick transmigration and world hopping so I could be mistaken about some. Thank you for understanding. <<less

Here some of my favorite novels, i tend to like novel without romance, harem, ecchi, or tragedy tags. I also like stories with great side characters rather than just focusing solely on MC. So if you look for those harem seeking protag and usual face slapping novel then sorry~ this isn't for ya...... more>>

P.S (edit 12/21) i removed all novel with romance hints, enjoy~ <<less

Here's a list of novels you might enjoy if you, like me, want to read some good stories that don't force an unnecessary & underdeveloped romance subplot where it isn't needed.... more>>

So these stories will have minimal to no romance, and I despise the harem trope in general. On the other hand, I'm a sucker for good bromance/brotherhood/friendship/found family stories. I also won't add any series to the list that I haven't personally read.

I decided to create this list because I've seen many similar 'no romance' lists on the site from which I've gotten many great recommendations to the point they have now become my go-to sources for new novels.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I'll be trying to organize the list based on how good I personally think the books are, but I'm only really certain about the first 4 being my favorites, the list then gets quite ambiguous, but I personally really like everything on the first page.

In the descriptions, I'll include how many chapters of the series I have read as well as how much romance there has been up until where I've read, as well as additional thoughts/opinions/warnings that I might have about the series.

I'll try to update the list whenever I find another good series to add. If you know of any series you think I'd like based on my list I'm more than open to suggestions! 

UPDATED JAN 1ST: Added 'The Nebula's Civilization' to the list. <<less

2023 updated list bio:
variety of genres, including but not limited to: historical, sci-fi, unlimited flow(thriller/horror), xianxia/wuxia/xuanhuan, (e)sports, mystery, psychological, supernatural, slice of life, school life, comedy, transmigration. PLOT HEAVY>>>... more>>

enjoy relatively balanced power dynamics between the two leads - especially in the more enemies to lovers novel e.g. ML insanely obsessive paired with a MC who knows his worth and will beat the sh*t out of ML if he tries anything weird

⚠️ NO MPREG, NO “UWU” MC, NO SEME PROTAGONIST, NO SHITTY TRANSLATION, NO BELOW 4.2 STARS

recs are welcomed!

notw: most reviews r very old and cringe… sorry <<less

A hundred and three novels starred by male protagonists that you might like with NO HAREM.... more>>

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《 Good 'Male-Protagonist-no-harem' novels but unlisted in NU 》

↠The Beginning After The End

↠The Author's POV

↠ Mother of Learning

 

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THIS IS NOT ARRANGED BY RANK

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p.s.

I haven't read all of these books and only a few of them. I wanted male pov books that didn't have a dozen of females flocking hence after tons of reading genres and tags and a h*ck amount of reviews making sure there ain't no imposter in here I've finally formed a hundred (and two) "MALE PROTAGONIST WITH NO HAREM" READING LIST!!!! TADA ~ ~~

You're welcome ;D

Oh, and If you guys wanna recommend books and found out there's an imposter among us (diz books) please tell me- tell us! and even more so if you wanna recommend a good book ANY GENRE you know about please please please..? *with sparkling eyes* 

·····

⤜ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ⇻ <<less

Bl, bg, and no romance.  Genre’s pretty diverse.  I consider all of these top tier yummy food with good plot and fleshed out characters.  Not... more>> all of these are complete but some are good enough for me erode my brain and mlt.  Hope u all find smth u like.  (List incomplete) <<less

Chinese Edition that I've read and am able to give some comments for. The list numbering is random. I'll classify it with EASY, MEDIUM and... more>> HARD to divide the focus needed to read these novels.  <<less

Here is a list of my favorite action web novels. I really don’t like romance and/or harem in my action focused novels, because it almost always detracts from the plot. So, these action novels have absolutely zero romance or harem. ... more>>

The first five are the ones I recommended to everyone and are the only ones that are in order. The following are more of a case by case basis. 

More recommendations (that aren’t listed on NU) in the comments.

All the MTL I recommend are very readable. I can't stand most MTL, including Comrademao and MTLNovel, so the only website that I use is Novelhi. <<less

Here is some novel list that hit my taste. ... more>>

Please tell me if you have another recommendation.

*The order in the list doen't mean anything. I just put them in based on my memory. <<less

Just a humble compilation of KR novels that I read this year. Disclaimer: My thoughts might contradict yours and thus I apologize in advance. Order... more>> is not important.  <<less

i dont like pie from the sky and lucky mc(i get jelaus), i dont like dense mc(i myself can do dense staf), dont like sliceOfLife, dont like selfsacrificing hero, dont like destiny chosen. dont like revenge as final goal.... more>>

btw, why no mc throw pepper in face of thugs? pepper nowaday is really cheap. carrying pepper better than carrying knife or bat. <<less

All of these are, IMO, must-reads. Hands-down some of the best novels here. I've also included my own personal ratings and opinions of each of these novels. Well-written stories, great plots, characters, etc. I have relatively high standards for these to be my favorites, so these are all really high quality. I can't recommend them enough! coincidentally, all of them also have very high ratings (4.3-4.8)... more>>

Actively being updated. I haven't finished writing reviews/ratings for all of them yet, but I will in time. Meant to be ordered by highest personal ratings -> lowest personal ratings, but haven't had time to fix it yet. These are also my own opinions and feelings regarding each novel, so they won't be particularly eloquent, and you can definitely disagree. It's just me rambling.

Also added some ones I haven't read but will read and I know i will love. Feel free to recommend any danmei too!

...somehow, this also turned into a list of danmei I also want to read, not just a review of the ones I've read. I really can't control myself from looking for good danmei. Though, I'm sure I'll get to reviewing all of these someday <<less

For recommending female protagonists that don't immediately lower their IQ and EQ when a (ML) man enters the picture. Strong is also used somewhat lightly. This recommendation list will be more geared towards female leads who's actions/words are pivotal in the story. Due to the landscape of light novels with female protagonists, this list will not be completely romance free, but stories recommended will either be slow romance or the story itself will not pivot around the male lead's actions/story.... more>>

Order added as I recall them. Some I haven't read in a while so my thoughts aren't necessarily accurate. If you have a recommendation, please leave a comment of what I should try out! <<less

No rankings! All random order... more>>

Just a list consisting of characters who apply to at least one of the following tags as stated in list. Some characters will have all 5 of the applied tags, others only would have 1 tag at most. Some might only be ‘slightly’ cold or calm but still will be on this list, alas falling under the category. 

The story will consist of all types of novels like the typical Korean transmigration stories to the angsty danmei. All types, infinite flow, a deep slice of life I keep my word…
Currently updating so more stories will come on here, will try to find some hidden gems, I have been on this site for a while and have only just made an account so you will have to bare with me, as I try to find those stories I have read a long time back

Also would be very nice if anybody reading this recommended anymore stories to add onto this list as I have been desperately searching for actual decent stories with this tag. Surprisingly not many stories actually fulfil this tag successfully and I rather not add some derelict dull 2000+ novel with op mc, rather stories that will captivate your interest <<less

this is mostly just male mc without female leads like "love interests" or harems :)... more>>

Korean Novels #1 - #25
Chinese Novels #26 - #53
Japanese Novels #54 - #70

* There might be some s*xual tensions towards side characters but mostly it views the improvement of the main characters
* Novels like this just focus on the plot and battle towards mc's main goal and shenanigans but most of the novels here are my male protagonist 'to be read' and I hope you guys find something that suits your tastes <3 so yeah happy reading ^^)/ <<less

Just stuff I liked with no romance (since that stuff annoys me, esp w/ op mc) - romantic subplot = removal
- some unread + under review ,,, going to update when I’m free lol... more>>

Mostly stuff like transmigration / new body possession / traveling back to past

list 2: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/69296/ <<less

Mystery solving, mind numbing questions, ghosts and late night stories, thrilling adventures with a little bit of sweet romance. What more can I ask for? ... more>>

The list is in no particular order. 4.0+ ratings. 

P/S: Some of the recommendations don't have any comments on it because they have too few translated chapters but they have great potential. I'll edit it later once the translators upload more chapters.  <<less

These are my favorite novels with transmigration, reincarnation and second chances as main themes*. I like slice of life, slow romance stories with good world-building... more>> and MCs who are calm, intelligent, not cruel and not too OP (if at all).  
I enjoyed reading the novels in this list but they may not be what I would typically like as mentioned above. Suggestions welcome. <<less

it’s my collection of KR and CN novels (the gold CN not the tr*sh type) and some mysterious and horror maybe some comedy too the... more>> harem is forbidden tho <<less

i don't believe in the glorification of mu*der but i do believe in the empowerment of women

There will be a mix of Bromance, Yaoi, or Romance and I usually don't read harem but sometimes there are exceptions.... more>>

Also, most of the genres in this list are reincarnation, Transmigration, Action, Adventures which I enjoy reading. Rather than reading weak dumb MC, I prefer cunning and calm although I don't mind being lazy lol XD.

I tried to read something new which is not my cup of tea and sometimes I came to like them so there will be mixing various genres in here.

I find these novels worth reading since they are well-built characters, have an interesting storyline, plot twists. At least, that is based on my opinion and taste. 

All of them are Not Ranked just in random order. I might update if I find something that suits my taste, I guess.

Some of the Links are dead so just copy the website link that I commented on and search on google/chrome or somewhere that you like. Anyways, Happy Reading guys!! <<less

These are the novels and works that satisfied my super picky tastes. Genres would range from action to thriller, etc. 

im tired of all the wuxia and xianxia (not you tgcf, ily) lists, if nobody's going to account for my niche thEN I WILL BAKE MY CAKE AND E A T IT.... more>>

notes: 

• yeah that's right, I'm going to give you Funky Commentary ft. Questionable Opinions for the entirety of this rec list

• i try really hard to organise this from most to least read but ngl, that's really hard to do with executive dysfunction (also honestly I love nearly ALL the novels in this list haha *eyes EIC*)

• ngl i have a certain bias towards horror comedy so if you're here for the really f*cked up sh*t You Will Be Slightly Disappointed,, onlyalil (starting to realise my thirst for horror bl is making this just look like the search results when you tag horror and shounen ai SKFHSDJ)

• no hate for wuxia and xianxia lovers btw, ive just exhausted all my care in trying to find SOMEONE who understands my inherent Need to see more horror bl <<less