No romance, no harem. Just MC with their brotherhood/sisterhood or found-family ^^~.... more>>

Novels with adaptations are noted.

Recommendations are appreciated! <<less

Sequence is CN- JP- KR- Fluffy- (Comedy)- Exceptions- To-reads. Not ranked by number. 
My descriptions varies greatly from a gist, polished review, impressions, or explains key points.        ... more>>

[Flexible Preferences] 
A. Protags are somehow mostly male but I read both!- interesting, has compelling qualities, flawed with development
B. Entertaining, Distinct, & Creative
C. Steady premise, no TERRIBLE plot hole 
D. Romance: good execution, pacing, build-up, & evokes emotion; no bullsh!t drama & brain-dead denseness
E. Vital, relevant, fleshed-out characters
F. Comedic & Fun
G. Danger, Wars, Battles, Strategy, Tactics, Trials, Fights, Thriller, Suspense
H. Lore, Culture, Kingdom, Worldbuilding 
I. Political Intrigue, Schemes, Mind Games, Manipulation, Mystery
J.  Pure tragedies rarely - it hurts!
K. No BL/GL(yet?)
L. Can be R-18 
M. Polygamous-like IF great story | even if you're averse consider my recs. ;)

[Criteria]
1. These are (mostly) 4/5 stars in story, translation and enjoyment according to my flawed evaluation that is mainly 3/10 objective, 7/10 subjective.
2. I have perused the novels or adaptation before sharing my thoughts.
3. Writing must be consistent, coherent and engaging and the ending must at least not be sh!t. Clichés to a point are fine however it needs to be purposeful & executed well. 
4. I will keep adding books that are promising, satisfying, translated.  <<less

Even if he pretend he is not! ... more>>

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Hmm... I hope I'm not delusional... <<less

Hey allys this is just bromance, Shounen-ai and yaoi, no harem and gurl b*tchies !!!! (IMPORTANT: I WILL ALWAYS UPGRADE THIS LIST,SO DON'T MISS IT!!)... more>> Check my other listsლ(・﹏・ლ) <<less

1st List -
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/44031/... more>>

3rd List -
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/61691

I am doing this list for people like me who enjoy family and friendships or gets entrained by MC building there organizations directly or indirectly—
(Unedited) They are all in alphabetic orders, # or A-Z

There will also master-follower relationship or master-disciple relationship being recovered or building up between them…

And some overstate themselves even though they are OP or haven’t released their power-

There are no romance nor harem but there might be people around them having favorable impressions on them or bad reputation trying to be fixed or just leaving it…

I will try to put on novels that I’m sure there isn’t any romance nor harem and have already read them so to be double sure and some are recommended to me and had told me there isn’t :>

Any that are involve with the tag romance is explained in the bottom ^^*

Loving family for the beginning, knowing, and get transmigrated in a novel or another world ✌️

MC - Main Character
OP - Over Powered
OG FL - Original Female Lead
FL - Female Lead
OG ML - Original Male Lead
ML - Male Lead
BL - Boy’s Love
GL - Girl’s Love
GB - Genderbend <<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

(Mostly) no harem no BL, male lead on fantasy novel setting with his over protective companions.... more>>

***
Some is tagged Yaoi/Shonen Ai. BUT their relationship is mainly bromance, dense MC, super slow romance and barely had any explicit contents. Save read for those who doesn't like BL, like me.

Note: Some with yaoi tag  still ongoing, I'll update if it's bearable to read or not. <<less

Fluffy, sometimes heart melting, sometimes sweet, sometimes heart-warming, sometimes touching, a few tears might be shed... The feels...... more>>

Authors for guaranteed  fluff: Ban Li Zi, Mo Bao Fei Bao, Gu Man, Jiu Xiao Qi
Majority are 'modern day' romance. Ranking  not in order.  <<less

1st List -
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/44031/... more>>

2nd List -
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/50277/

I am doing this list for people like me who enjoy family and friendships or gets entrained by MC building there organisations directly or indirectly—

(Unedited) They are all in alphabetic orders, # or A-Z

There will also master-follower relationship or master-disciple relationship being recovered or building up between them…

And some overstate themselves even though they are OP or haven’t released their power-There are no romance nor harem but there might be people around them having favorable impressions on them or bad reputation trying to be fixed or just leaving it…

I will try to put on novels that I’m sure there isn’t any romance nor harem and have already read them so to be double sure and some are recommended to me and had told me there isn’t :>

Any that are involve with the tag romance is explained in the bottom ^^*

Loving family for the beginning, knowing, and get transmigrated in a novel or another world ✌️

MC - Main Character
OP - Over Powered
OG FL - Original Female Lead
FL - Female Lead
OG ML - Original Male Lead
ML - Male Lead
BL - Boy’s Love
GL - Girl’s Love
GB - Genderbend <<less

Les romans que je considère comme les meilleurs parmi tous ceux que je lis, il y en aura de tous les genres (presque) je n’ai... more>> pas mis d’ordre en particulier et j’ajouterai le reste quand j’aurai le temps <<less

a compilation of all the BG novels 4.1 stars and below that i've read at least 75% through + on going ones ! and remember !! just because a novel is rated less than 4.3 doesn't mean it's bad !! ... more>>

hopefully you try and like some of these ones ! honestly, i like a very very mixed bag of tropes, so i rlly hope you find a solid novel to read from here ! i usually cap my novel searches at 4.3stars+, but i've definitely wandered around A LOT, sooo I also have other BG lists AND lists for BLs (that i'm currently re-sorting hehe !!) <<less

It's a list of all my favourite Korean novels with male protagonist that I'm recommending you for reading . So I hope you like it!!! 

a compilation of all the BG novels 4.3+ stars that i've read at least 75% through + on going ones ! i'll put in my thoughts later on !... more>>

I like a mixed bag of tropes, so i hope you find a solid novel to read from here ! i usually cap my novel searches at 4.3stars+, but i've definitely wandered around A LOT, check out my other BG liats as well as lists for BLs (that i'm currently re-sorting hehe !!) <<less

No description.

Translated Taiwanese light novels (physical books). Most are no or minimal romance, focusing on plot and bonds between family and friends instead! The writing style... more>> usually has a comedic undertone as well. <<less

No description.

the ones w/o a rating are ones i haven't read yet 
(not in any order) will update regularly 

a compilation of all the BG novels 4.3 - 4.2 stars  that i've read at least 75% through + on going ones ! and remember... more>> !! just because a novel is rated less than 4.3 doesn't mean it's bad !! hopefully you try and like some of these ones ! honestly, i like a very very mixed bag of tropes, so i rlly hope you find a solid novel to read from here ! i usually cap my novel searches at 4.3stars+, but i've definitely wandered around A LOT, sooo I also have other BG lists AND lists for BLs (that i'm currently re-sorting hehe !!) <<less

If you don't like romance and harem novels, then this list might help you find good novels.  This list of Japanese novels is generally of the SOL, fantasy, and adventure genres with the theme of family and friendship.  ... more>>

For example, the adventures of a father and his daughter in a fantasy world.  Or it could be SOL's story that warms the heart.  

Apart from avoiding the harem and romance genres, I also try to avoid red genres as much as possible (genres are forbidden or should not be read by children or under 15 years old) such as adult, mature, ecchi, and gore. But it could be that in the story there is some content as subplots even though it is not the focus of the story. I mean, I'm also disturbed or uncomfortable with the existence of the red genres or similar contents, even though sometimes the contents are a little needed for plot story development.

The following are recommendations for Japanese novels without romance and harem but focusing on stories of family and friendship in a fantasy world. I hope that you all enjoy reading these novels! <<less

Romance that started in school. Couples that met and grew through school.

For novels that look like BL but aren't actually. Also for fun.
~
So the real reason I made this is because I thought it was quite interesting how many BL shippers there are for no-romance and minimal-romance novels I've collected in my other lists. As you can imagine, most of these are novels that prominently feature male characters and their relationships with one another.... more>>

Although I do read BL, I'm not much of a shipper myself, so most of the stuff on here is here because there really are people out there shipping the MC with one of the male characters that's not canonically a love interest. Yes, I confirm these ships by searching for fanarts, fanfics, and forum articles asking if it's BL. Think of it as my weird hobby.
~

I'm not going to rate or review the novels here. It's more of a compilation than a rec list. Note that I haven't read many of these, and that it is in no particular order.

There has to be an uncommon degree of fujobait going on. I'm not going to add just any series where male characters have a significant friendship. Although series with exceptionally thirsty fandoms will leak into this list anyways since, like I said, I'm not actually reading some of these. I will occasionally ramble in the description.

I'm well aware that there are plenty of other similar lists out there, so I'll link them below as I find them.
(insert after the "viewlist/" in the URL): 30062, 1733, 64324 <<less

Stories that I genuinely liked with interesting characters. These characters have ambition, smarts, or interesting perspectives. I think that every good story must have a good main character, or everything will collapse, so I've only added my absolute favorites.... more>>

The stories are in order, but they are all enjoyable. Some have romance (BL or GB) and others don't.  Some have period typical attitudes (ie, the value of women in a harem setting is not...spectacular). The majority are CN, but a few are also KN. There's...there's a lot of transmigration, admittedly. I have no defence there.

Please enjoy and let me know if my opinions are accurate! <<less

Surrounded by loyal protective companions? Good stuff. Platonic harem and bonds? Heck yeah. MC smartly planning ahead and sometimes humorously misunderstood?  Dig it. Bromance? YES!... more>>

This is my jam~ ✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧

I like stories where the MC is loved and cherished by his people (but not romantically, not into harem).Though I still ship MC with other characters sometimes (〃'▽'〃). 

Some are more of a slice-of-life, with little actions, but more focusing on the deep bonds of the main characters.  I only put series that I've actually read, with my little comments on it, I'm definitely up to recommendations for similar trope.  

Top best three asides, the rest are in no particular order. Enjoy! <<less

Being an idol/actor/superstar is hard work on its own, never mind the impending threat of death hanging over your head if you don't succeed in being the best. Follow our MCs as they go through the trials of failures and successes to achieve to be the greatest of their (somewhat forcibly) chosen careers. ... more>>

Includes: Romantic subplot - NO ROMANCE - BxG - BxB

*GOING THROUGH MY SHOWBIZ PHASE AGAIN HELP-

**Also just read the MTLs for these Novels if their translations are unavailable or slow** <<less

Criteria:... more>>

1) story-focused, grand outer plot

2) world-building, specifically not about romantic growth, but personal and professional growth

BLs focusing on MC-ML's life and adventure, not checking off romantic checkpoints. Story is filled with world building. Low to NO romance in the early chapters, Aro-Ace friendly. Not in any order. 

//friends, rivals become lovers //three-dimensional side characters //plot focused //love grows over time //fake bromance <<less