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

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

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

I really wanted to create a list with novels in which the main character plays some kind of acting role and pretends to be a different person, and also novels with MC, which are misunderstood or all of the above together.
I will sort the novels according to these criteria:... more>>

First novels (#1-10) – MC is female. Then (#11-20) MC is male. <<less

GENRES: either Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Psychological, Tragedy... more>>

A compilation of my favorites that give the melancholic and/or dark vibe in alphabetical order. No worries it becomes wholesome in the end—well, most of them do, anyway. Maybe. Who knows?
*will update when I find and read new interesting ones <<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

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

[ACADEMY LOVE]

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

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

Novels with adaptations are noted.

Recommendations are appreciated! <<less

No description.

No harems, no infantilized shous, no abusive yanderes with tragic pasts and sh*tty redemption arcs. BL, found family, or crack. Maximum doting preferred. No confinement allowed.... more>>

Will take platonic brotherhood over controlling gongs who resolve their insecurities with forceful papapa. Go directly to jail. Do not pass go.

[Beware unmarked spoilers] <<less

"shameless protagonist" tag just for mo ran ;D

[6/6] a list of BL's I actually read at least 75% through + the on going ones that i really like! LOTS of BL!! this is from a series of recc lists (check out my BG recc list AND my other BL recc lists [GL coming soon !!!] !!!) that i'm making for my own reading log with hopes that other people might give them a try as well! ... more>>

currently organized in descending star rate order !!!

♡ tips for novel enjoyment (esp for newbies to the site ! ) ♡: 

♡ give each novel a fair chance even if the rating is low ! some people just rate 1 star for no reason (especially for BLs and GLs) without even reading it, which is highly unfair ! sometimes, you'll come across GOLD in the lower ratings ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

♡ check the OG novel publishing date ! older novels generally tend to have more questionable morals than ones from ~2019+, and they tend to be really cliche BECAUSE they were likely the pioneers of the genre (i.e. QT, apocalypse, etc...) you don't have to read them, but just keep that in mind !

♡ don't like? don't read ! ... But PLEASE read the synopsis and a few reviews to make sure you know what you're getting into both plot-wise and content warning-wise ! I see some people start ranting after going into a silly sweet QT novel expecting 9000+ level IQ protagonists and plots and,, i'm sorry but you're not gonna see that. manage your expectations and i assure you, you'll have a nice time! <<less

[CHILDHOOD LOVE]

List of BL novels that I have read or about to read

My ultimate Yuri list [based on my opinion]

Historians said they were very good friends... ... more>>

(Action and fantasy books with BL vibes hahaha)  <<less

a compilation of all the BG novels 4.1 - 3.9 stars 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

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

I don't read much harem though I will insert some of it in here. I will only add novels that I truly truly like and... more>> the ones that makes me insomniac because I keep thinking about them. You know, novels that always lingers in your head and makes you laugh creepily all by yourself. Please note that this is just a list based on my preferences. And don't evaluate them by their numbers.  <<less

I just like it ahahaha. Can't guarantee the quality for everyone but personally I loved these novels so for me their quality is top notch~

Listing up books recommended by others or the AI that might fit my preference (sorted according to how tempted I am) ... more>>

Decision is based on:

- Rating

- Does it have both mystery/action (and thus thrilling) 

- Does MC fit my preferences (grey but not evil) 

- Does it have friendship in it? 

- Please no harem. Preferably no romance too

What should I read... <<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

A list of my favorite e-sports BL/Danmei/Yaoi or whatever you call it novels. I'll give an opinion of how e-sportsy each one is.... more>>

Every story in this list has a Happy Ending cause I can't stand it otherwise. <<less