(There's a second list, just add a 2 to the name of this list and you'll find it) ... more>>

There are too many novels with cliché romance and harems with annoyingly useless girls. Reading them gets extremely tiring. There are too few novels with absolutely no form of romance or harem. Here are some novels I've found to not have romance/harem or have an harem/romance theme that didn't affect the plot of the novel to the point of it being annoying. 

Feel free to recommend novels that fit the criteria, arigatou^o^

P. S. I haven't read all the novels in this list so I might not be accurate in judging them. And there are some I've read but didn't finish and the novel ended up having romance or harem elements in a later chapter, please feel free to correct me anytime you see that I wasn't accurate. Arigatou minna-san <<less

[BG] - [No CP]
https://forum.novelupdates.com/blogs/waiting-list.4115/... more>>

Manga

dimensional mercenary

Take me out

Waiting list

The face-slapping path of sword repairer male god (Quickly wear) 剑修男神打脸之路（快穿）
[No CP] Reverse Life (Quick Pass)              【无CP】逆转人生（快穿）   

The male god only wants to serve the country     男神一心只想报效国家[快穿]

Male with a high position, kicking the male lead [fast wear]    男配上位，踹飞男主[快穿]

He heard his lover discussing with the system how to attack him    他听到爱人在和系统讨论怎么攻略他

[No CP] The gluttonous food collapses the plot [Quickly wear]      【无CP】饕餮吃崩了剧情[快穿]

[No CP] [Comprehensive Martial Arts] My life will stop  【无CP】[综武侠]吾命将休

[Sword Three] Nothing to Do_Xiaohu Xili [End]    [剑三]闲来无事_小狐昔里【完结】   

Hardcore Quick Wear_Little Fox Xili [End + Fan Wai]      硬核快穿_小狐昔里【完结+番外】   

[Comprehensive] Zhao Ru Sun and Moon_Little Fox Xili [End + Fan Wai]     [综]昭如日月_小狐昔里【完结+番外】 <<less

Novels that have no lasting romance or love interests. There will be no smut, harem (if MC attracts some people, I don't mind until it becomes a major part of the story or MC becomes interested in them), or ecchi, and BL/GL also count as romance. The list includes a personal rating and (often rambling) review/description.... more>>

Of course, it's also about my tastes, so this list will be mostly fantasy and action novels (op mc will be a common feature). I am a wordy person so I also don’t mind wordier books, too... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The list is in no particular order, but novels with <100 chapters and on hiatus/slow updating (less/around as often as 1 chap/month) will go in the back, starting at #33. This is because I assume people are looking for binge reads like me.

DISCLAIMER: The list is subject to change and revision - my impression changes as I think about them/read more. I cannot guarantee a novel has no romance later. I'll try to update this rec list as I read. No promises though, so my descriptions may be outdated.

~
Similar lists (insert after the "viewlist/" in the URL): 68396, 3797, 46727, 20556, 7097, 25820, 47958, 19335, 48107, 50847, 29345, 44031 <<less

these novels aren't ranked. all are good and i recommend all of these for you guys to read. there's no (or some may have a little) romance here,  but no harem. ... more>>

♡ contains action, adventure, fantasy, horror, mystery, cultivation, supernatural, slice of life, world hopping etc...
♡ cn, kr, jp <<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

MTLed NovelLevel:... more>>

1☆ - Difficult to Understand

5☆ -Very Easy to Read 

MOSTLY QT

~Note: Recommendation for Novel without TL yet on comments section

Completed in MTL 1 - https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/3594/

Completed in MTL 2 - https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/32917/ <<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

[BG] - [No CP]... more>>

1-17 Male!MC

17-   Female!MC <<less

My all time favorites, absolutely no romance. Listed in order of personal enjoyment. Near the end of the list, it becomes something more like "yeah this was pretty good," but nevertheless, I did enjoy it. ... more>>

Sidenote: I find it hard to read novels where MCs are too brutal/ruthless, so don't expect many recs on those novels. 

Recommendation: I highly recommend Mother of Learning. Originally an english webnovel, so it's not on novel updates (It's on royalroad and fictionpress). No romance, and the time travel/time loop is well done. It's completed at 800k words. The writing has it's flaws, but I personally found it incredibly enjoyable. 

Summary: Zorian, a mage in training, only wanted to finish his education in peace. Now he struggles to find answers as he finds himself repeatedly reliving the same month. 'Groundhog Day' style setup in a fantasy world.

Another english webnovel that's really good is Never Die Twice. Completed. No romance. Villain MC. LitRPG.  <<less

IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING THIS READING LIST! C= C= C= C= C=┌(;・ω・)┘... more>>

this list has the novels for those who want:

- romance novels (comedic undertone, light reading, lots and lots of FLUFF) 

- no romance novels (where romance doesn't bu*t into an amazing plot and makes you want to dry heave)

- misunderstanding novels (specifically ones that evoke laughter or amus**ent)

warning: all of these novels have (or will have) my opinion and terrible descriptions !! 

i hope you have fun reading 

(*￣▽￣)b <<less

Novels that I’ve read and enjoyed, exclusively for brain dead readers. I read without using my brain so take it with a grain of salt.... more>>

[Open to recommendations]

(Not in order; Possible yaoi and shounen ai warning)

Continued:  https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/49132/ <<less

A list of my absolute favourite novels. Every single one of these keep me coming back for more.

Some novel list:
* My Dungeons Are Popular... more>>

*The Strong Man from the mental hospital [novel/manga]

*I Let You Manage the Beast Taming Arena, Now Everyone Became Divine Beasts?

*Thirty Years of Demon Slaying at the Demon-Slaying Department

*I Can Farm Attributes From Ghosts!

*都市：我的地摊专卖限制级商品！[My Stall Sells Only Restricted-Level Items! ] Note: the translation version may change some parts that make it look like a racist so try the raw. 

*I Have a Miniature World

*Why are All My Disciples Demon Lords!

*I’m Really Scared 

*After Transmigrating as a Demon, I've Been Adopted by Angels!

*Since The Red Moon Appeared

*I Have a Time and Space Garden

*I, the Creator of Demon!

*Killer: I can shapeshift infinitely

*Death Inquisitor

*I Can Create Perfect Accidents.

*Five Frozen Centuries

*Deity Hero: Me! Gaining Disciples Makes Me Stronger!

*80 Years Of Signing-In At The Cold Palace, I Am Unrivalled

*Turn out I'm a Great Cultivator

*I Turn Out to Be a Grand Master 

*Hide in the Banished Palace and Level Up To A Big Boss

*A Man Living in the Countryside Would Fly Up to Heaven at Daytime

*As A Cardinal, I Don't Do Overtime

*Xianxia: I Can Download Fully Levelled Abilities

*Becoming God with Spirits

*Pleasure Helping Spirits System

*Self-cultivation of the Exorcist [horror/fanfiction/Parallel worlds]

*Full-time Artist

*Creation Notebook

*The system invites me to be a teacher

*The Fat God System <<less

Bah, is the title something long? Does it sound like cheap advertising? Don't be fooled, this is not a trap!  You will find on this... more>> list several Male Gods preaching their goodwill and their righteousness in their breadth of interpretations of different characters! Ditch that cheap male ...!Ah ..... does this include .... reincarnation? Transmigration? Time and space travel? Cultivation? Magic? Fantasy? Politics? Different times? Supernatural? Culture? Food? 'Breeding'? System? Romance? 'entertainment'? ¿Entrepreneurial business?  Counter attack? OCC?Yup, and not only that. The 'performer' starts with a blank character or rebuilds either villain, minor character, extra cannon character and even a f*cking male character to confront and combat fate and be ...A good ... father ... husband ... brother ... grandson .... filial son ... friend ... and maybe more ...?! in short a Male God loved by the Heavens!Although there is someone who appears to be a bad man but is a bread of God!Warning: The list is in 'process'. It should be remembered that some are abandoned or slow... Although please respect the rhythm of translations and be grateful to the respective translator. Also not all of us have the same tastes when it comes to good reading, don't blame the translator or the same author! But I assure you that it will be a good read even for lovers of anguish and drama (or who like the world on fire)! <<less

1-11 Male Mc X Adorable Sweet loving Female Lead
11-41 Female Mc X Yandere, Cold, Doting Male Lead
Recommended All Favorite Best QT Novel with... more>> Male Mc and Female Mc Who Traveled Different World and Transmigration into Scum Characters/Cannon Fodder. Likable Male MC Who is Loyal And Dreamy, Doting On FL.   Likable, Smart, Cunning and Strong Female Mc who Faceslapped Scum, Fake White Lotus and Green Tea bit*h Characters. <<less

When you get real bored of female mc QT novel and the cliche worlds and plots, male mc QT BG novels are the best and a nice change for once.... more>>

This list is full of novels with male mcs BG and mostly about travelling to different worlds to grant wishes, or protect people or children from scum or simply live their lives the way they want. All of them are great and unique, I love all of them!!! <<less

Mix of novels I would recommend reading with male MC... more>>

The order is in my reading order <<less

Not ranked in any particular order. Leads that make you root for evil

No description.

No Yaoi, No Trajedy, No Smut, No Netorare, No Harem... more>>

Note: While I do change what I read depending on my mood, I do periodically add to the list. Be aware that all of my lists are active. <<less

In all these novels, the ML falls in love with the MC first. I can't stand the MC falling in love first because it means that he/she is technically the loser. I'm super biased to the protagonist, so that can't be possible. ... more>>

 I don't really care too much if the MC feels like a mary sue. I just ignore that plot hole. Read on if you want to read on! It goes in no particular order. 

If you want more, check out my pt. 2 of my Great QT Novels list. This is already maximum, so I just created another list. 

https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/33942/?ft=yes <<less

Relatively longer ones, most with 50+ translated chapters

A rushed list of all the chinese novels I have read

Some novels with game/system elements... more>>

Order doens't matter 

If you have recommendations I'd be grateful. <<less

Other :... more>>

炮灰N号[快穿] - Cannon Fodder No. N ✅

非典型求生欲[快穿] (reading arc.3 ch.105)

撩了就跑好刺激[快穿] (reading arc.3)

男主都是我徒弟[快穿] (reading arc.2)

如何为爱手撕剧本[快穿] ✅

非典型救赎[快穿] ✅

快穿之平凡人生 ✅

我只想做个安静的貌美男子[快穿] ✅

[快穿]小白脸 (reading arc.2 ch.34)

男二忍辱负重[快穿] ✅

他是污染珍宝的泥[快穿] (reading ch.246-247)

大佬谢绝当炮灰[快穿] (reading ch.117)

不好意思，在下冷淡[快穿] (reading ch.54)

总裁崩了对谁都不好[快穿]✅

我只是个背景板啊[快穿] (reading ch.28)

白月光求生记(快穿)✅

拯救卑微偏执男配[快穿] (reading ch.145)

✅ = Finished <<less